Hector Garza Interview

[Styles 0]

Hailing from Mexico, Hector Garza entered TNA with the February America's X Cup events and has dominated the ring ever since. During that time, Garza has also become one of the most popular superstars in the ring and recently cemented his place at the top of the TNA ladder with a win over The Phenomenal AJ Styles before narrowly losing to Jeff Jarrett on Impact. Although still early in his TNA career, Garza is fast becoming a heavy hitter in the ranks and many say it's only a matter of time before he wears NWA gold. In this exclusive interview, Bill Banks sat down to talk to Garza about his background in Mexico, his family, TNA and much more....

 

Special thanks to TNA Spanish Broadcaster Armando Quintero for assisting with the interview

 

BB: Thanks for joining us here on TNAwreslting.com, Hector

 

GARZA No problem whatsoever. Thank you for having me.

 

BB: Let’s start off by telling us where you’re from

 

GARZA: I was born in Monterrey, Mexico on June 12, 1969. I am 35 years old and I feel like I am just hitting my stride in the ring.

 

BB: Tell us a little about you family

 

GARZA: My father Humberto Garza was also a wrestler who went by the name of “El Nino Travieso del Ring”, or “The Mischievous Kid of the Ring”. Currently, myself, my father and my brother (Humberto Jr.) own and operate a rehabilitation center for injuries, post surgery, muscular sprains and tears. Both my father and I are chiropractors. We are the alternative to surgery and have a lot of success healing injuries without the need for surgery. I can make my own schedule so I can keep wrestling and it is a family owned and operated company.

 

BB: What kind of kid were you growing up? Did you play any sports?

 

GARZA: I was a hyper kid. I never walked away from fights with bullies at school. I always stood my ground. I didn’t like school that much, but I had to earn my degree at the University of Nuevo Leon in order to become a wrestler. My father told me he wouldn’t let me wrestle unless I got my degree first. Growing up, I liked to go to the movies and I had a lot of girlfriends (laughs). As far as sports, I liked karate and “Thai boxing” which includes kicks and punches. I enjoyed contact sports. I always wanted to play professional American football, but my parents thought it was too violent with a high risk or injury, so they didn’t let me play.

 

BB: Were you a fan or wrestling growing up? If so, who were your favorites?

 

GARZA: My father was a wrestler, so I was raised in the sport. I was a wrestling fan but I only went to the arena when my father was wrestling on the card. As far as my favorite wrestlers, they were my father, my uncle Mario Segura and Mil Mascaras.

 

BB: Aside from your father, what made you want to become a wrestler?

 

GARZA: You might say I had wrestling “in my veins” as my entire family was involved. My four year old son already loves it, so it looks like the family tradition will continue.

 

BB: Who trained you and where?

 

GARZA: My father, my uncle and my father’s tag team partner Ruben Juarez. I was also trained by wrestlers named “Blue Fish” and “Mr. Lince” in Monterrey. Each one had a different style and that has helped me enormously because in order to be successful you have to adapt to a lot of different styles both in Mexico and in the United States.

 

BB: When did you make your pro debut and against who?

 

GARZA: I made my pro debut in a tag team match in November 1992 vs. "El Demonio de Tazmania” or “The Tazmanian Devil" and "El Gato del Ring” or “The Cat of the Ring" My partner was Ruben Juarez, Jr. and we won.

 

BB: What would you consider your greatest accomplishment during your career in Mexico?

 

GARZA: Not so much a match, but it was a great accomplishment for me to be recognized by my finishing moves in Mexico, the United States and other parts of the world. Another is when I was Mexico's Heavyweight Champion, Tag Team Champions (with "El Hijo del Perro Aguayo") at the same time. As far as my favorite matches, I would have to say the bouts I had as Mexico’s Six Man Tag Team Champions with Dos Caras and La Fiera.

 

BB: How would you compare wrestling in the United States to Mexico?

 

GARZA: In the US it’s more sports entertainment, while in Mexico and especially in CMLL it is more traditional wrestling.

 

BB: Outside of wrestling, what are some of your hobbies? What do you do to relax?

 

GARZA: I like to work out in the gym, go to the movies and spend time with my wife

and children. I also love to go to the beach. I have a wife Liliana and two children, Leslie (age 6) and Hector Jr. (age 4).

 

BB: Congratulations on currently leading in the TNA Year-End Voting as “Who To Watch in 2005”. Any last words to the fans as to what they can expect from you in the New Year?

 

GARZA: Thank you – it means a lot coming from the TNA fans to vote for me. My goal in 2005 is simple – to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. I’ve been the Heavyweight Champion in Mexico and I would like to do it in the United States. But first I have to beat Jeff Jarrett, and that means getting by Scott Hall and Kevin Nash first.

 

BB: Hector Garza, thanks for your time and good luck in the future!

 

GARZA: Not a problem – thanks again to all the TNA fans for supporting me every week!