IN THEIR BLOOD 2 was just a few short weeks ago, and was to this point the most anticipated night in Inspire Pro’s history. But, it seemed as though a man’s explanation was just as anticipated as any matchup scheduled on that night. Fans awaited answers from “The Bionic Beast” Franco D’Angelo concerning the part that he played in “Centerfold” Matthew Palmer’s forced leave from Inspire Pro Wrestling.
It was D’Angelo throwing in the towel during Palmer’s high stakes Street Fight with Inspire Pro Champion “Dirty” Andy Dalton that cost his tag team partner and best friend the championship along with the hopes of ever competing in Inspire Pro again. Many theorized that this move by Franco was an act of betrayal fueled by jealously. However, Franco would refute those claims when he was given the opportunity to bear all at our last event. In the words of Franco, no one cares more about Matthew Palmer than him. And because of that fact, it gave Franco no other choice but to save Palmer before Dalton ended his career in the worst way possible.
But another member of the Inspire Pro roster would take issue with such a claim. “The Wrestling Goddess” Athena would make her way to the ring, sporting Palmer’s signature “Die Dalton Die” t-shirt, to refute D’Angelo and state he was only jealous of Matthew Palmer’s popularity. Claiming Palmer outshined D’Angelo in The Center Of Perfection, Athena would get under the skin of The Bionic Beast enough for Franco to deliver some harsh criticisms of his own concerning Athena’s relationship to Matthew. Feeling beyond insulted, Athena was left with no other choice but to lay out a challenge for this Sundays CLASH AT THE BASH 2, for a one-on-one contest.
Tensions between Athena and Franco D’Angelo seem to be boiling over, so in order to shine a better light on the situation we recently had the opportunity to talk with “Centerfold” Matthew Palmer to get his thoughts on not only this intense situation, but also on his departure from Inspire Pro.
There are about a dozen things we want to ask you right now. But we’ll start at the beginning of the end for Matthew Palmer in Inspire Pro. When you heard the bell ring in your match with Andy Dalton, what was going through your mind?
I knew that I had him beat. From the first bell ring I knew in my heart that there wasn’t anything he could do to stop me from getting my championship back. In the end, I was right. There was nothing HE could do to stop me.
Putting your Inspire career on the line was a risky gambit. You accepted the challenge. Why?
Like I said earlier, I knew I had him beat. Andy Dalton may be one of the best wrestlers most of us have ever seen, but I wasn’t out there to wrestle. Honestly, I’m not sure I was only out there to win a title. I could have ruined his life that night and I wouldn’t have been satisfied. I could have killed him. #DieDaltonDie for real.
What was your reaction to Franco throwing in the towel that night, and what is your reaction now, after a few months removed from the match?
When I reversed his piledriver I saw the white towel fall to the canvas and I thought, ” What? Did I rip a part of his shirt?” It was when the bell rang, ending the match, that I realized that something was wrong. I turned and saw Franco and the look on his face. I felt betrayed. I remembered my eyes welling up and feeling this odd combination of rage and grief. I couldn’t fathom what was happening to me.
Franco claims that he cares too much for you. What’s your response to that claim? Is that valid?
I believe he may care about me, but I also know he cares about his own interests very much. We solidified our friendship while he was lying in a hospital bed relearning how to walk. I saw him take his first steps after a near fatal car crash. Plenty of times we talked about wrestling. In most of those conversations, he talked adamantly about winning wrestling titles and putting an exclamation point on his comeback.
Did I get in the way of his goal and he, seeing an opening, remove me as an obstacle? Perhaps. However I also remember him helping me walk to my car after a few shows. Once I didn’t want to show anyone backstage how hurt I was but I couldn’t stand on my own. He grabbed me by the back of my belt and helped hold me in place while other wrestlers came by and gave their goodbyes after an Inspire event.
He was my friend and I considered him family. I don’t think I’ll ever fully know if he felt the same way about me and didn’t want to see me in that hospital bed like him or if he cared about his legacy. I didn’t know that night and I still don’t to this day.
Athena confronted Franco at our last event, and essentially accused Franco of wanting you out of the way. What are your thoughts on those comments? Does your position deviate from hers at all?
I don’t know. Like I said, I don’t think I’ll ever really know. I am very upset that she did confront him openly like that. I love her more than anything and I know the love is mutual, however she should focus on her great career, not my prideful fall.
What are your thoughts on their match at Clash at the Bash II?
I wish it never came about. This will not help anyone. People are going to get hurt and I can’t do anything about it. She’s going to get hurt and I can’t do anything about it.
Athena vs. Franco. Who has their hand held high that night? What are your predictions?
If Athena goes by the strategy I’ve given her, Franco will not win. Athena, like me, is very prideful. If she goes in the ring with an angry Franco and fights her normal fight, she can’t beat him. He’s too powerful and too experienced for most already, but an angry, passionate Franco D’ Angelo? He’s damn near unstoppable.
What’s your advice for Athena going into this? Naturally you’ve spoken to one another about it.
You’ll have to see.
Do you have any advice for Franco going into the match?
Prepare for the unexpected.
PHOTOS BY JOEL LOESCHMAN & STEVEN GILMORE