My first question is do you watch TNA and if so how long have you been watching TNA?
I've watched TNA/Impact for several years now. I remember when I was in wrestling school that one of the students would get the weekly pay per views and the first show I saw was when Sting teamed with AJ Styles to take on Jarrett and Lex Lugar. After that, I watched TNA along with as much wrestling as I could get my hands on. The X-Division has been a particularly inspiring aspect of TNA wrestling.
What do you think of the new X-Division rules?
It's interesting. Triple threat matches have their own unique challenges and advantages. Also, the risks associated with losing a fall makes the wrestlers on edge and desperate not to lose. Seems like it can help bring out the best in the X Division.
What are your thoughts on the new Gutcheck Challenge with the fans voting?
It's a very cool concept. Wrestling as a whole is now moving toward a very fan interactive and fan friendly form of entertainment. The next step in this is the Gut Check Challenge where the fans decide, very directly, who they want to see on their TVs week to week. The fans have always been the final deciders of what ends up on TV and PPV. Now, their voice is heard clearer than ever.
Which wrestler inspired you to become a professional wrestler?
As a child, the Ultimate Warrior and Ricky Steamboat. The Warrior's energy and intensity and Steamboat's skill and fire made me an instant fan. As a teenager Rob Van Dam was a big inspiration. He was a martial artist like myself, and everything he did looked crisp and amazing.
Who trained you to be a wrestler?
I was trained by Kasanova Kato at Keystone Championship Wrestling. Kato's very old school and, while I didn't get it at the time, his training style made me tough and smart as well as skilled. I owe him a lot.
What is your wrestling style?
Martial Arts Striker I suppose. I can mix it up with anyone anyway they want, though.
What is your height and weight?
5'9 and 185 lbs.
Do you see yourself as an X-Division wrestler?
I really don't want to limit myself too much to be consider this kind of wrestler or that kind of wrestler, but I've always been a big fan of the X-Division. I was a big fan of Jerry Lynn who was one of the X-Division founding fathers. Plus, many of Impact wrestling's top guys like Aj and Samoa Joe made their first impressions on the audience in the X-Division. I'm looking for any opportunity I can get.
Which promotion do you primarily wrestle for?
I work mostly at Pro Wrestling eXpress in Pittsburgh and Black Diamond Wrestling in West Virginia. I do travel as much as I can and I'm always looking to branch out, however.
What is your finishing move called and what exactly is it?
The Near Death Experience; A modified Angle Slam with a pump handle. I've also been known to use a head and arm triangle choke I call Halcyon Dreams.
For those that have never seen you wrestle what makes you stand out?
I mix 15 years of Martial Arts experience with a desire to lay it all out in the ring. I can break your spirit with my words then break your jaw with a kick. If you hit me, you better hope you hit me hard enough that I don't get up.
Do you prefer to be a face or do you prefer to be the hated heel?
I am who I am. How the fans react to that is up to them. But they paid their hard earned money and I'll give them a show every single time. I promise you that.
Have you ever had a match with anyone in the Gutcheck Challenge?
I have. In fact, I'm in the same Bracket with an old friend of mine; Facade. We've been kicking each other in the face from Pittsburgh to Cleveland to West Virginia and back again for the past 5 years I'd say. He's got some flashy moves, skills with a can of spray paint, and possibly the greatest hair in wrestling. But when it's all said and done, it's a competition and may the best man win.
If you could have a match with anyone in TNA who would you choose?
Zema Ion. I've known Zema a long time and he's an inspiration in a way as he worked in a lot of the same places we did and made it to the next level. I know how hard he's worked and I'm very proud of all his success. That being said, all those years and we've never had a one on one match. Seems like Impact would be the best place for it. Besides, he still owes me from that time I kept him from falling out of a moving car on the Ohio Turnpike.
Care to tell the Zema Ion almost falling out of a moving car story?
He might not be too happy with me if I did. Tell you what, if I win my Bracket, I'll give you guys the exclusive story.
