Thought I would keep the thread ticking over by posting Mikey's thoughts on the upcoming show:
(From frontierwrestling.com)
So straight down to business Mikey as I know you are a busy man. What were your thoughts when you heard about Frontiers of Honour and the concept of the guys from RoH going against the FWA?
I've been hearing nothing but good things about FWA. Over here in the States they have a reputation similar to Ring Of Honor using the best hungry young talent putting on Strong Style, Lucha, and Hardcore matches and giving the fans 110% every match. When the ROH office told me about the joint show putting FWA vs. ROH I thought it was a really cool idea since It is something You can't really do in the States because there are so many Independent wrestling companies and none of them has the overall quality ROH has and most of them utilize the same talent. Also it's different because most of the FWA guys are never seen in the US and most of the ROH guys aren't seen in the UK often so it's a nice change of pace.
You have just been added to the card today and it has been announced your opponent will be one of the biggest rising stars in the UK, Jack Xavier. What are your thoughts on the match upcoming and what can the British fans expect from Mikey Whipwreck?
To say I was shocked that I was added to the show would be an understatement. When FWA contacted me about appearing on the show I was wondering Why in god's name would they want me when they have Christopher Daniels, Low-Ki, AJ, and Paul London. I mean these are THE TOP free agents in the US and when you add the top UK talent like Jonny Storm, Jody Flesich, Doug Williams and Jack Xavier it really is an honor to be on this show. I just hope that Jack and I can have and entertaining match and that the fan's are happy with what we do. the fans can expect everything my body has left to give and I hope it's enough to please the fans.
Now for a few of the RoH guys it will be there first time in England, but you are no stranger to England yourself. What was the experience like when you first wrestled in the UK in the mid to late 90s for the EWA?
The wrestling experience was really really cool. The fans were loud and into everything going on in the ring. Now as far as the talent across the ring from me that's another story entirely and we don't have 45 days for me to get into it
One of the other stars from the EWA days is current FWA star Ulf Herman who also briefly appeared in ECW. What are your memories of Ulf Herman, who has since become a cult star on the British wrestling scene thanks to his hardcore matches in the FWA.
Ulf is Awesome. He always worked hard in the ring, had good matches and deserved more then he got in ECW but that was how Paul Heyman did things. He'd been put in a crappy position to see if they were dedicated to ECW and if they stuck around after about 6 months he'd give them a better spot in the card but Ulf was here from Germany and couldn't stick around waiting. If coming in from Germany doesn't show dedication then nothing will. Before the ECW pay-per view in New Orleans, Louisiana they had a huge Halloween Parade and Party on Bourbon Street (sort of Like Piccadilly Circus with a gothic theme and EVERYONE is drunk and having a good time, including the police!!!!) So ECW has a big flatbed truck and all the wrestlers are piled in the back throwing out party favors to everyone and drinking beer. After about and Hour of being in this parade we are all feeling "pretty good" and Ulf and I decide to climb over the cab of the truck and onto the hood. Ulf see's something interesting on his side of the truck and turns to tell me to look but as he does he hits me in the face with a full beer can and knocks me down and through the windshield of this truck. All I can do is look at the driver and say, "want a beer"? It was a real good time until I had $1700.00 deducted from my paycheck to pay for the windshield so Ulf if you read this please feel free to hand over $850.00.
The UK wrestling scene in general has changed drastically since those EWA times with the FWA leading the way. You must be curious to see what the fans are like in the UK now.
If the UK fans are as rabid as I remember them being or even 1/2 as rabid it's going to be a real good time on the 17th.
Most of the fans will remember you from your days in ECW but you are now a member of RoH what are your thoughts on the promotion and how are you fitting into the style.
ROH is unbelievable. The effort the guys put into their performances is like nothing I've seen since the early days of ECW. As far as fitting in with the style I don't know. I just go out there and do what I have to do. I won't try and compete physically with these guys because my body just couldn't handle it. 2 bad knees , 2 herniated discs, and 14 concussions has left me unable to wrestle the ROH style full time. I can do 1 match and after about 2-3 weeks I'll start to feel pretty good again. I remember Mick Foley telling me that all the stupid bumps I was taking and not taking the proper amount of time off to let injuries heel would leave me crippled in a few years and he was right.
Now you are somewhat of a multi-talent as you have trained one of the biggest up and coming stars on the US indy scene in the Amazing Red. What were your thoughts on him when you first started training him and what are they now on seeing what he has achieved so far?
When I first saw Red he had such raw talent that I told him That he had "IT". He looked at me as if I had 3 heads, though that's nothing new to me since most people find me to be a bit off in the head. I told him to trust and listen to me and he would be a star one day. I look at Red now and feel very proud to be his teacher. My one gripe about him is he still has a hard time admitting that he's hurt and taking the proper time off to heel. Then of course I did the same thing so really what can I say.
Besides yourself who is your personal favourite RoH star who is making the trip with you to Bethnal Green?
Christopher Daniels. I am such a fan of his it's almost embarrassing.
Now you are a seasoned ring campaigner, do you think full time coaching will be the next step for you when you decide to call it a day once and for all? Is seasoned another way of saying old and crippled?
I don't think I want to coach people on a full time basis. when I train someone I test them first to see what they are made of and if I feel they have the athletic ability to become a pro wrestler. Most schools in my area just take people to get their money and don't care what happens to them after they pay. If the student wants to dedicate themselves to becoming a wrestler then I have no problem dedicating my time but those people come around very rarely.
Thanks Mikey for your time and we look forward to seeing you at Frontiers of Honour on May 17th.
