- Peter
interviews Mason Raige.
-
- I recently had
chance to catch up with NYWC and NWA Cyberspace
star Mason Raige for this interview, and am going
on record as predicting big things in the
wrestling business for him. Here's what was
said...
- PETER) : Hi, and
thanks for making time for this interview. What
was growing up like for you?
-
- MASON) :
My childhood was pretty average I would say.
Looking back, it is amazing how much of an impact
wrestling had on my childhood. Having loved this
sport since the age of twelve, I was hooked on it
instantly. I played a lot of sports and grew up
in a great neighbourhood where we played ball all
the time. However, WWF television was a priority
in my life. Wrestlers were my heroes, and I tried
to emulate them in any situation. I must've
seemed like a really crazy kid!
-
- PETER) : Well, if
you were crazy then so was I; because that's
exactly how I was at the age of twelve too! So,
when did you very first view wrestling?
-
- MASON) :
Wrestling and I go way back to the days when
there were good guys and bad guys, and Hulk Hogan
ruled the world. As a kid my life revolved around
wrestling. Saturday morning was 'Superstars of
Wrestling', and midnight was 'Wrestling
Challenge' on channel 9. I used to set an alarm
clock to wake up and watch it. 'Tuesday Night
Titans' was a must, and 'All American Wrestling'
on USA Network was the Sunday fix. The once a
month shows at MSG was a three-hour treat as
well. I was hooked on The Hulkster, and it just
grew into a full-fledged passion for wrestling. I
collected everything WWF, except I still wish I
had my black and white Paul Orndorff sweatshirt
my parents bought me from McCrory's. It had 'Mr'
down one sleeve, and '#1derful' down the other.
How cool would that be to have now? Although it
wouldn't come close to fitting, I'd still try to
squeeze into it once in a while.
-
- PETER) : I agree,
that would be very cool still today! So, I would
guess that you knew you wanted to be a wrestler
one day?
-
- MASON)
: Actually, I never even thought of being a
wrestler as a kid; but I was backyard wrestling
way before backyard wrestling was even a term
people used. As a twelve-year-old kid, my friends
and I would have Wrestlemanias on the lawn. Down
the road, I actually considered going to ECW's
House of hardcore when they used to advertise it
on MSG Network;
- but I didn't have
the guts to do it at the time. Man, I can't help
but wonder what could've happened. But I decided
to find a wrestling school after watching 'Tough
Enough'. I really didn't know that there were
schools out there until that show. Once I picked
a school (after about six to eight months of
research and deliberation), the rest is history.
The first time I stepped into a ring was at Mikey
Whipwreck's old QWA school, and, even though I
didn't end up training there; the first time my
two feet touched the ring, I knew I was meant for
this. It's an indescribable feeling, but it was
about as empowering as experience that I've ever
had.
-
- PETER) : Where did
you go from here?
- MASON) :
NYWC, The New York Wrestling Connection; are who
broke me into the business. I started training
there in 2003 and debuted a few months later in a
limited role, just doing run-ins and demolishing
guys left and right. Man, that was fun! From
there, I progressed quickly and earned a spot
among a very talented roster. I still train
regularly at their school in Deer Park and am
currently one half of the NYWC Tag Team
Champions, along with Dickie Rodz.
-
- PETER) : Who trained
you to wrestle?
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- MASON)
: Training was really a team effort at the garage
in Hicksville, but we credit John Curse and Mike
Mayhem as being the head trainers there. Luckily
for me, I was able to learn from some quality
wrestlers about many facets of the business. Like
any hard worker, I'm still learning and will
always be learning. Mikey Whipwreck is now the
trainer at NYWC's new school in Deer Park, and
Mikey is about as knowledgeable in this business
as anyone can be. I've learned a lot in a
relatively short time, courtesy of the NYWC, and
I am very grateful to them. The real beauty of
the NYWC Training Center is you never really know
who's going to walk through the door to train.
Every class is a learning experience for me; I
always take something away and try to apply it.
-
- PETER) : Ever since
he first broke in with ECW, I must admit to
having been a big admirer of Mikey Whipwreck.
What were your first matches like?
-
- MASON)
: Well, I started off about as nervous as I've
ever been; and that shows when I watch tapes. I
was still developing my character and my
wrestling, but I'm proud of those matches. We all
need to start somewhere, and looking back is
always a humble reminder of that.
-
- PETER) : This is
very true. How would you describe yourself as a
wrestler?
-
- MASON)
: Mason Raige is an intense and aggressive
individual, and that always shines through first
and foremost. I always look to be original and
give the fans something to remember. I am
dedicated to the sport of wrestling, and I am
ambitious and focused. Mason Raige is a
powerhouse, and whether the fans love him or hate
him, his goal it to destroy his opponent.
Remember
you can't cage the Raige, so I
don't even try!
-
- PETER) : What has
been your favourite match or show that you've
been involved in?
-
- MASON) :
It's always difficult to isolate a favourite, but
last week's battle against A.M.I.L was a strong
and memorable match. The crowd was very hot, and
we (both All Money and Rodz and Raige) stood out
in what was a very outstanding show. Wrestling on
both 'Psycho Circus' cards was exciting because
the crowds are electric. I've wrestled on shows
with Mick Foley, Tommy Dreamer, Jeff Jarrett,
DDP, and Al Snow, and those were all very
exciting as well.
-
- PETER) : Who are
your friends in the business?
-
- MASON)
: Luckily, I have met a lot of quality guys and
ladies in the business; so I don't want to list
some due to perhaps leaving someone out. My
friends know who they are!
- PETER) : What has
been your lowest point in wrestling so far?
-
- MASON)
: Thankfully, I haven't had any real low points.
I try to avoid a lot of the nonsense that comes
along with professional wrestling, but I have
seen a lot of double talking and the
'smile-to-your-face and stab-you- in-the- back'
mentality of some people. I guess that's a part
of life. But, for the most part; all of my
experiences have been either really positive or a
way to learn and progress.
-
- PETER) : Don't get
me started on wrestling politics, it drives me
mad! I think your approach is a good one though.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
-
- MASON)
: I keep myself very busy. I love to exercise,
lift weights, read, write, and travel. My website
has been keeping me very busy as of late. Between
work, wrestling, and family, I don't have all
that much spare time; so I just try to relax and
have fun.
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- PETER) : What five
words do you feel describe you best?
-
- MASON)
: That's a tough question
determined,
dedicated, powerful, memorable, and intelligent.
-
- PETER) : What would
you say are your main plans for the future?
-
- MASON)
: I plan to keep working hard and progressing. I
want to go very far in the wrestling business,
and hope to get the combination of hard work and
luck to become very successful. I really have
high hopes for myself in wrestling, so the future
is always on my mind.
-
- PETER) : What are
your feelings on WWE and TNA, and the indys?
-
- MASON) :
The indys, to me, are the blood and guts of
wrestling. There are a lot of talented guys out
there who are hungry to make it in the business.
There are also some guys who have no business
even stepping foot in a wrestling ring, so the
talent spectrum is extremely wide; as is the
professionalism of promotions. The indy's offer
fans a close-up look at our sport, which is such
a benefit for them. On the other hand, it is the
fans who give us, the wrestlers, the opportunity
to showcase our abilities; so the relationship
between fans and workers is actually pretty
intimate.
-
- Unfortunately, I
don't get the opportunity to watch much TNA due
to cable availability, but I have worked with a
lot of TNA guys at NWA Cyberspace; and they are
talented and hungry as well. I think that by
hiring a lot of ex-WWE guys, it makes them look
second-rate, almost like a lesser promotion. I
would like to see them stay consistent in
creating and pushing their own stars. Do we
really need to see Kevin Nash and Billy Gunn at
this point in their careers, when there are a lot
of young guys ready to take the ball and run with
it? I'm not saying that guys like Nash and Gunn
can't still go, but when they come in with such
an elevated status in TNA; it overshadows the
hardworking talent who are making names for
themselves.
-
- The WWE is and will
forever be the pinnacle of wrestling (or Sports
Entertainment if you prefer) because they have a
stranglehold on the market. Monopolies are not
good for any business as far as consumers are
concerned, but the WWE still has flashes of
brilliance; although the product as a whole is
not at the level it should be. To me, Smackdown
is so far behind Raw that it is hurting the
business, and it seems hard to the WWE to
introduce new talent. That seems to hurt their
product as well. I still watch the WWE, but now
it's almost because I feel obligated to. I'm
hoping the business picks up a lot in the near
future.
-
- PETER) : Who do you
like to watch or learn from?
-
- MASON)
: As corny as this sounds, I watch and learn from
everyone. However, some of my wrestling heroes
are Hulk Hogan, Superfly Snuka, Rick Rude, Randy
Savage, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, and
Ric Flair. Those guys had it all. As far as
charisma and promos, I look towards Mick Foley,
Jesse Ventura, Roddy Piper, and The Rock. As far
as athleticism and intensity, I watch Kurt Angle,
Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit. As far as brute
force and presence, Batista, although new and
relatively inexperienced, sets the standard; but
I also like watching Davey Boy Smith. Being big,
I have to focus on power guys; but I am also
drawn to their style as a fan as well. My list
could literally go on for pages and pages.
-
- PETER) : To finish
up, is there anything you'd like to promote; or
anyone you'd like to thank?
-
- MASON) :
Check out my official site at www.masonraige.com,
and be sure to check out the merchandise section
for some very cool 'RaigeWear'. My webmistress is
extremely talented, and the site is really great.
Also, visit www.nywcwrestling.com and
www.nwacyberspace.com to check out some top-notch
independent wrestling. As far as thanks, I have a
list a mile long; but I'll just thank anyone who
has supported me or is helping me on my journey.
I'm lucky to have such a strong support system of
friends and family, and I plan to deliver success
to them all.
-
- PETER) : And I'm
very sure you will. Thanks again for the
interview, and all the best for the future.
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