Welcome on this new column. I’m DPM, an italian wrestling fan. Me and "The Master" Marco Piva-Dittrich are here with another friend, but who is the first on Cheap-Heat.com.
This time we are introducing you to an independent American wrestler, especially linked to Beyond Wrestling: Anthony Stone.
Anthony was incredibly kind when we contacted him, and replied to all our questions.
Wtw: Why did you became a wrestler?
AS: This is a hard question to answer. I felt wrestlers were larger than life characters and felt they were super human. They touched me in a very special way in the sense if I wanted to be a wrestler I would have to train hard and get in top shape. It motivated me to be concerned with my health and conditioning. And because these wrestlers had left such a powerful impression on me I thought I could return the notion and pay back and perhaps be a bigger role model for future generations to chase whatever dream they inspire to do.
WtW: Who is the most important person in wrestling business for you?
AS: One thing that a lot of people don't understand about professional wrestling it's a brotherhood. The show doesn't happen without everyone involved. This starts at with the promoter to the bookers who contact the talent to the crew running advertisements to the staff at the arena to the audio and video production crew to the very fans who show up and support the product. In my opinion the most important person involved in the wrestling business would be the audience. We as performers have to put on a show which we hope engages the crowd to want to return and continue to support us.
WtW: You have been with Beyond since the early days. How has it changed since?
AS: Beyond Wrestling is such a unique brand of wrestling. In the very beginning Beyond Wrestling for me was a place where I could challenge my skill set and abilities inside the wrestling. The young guys and girls who would gather there traveled to Beyond Wrestling to leave an everlasting impression. And that is my ultimate goal. In the early days the boys and girls would challenge each other to put out the best match possible. Whereas a lot of these beginning foundations still hold true today the biggest difference is the boys have turned what was just a social media fan site into a profitable organization. There was zero money involved and the guys and girls just performed for the love of the art of wrestling. In my opinion it really hasn't changed much in fact I believe it's gotten better.
WtW: Who is the worst person in the wrestling business?
AS: I'd like to answer this question differently. I think the worst thing in wrestling in generally would be egos. Everyone has an ego, yes. However we have seen egos take away many dream match opportunities. Hulk Hogan vs Ric Flair at Wrestlemania 8. The two world champions of the world at the time colliding at the biggest stage didn't happen. Why? Because of egos. Sting vs Undertaker. Another dream match which all the fans want to see even still to this very day. Will it happen? I'm not sure it ever will. The same could be said about other performers of course but in the end it's the fans who get left out of such exciting moments which could have happened and never did.
WtW: What do you say to people claiming that wrestling is fake?
AS: I tend to agree with them most of the time because I believe that all of sports are fixed. But honestly you can't really convince a person that wrestling is fake once they truly believe it. Sure you can always say "Let me give you a Piledriver" when the natural response is "Why would I let you give me a Piledriver?" That already gives away the fact that wrestling is entertainment. When I explain the injuries which occur and how very real it can be that's when they see wrestling with a different shade of light. Know what I mean? I think kayfabe is long gone. With social media nowadays technology almost makes it impossible to keep all the secrets of wrestling out which is why I do everything in my power to avoid the dirt sheets as I still enjoy the wrestling product and don't want to be ruined for me.
WtW: In Beyond, you had a long feud with Dave Cole. Is it over? What does he bring out of you, and you of him?
AS: My feud with Dave Cole was very special to me. I never considered our battles a feud at all. To me our best of seven series was a contest of competition between two veterans. Most of the time when two guys are in a "feud" there is some dispute over a title, woman, back stab, etc. With Dave Cole and myself it was just matches in the spirit of good competition. When I step into the ring anytime with Dave Cole I know it's going to be a battle of wits. Never can I make the same approach twice with wrestling him. We have that chemistry you always hear about certain greats when they pair off against each other. So we always challenged ourselves to literally raise the bar and outdo one another. As proven on any given night he can beat me as I can defeat him. I feel he believes the same can be said about how he might feel towards our series. It brought out the best in each other. I would always share a wrestling ring with Dave Cole cause you never know what's going to happen but you know it's going to be something special.
WtW: Who is the opponent you are most comfortable wrestling against?
AS: Before you step into a ring you have to be not only comfortable but have confidence in yourself. Without that you shouldn't walk inside the squared circle. I'm comfortable stepping in the ring with just about everyone because I have the experience to walk into a match knowing I have the confidence to tell a story and put on a compelling match that's going to have the fans invested in what I do. Believe in what I do. I have my favorites sure because there are guys out there who can push my limits we already mentioned Dave Cole. But AR Fox, JT Dunn, Biff Busick, Brandon Webb, Brickhouse Baker, Eric Corvis are just others off the top of my head that have that special strive about them which makes me want to put out more.
WtW: You hold the LPW Heavyweight title: what does it mean for you to have been chosen to win it and hold it for quite some time (since last September)?
AS: I have been with Lucky Pro Wrestling since its inception. I love what Chris Sullivan and Jim Burgoyne are putting together as a product. They have taken a lot of the New England veterans and brought in a lot of new up and comers and mixed them into a perfect mix which is presenting an exciting product. I was proud to be invited into the organization as I felt it's a proper representation of what New England should be. When I defeated Mikey Webb who I feel is an incredible talent with a very bright future it was a special moment for me as I feel the title is one of the more precious titles in the area. It's an honor and a privilege to hold the title. I hope to leave an impression which will remain in the hearts of the Lucky Pro Wrestling fans for a long time to come.
WtW: What does theВ future have in store for you?
AS: I have some goals in mind which I hope to accomplish within the next few years. For starters I would like to work with another local company which I feel is another well establish promotion in the area Chaotic Wrestling has been around for close to 20 years and it's carried a legacy which the best of the best of New England and I want to represent my area as best as I can. Speaking of going to where the best work Ring of Honor is another place where I would like to land work in the future. I'd like to work overseas and though out the rest of the United States. The biggest goal I have in professional wrestling is the be remembered for what I contributed to the business. I don't want to be just another cup of coffee or someone that was a flash in the pan. When my time is done I want to be known as one of the best wrestlers to ever come out of New England.
WtW: Who are your top ten wrestlers of all time?
AS: Bret Hart, Rob Van Dam, Mr. Perfect, Shawn Michaels, M Dogg20 Matt Cross, Hulk Hogan, John Walters, CM Punk, Owen Hart, and Brian Danielson. No particular order although I will say Bret Hart is my favorite of all time.
Concluding this interview, Anthony even thanked us for having interviewed him: a true gentleman.
Read you next time my friends… we'll be violent!
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