Interview with Julio Dinero

[Styles 0]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JULIO DINERO

 

Julio Dinero and CM Punk are currently huge thorns in the side of their former mentor Raven, but it wasn’t that long ago when Julio was just starting out in the wrestling business. Trying to find a niche for himself, Dinero thought he found it in ECW – but that opportunity ended when the company closed down. Now a part of TNA, Dinero is finally enjoying the chance to be a part of the action and storylines. Recently, NWATNA.com’s own Tim Welch got a chance to sit down with Julio about his career, family and Raven.

 

TW: Julio – thanks for joining us. What made you decide to become a wrestler, and how did you get started in the business?

 

JD: When I was about five or six, my friends wanted to be cowboys or firemen, but I always wanted to be a wrestler from the first day I saw it on television. I did some amateur wrestling in high school, and once I realized that was my sport of choice I went and joined a wrestling school and learned the trade.

 

TW: How did you fare as a high school wrestler?

 

JD: I knew I wasn’t going to be a world champion amateur wrestler, but I did want that foundation for when I entered the professional ranks. I wasn’t a superstar amateur wrestler and I didn’t go to state finals or wrestle in college, but I learned a lot.

 

TW: Tell us how you broke into the professional wrestling level.

 

JD: I always worked on the independent circuit and had a lot of opportunities because I “marketed” myself very well and did a lot of networking. But the first big time opportunity I got came from ECW when I joined them in 2000. I was part of a “heel” faction and I enjoyed it.

 

TW: What did your family think about you getting into wrestling as a profession?

 

JD: My family was supportive, but I had to pay my own way through wrestling school. My parents paid my way through college, but they weren’t about to pay for wrestling school. They were supportive but at the same time they weren’t going to bend over backwards for this crazy dream I had. But they always knew there was something about wrestling I couldn’t resist. After they watched my first Pay-Per-View, they told me it was very cool. I think to this day they still don’t understand why I chased this dream, but they do know I enjoy it. But the fact there are so many injuries involved I think still bothers them.

 

TW: So your parents aren’t really wrestling fans?

 

JD: There aren’t big fans of it. They watch it if I’m on, but they don’t watch it otherwise. They don’t realize being on TNA is a huge accomplishment in itself in this business. I’m sure they don’t appreciate it as much as another wrestler who’s family is in the business. As a mother, my mom is always afraid I will get my ass kicked and get hurt in the ring, so they always have that fear of it. My dad seems to enjoy it more from the sports aspect of it.

 

TW: So ECW ended in 2000, correct?

 

JD: Actually it was in early 2001. My last show with them was around that time.

 

TW: You started with TNA in April 2003, correct?

 

JD: Right.

 

TW: So what did you do from the time ECW went down until the start of TNA?

 

JD: Everything I could. I stayed busy working the independent scene and worked some dark matches for the WWE when I could. Whenever shows were available for me to work on, I did so. I wrestled in Alaska, I wrestled in Trinidad…anywhere I could wrestle. I took as many bookings as I could get and hoped for a break one way or another.

 

TW: What kind of feedback did you get when you worked with WWE?

 

JD: Good, everyone thought I was great, but they would always tell me “we don’t have anything for you right now”.

 

TW: How would you describe the change in your character from ECW to TNA? As opposed to the group you were a part of in ECW, you’re doing much more in TNA storyline-wise.

 

JD: Well, my first match in TNA was against Raven, and he suggested I work with him in TNA as part of a storyline. But he wanted to change my look, which I had no problem with. That’s where the metamorphosis of Julio came from. I really kind of shifted characters from ECW to TNA.

 

TW: So as far as wrestling and in your personal life, Raven has kind of taken you under his wing and taught you a lot?

 

JD: Yes, very much so. To say I haven’t learned anything from Raven would be ridiculous. If you watch his work, he’s one of the best in the business as far as I’m concerned, so you can do no wrong by learning from him. I learned a lot by wrestling him and I’ve also learned a lot simply by working with him in TNA.

 

TW: When you’re watching yourself wrestle on TNA, what do you think about?

 

JD: Basically, how to improve everything I’m doing in the ring. I try to watch how I can connect with the fans and entertain them more. There’s always room for improvement, and watching yourself is always a good step to doing so.

 

TW: Would you say you’re your own worst critic?

 

JD: Yes, and that’s the way it has to be. You have to dissect everything you see. I don’t think anyone in the wrestling business would say they’re perfect in the ring, and I feel the same. As long as I’m always looking to improve I can only get better.

 

TW: How have you enjoyed working with CM Punk?

 

JD: CM Punk and Julio are The Gathering, whether or not we’re with Raven. I like teaming with CM and I think we make a great tag team. We both have similar styles and we seem to gel together well in the ring. But we certainly have way more growth potential as far as storylines.

 

TW: Any last words for Julio fans?

 

JD: Thanks for the continued support out there on the internet, and I hope everyone keeps watching TNA!