12 months ago, two of EPW’s most recognisable faces decided that it was time to hang up the boots and give wrestling away. One of those men was two time EPW champion, Jimmy Payne. So it was a huge shock to EPW fans to see Jimmy Payne return on the weekend at BREAKING POINT. What brought the biggest, baddest bully back to the ring? We caught up with Jimmy to find out.

First of all Jimmy how did it feel to be back inside an EPW ring?
 
I know it's cheesy but it was like coming home. I felt a bit rusty but wrestling in that ring is what I do. Dogs chase cats, I beat people up. It’s just what I do and I have fun doing it. After Breaking Point, I know it won’t be long until I'm back at my best and maybe I'll even be better than ever.
 
What made you decide to return to EPW?
 
I've been coming to shows and kept in touch with some of the guys but the itch to get back in the ring just grew and grew. I never wanted to be one of these guys who "retires" and comes back but I realised I'm a wrestler and wrestlers don't "retire". They either become movie stars or die. I said to myself, I'm too ugly to be an actor and I'm not planning on dying anytime soon so what am I doing?? The thing sealed the deal was when Slex and Carlo Cannon stole the EPW tag titles.
 
You obviously take great pride in EPW and have fought for it on many occasions over your vast career here. How does it feel to see the EPW tag team titles in the hands of Melbourne wrestlers?
 
Over the years it’s no secret I haven't always seen eye to eye with EPW officials, wrestlers or fans. But for all our differences, one thing I will always have in common with everyone is that I love EPW. If Slex and Carlo want to wrestle for EPW, work their way up and win a title and make a name for themselves then good for them. But they didn't earn those belts and they don't deserve them. They think they can walk right in uninvited and take our belts? Well boys, the bully is back and you’re next in line for a beating.
 
How were you feeling just before your music hit on Saturday night?
 
Well alot of people in the back didn't know about it and obviously neither did the fans. It was all pretty hush hush and last minute so I was wondering how people would react. I'll be honest. There were nerves, but there was also excitement. I just wanted to get out and fight. And once I heard the beat of that music and the cheers of those fans I knew I had made the right decision.
 
EPW fans have called you many things over the years. Grimace, a bully and a few things we just can’t mention, but the general consensus amongst EPW wrestlers is that you are the greatest EPW wrestler of all time. How do you feel about that claim?
 
Yeah I've heard it all. When you think about the greats of EPW you think Storm, Mikey, Dooley, Bobby and yes my name usually comes up. Everyone will always have their fans and their haters but I have always gotten alot of respect from the other EPW wrestlers and I'm thankful for that. I guess I've always been more of a wrestler’s wrestler. I'm more grit than glamour, more power than precision and I just don't mess around. That's my way of saying I don't do moonsaults and flippy, fancy crap. I'm not full of myself and I don't get a big head when other people say stuff like "Jimmy's the greatest" but it's nice. Is it true? Who knows? I'm just gonna go out there, do what I do and let people make up their own mind.
 
You are undefeated at Re-Awakening, having beaten some of the very best in EPW such as Davis Storm and Bobby Marshall. Are you worried that this is the year that the streak gets broken?
 
I have no idea what is happening past W.A. vs VIC. And right now that is all I'm thinking about but no, I'm not worried. At Re-Awakening, I've always got a target on my back because of my streak and I'd like to be all cool and say "it's just another match" but it's not. It's Re-Awakening. There are more nerves, there is more at stake and there's more pressure. My streak is a big deal to me but I don't worry about it, I just make sure I don't lose so whoever EPW throws at me this year is in for one hell of a fight.
 
What did you do with your time off?
 
As I said I have kept up with what’s happening in EPW but other than that I have just paid more attention to my personal life. I've been training but also just been having some fun with family and friends. That just about sums it up.
 
You’re older… you’re wiser… would you say you’re better?
 
Look, a year out of action has left a little rust for sure but I've been keeping busy and working hard. I'm stronger than ever but more importantly I'm hungrier than ever, so it wont be long until you see a Jimmy Payne who's better than ever. I've won titles, I've won awards. I've been a fan favourite and I've been hated. In EPW, I have pretty much done it all so why even come back? The big difference this time is that I'm not focussed on any of those things anymore. All I want to do is what I do best and that is hard and heavy wrestling. There is no one else in EPW like me and I am really going to embrace that. Whether I am better or not who knows? We'll all have to wait and see but either way. It's going to be fun to find out.

Jimmy Payne, thank you for your time and behalf of everyone involved with EPW, welcome back.

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