Lee Moriarty Brings TAIGASTYLE To The Collective
The Apex of Combat reflects on his career in this exclusive interview.
One of the great things The Wrestling Estate has allowed me to do is to connect with all sorts of wrestling industry professionals.
That is why on a sporadic basis throughout 2020, I will be bringing several exclusive interviews from industry insiders, helping fans learn more about their work and impact on the business.
My sixth interview is with a man who has been tearing it up on the Northeast independent scene and is now taking the nation by storm! It was a privilege to be able to talk to “The Apex of Combat” Lee Moriarty and learn all about his wrestling influences, his graphic design work, the evolution of TAIGASTYLE and his excitement for The Collective. Follow Lee on Twitter and Instagram at @apexofcombat.
Lastly, I want to again thank a previous interview guest and good friend Kane Wharton for allowing me to share his wonderful photos as part of this interview.
What are you earliest memories of pro wrestling?
Lee Moriarty: “My earliest memory is Rikishi giving Booker T the stinkface! My grandfather was watching wrestling in the living room and I walked in and saw that. I didn’t become a fan yet and only started watching a few years later. I was channel surfing and came across The Boogeyman. From then on, I was a fan. Growing up my favorites were Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy, CM Punk and AJ Styles. As I got older and discovered more wrestling, I became a big fan of Tiger Mask (Sayama) who’s my all-time favorite, as well as Chris Hero, Bryan Danielson, Milano Collection AT, ACH and Masato Yoshino.”
Where did you train?
Lee Moriarty: “I began training in February of 2015 under Brandon K and Dean Radford at a school called PWX in Pittsburgh PA.”
I read in a recent interview that your main influences in wrestling are Chris Hero, Tiger Mask I, Chris Brookes and the amazing Shingo Takagi. Which matches of theirs stood out to you the most and have been used as a form of study?
Lee Moriarty: “All of those guys have been influences on me because of their unique approach to wrestling. It was never one match that stood out and made me a fan, but seeing multiple things from them. I’m influenced by so many people and I think it comes out in my work and presentation.”
I really love the “TAIGASTYLE” you have developed and how this works with your in-ring persona. Where did the idea originate?
Lee Moriarty: “TAIGASTYLE came to me one day as I was listening to a Wu Tang Clan song. I’m a big fan of theirs. From there, I began to add other pieces. Originally, I wanted to be a masked wrestler, so I always had the idea to have some form of a tiger mask because of Tiger Mask. I decided to spell it in all caps like hip hop artist MF DOOM. Then when I explain what TAIGASTYLE is, I like to compare it to Bruce Lee’s ‘Jeet Kune Do’ because it’s my way of wrestling without an actual set style.”
Alongside wrestling, your other main passion in life is graphic design. Have your two main passions in life ever crossed paths for you? What makes great graphic design?
Lee Moriarty: “My design work definitely crosses over into wrestling a lot. Pretty much all of my gear, masks and merchandise have been designed by me. I think being an artist before an athlete helps me look at wrestling a bit differently than I would without that skill. It’s helped bring out my inner self. I don’t know that there’s a set rule or thing that makes a great graphic. Art is subjective so it’s kinda hard to be wrong when creating.”
The early part of your career was primarily based in Pennsylvania and PWX (now known as Fight Society). Was that an exciting time during your formative years?
Lee Moriarty: “Getting my start in my home in front of the Pittsburgh audience was really cool. Pittsburgh isn’t known as a major market for indie wrestling, but the talent and passion is here.”
From wrestling in PWX, you then went onto wrestle for Ryse and had several standout matches involving the Ryse Grand Title. How did it feel being the holder of a newly established title?
Lee Moriarty: “It was really humbling being the first Ryse Grand Champion. To go through a tournament and become the representative of a new company comes with a lot of pressure, but it made me a better wrestler. One of my proudest accomplishments.”
It was during your time with Ryse that you also wrestled for several other independent promotions and faced a number of notable stars including Robbie E, Façade, Gregory Iron and a man whose career has been running parallel to yours, Tre Lamar. Did you ever feel daunted facing such established names at that time in your career?
Lee Moriarty: “I definitely felt daunted! Since the beginning of my career, I’ve been put into high pressure situations and it never gets easier. I feel like those matchups you mentioned helped prepare me for more later on.”
2019 was a huge year for you professionally as you debuted in AIW: Absolute Intense Wrestling. What was that like?
Lee Moriarty: “It’s hard to express through words what it meant to debut for AIW. AIW is one of the independents that was a bucket list goal to work for because I would watch some of their stuff while I was in high school. To earn a spot on an event and then eventually become a regular on the roster from a tryout is still really cool.”
AIW has really allowed you to spread your wings, and you have wrestled in so many different kinds of matches.
Lee Moriarty: “I don’t think I’ve had a better learning experience working for anywhere else. AIW has put me in the ring against so many knowledgeable people and there’s no way I’d be where I am now if they didn’t give me a chance.”
Heading into 2020, you had a fantastic trilogy of matches against one of the most important wrestlers of the last 15 years, Alex Shelley. How did it feel wrestling Alex, and concluding the trilogy with your amazing submission match?
Lee Moriarty: “Wrestling Shelley is still one of the most surreal things for me. Watching him and Chris Sabin growing up, then being in the ring with someone as good as him is invaluable. The submission match is probably the match I’m proudest of in my career. Loved it. Having him take me under his wing from then on is even cooler.”
Since then, you have debuted for even more great promotions including Black Label Pro and Game Changer Wrestling. How were you able to get these opportunities during such a tumultuous year?
Lee Moriarty: “I think people getting to know me through AIW helped get me the opportunities for places like BLP. AJ Gray was a big supporter and the reason I received my opportunity in GCW. To be a part of the top promotions tells me I’m doing something right.”
With the announcement that The Collective is taking place in October, both GCW and BLP have got stacked cards. How does it feel to be part of such a monumental event?
Lee Moriarty: “I’m very excited to be taking part of The Collective. Every match announced throughout the three days has a chance to be someone’s favorite for the year. I’m excited to be a part of that energy.”
It has been announced that at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 4, you will face “The Octopus” Jonathan Gresham. I personally can’t wait to see this match!
Lee Moriarty: “Jonathan Gresham is easily one of the best wrestlers in the world. I woke up at about 5 a.m. the day before from a message telling me that’s who my opponent would be and I couldn’t believe it. Gresham is an influence of mine and I’m looking forward to gauging my skill level against his.”
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