Post by Johnzplan on Nov 9, 2005 11:35:08 GMT -5
Interview with Marc Mandrake
JM: How did you get your first start in the game of pro wrestling?
MM: I have always loved wrestling. I grew up watching WCCW from Texas on ESPN. I always prefered WCCW over WWF at the time, because they had guys like The Von Erich's, Chris Adams, The Freebirds, Al Perez, Ric Flair ... and I always wanted to do this.
I went out to Rochester, NY's New Milleneum School to check it out, talked to a few people and decided I wanted to give it a try, only to find out the school closed a week later. Finally, Empire State Wrestling in North Tonawanda, NY was just starting, with a bunch of kids who wanted to do this, and it kinda went from there.
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JM: Who trained you?
MM: My initial bumps were taken under HC Loc at NMW's school in Rochester, NY. Then I went and continued my training under ESW's Hurricane Guerrero, while taking training seminar's with guys like Jerry Lynn. After I left ESW in the Fall of 2003, I trained some more under Ian Decay, as well as learned tons from guys in the NWL/HoPWF locker room like John Rambo, Samu, AJ Petrucci, Johnny Valiant, Morgus The Maniac, Shorty Smalls and many more.
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JM: I have been to a House of Pain show only once which was my first time in beaver falls PA back in march which was a big event, what were your thoughts on the show as I know how much drama it was behind close doors to keep the show going.
MM: Ya know, for the most part, Ferrari and I stay away and out of any drama. To be honest, if there was drama at that show, we didnt know about it. Short of Luna not being able to make it, actually. We as part of that family, help along with everyone else, to ensure the show runs smooth for all of the awesome fans.
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JM: That was the same event your valet Ferrari wrestled her very first match to replace the injured Luna Vachon against Stacy Hunter. I remember seeing how nervous she was but since you trained her what were your feeling about her wrestling Stacy hunter?
MM: I of course was nervous. Not only is she one of my students, but she also is my fiancee, away from the ring. But Stacy is a great wrestler, and took care of Ferrari, and for what it was, I thought it was a good match.
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JM: is TNA or the WWE in your future?
MM: I would love to work TNA. I have to admit, I do not really like WWE's product anymore. To me it is boring and stale. But TNA on the other hand is still fresh. I still consider TNA an indy though. Which is good. The indy's are where it's at... and I could see myself possibly working TNA at some point. The other thing too, is Ferrari and I do this because we like to do it. We kinda have a deal between us both... that if we both are not booked, we just wont take the booking. We market ourselves together, because it works.
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JM: The Name Game
John Rambo - Respect, and Ferrari and I owe him many thanks, will never be able to repay John
Tommy Mandrake -Potential to go far
Farrari -Love of my life
Jason Stactic -Awesome!!! I will be shocked if WWE doesnt sign him at some point.
Chris Hammrick -"Mandrake... you ok with some chops?"... while everyones head in the back drops when I say yes LOL
Jerry Lynn -I learned more in the first 3 hours I talked to Jerry, then the previous yr and half I was in the business
Morgus The Maniac -One of the nicest guys I have ever met
Johnny Valiant -Johnny convinced me that I wasn't as bad a worker as I thought I was
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JM: What are some of your highlights?
MM: Wrestling Chris Hamrick... learning some stuff under Jerry Lynn... anytime I am in the ring with John Rambo... to be honest, everytime I have what would be considered a highlight, my goal is to keep eclipsing that and moving forward.
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JM: What's the most painful thing you had to go through?
MM: Physically I would say a Singapore Cane match maybe... or being hit in the head with a chain once was pretty painfull Emotionally, when Empire State Wrestling and I mutually parted ways because of professional differences.
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JM: What are some of the things in wrestling you would change if you took charge?
MM: Respect for the business and for the veterens in this business. Alot of young guys coming up in the business think they can go to a school, learn how to work, and thats it, they are good to go. They dont seem to realize you have bust your ass to pay your dues, and earn respect
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JM: Any Interesting stories to tell?
MM: There was the time we were going to work a show up in Canada. We go through customs and they go through all of our gear. Finally, they are searching through the car and find a pair of handcuffs, so the Customs agent asks me if they are for wrestling, or our own personal use. I ask if I have to really answer that question, he says yes... so I tell him our own personal use LOL He dropped those handcuffs real quick LOL
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JM: what are some of your goals your aiming for in this Biz?
MM: To constantly improve and enjoy myself. I am thankfull for every day I have in this business, because it is a life long dream to do this. If I make it to WWE or TNA... great. If not, thats ok too, because I know I gave it 110% every time I was in that ring.
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JM: Any Advice for young men such as myself who dream of competing in the squared circle?
MM:Get used to your body always being in pain, for starters. I forgot what a pain free day felt like lol Education is important... it sounds like such a damn cliche... but go to school and make sure you have a good daytime job. Other then that, if you bust your ass, give 110%, wrestle even when you dont want to because your sick or hurt. Dont get down on yourself when you mess up, because everyone does. And I think the most important point is keep your eyes open, mouth shut and listen and learn. Too many new workers dont take this advice and end up having a harder time in the business.
