| How did you get started in the Wrestling Business? When I was in high school, a promoter (Mark Charles) brought a wrestling show to my home town. I was a big fan, so I offered to help set up the ring. When we were done, the promoter asked if my friend and I would watch the ring while he went to get something to eat. Well, we thought that we could handle that and as soon as he left the building, we jumped in the ring. Well, I guess he forgot something and he came back in to catch us in the ring. We jumped out right away, figuring we were going to catch hell. The promoter calmly climbed in the ring and waved me over. "You think you can wrestle?" he asked me. At 15 years old, and as a lifetime fan I was pretty confident and said "Yeah, I can wrestle." He beckoned me into the ring and tied me in a knot in about thirty seconds. He would later put me onto a trainer, Ernest Rheault who trained me for my pro career two years later. When you were first starting out, who did you look up to the most? In the ring: Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Bret Hart. On the microphone: Roddy Piper & Jake Roberts. Who was your toughest opponent to date? I've had more than 800 matches, so to narrow it down to one would be tough. I have wrestled with Leatherface (of Japanese wrestling fame), Cyrus the Virus, Tatanka, Eddie Watts, Massive Damage, Bobby Rude, Chi Chi Cruz, Jim Neidhart, and hundreds more. I would say that one of the most punishing matches I was in though was a tag team cage match with Robby Royce against Leatherface & Brian Jewel in 1996. I couldn't move for three days. What was the toughest part of your training? It's all tough. What is your opinion of the current independent scene in Canada? There is a lot of great talent on the Canadian indy scene right now, but the in-fighting between promoters and greed is preventing a lot of good things from happening. What are your goals you wish to compete with wrestling? At the present time, I'm kind've between goals. The past year has been full of career milestones and in 2002 alone I have been coast to coast in Canada wrestling for promotions from ECCW to Real Action Wrestling. I guess, at the present time, the goal is to stay injury-free and have one of the busiest years of my career yet. Who do you feel is the best Indy wrestler in Canada? There's a lot of 'em. If I had to break it down promotion by promotion, I would say: ECCW (BC): Scotty Mac Can-Am (AB): Phil Lafon Pro Outlaw (SK): Crash Crimson Top Rope (MB): T.J. Bratt Premier Championship (MB): Mentallo Real Action: This company has the best of the best from across the country, so it's hard to nail down just one. |
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| Wrestlers are often asked is wrestling "fake"? how would you respond to this question? If you know how to fake it please show me!! I have had a broken nose, bone chips in both elbows, damage to both ankles, massive scar tissue in my neck and a twisted spine in nine years in the sport. I think if someone tried to do what we do, even for one full week, they would gain a new respect for what we endure. I recently had an interview with Jerry Martell he told me that you had some "interesting experiences" with Nick Wyman/ Nick Nitro care to share what he meant by that? Nick Wyman is an interesting character to be sure. You can read the whole story on my home page at www.geocities.com/vancenevada/main.html in my "Stirring It Up" section. Who do you feel is the most successful wrestler to come out of the Maritimes? Hands down, it has to be Leo Burke. Leo is regarded as one of the best in the country wherever you go. Of the current crop of Maritimers, I think that Scott Savage could go far if he follows the right path. Your opinion on the WWE TV. show Tough Enough. You've asked the wrong guy about this. I really don't like the idea of someone spending three months in a posh training environment where everything is handed to them on a silver platter and earning a contract. There are guys who have busted their asses for years, working hurt, for little money, starving themselves just to get more ring time and exposure just for the chance to even get considered. I really don't think that these people in the Tough Enough camp realize how big an opportunity they have. People pay to see you wrestle because.... You never know what I am going to do next. I might threaten to punch the music man in the face, or accuse an old lady of wanting to grab my "beefy goodness". I don't have a pre-determined rapport with the crowd, every night is a new crowd and they each get a personalized performance. How did you get involved with Real Action Wrestling? I had been in touch with the promotion earlier in the year about potentially coming down as I have worked with a number of the RAW roster in the past on different tours. I got a call in May saying that they had a spot for me and I was here within three days. What is your opinion on how the internet has effected wrestling? The internet has been both good and bad for the sport. It's great for indy guys like myself because it allows me to market myself worldwide with minimal effort. When you're on the road, people can still get the latest information and that's awesome. Davey Boy Smith recently passed away. Could you tell us your feelings on this? I was on the last two cards that Davey wrestled and travelled with him a little bit during that time. He was in great shape and at times, still had that twinkle in his eye like a man on top of the world. At other times, though, he just looked tired. I can't explain it exactly. It was a shock to hear of his passing and it is always sad to hear that a fellow athlete has died. Where can we see you in action? Keep an eye on the Real Action Wrestling schedule for July and August. Beyond that, negotiations are currently in place with a few different Canadian promotions, but I expect that my next "home" will likely be ECCW in Vancouver. |
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| Name Association Brain Marchand - Brian is an interesting character. He kind of reminds me of Bert from Sesame Street. Don't ask me to explain it, I can't, he just has that aura I guess. On a business end, he is very committed to his product and knows exactly what he wants, which makes my job very easy. I have nothing but postive things to say about Brian and RAW so far. Mike Hughes - I have heat with Mike Hughes. He's just a big ... No just kidding. I haven't known Mike for that long, but from what I have seen he is a real solid talent and moves very well for a big man. I would venture to say that he may be the best "big man" in Canadian wrestling today -- and certainly one of the most entertaining to travel with. Lincoln Remington Steen - I once watched Steen eat a whole chocolate jelly roll in one sitting. He has an appetite that legends are made of, and hair to match. I have watched him in action quite a bit and have stepped in the ring with him a few times. His biggest asset is his youth, and given the right seasoning, could have a promising career. Scott Savage - Scott Savage is one of my favorite junior heavyweights in Canada. He is probably the "Caveman Broda" of the new millennium. (Ha!) Ryan Wood - Ryan Wood is an incredible athlete, though under-sized for the wrestling game. What he needs most is to get out of Winnipeg where he can call his own shots and pay dues in new companies where his work has to do the talking. He is very talented and would be a welcome addition to any roster. Rob Stardom - My mother taught me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. I believe Rob Stardom is nice to his mother. Bobby Rude - After working a series of matches with him, it isn't hard to see why Bobby is on the WWE's wish list. An incredible talent with loads of charisma. Hands down, he is one of the best pure wrestlers that I have stepped in the ring with. Eddie Watts - The first time I stepped into a ring, Eddie Watts super-plexed me and beat the hell out of me for three hours. Nine years later, I would like to think that I'm a better wrestler because of it. Watts instills a deep respect for the sport and its grand tradition in everyone who bothers to pay attention. Hey, just take a look at this guy's resume and you'll see that he knows what he's talking about. Tony Condello - Tony is probably my favorite promoter in Canada. Five minutes with him and you'll never forget him. One of the biggest differences between him and other promoters is that he is one of the boys first, and a promoter second. He's been up and down the road and knows how to treat his talent. I don't think anyone that has worked for him doesn't have a favorite amusing anecdote or two. |
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