COLT CABANA: I trained at the Steel Domain in Chicago, IL. I was fortunate enough to be brought into the business by Ace Steel and Danny Dominion. My first match was June '99 at Fort Fest in Ft. Atkinson, WI. It was for Randy Ricci's NAWF, and I wrestled Eric Freedom/Doink the Clown.

DP: Have you used other names aside from Colt Cabana?

CC: My sixth match I used Colt Cabana and stayed with that. Previous to that I was part of the Goon Squad as Goon #1 (not by choice) and Scott Colton.

DP: Have you had any serious injuries while training or wrestling?

CC: Nothing too serious. I did tear my quadracep and pulled some tendons in my right leg after hyperextending it pretty badly. Besides that I've had some concusions, scrapes, and bruises.

DP: What is your Web site URL, and do you answer fan mail?

CC: Great Plug!!! www.coltcabana.com You can send me email at ColtCabana@hotmail.com and I'll be glad to answer any questions that are sent my way.

DP: You have become somewhat of a hot item among the indys. What are some of the groups you have worked with?

CC: Off the top of my head . . . IWA Midsouth (IN/KY), MAW (WI), SDW (MN), ACW (WI), 3PW (PA), IWC (PA), IWF (MI), MCW (IL), LWF (IL), IWF Michigan (MI), NWA Midwest (IL), CAPW (OH) & XICW (MI). The list goes on further than that, but I hope those give you an idea.

DP: Have you tried to get in with the WWF?

CC: No, I have not tried to get into the WWF . . . yet.

DP: What about Japan, Europe, or Mexico? Have you considered foreign tours?

CC: In the past couple of months I've had serious offers/talks about going to Austria, Japan, China, and England. I'm not sure if any will happen, but I can only hope. I'd love to go to Mexico. Lately I find myself in awe of the style, and I think the Mexican people will take kindly to a 235 lbs. American who can move just like a lucha star.

DP: What wrestlers do you respect, and are there any you have patterned yourself after?

CC: I respect any and all wrestlers who have properly paid their dues to be part of the wrestling business. Whether you're the 15-year vet or the kid putting up the ring. We all share a common love, and for that I respect you. I can not say that I pattern myself after anyone. I'm more than positive my career has a lot of influence from many people, I just can't put a finger on it.

DP: What wrestlers have been a help to you in this business?

CC: Ace Steel and Danny Dominion are the begining. I owe much gratitude to them. Adam Pearce is another guy who I appreciated helping me out when I was first breaking in. C.M. Punk and I have a give and take relationship where we're both helping each other constantly. I'd have to say Ian Rotten, Tracy Smothers, Carmine DeSpirto, and Dave Prazak are all others who have really helped me in my journey to greatness.

DP: Hardcore or old school, which is the way to go?

CC: Old School can be hardcore. Don't forget that. I work for predominatly hardcore promotions, but I'm the old school portion of the card. I work a mix. Although I don't bleed or use (too many) tables and chairs, I definitly put a twist on my old school wrestling with a little hardcore in me. My hardcore would consist of crazy moves, lucha spots, or hard-hitting action.

DP: Do you feel wrestling will ever go back to the era of kayfabing, or do you think the multiple exposes on the subject have destroyed this for good?

CC: Destroyed it for good. When you can go on the Internet to a Web site that tells anyone the special language that wrestlers use, you know kayfabe is gone.

DP: What has fan reaction been to you? Do you feel "over" with them?

CC: I definitly feel over. I love coming to a new place and being able to show a promotion how hard and well I wrestle. The next time you come back, the people really appreciate you, and they let you know. I was taught at an early age in my wrestling career that getting the people into your match is your first objective. It's all about the people.

DP: How do you respond to critics who might not like your way of doing things?

CC: I honestly haven't found too many people that aren't a fan of my wrestling. Sure there's tons who think I'm just whatever, but I've never had anyone really despise my work.

DP: Do you have a specific finishing move?

CC: I use a variety of special moves. The Colt 45 is double-underhook Canadian sit-down backbreaker. I'll also use a lot of top rope moves like a merosault or a frog splash.

DP: You also know my friend the Navajo Warrior. Where did you meet him? Have you ever wrestled him?

CC: I met Navajo Warrior at a John Collins show in West Layfatte, IN. I got the opportunity to wrestle Navajo for IWA Midsouth in a great match that saw me "crush" him with a merosault.

DP: Has he tried to get you to come to Arizona? They have a new group opening there. I seem to think I saw your site linked to them.

CC: Mountain Strength Pro Wrestling is run by Justin Roberts, ring announcer extraordinaire. Him and Navajo Warrior are good friends, and I plan on making it out there eventually for a show. Time is the key element.

DP: You also wrestled for the new AWA. What were your experiences there?

CC: My AWA experiences were mainly green ones. My third match was for the AWA, and it was against King Kong Bundy. I'd been in three matches, and already I'm sharing locker rooms with Bundy, Steele, Sherri, Valentine, Honky Tonk, Eadie, and a host of other vets. Those were great times, and I only look forward to any upcoming AWA shows.

DP: Aside from yourself, what other indy wrestlers do you see having a big futrure in wrestling?

CC: I think Ace Steel is the best indy wrestler out there right now. He belongs in Japan, and I wish someone would take notice. Other than that I hope and I know that C.M. Punk will do something (and take me with). On the indy scene I really hope that Reckless Youth, Chris Hero, and Mike Quackenbush have the opportunity to make a whole lot of money.

DP: Do you prefer to travel about or stick to your southern homebase?

CC: Actually, I'm based out of Chicago. So if you assume that Kentucky is my homebase, then you already know I do quite a bit of traveling. All I do is travel, as Punk, Dave Prazak, and myself are quasi-known for being the most well-traveled wrestlers in the Midwest. We just recently finished up a trip to Philadelphia for 3PW in the ECW arena.

DP: Have you had any bad experiences with promoters on the indy scene?

CC: I've had minimal bad experiences. I won't say I haven't had any, but there's been a few. I've only had one time where I didn't recieve my pay and a couple others where I got less then promised. The good totally outwieghs the bad.

DP: What about good ones? Who are some of the best you have worked for?

CC: Ian Rotten: Appreciates everyone. Carmine Despirito: Knows his wrestling back and forth. Norm Conners: A true promoter, knows how to sell tickets. A.T. Huck: Class act, great guy.

DP: What might be your best bout to date?

CC: I've had so many tremendous matches with C.M. Punk. We had a classic 2/3 in Minnesota, and then did another great 2/3 in IWA MS. We also had a tremendous old school match with Harley Race as our ref in the finals of the MAW heavywieght tournament. I also had matches with Jerry Lynn, Tracy Smothers, Chris Candido, Chris Hero, Vic Capri, Mike Quackenbush, Suicide Kid, and Ace Steel that I'm very proud of.

DP: Your worst? We all hate to talk about it, but we have them.

CC: My worst match. . . . C.M. Punk vs. Colt Cabana in West Layfayette, IN again for John Collins. We were asked to go six minutes in front of about 24 people in what was the worst match ever!

DP: Closing comments?

CC: Thank you for the questions. I hope this gave you a little insight to the life and times of "Classic" Colt Cabana.