Independent wrestler T.J. Perkins told the Mania Week blog that he left Dragon Gate USA and Evolve because he wasn't making the type of money he felt he deserved. "Long story short, I rode in the equipment truck from Florida to Chicago, Jersey, Philly, or wherever DGUSA/EVOLVE had their shows," Perkins recalled. "33 hours one way. I would go straight to the venue and wrestle, and get right back in the equipment van, unshowered, tired, sometimes hurt, and make the 33 hour drive back to Florida.

"The two-figure income I was making was losing me money ever single trip. With each match I was given more responsibility and always seemed to do a good job for Gabe; he would always rave about me coming back through the curtain. He used to ask me to make lists of opponents I felt were good enough for me, and told me I would be taking Davey's place as the cornerstone for his companies, go on the Japan tours, yadda yadda ludicrous stuff. But the money never went up; in fact his business dropped off so bad that my money went down and sometimes I didn't get paid at all.

"I stuck it out for awhile because I gave Gabe my word; I would give him my best and he gave me his word he would do right by me. He never did. Anyhow, there are much more negative things that came into play with my departure but in the end I was offered a contract with MTV, enough for me to move home, so I did. I told Gabe I'm sorry but if you want to keep me on your cards you have to compensate me like every other place does, ROH, MTV, internationally, indys, etc...

"He said he wouldn't do that so I left. He wasn't even mad until people found out he didn't want to pay me. Then he got upset I guess because he doesn't want to look like the bad guy. So I loved my peers...hated my boss." To read the full interview, visit ManiaWeekend.blogspot.com.

Powell's POV: Perkins also ran through some of his prominent matches, which include working with Bryan Danielson, Sheamus, and Davey Richards. He even attempted to charge one of those wrestlers who wanted to know how to apply his leg submission finisher. As for the Sapolsky comments, I always like to remind people in situations like this one that there are two sides to every story.

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