nwatna.com interviews D-RAY 3000!!!

[Styles 0]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH D-RAY 3000

Fear The Fro! TNAwreslting.com contributor and TNA referee Andrew Thomas recently sat down with newcomer D-Ray 3000 to discuss his background, wrestling over the years, his hair and so much more in this exclusive first-time interview with the new TNA superstar!

 

AT: So where are you from?

 

D-RAY: I’m from Detroit, Michigan, born and raised. I lived there all my life until I was 18. When I started in the wrestling business I started there.

 

AT: How old are you now?

 

D-RAY: 21….I started training and wrestled for my first year in Michigan, then I moved down to Pensecola, Florida. I wrestled there for another year. Then I moved to Pennsylvania, near Phili, and wrestled there eight months. From there, I went back to Michigan, which is where I was at when I got my chance in TNA. So, I've been all over the place in the last few years.

 

AT: Talk about family life growing up

 

D-RAY: I lived with my mom. My parents got divorced when I was very young. I had a stepfather, but as the story goes no one likes the stepdad, you know? I had that same kind of situation with my stepdad growing up, but it was cool. It wasn't bad between us or anything. It’s just the way it is with a lot of kids and stepfathers. It’s like you have a substitute father. Any kid knows it’s not your real dad. I’m not trying to say stepfathers are bad or anything. It’s a big responsibility for a man to step up and take care of a woman and her child.

 

AT: So you got along with him ok?

 

D-RAY: I got along with him somewhat. We had our differences, but it was alright. I didn’t have a bad childhood or anything.

 

AT: Any brothers or sisters?

 

D-RAY: No brothers or sisters. I’m an only child.

 

AT: Did you grow up watching a lot of wrestling?

 

D-RAY: I loved it. I had a lot of cousins and I would go over my grandmother’s house a lot and watch it with them. They got me into wrestling. I’d be there playing with my toys and they would turn it on the television. When I was six years old, my stepfather took me to see wrestling for the first time. After that first time at a live wrestling event, I fell in love with it. That’s when I had a dream of being a wrestler when I grew up. Since the first time I went to a live event, wrestling has been an addiction for me.

 

AT: Any particular wrestlers you idolized?

 

D-RAY: There were a lot of wrestlers I liked. Everyone has their favorites whether it’s this guy or that guy. But what got me into wrestling wasn’t so much the wrestlers, but the sport itself. The moves and the action. A lot of people will say they loved the characters like Hulk Hogan or the Ultimate Warrior, but for me, my favorite was Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig. He was “THE WRESTLER” to me…the man.

 

AT: What made you like Curt Hennig so much?

 

D-RAY: As a kid, I didn’t look at wrestlers by how lavish their character was, or if they were popular with the fans or even a champion. I liked wrestlers based on skill, and to me Curt Hennig was the best at the time. When it came down to having a solid match and getting a reaction from me based on the match, it was always Curt Hennig. He kept me on the edge on my seat when he wrestled. Even to this day, he was still one of my favorites. If I could take someone’s in-ring wrestling knowledge and pour it in my mind, it would have been Curt Hennig.

 

AT: How would you compare wrestling as you remember it as a child to how you see it today?

 

D-RAY: I would say I feel it’s an era you can never get back in the wrestling business. A special time you can never get back to. In my opinion, the kids of today who watch wrestling are cheated, because when we were kids and wrestling was big in the 1980s you never really heard or read anything “insider” about the business. There were no specials on television or internet reports about the inside workings of wrestling. When I was a kid, the closest thing to that was John Stossell from 20/20 asking “Dr. Death” David Schultz if wrestling was fake, and Schultz knocked his head loose. When I was a kid, I was so into the stories and matches. You truly believed these wrestlers led these lives outside the arena, which made you more emotionally attached to them and their revenge. You know what I mean? That’s why today, I feel like the younger wrestling fans are cheated because a lot of them have seen these specials or read the insider stuff on websites. I wish it could go back to the way it was when I was a kid, but with all the specials and articles and internet reports these days, that’s impossible. But like I said, that’s an era in wrestling locked in time that I don’t think could ever return.

 

AT: Did you play any sports in high school?

 

D-RAY: No, not really. I was the average high school student. I took karate for four years when I turned 11. I had a passion for it, but I always wanted to be a wrestler. I started training to be a pro wrestler when I was 16, so I was still in high school at the time. My mom had to sign a waiver to let me train to wrestle – something I had to beg her to do. So as far as athletics, wrestling training would be it.

 

AT: Where did you get the name “D-Ray 3000”?

 

D-RAY: When I was training to be a wrestler, I came up with the name of “Don Crisis”. When I came here to TNA, they said I looked like Andre 3000 from Outkast. So they approached me and said “Think of something that goes with 3000”. So I’m walking around the locker room trying to think of a name and 3000, and Christopher Daniels started helping me out. Then out of the blue he just said “D-Ray 3000”…and I thought that sounded cool and it worked. So I went back to management and they liked it. So that’s how it came about.

 

AT: You’ve had a Cinderella success story in TNA. Personally, I got my start with TNA by appearing on the syndicated TNA Xplosion show as a referee. I can count on two hands in the last two years the number of wrestlers that were hired by TNA after appearing on Xplosion. It’s a rare thing to get that. So I wanted to know how you felt to be chosen?

 

D-RAY: It’s a real honor and a dream come true. There’s a lot of guys out there that want to be here and wrestle for TNA and become big stars. But I’ve been truly blessed by God. Before I step through the curtain, I always say a prayer. Words can’t describe how I felt when I got that call that they wanted me to be a part of TNA. My dream became a reality. I’m still in awe. I’ve been here for three months and I’m still in awe.

 

AT: Last subject – we need to talk about the hair.

 

D-RAY: Ah yes, the hair (laughs). It’s not like when I was training I said to myself “Ok, I’m gonna grow my hair out all nappy and act all ghetto crazy trying to be like George Jefferson”. That wasn’t my plan, it kind of happened. It came natural. I wanted to be different. My hair was already kind of big and I really didn’t feel like cutting it. It kind of came out of laziness to be honest with you. I dyed it blonde once, but that didn’t last because it damaged my hair after one match so I cut it and had to grow it again. The way I come out and talk, that’s the way I really am. You’re seeing a lot of the real me out there, but not totally. I like the character a lot…D-Ray 3000 is fun and crazy. That’s how I am in life. Thank God that the powers that be at TNA like it.

 

AT: So how often do you wash your hair?

 

D-RAY: (laughs) Well, since I’ve been with TNA I’ve been a lot more cautious with my hair. I’ve been taking care of it a lot more. I inspect the conditioners I buy and make sure they have the right nutrients. I wash my hair two to three times a week. My mom helps me out with it. She’s got long hair and knows what to do with it.

 

AT: Your mom doesn’t have hair like you, does she?

 

D-RAY: No, no! (laughs). I don’t think anyone in my family has hair like me.

 

AT: So now you’re wrestling on Impact at Universal Orlando Resort. How has that treated you?

 

D-RAY: Great, it’s been a lot of fun doing the skits in the park with Shark Boy. Just to go around the park and have fun at the attractions is a real blast. So I’ve been having a lot of fun doing that. But I still want to go into the Nickelodeon attraction – I haven’t gotten the chance to do that yet.

 

AT: Thanks for your time D-Ray 3000!

 

D-RAY: No problem!

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

I despise D-Ray. I truely do. He is the one wrestler on the Roster who I really cant stand.

[Guest Jay Z. Hollywood]

I don't mind him, but there's always a thought in the back of my head whenever I see him that says, "that's Nate Webb's spot and he deserves it way more."

 

Good read though.

Edited July 12, 2004 by Jay Z. Hollywood

[Copper Feel 0]

the way i fell about d ray 3000 is that i like him and he seems like a nice guy and all and he obviously loves competing in tna but then i feel sorry for him too cause he dosent seem to realise hes a comedy act and nothing more oh well i wish him good luck over the years.

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

Is he still a comedy act if he isn't funny? I mean come on, the guy is horrible in the ring, plays a horrible racial sterotype (Stupid black guy with big hair) and generally sucks all around. Fuck Fairplay for getting his bum ass hired.

[Guest The Ultimate Fantasy]

Still though, it was better than the one with the Amazing Red and he sounds like a nice person......

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

Give him a push becasue he had an inteveiw better than the worse promo guy in teh fed and he sounds like a nice guy. I can see the logic in that. Sure.

 

I dont' mean to sound like a prick here, but D-Ray is the one guy I don't like at ALL in TNA, and I will voice that displeasure in the vain hope someone cares.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

But....But..... He's tagging with SHARKBOY!!!! Doesn't that mean ANYTHING?

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

The fact that he has to be carried by Shark Boy speaks volumes about my arguement. He joins the honored ranks of New Jack and Mad Mikey.

[Nevermortal 0]

Sharkboy sucks too.

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

Eh, Sharkboy is average in the ring, but at least the fans are into him, which is more than D-Ray can say, on both counts.

[Guest Staravenger]

Please someone tell me whats not a midget wrestler in the bottom right hand corner of the first picture. (Cries) TNA uses Midgets now?! NO-O-O-O-O-O!

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

It was a one shot thing for the anniverary show. They used AAA's "world renound" mini's.

[Guest The Ultimate Fantasy]

Give him a push becasue he had an inteveiw better than the worse promo guy in teh fed and he sounds like a nice guy. I can see the logic in that. Sure.

 

I dont' mean to sound like a prick here, but D-Ray is the one guy I don't like at ALL in TNA, and I will voice that displeasure in the vain hope someone cares.

Dude, D-RAY 3000 is just a jobber in a jobber tag team now if for example he was like the WWE's Eugene and almost in every segment including the Main Event I could see your complaint but he's not. Also sinces he's with Sharkboy, he will probaly either die or be fired.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

Give him a push becasue he had an inteveiw better than the worse promo guy in teh fed and he sounds like a nice guy. I can see the logic in that. Sure.

 

I dont' mean to sound like a prick here, but D-Ray is the one guy I don't like at ALL in TNA, and I will voice that displeasure in the vain hope someone cares.

Dude, D-RAY 3000 is just a jobber in a jobber tag team now if for example he was like the WWE's Eugene and almost in every segment including the Main Event I could see your complaint but he's not. Also sinces he's with Sharkboy, he will probaly either die or be fired.

Which would I prefer? die or fired? Man, tough choice.

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

The fact that he is on TV, when there are so many guys TNA could use, is where my arguement is. Not only big name indy gods like Hero or B-Boy but also guys like Nigel McGunniess, or Jimmy Jacobs (who would be freaking awesome in a team with Sharky) The point is, the guy sucks, and doesn't deserve to be on TV at all. He has no redeeming value.

[SinToxic 0]

I agree with you The Last Free Voice 100%. TNA is not at a state like WWE is where they can just play around with sillly gimmicks that serve low-to-no comedy and sad match quality. They got the tough indie fans looking at them and the neutral WWE fans, who are they actually trying to impress with D-ray?

 

He might just get 6 minutes a show but there are 6 hundred other guys who could do better comedy, better wrestling and for one get themselves over.

[Guest The Ultimate Fantasy]

Give him a push becasue he had an inteveiw better than the worse promo guy in teh fed and he sounds like a nice guy. I can see the logic in that. Sure.

 

I dont' mean to sound like a prick here, but D-Ray is the one guy I don't like at ALL in TNA, and I will voice that displeasure in the vain hope someone cares.

Dude, D-RAY 3000 is just a jobber in a jobber tag team now if for example he was like the WWE's Eugene and almost in every segment including the Main Event I could see your complaint but he's not. Also sinces he's with Sharkboy, he will probaly either die or be fired.

Which would I prefer? die or fired? Man, tough choice.

It's the Sharkboy Curse: New Jack and Norman Smiley were once his tag partners and they were fired and we all know the fate of his other partner Mad Mikey (dead) or how about that Athena chick that played with Sharkboy in the pool? Fired.

[Placebo Effect 0]

Personally, I love the D-Ray character. He's playing a fun jobber character at this point, and when he's doing backstage segments ("the ring is that way" comes to mind), I get a good laugh in.

 

You complain about Hero or B-Boy not being brought in, but what would you be doing if they brought them in as a comedy tag team and jobbed them out every week? Bitch. Even ROH has (or had?) the Christopher St. Connection as comedy jobbers.

 

Obviously, I'd rather have a guy like Colt Cabana on my screen doing a comedy character than D-Ray. But D-Ray's got a gimmick and look that sticks with a viewer after you see him, a very important aspect of a federation just getting television.

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

Actually my point was that I WASN'T clamoring for B-Boy and Hero, I was saying there are even less well known guys who could do what D-Ray does a thousand times better.

[Guest The Ultimate Fantasy]

Actually my point was that I WASN'T clamoring for B-Boy and Hero, I was saying there are even less well known guys who could do what D-Ray does a thousand times better.

Yeah but Voice (or do you prefer to be called The Voice?) ain't D-Ray a product from TNA's training camp? If so then god damn it D-Ray 3000 might suck and be a mere jobber but dude he's TNA's JOBBER!

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

I really could care less where he's from. He still doesnt' desrve to be on TNA.

[Guest Markingout]

It was a one shot thing for the anniverary show. They used AAA's "world renound" mini's.

 

They didn't even use AAA mini's which is sad, even though Mascarita Segrada and Mini Abismo Negro missed there flight. They used the old Max Mini and mini Pierroth, who is old.

[Copper Feel 0]

I agree with you The Last Free Voice 100%. TNA is not at a state like WWE is where they can just play around with sillly gimmicks that serve low-to-no comedy and sad match quality. They got the tough indie fans looking at them and the neutral WWE fans, who are they actually trying to impress with D-ray?

 

He might just get 6 minutes a show but there are 6 hundred other guys who could do better comedy, better wrestling and for one get themselves over.

actually i believe that the average indie fan that watches tna isnt going to stop watching cause of d ray and if a wwe mark is switching channels and sees d ray doing something funny or steryotipical like getting lost on the way to the ring they might keep watching then next it could be a x division match or jeff jarrett and ron killings storyline progression and they will be hooked.

[Da Maintenance Man 0]

Cool little read there. I remember seeing him on one of the TNA PPVs before. He seems like a cool guy and I like his character. And to the person who mentioned that D-Ray's a stereotype, uhhh, you must not watch WWE. They do racial stereotypical gimmicks all the time. D-Ray isn't the first example you've ever seen of it. Just give the kid a chance. You have to remember that he IS fairly new and like mostly all younger talent he'll eventually improve with time. But then again I do like about...85% of the talent I see on WWE and TNA TV. I'm like the Paula Abdul of wrestling. Show me any crappy match/wrestler and I can find at least ONE good quality about it/him/her.

[Slingshot Suplex 0]

The fact that he is on TV, when there are so many guys TNA could use, is where my arguement is. Not only big name indy gods like Hero or B-Boy but also guys like Nigel McGunniess, or Jimmy Jacobs (who would be freaking awesome in a team with Sharky) The point is, the guy sucks, and doesn't deserve to be on TV at all. He has no redeeming value.

You are so much righter than you may even realize.

 

I can't go into specific details and names but D-Ray being on ppv basically because he has an afro has pissed off some other wrestlers who haven't been given the shot on the ppvs despite being relegated to XPlosion for over a year. Names that a lot of the people on this board would like to see make the ppvs.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

I think everyone is forgetting a simple point about them using D-Ray. He's probably a hell of a lot cheaper than using those "indy gods" that everyone wants to see. Hell, if they just need a jobber.....then I'd rather see D-Ray doing it then watching Chris Hero jobbing to Johnny Swinger.......

[Guest The Last Free Voice]

DK, the thing is, they're giving him a LOT of face time. Promo's and videos and the like, and that's what bothers me. If he had any sort of, I don't know, TALENT, I could stand it. But he doesn't. He has the most boring and simple moveset of ANYONE I can think of in TNA right now, even BG James and Konnan, and his comedey stuff isn't that funny.

 

About the sterotype thing, yes, I watch WWE and I don't like it there either. Using D-Ray as a sterotype is bad. Just beacuase WWE does it too does not make it acceptable.

 

And the "Where's the ring?" bit is fucking retarded.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

DK, the thing is, they're giving him a LOT of face time. Promo's and videos and the like, and that's what bothers me. If he had any sort of, I don't know, TALENT, I could stand it. But he doesn't. He has the most boring and simple moveset of ANYONE I can think of in TNA right now, even BG James and Konnan, and his comedey stuff isn't that funny.

 

About the sterotype thing, yes, I watch WWE and I don't like it there either. Using D-Ray as a sterotype is bad. Just beacuase WWE does it too does not make it acceptable.

 

And the "Where's the ring?" bit is fucking retarded.

LFV keep one thing in mind......I am NOT agreeing with the character, nor do I feel he is talent that they are sitting on. I am simply explaining their assumed thought pattern on the reasoning to use D-Ray. He IS a cheap, home grown ring talent that TNA wants to use. Nothing less.....nothing more. I really don't get the stereotype thing though as I just don't see it that way. Plus, the comedy bits are terrible.....just plain terrible

[TheBigSwigg 0]

I'm with both of you in that I can't stand D-Ray, but at least the dude is doing it for the right reasons. I'd rather have someone I hate wrestling for the love of wrestling than someone I hate wrestling for the love of money. I can hate the guy all I want, but that reason alone makes me at least respect his desire.