Anthony, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to answer some
questions for us. You've opened some eyes since your appearance on the
One Night Only X-Travaganza PPV so I was hoping to get an opportunity to
interview you.
Thank you for having me.
Let's discuss the One Night Only PPV. You were a part of an Old
School vs New School themed tag match involving RaShad Cameron, as your
partner, and your opponents, Doug Williams and Kid Kash. Tell us a
little about that experience. Who, from TNA, called you? How excited
were you to return to TNA?
I
was called by Al Snow in December and he explained to me what the show was
all about and if I was interested in it. Of course, I said yes. Originally I was told that I would be a part of a six-way scramble
match. Obviously plans changed since that phone call but that's always
the nature of the business. When I arrived backstage and found out what
my new match was I was much happier. I knew a six-way would be great but
in a tag match you can be featured a lot more and stand out. The only
thing better than that would be a singles match. I
was excited to return to TNA for the sake of wrestling on a big stage
again and seeing some friends I made on my short stay there. But, I knew
it was only for one night (no pun intended).
Incidentally, many of the fans who watched the PPV felt that your
match stole the show. Were you happy with the way your match came
across on television? I'm curious, was it as stiff as it looked?
I
am humbled and excited to hear that some fans feel that way about the
match. I was very pleased with the way the match came out as well as the
time we were given to show off our talent. Unfortunately for me, after
watching my matches once or twice, I start to hate everything I do and
pick apart myself. As
for the intensity of the match goes, it was an extremely hard hitting
match. We all knew our place on the show and what other matches we were
up against. All four of us wanted to go hard and keep the fans drawn in.
I have had a few encounters with Kid Kash and I've learned quickly that
you have to be ready for a beating when you're in the ring with him. I
would say Rashad got the worst of it this time though.
I'm curious, you claim that you "knew it was only for one night". Is there any particular reason for
that? I read, recently, that you signed a contract with Gabe
Sapolsky's Dragon Gate USA/EVOLVE promotions. Does that have anything
to do with it?
Actually no. I just knew TNA had little interest in the X-Division
anymore and already had a surplus of talent so I didn't think much of
the opportunity to be any more but a one time gig.
Let's briefly talk about your departure from TNA. At the time, we heard
reports that you asked for your release in order to compete in Japan,
if my memory serves me right. Could you clear it up for us, why did you
leave TNA?
I was presented with an opportunity to work with The Great Muta for a local
promotion (PWS). I immediately agreed to the booking as it was allowed
in my contract to take outside bookings anyway. A few months after, I
was told by the promoter of the company that the show will now be
broadcast as an iPPV. Unfortunately, my contract didn't permit me to do
any shows that are broadcast. I wrote an email to TNA requesting to
do the show anyway. I was immediately called by someone in the company
(I will leave the name anonymous) and I was reminded about my contract
restrictions, so I stated my case. I explained how they never use me and
how this would be great exposure and experience for me. They still said
no. So I took a day to think about what I was going to do. Here I am
signed to an internationally known and televised company but never being
used, never given any answers, and basically wasting away as an unused
talent. I knew I was better than that (not to sound cocky but its the
attitude I was always taught to have). I decided to take a step back and
create a name for myself because I knew TNA was no longer going to do
that for me. The Muta match was just a spark that helped ignite the
entire situation. I also was told at the time that I would be brought to
Japan for this. Unfortunately, that promise was never followed through
but the match with Muta was worth it anyway.
Recently, there was a report that you wore an Impact Wrestling T-shirt
at an indie show to rile up the crowd. Evidently, it worked as there
was quite an anti-TNA sentiment. How did that come about? Is it
something that could happen again?
It was just a fun idea the promoter and I discussed that would, just as
you stated, "rile up the crowd". I was asked to turn heel for the
company and we thought it would be cool if I talked down on the company
and fans and promoted TNA. Given that I was featured on the TNA PPV that
same night, I thought it would be fitting to wear the shirt. It's
something that could keeping playing out in that specific company but I
don't carry that gimmick with me anywhere else. My regular gimmick is
"The Premier Athlete".
You said, earlier, that TNA had little interest in the X Division. I
realize that the X-Travaganza PPV was filmed in January so your opinion
may very well have been accurate at the time but I'm curious, judging by
the new X Division rules and format, do you feel the same now?
I still feel the same because if you notice, they are no longer
contracting many X-Division guys but are instead bringing in different
names every other week for short two week runs. I could have stayed a free
agent and maybe been called up once or twice in the future but that's
not what I am looking for.
I must admit, watching you at X-Travaganza, I couldn't help but notice
how much you've grown as a wrestler. Don't get me wrong, I thought you
were enormously talented when you were in TNA but it appears that you've
acquired a character since you left. Tell us a little about that. How
much of the Premier Athlete did we see on the PPV?
At the X-Travaganza PPV, it was a very laid back, "do what you want"
atmosphere. There was no creative direction and we were just told to
have a great show. I was able to relax more in the ring and just be
myself and show some character. Granted, it was just one match so you
really didn't see too much of the Premier Athlete. When I was signed to
TNA I was completely restricted and never given any direction of
character because the creative focus was always to develop the other
guy. You will be able to see the real Premier Athlete in the upcoming
DGUSA/Evolve shows.
Can you confirm the news that you signed a contract with Gabe Sapolsky?
If so, is it an exclusive deal? Can you appear and wrestle on Impact?
Yes, I am now signed with DGUSA/Evolve. I can no longer appear on Impact during my contract years.
I completely understand the desire to sign a contract that guarantees
you steady work, nor do I begrudge you, but my question to you is this:
does an exclusive contract with an indie promotion ultimately benefit
you? You've essentially taken yourself out of the running for
opportunities at one of the two mainstream promotions, at least until
your contract ends. Did you push for a non-exclusive clause? Or an
opt-out clause?
Despite what people believe, there was a whole lot more promise and
money involved in my signing with DGUSA/Evolve. TNA has an extremely
wide range of difference with their contracts. If I would have sat on my
TNA contract just so I could say I was in one of the top companies, I
would have eventually starved.
Although I may not necessarily see the advantages of an exclusive
contract with an indie promotion, I do admit that you appear to be happy
with your decision and I congratulate you. I think Gabe has signed a
tremendous talent whose career has only just begun. I'm curious,
however, does any part of you ever regret leaving TNA?
Most of the talent I look up to these days came through Gabe. Whether
the goal is to go to Japan or eventually make it to WWE, working for
Gabe just seemed to be a step in the right direction in my eyes. As for
regret, of course it was always great to be able to say you're on national TV and your friends and family can watch you, but that would be the
only thing that would be missed. Not to say it will never happen again,
but when the time comes I will be much smarter with the decisions I
make.
Anthony, for those who aren't familiar with DGUSA/EVOLVE, would you like
to tell us a little about the promotions? Or any future shows that
you'd like to announce?
DGUSA
is a sister promotion to Dragon Gate, an extremely high intense
Japanese promotion. Evolve is a promotion that runs more often and holds
the same US talent roster and story lines that stem from DGUSA. These
companies have some of the most talented wrestlers today. The shows are
always intense from start to finish and the athleticism is most of the
time mind blowing. You can check out their videos here: http://www.youtube.com/
One last question before I let you go. Let's, for a moment, forget about contracts...what does TNA mean to you?
In no way am I anti-TNA. I am just telling my story and experience as
well as defending the integrity of my decisions. Everyone has a
different experience and different story where ever they end up working.
TNA obviously has been a great place to work for many wrestlers. If the
opportunity came up for me to sign there again and it worked out to my
benefit then I wouldn't even hesitate. It just wasn't my time and I had
to take a different route. What I am against is just settling when I
know I can do better, so now I'm trying a new path. Don't take this
interview as me being bitter either because if it wasn't for TNA, many of
you probably wouldn't have even learned about me. It was a huge success in
my career to have been signed, but then I hit a road block, so now I
need to knock it down to keep moving forward.
Anthony, once again, thank you so much for doing this and for being
forthright with me. I respect that. Is there anything you'd like to
say to our wonderful readers, many of whom are fans of yours.
Thank you very much for having an interest in my story and thank you to
the fans for supporting me and I love all the feedback. Everyone can
stay in touch with me through twitter: @TonyNese and if anyone has any
booking inquiries you can contact me through email: booknese@gmail.com
If you enjoyed this interview, be sure to check out other feature interviews I've conducted:
JAY BRADLEY
GENERATION ME's MAX BUCK
BRIAN CAGE
RUBIX
AJ KIRSCH
