Simon Diamond Interview

[Guest Scud]

1. Who came up with the idea of "Simon Diamond" and was it a tough transition from "Superstar Lance Diamond"?

 

Paul Heyman came up with the idea of Simon Diamond. I was working Corino in like my second weekend with ECW and Tommy Dreamer came up to me after the match and said I reminded him of Dean Malenko because of my smoothness and mat wrestling. I was a big fan of Malenko's and had studied him for years so it was quite a compliment. Paul said to me at Viking Hall the night of my first match there against Skull Von Crush(now Big Vito), "You'll be Simon Diamond, Malenko's real last name is Simon and I want you to get a robe and start practicing talking in the third person and every time you talk it will be 'Simon says...," kinda with a Rick Rude type of arrogance." The first time I used the name was the next weekend in Staten Island against Chris Daniels.

 

2. Did you enjoy the time you spent in ECW (other than the fact that paychecks seemed to stop coming in at some point)?

 

I loved it. Sure, it sucked that the checks stopped but I still loved it. I met a lot of good friends there, most of which I still keep in contact with. I would be lying if I didn't tell you that at times I was frustrated with what I perceived as a lack of push or direction for my character but everyone goes through that, I think. Overall, I loved it there.

 

3. What was your most memorable moment in ECW?

 

I would say my most memorable was the finals of the tag team tournament at the Hammerstein Ballroom against Mikey & Tajiri and Tommy Dreamer & Jerry Lynn. I remember before the match we were all kinda rushing to put it together and Tommy goes, "OK guys, let's calm down and get 'em with psychology because they have seen everything else." He was right on the money. I remember during the match going outside with Jerry Lynn, one of my favorite guys to work there and he threw me into a dumpster that didn't move and I thought I dislocated my shoulder. Then as I was getting up some girl ran over and grabbed my ass, which I started laughing at because it was so out-of-nowhere. Luckily for that girl, Dawn wasn't out there because Dawn would have put it on her! LOL. Then right at the finish, climbing to the top rope and seeing all those fans come up because they knew something big was about to happen and them Mikey hitting me with a top rope whippersnapper and the place exploded on the 3 count. Just an amazing feeling. A lot of people emailed me saying it was the best night of wrestling they had ever seen and the best ECW show since the first PPV.

 

4. Who's idea was it to form the team of Simon and Swinger? Do you prefer working in tag matches or singles?

 

It was in Atlanta, about July 2000 and I had been talking with Paul for about two weeks because WCW had sent out a feeler and Paul had offered me a contract. The original plan was for Steve Corino and I to tag and then join forces with Swinger and CW to form the "Extreme Horseman." So that night, Paul didn't make it in and Steve Karel came in to give Raven his release and discuss the financials of my contract. I got down talking with Steve and Tommy comes up to me and says, "You have two choices, wrestle against Swinger or tag with him against two of Dusty Rhodes' students. I took the latter because there was no issue between Swinger and

I and the tag tourney was coming up in August. We had a really good match and Swinger and I just clicked so we cut a bunch of promos after the show and Paul and Tommy liked it so we went in that direction.

 

5. What do you think of the current state of professional wrestling?

 

It's down, hell, anyone can see that. Times are different, there is no more raids because there is really only one game in town, the WWE. Vince is creating his own guys through Tough Enough and OVW. The "shock value" of a big star jumping is non existent, so you can't change the players. I would try to change the landscape, bring back upsets, switch belts at house shows, put more people on an even kiel. In March I was reading an article about March Madness(NCAA Basketball Tournament), closing in on the Super Bowl as the #1 sporting event in America. They took a poll and the #1 reason people watched it was to see upsets and the unpredictability of the games. That's the beauty of sports, the upset. It makes you watch it because you do not know the outcome. Wrestling has become too predictable, we are all guilty.

 

6. Since ECW you have worked for nearly every indy promotion in the US and overseas (including TNA, XWF, etc.). Which of these experiences stood out as some of your favorites? Did you not enjoy any of the feds you have wrestled in?

 

The XWF was great. I really thought they would make it. The two day taping in Orlando was fun, I got to meet a lot of people, Piper, Hogan, Henning, Bobby Heenan, The Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart. I remember after a match, someone came up to me and handed me a microphone and said you are up next with Piper, you'll need this. I was like, "what am I doing?" Just then, Piper turned the corner, we were introduced and he said, "just feel it, get yourself over." I went out there with Swinger and Dawn and did a back and forth promo thing with him and Jerry Lawler. I was on cloud nine, to say the least. I was always a big Piper mark and here I was exchanging words with one of the greatest promo guys of all time. The house shows were fun and I even got the chance to party with the legendary Nasty Boys, which was an experience and- a- half!!!!!

 

I have done TNA twice. Both times were fun but I just wished I had more of an opportunity to talk because I believe that is my strongest asset and I like to play towards my strengths.

 

I really enjoy Frank Goodman's USA Pro, he runs a very good show. The Knight Life thing is great and all the guys in it, Striker, Tobin, Drake, Reil and girls, Becky and Luscious, are all good people. They all have a passion for wrestling, which is half the battle. I enjoyed my stay in JCW with Ricky O and it gave me a chance to CO-book with Ricky, Bob and John Shane. I enjoy helping the younger guys because I believe that is what the business is all about, it's our responsibility. If we stop teaching, then where does this business go?

 

I made an appearance at the ECWA Super 8 and that was a great experience. Jim Kettner is the best, hands down. He is passionate about wrestling, very knowledgeable and very respectful. He never treats any worker like a worker, he treats them like human beings, which is why he gets so much out of everyone. Kettner does his homework to find guys for his Super 8 then everybody else uses them so I guess you could say a lot of people are copying off of Jim Kettner's paper. Wrestling needs more guys like Jim, he researches guys before he brings them in to make sure the fit is right for the ECWA. I used to tell him there were only two organizations more thorough, the FBI and Major League Baseball. When I was being scouted prior to me being drafted by the Padres, teams would send scouts to my school to run me through tests at different times of the day to see how I responded from A.M. to P.M. and vice versa, basically trying to simulate an east coast-west coast, night game followed by a long trip then a day game with little sleep. That's how comprehensive that process is. Kettner's is close!

 

Right now, Court Bauer's MLW is making waves and I really believe he has something there. He is a very smart business man and a good person. The Extreme Horseman with Corino, CW Anderson and myself is really taking off and I am really excited. I have a show with them this Friday, June 20th and am really looking forward to it. The best part of it is I am doing something completely different then what I did in ECW, more serious, more of an edge. I am getting the opportunity to show what I can do, in the realm I believe best showcasing my talents as a serious, thought provoking promo guy. Whenever you believe in what it is you are doing, it's going to show. It really is showing in my promos in MLW. I think that's what all wrestlers want; to be showcased in a way that brings out there best, so in turn, the promotion gets the best effort. Then, if that doesn't cut it, the only ones we can blame are ourselves.

 

7. Any chance of you returning to the ECWA in the future? What was your most memorable moment working there?

 

Jim actually called me a month ago to return in a surprise appearance but I was booked in Chicago for Brian Zenner to do a dojo, another great guy who always seems to find box seats to Wrigley Field whenever I go to Chicago for him. Brian topped himself this year by taking me to an OTB (Off track Betting parlor) after the game (OK, I lied, we left early, it was 47 degrees for God's sake!!!) to bet on some races then bet on the Kentucky Derby. I love the horses but Brian is the man, he tipped me off on Funny Cide so I walked away with $148 on a $10 bet!!! Anyway, getting back, hey, I like to talk, the dates didn't match up for Jim so I couldn't do it. I hope to be back some time because that is where I started and Jim is like a brother to me.

 

8. You've had several dark matches and televised matches for WWE (when they were WWF) including the world famous 2 on 1 match with Kurrgan. How were your experiences with the WWF? Personally, I think they completely missed the boat in not signing you to a contract. Have they ever showed any interest? Any idea why the hell you're not with them (because anyone watching a WWE program can clearly see they need all the help they can get).

 

Thanks, I appreciate that. The last dark match I had against Swinger went well but nothing came out of it. I saw a lot of guys I already knew from my indy days and ECW days and met some guys I didn't know. There hasn't been much interest but you never know what is going to happen so you have to keep yourself in shape and just hope for the best. I always tell people, the WWE is about spots, if they don''t have a spot for you to fill, then there is no reason for them to hire you. You have to be part lucky, part talented and part patient.

 

9. How does Notre Dame look for next season?

 

Strong. Willingham has done wonders since he took over. Talk about direction, he is the best thing to happen there since Holtz took over in 1985. I said last year they would be 10-3, 11-2 and they finished 10-3. If Holiday doesn't get hurt they probably would have beaten NC State in the Gator Bowl. The recruiting class is the best in ages, a lot of game breaking athlete types that Holtz and Vinny Cerratto used to get in the late 80's. Julius Jones is back so he adds that home run back they have lacked since his freshman year. The D will be just as good as last year and the offense will improve. The schedule is always tough but I see about the same as last year, 10-3, 11-2. It's important for them to get in a good bowl game this year to set up for 2005 where they will contend for a national championship.

 

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

 

Involved in wrestling in some capacity. If I am not wrestling, I would love to be an announcer. I think I could do a decent job and with practice, develop my skills. Talking, as you can see, has always been easy for me, so why not try to make a living at it. If not, maybe an agent. I like to teach and help out the younger guys. I will probably also open up my baseball school, which I have planned on doing for some time. I am playing baseball again, the first time since college and have remembered why I love the game so much. Thanks Brett!

 

 

 

 

When using any of this information give proper credit to Cactusb and the Wrestling Clothesline at http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com

[Rendclaw 0]

That's a cool interview, and he's right on the money about most of the topics. Another wrestler worthy of hearing what he has to say....

 

Speaking of that, where has the Edgecation been?

[Guest Youth N Asia]

I'm a Simon fan. At the indies and ECW shows I've met him at he's always been a legit nice guy.

[Garth 0]

Speaking of that, where has the Edgecation been?

I think Edge went on holiday for two weeks but he wasn't takin his laptop with him because it was too much hassle.