Editor’s Note: Special guest correspondent Rob Thill has been involved in local wrestling scenes in Sacramento, CA, Oregon, and Salt Lake City, UT.
He recently reached out to us and advised that independent wrestler Navajo Warrior, a mainstay in the southwestern and Southern California wrestling scene with promotions such as Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, would be retiring as part of his Last Mile tour in his home promotion, Impact Zone Wrestling (IZW), based in Arizona. He also advised that his final match would be against an AEW wrestler with whom he has had a history over the years.
We asked Rob to bring us this interview ahead of his match this Saturday, and he filed this story.
By Rob Thill – for SlamWrestling.net
Steve Islas, better known as The Navajo Warrior, is walking his Last Mile before he calls it a career on Saturday, November 8th, in front of a sold-out IZW crowd in Phoenix, AZ. Along this trail, he has faced a who’s who of Western independent wrestling, including tag team mainstays The Ballard Brothers, all the way to current TNA star Frankie Kazarian. But this last one is special.
For the first time in well over a decade, a certified legend steps into the ring for Navajo Warrior’s final match. That man is TNA/NXT/WWE star and current number one contender for the AEW title, Samoa Joe. I had a chance to sit down with “Nav,” as he is more affectionately called, over the weekend to discuss what’s on his mind.
RT: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today, Nav.
NW: Absolutely. My pleasure.
RT: WE are all so very lucky to be a part of this Last Mile tour, but my biggest question is, “Why retire now?”
NW: Well, I’ve accomplished everything I want to. It’s time. I’ve traveled the world doing what I love. I wrestled some of the greatest to ever lace a pair of boots. I don’t want to continue and end up overstaying my welcome. I don’t want people to ever be disappointed. It’s just time.
RT: I completely understand. Now, a lot of people might not know the history between you and Joe. Why did you choose him as your last opponent?
NW: When we started to put this Last Mile together, I wanted it to be against people who had made an impact on my career. I have watched Joe grow up from his first matches, to going to UPW [Ultimate Pro Wrestling], to TNA, Zero-1, NXT, WWE, and now being the number one contender for the AEW title. We have spent a lot of time together over the years, and I have enjoyed watching him grow.
RT: It blows my mind that he is in this huge program and is taking the time out to come and do this show with you. It just speaks to the level of respect he has for you and the impact you have made on his life.
NW: I appreciate that. That doesn’t go unnoticed by me, ya know? Everybody we reached out to do this has instantly been like, “Yes, when? Let’s do this.” Like, we got [NWA’s] Mike Knox. Being able to team up with my original tag team partner, Ghost Walker. We got to have one last match with The Tribe{ Hawaiian Lion] last night. It was a very special time, ya know? And Martin Casaus [Marty “The Moth” Martinez], who I got to watch come up through Utah all the way to being the Lucha Underground champion.
But Joe? Joe has a special place in my heart, so it’s only fitting that he be the final opponent.
RT: I’m so excited for you. If there’s one thing I know about you, you will leave it all out there for your fans.
NW: Oh yeah! Everything I got will be left out there. We got a sold-out crowd. Sold out in advance, even. We are ready to go out and give the people their money’s worth. It’s going to be a great show.
RT: It is truly monumental. Lastly, now that your wrestling career is coming to an end, what is next for the Navajo Warrior?
NW: So one of those many things is continuing to work with IZW. We have a lot of young guys coming up. So continuing to mentor them, coach them, and train [them]. I’ll still be competing in Strongman competitions as well. I’m a two-time America’s Strongest Man, a two-time World’s Strongest Man. It’s a sport that I enjoy doing, and it doesn’t require me to get beaten up.
And, of course, there’s the family and spending time with our daughters. I was just blessed with a brand new grandbaby, so that is a big priority. Our youngest daughter is now a competitive boxer, so we take her to tournaments and to compete in different states. And the best part is getting to spend more time with my wife, Michelle. We have been talking about going on all these road trips, and it finally doesn’t have to be for wrestling.
We’re going to see the largest ball of twine. We’re going to go see Mt. Rushmore, ya know. Devil’s Tower. The world’s largest cowboy boot. Just getting on the road and seeing these landmarks and just having fun with it.
RT: Well, from my heart, of all of your long list of accomplishments, the greatest one has been marrying that woman.
NW: Oh, I agree!
RT: Thank you so much for speaking with me today. Congratulations on your amazing career and for all of your future blessings.
NW: Absolutely. Thank you!
This may be his Last Mile in wrestling, but it looks like the Islas’ family’s journey is just starting. For all of us whose lives have been impacted by this man’s contributions, we are honored to send him off in the way he deserves. He is genuinely one of the unsung heroes in professional wrestling, and it is reflected not only by the company he keeps, but the way he is revered by all.
If you are lucky enough to be part of this sold-out crowd, you are blessed. And for those who aren’t, don’t forget to catch the livestream via their YouTube channel on Saturday, November 8th, as IZW presents Long Live the King!
Top Photo: The Navajo Warrior before his Last Mile Retirement Match. Photo Credit: @macormacimageworks
