INDY PRO CENTRAL interviews
SHARK BOY

I was originally trained by Les Thatcher at the HWA facility in Cincinnati. We learned basic bumps, ring psychology, promos, etc. Later I trained under Paul Orndorff and Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker at the WCW Power Plant in Atlanta. They stressed cardiovascular training and adhering to the specific in-ring desires of WCW management. I plan to combine all of this training and also stress "wrestling etiquette", or do's and dont's of the dressing room. The ten students who take the "Shark Tank" program are going to get all of this and more!

2. You and Michael Lockwood were paired up in TNA and I'm sure his passing came as a shock... How did you find out about Mikes passing and what was your immediate reaction?

I received a call from my friend The Hurricane the day Mike was found. I was devestated. Mike was a good person and we were just starting to become really good friends. I miss him very much.

3. Along with training and TNA shows, You run Buckeye Pro Wrestling.. I know first hand that you've got a respectable fanbase, Where do you see BPW in 5 years? Are you planning to make it a big time federation, or just a big indy?

The sky's the limit for Buckeye Pro Wrestling. The bigger it becomes, the better. Right now I'm just happy giving Ohio fans and all the fans across the country who order our DVD's a fun alternative to WWE. Anyone who wants more info about BPW can visit www.BuckeyeProWrestling.com.

4. I know you've got a helluva list when it comes to matches in your career.. Can you dig into your archives and tell us about your favorite match of your career?

Last March I wrestled Chris Kanyon in a "dark match" at a WWE Smackdown taping in Pittsburgh. We were the opening match of the night and we tore the house down. Fans were chanting "We want Shark Boy" for the rest of the night. I owe a big "thank you" to Kanyon. Not only was he the one who "discovered" me and got me a spot in WCW, but he also gave me the greatest match of my career.

5. This is a question we ask all of our guests... We love road stories and have compiled some great ones.. So sharky, Hit us with your best road story..

I was lucky enough to tour Europe with the WWA about a year and a half ago with guys like Sting, Lex Luger, Buff Bagwell, Disco Inferno, Perry Saturn, and others. One night we were riding from the building to the hotel on our tour bus. A bunch of us were huddled in the back of the bus telling jokes and stories. There were no empty seats back there, so I sat on the floor next to Sabu and we both participated in the "back of the bus" tomfoolery. It was getting really late and Sabu was already tired and started to doze off. Instead of leaning on me, he leaned on the emergency door which, low and behold, opened up as the bus rounded a curve. Slowly I started to slide out of the bus! If it wasn't for a couple of guys noticing right away, the shark would have become European roadkill! A couple of guys grabbed me and pulled me back onto the bus. Sabu vehemently denied being the one to lean against the emergency door at first, but the next day when we got on the bus, he stopped next to my seat and handed me a "Shark" energy drink. "I thought you might be thirsty," he said and headed straight for his seat. It was his way of saying "Sorry I almost killed you, man, and you're okay by me."

6. Lastly, We know your training classes with ACE WRESTLING is right around the corner.. How will the "Shark Tank" training differ from the rest?

My students are going to receive a well-rounded wrestling education. They will leave the course with a solid in-ring foundation and superb knowledge of how the industry works from the inside out. Anyone who feels like they would benefit from such knowledge should visit www.SharkBoy.net and contact me right away. Only about half of the ten spots are really still available at this point. I look forward to helping to shape the next generation of pro wrestling superstars!