The Jack Epstein Interview
This is an archive for all the interviews I have conducted. I Hope you all enjoy them. If you don't, well, screw you!
This is a legit interview I conducted with former ECWer Judge Jeff Jones.
I know many of you are questioning if "Jack sold out".... You
all should know the answer to that. Jack answers to nobody! ;)
These should be a regular feature here in RSPW.
11 Questions... The Jack Epstein interview with ECW's Judge Jeff Jones....
JE: Hello Mr. Jeff Jones. Even though we have a documented
history on RSPW, its nothing personal. So please don't let your
hatred for me cloud your judgment!
Let me first congratulate you with your recent push in ECW as
the manager of Sid. Do you expect big things for yourself and Sid
in the future of ECW? Maybe TAZ's ECW Title?
JJ: I expect many big things for Sid & I in ECW. Right now I will be
laying down the law and Sid will laying down the executions. As far as
Taz' ECW World Title...I think that's a BIG MONEY PPV Main
Event waiting to happen.
JE: How did you decide to get into wrestling? Did you always wanted
to a manager/referee type, or an actual wrestler?
JJ: In 1992 I started to work as a referee for a indy group out of
Maryland called the Mid Eastern Wrestling Federation (MEWF).
I then became good friends with Axl Rotten and he helped me refine
my skills. When I was growing up I always wanted to be a wrestler
but when I realized I could go more places as a ref I decided that was
the career for me.
JE: What is your greatest moment ever in wrestling?
JJ: Besides bringing Sid into ECW it would have to be being in the
Main Event of ECW Heat Wave '98
JE: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Do you see
yourself in the Big 2?
JJ: It's kinda hard to say, but then again five years is not that long
off. You can never rule out the "BIG 2" but right now I really like
working for ECW. People right now only say the "BIG 2" but really
there are 3 major companies right now. Back to the question though
five years from now I would like to be involved with the production
end of wrestling. you know helping put tv together after it has been
shot, stuff like that.
JE: Growing up, what are your fondest memories of professional wrestling?
JJ: Watching Dusty Rhodes every saturday morning on NWA World
Wide Wrestling. He was and still is my all-time favorite wrestler. You
look back now and say he was the shits but that man could and still can
control a crowd.
JE: What are your connections to the JOBSquad?
JJ: I am good friends with Al Snow & the Meanie. I am the one who
designed the two shirts (1,2,3,4-Life & The Black & Blue Crew)
they wearmost on RAW.
JE: With the internet becoming a large forum for the smart marks to
voice their opinions, and the hordes of fly-by-night wrestling fans
flocking to the arenas; What are your feelings towards today's
wrestling fans?
JJ: Today's wrestling fan is alot different from when I was a fan. More
money is being spent by today's fan. I think sometimes people come
down to hard on promotions and/or workers. Like the stuff the WWF
is doing right now, some people think it is horrible and has no place on
television. But for that one person who does not like it, there are
twenty people who do. You can't please everyone, so just lighten up.
JE: Who is the future of Professional Wrestling?
JJ: I am not just saying this because I work with them but Chris Chetti,
Danny Doring, Justin Credible are the future of this business
JE: Bret Hart/Vince McMahon.... work or shoot?
JJ: BIG WORK. Are you gonna have me believe that stuff. The movie was
great. It will come out twenty years down the road that it was a work.
JE: When you leave the business, what do you want to be remembered for?
JJ: That I worked hard when I worked and entertained the people.
JE: Thank you for your time Mr. Judge Jeff Jones. Is there anything
else you'd like to add? Any shills? ;)
JJ: Sunday Night March 21st, 1999 Asbury Park Convention Center ECW's
Living Dangerously "99 order your tickets now because last year's event
sold out.
copyright Jack Epstein Productions 1999. No unauthorized reproductions
if you'd like to live a nice long life. If you'd like to use this
interview, please send me $500 so I can buy one of those shirts that Stevie Ray and
The Rock wear.
This is an interview I conducted with ECW's Steve Corino back in April 1999.
11 Questions... The Jack Epstein interview with ECW
newcomer Steve Corino....
JE: Hello Mr. Steve Corino. Just so everyone knows, you
were ranked #343 in the latest PWI 500. You've won many
titles in the NWA, MEWF, and other feds in your 5 years
as a pro-wrestler. You've also made a couple appearences
the WWF. Not bad!
SC: I have been very fortunite over the last five years to
do everything that I have accomplished. There are alot of great
wrestlers out there that have been working alot longer but haven't
got to do half the stuff I have.
JE: Let me first congratulate you with your recent signing with ECW.
I have been pushing for them to sign you for months now. I'm glad
that we're gonna be able to witness your talents now on a national
level. Do you feel like you've hit the Big Time?
SC: Not yet. Until I make a big impact on Extreme Championship
Wrestling I won't be able to consider myself in the big time. There
have been alot of times over the last two years when I thought that I
was close but stuff sometimes doesn't work out, so I am on a wait and
see here in ECW.
JE: How did you decide to get into wrestling?
SC: I was a wrestling fan since I was 8 years old and it was just
something I could never stop thinking about and once the opportunity
come up to learn wrestling I didn't hesitate.
JE: What is your greatest moment ever in wrestling?
SC: I don't know if I can give one greatest moment because there
are alot of moments that have been awesome; My first match, first
title, first appearence in the WWF, going to USWA & WWC, being
invited into the WWF Dojo, wrestling guys I looked up to when I was
a kid. All stuff like that I wouldn't trade with anyone.
JE: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Do you
see yourself as a regular in the Big 2?
SC: Hopefully in 5 years I will have made a big impact
somewhere in the big time, preferably ECW. By that time I will
only be 30 years old and will have 10 years experience so hopefully
I would be in a position to help out young talent just coming into the
wrestling industry.
JE: Growing up, what are your fondest memories of professional wrestling?
SC: The first match I ever saw was a match form the Philadelphia
Spectrum and it was Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito vs. Tony Garea and Rick
Martel for the WWF tag belts in a 2 out 3 fall match and was just amazed
at what I was watching. The next saturday I noticed on WTBS, Tommy
Rich was going off about someone on Georgia Championship Wrestling and
the fans were so into him I was hooked. At that time on another channel
we were getting Southwest Wrestling and that's where I noticed Tully
Blanchard and said to my mom and dad-That's what I want to be.
JE: I remember first seeing you on WWF TV about 2 years ago. I remember
either Brian Pillman or Steve Austin attacking you (you were a plant
in the audience). Am I just imagining that, or did it really happen?
If it did, what was it like?
SC: About 2 1/2 years ago, Tom Brandi took me up to the WWF
TV tapings because he was debuting the "Sal Sincere" gimmack and
sometimes they will let you work with someone you really feel
comfortable with while feeling out the new character, so I wrestled him in a
dark match at the RAW taping and then the next night I was just walking by
Crush, Tracey Smothers, and Jake Roberts (who was the road agent at the time)
and the came up with the fan in crowd thing and it went well enough for
them to call me back to do TV again.
JE: With the internet becoming a large forum for the smart marks to
voice their opinions, and the hordes of fly-by-night wrestling fans
flocking to the arenas; What are your feelings towards today's wrestling fans?
SC: It all depends. I don't mind the fans that read the internet or the
kayfabe sheets but still come to a arena and respect what we as
professional wrestlers and professional entertainers do. I respect this
business so much and it really is dishearting to see fans come out and
think that they could do everything we do and better. But for the most
part fans are a great way to determine if I am going to keep using a new
move or a way I try to piss them off.
JE: Besides you, who is the future of Professional Wrestling?
SC: Two guys that I feel are going to be the future of this industry are
Lance Diamond and Chris Daniels. They have so much to offer a big
promotion. Nova, Chris Chetti, and Danny Doring are going to have
awesome futures. I think Reckless Youth will make a impact somewhere
and underated guys like Twiggy Ramirez, Harley Lewis, and J.R. Ryder
would be a great addition to ECW.
JE: Bret Hart/Vince McMahon.... work or shoot?
SC: Ha Ha. To be honest I thought it was a work from the get go until
I was up at the WWF Dojo and Andrew Martin (Test) and Glen Kulka
told us the whole story and I was convinced it was a shoot.
JE: When you leave the business, what do you want to be remembered for?
SC: All I want to be known for is a guy that loved and respect the
professional wrestling business and never regreted being a professional
wrestler at all.
JE: Thank you for your time Mr. Steve Corino. Is there anything
else you'd like to add? Any shills? ;)
SC: I have a brand new website opening. The URL is:
http://www.stevecorino.com Drop me a line with your thoughts.
Thank you for the interview.
copyright Jack Epstein Productions 1999. No unauthorized reproductions
if you'd like to live a nice long life. If you'd like to use this
interview, please send me $500 so I can buy one of those shirts that Stevie
and The Rock wear. In addition, I would like a bottle of WWF Attitude cologne.
The chicks dig it!
11 Questions... The Jack Epstein interview with WCW newcomer Lash LeRoux
JE: Hello Mr. Lash LeRoux. Just so everyone knows, you
are currently working for WCW. You are a graduate of
the WCW Power Plant, and recently got a Cruiserweight
Title Shot on Nitro against Billy Kidman. Lets see if this
interview can give you the proper push you deserve!
LL: Allo, and thank you very much, Jack. I have no doubt that I'll get
exactly what I deserve.
JE: Congrats for finally making it to the big time. Wrestling
on national televison must have been an incredible experience.
How did it feel to work a match in front of thousands of fans
in the arena with millions more watching at home?
LL: Honestly, it felt very natural. I have always enjoyed being atheletic,
obnoxious, and competitive...so, I fit right in.
JE: How did you decide to get into wrestling?
LL: Actually, I was a freelance artist. I was sitting at home, drawing
comics and watching Nitro. I saw the promo for the Power Plant and
thought: "Hey, I was a fairly impressive amateur wrestler. I think I can
do this thing." Boy, did I underestimate the Power Plant. It was the
toughest thing I have ever accomplished.
JE: Suppose WCW gives you full control of your character... What
gimmick would you like to portray? Can you do the Big Wiggle?
LL: The Lash LeRoux thing is totally me. My family is Cajun. I'm Cajun.
Any "gimmick" you see me do on TV, I came up with. From the
T-shirt design to the double L sideburns, all of it was my idea. I am
Lash LeRoux both personally and professionally. Any other "gimmick"
wouldn't feel natural.
JE: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Do you
see yourself as a 'the next big thing'?
LL: As far as being "the next big thing", your Hogans and Goldbergs don't
happen everyday. They are immensely talented. Although, I think that I
have the work ethic and enough talent to make it to the top. If not in five
years, I will eventually. I am where I am because hard work does pay off
and there is no substitute for it. Look at Diamond Dallas Page.
JE: Growing up, what are your fondest memories of professional wrestling?
LL: By far, my favorite memory is the whole feud between Hogan and Andre
which peaked at Wrestlemania III. I also was a fan of the original 4 Horsemen,
the Midnight Express, Ted Dibiase, and all of the Armstrongs including Bob.
JE: Whats the thing that most people don't know about you?
Any secrets? And why are you wasting your time posting to RSPW?
The newsgroup is frowned upon by most workers in the biz.
LL: I am actually quite an artist, which surprises most people. I don't
consider posting to RSPW a waste of time. Whether you like certain fans
or not, they are still fans. They are the ones who buy the tickets which
ultimately allows me to do what I do. That's a big deal. So, what they
like and don't like dictates what I do to some degree. Posting to RSPW
keeps me abreast of what the fans like to see.
JE: With the internet becoming a large forum for the smart marks to voice
their opinions, and the hordes of fly-by-night wrestling fans flocking to
the arenas; What are your feelings towards today's wrestling fans?
LL: Well, it definitely takes more to impress fans these days. The average
fan frowns when he sees any kind of a hold applied in the ring. Fans
want to see action. So a wrestler is constantly trying to outdo himself.
It is more physical than ever, and the chance of injuries are far greater.
But you always have to give the fans what they want to see.
JE: Besides you, who is the future of Professional Wrestling?
LL: For the next ten years? Definitely Kidman, Jericho, Saturn, Booker T,
Rey Mysterio, Jr, Juvi, Disco, Raven, Wrath, Kanyon, and many others
whom I am just failing to think of now. We have a lot of talented people
in this industry; which is making it more and more competive everyday.
JE: Bret Hart/Vince McMahon.... work or shoot?
LL: I honestly have no idea.
JE: When you leave the business, what do you want to be remembered for?
LL: Being a good wrestler. It would be dishonest for me to say that I don't
want the fame and fortune that can come with being a pro wrestler. Of course,
that's a big reason for being in the business. But, when it is all said and done,
and everyone is looking back on my career, I want them to say I was a great
wrestler. I want Lash LeRoux to be mentioned in the same context as Ric
Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Arn Anderson, Harley Race, Ted Dibiase, Bobby Eaton,
Brad Armstrong, Sgt Buddy Lee Parker, to name a few. They are legends.
They were / are great wrestlers and that is what I want to be remembered as.
JE: Thank you for your time Mr. Lash Leroux. Is there anything
else you'd like to add? Any shills? ;)
LL: Keep watching for Lash LeRoux. I have a feeling that I will continue to
impress a lot of people in the future. In the meantime, Laissez les bon temps
roulet! Let the good times roll!!
11 Questions... The Jack Epstein interview with indy standout Otto Schwanz,
(now wrestling in the WWF as one of the Dupp Brothers)
JE: Hello Mr. Otto Scwanz. Just so that everyone knows;
you're a former football player who attended Georgetown
University. You're in your sophmore year. You have won
various indy titles in the North Carolina area, and
you were ranked #447 in the PWI 500.
OS: You are partially correct. I was the greatest Offensive Line
Man ever in the schools history. Just saying I played there is not
enough.
JE: So explain your German "uber-heel" gimmick. How did you
come up with this one?
OS: Gimmick. That is what you think, wait til you get to know me.
But the name Otto Schwanz was given to me by Cueball Carmichael,
who brought me in the business.
JE: How did you decide to get into wrestling?
OS: Growing up in a Trailer park in the old NWA Mid Atlantic
region of Germany made me an automatic fan I guess, and I did not wanna
be watching in five years and wonder what if.
JE: You're listed as 6'4", 287 lbs... Why didn't you
play football professionally?
OS: I think the real reason, was that I lost the disire. All passion
for the game was gone. However, I think it was a real tribute to my
athletic abilities that pro scouts were showing up on a weekly basis to
meet me.
JE: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Do you
see yourself as a 'the next big thing'?
OS: Since I have the biggest thing, I hope that might make me the
biggest thing.
JE: Growing up, what are your fondest memories of professional
wrestling?
OS: The Mulkeys win over the Gladiators, that was the culmination of
paying your dues in wrestling. I think close seconds were the debut of
the Ding Dongs, and the fact that PN News was in the fed at the same
time, and Baby Doll, what were in those pictures of the Dream.
JE: Are you happy performing down in the Carolinas,
or do you wanna take over the east coast (tri-state area) indies?
OS: I would love to come up and get a chance to wrestle some of the guys
up North. Take over their feds. i doubt it, the whole pupose in coming
up there would be to get experience and learn some new things. Winning
and losing don't matter in comparison.
JE: With the internet becoming a large forum for the smart marks to
voice their opinions, and the hordes of fly-by-night wrestling fans
flocking to the arenas; What are your feelings towards today's wrestling
fans?
OS: First off I think that internet smart marks are mostly located in
the North East. Maybe that is why you ask me if that is where I wanna
be. The Majority of the shows I do, are still the NWA traditional
audience that I grew up on, with the exception of the Berkeley Cafe. I
think that as an independent wrestler, some times you need to remember
where you are. One thing that gets me, is when wrestlers wanna act like
their audience is smart. I don't think I get a lot of smart marks down
here. Very few. I really don't care if you are a smart mark, just if you
show up to be a fan. The Berkeley is the only time where I am aware
that there is a smarter audience. I guess I treat them smarter but they are
still marks, the term smart mark is an oxymoron.
JE: Besides you, who is the future of Professional Wrestling?
OS: Joey Matthews claims he is the future. SO I guess him. I would
say next to us, if the Warlord makes a come back, then him.
JE: Bret Hart/Vince McMahon.... work or shoot?
OS: It looked like a documentary, all shoot, I was workering and did
not see it.
JE: When you leave the business, what do you want to be remembered for?
OS: For being absulutely NUTS.
JE: Thank you for your time Mr. Otto Schwanz. Is there anything
else you'd like to add? Any shills? ;)
OS: Nothing really, there is nothing wrong with all you people
worshipping pro wrestling. I only wish that the rest of the world
looked to pro wrestling to solve there promblems. Thank you
for the interview.
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