The A-Show with Gabe "Tyler Reks" Tuft, Part Two: Austin Pulling Him Aside, Under-Appreciated Wrestlers, More

4:00 am December 16, 2014

Here is the second part of my interview with Gabe Tuft (aka Tyler Reks). As with the first part of our interview , Gabe opens up about his life as a Professional Wrestler. He recounts an experience that most of us will never have but long to be a part of and I feel a little closer to the world in which these entertainers live. I hope that you enjoy the second part of our sit down and hope to see you real soon. Thanks everybody.

7.Are there any Wrestlers from your early days that you think have been under-appreciated/used in their careers?

Definitely. Tyson Kidd and Curt Hawkins are two that come to mind immediately. I'm not sure why but neither guys were never really given the kudos they deserve. TJ can out work ANYONE in the ring. His matches are flawless, the psychology is spot on, and the vets learn from him – in my opinion. If you have a bad match with TJ then you basically should burn your boots and never step foot in the ring again. He can make ANYONE look good and get himself over at the same time.

Hawkins is very similar as well. I think a little extra attention from the higher-ups and some hands on action from creative and he would have resurfaced and done amazingly well.

8. As a child I was also a fan of Professional Wrestling, I truly believed in the heroes/villains and their allegiances/enemies. Are there any story lines or characters that have stuck with you from your childhood?

Beefcake gave me nightmares when I was a kid. I always dreamed he was running after me with those giant sheers.

9. Given the rigors of Professional Wrestling, what is your advice on body maintenance and care?

Stay in shape. As a professional wrestler you're an athlete and need to be prepared to go the distance at any given time. You should be able to have a clean, crisp 20 minute match at the drop of a hat. If you blow up after 3 to 5 minutes, then you aren't reaching your potential and you never will. Train for the job you want, not the job you have.

How to attain that kind of conditioning is a whole different story. I actually wrote an article on it not too long ago. One of the programs that got me back into ring shape for my recent match with Hawkins at Pro Wrestling Syndicate was one of the programs we offer at Body Spartan, called Body Beast. You can read the article here: http://bodyspartan.com/train-become-professional-wrestler/ It's honestly the only program I've ever done that truly prepared me for ring work. I know I'm shamelessly plugging it here but I only plug fitness programs that I know work…and this one does.

10. Do you have a favorite move, and why is it your favorite?

Well, I'm biased on this one. I have two. My first favorite move was my version of the Burning Hammer. It's easy, I can get anyone into it, and it was all mine. Totally modified from Kenta Kobashi's version to be "safe", it was unseen in the WWE previously and the crowd and the boys dug it.

The second one was called, "The Guilty Spark". I named it that for two reasons. One, I was a huge Halo fan during my time at WWE and the Guilty Spark was a character in the first game. Second, I "borrowed it" from Colt Cabana without asking. Colt was always cool to me in FCW and I admire his work to this day. Hence the "Guilty" in the name. The move itself is basically standing on the second rope, on the inside, with your opponent on your shoulders in a fireman's carry. Then you step off the ropes and drop your opponent on the top ropes.

11. We all have bad days at work and often wish for a re-do, is there a match or situation that you feel could have worked better than it did?

Oh yes indeed. That would be my first Royal Rumble. This is when Husky and Hennig were part of the upcoming Nexus group with Punk. In a huge production meeting backstage I was told that me and a few other low card guys were going to be taken out by Nexus fairly quickly. Basically, it was PC for "Feed the low card guys to Nexus to make Nexus look good". I knew my role and shut my mouth and didn't complain. Especially since Punk stood up in front of everyone and said, "You guys should all thank Reks for doing this and taking the fall for us." That really made me feel appreciated and not like some random jobber.

I met with Punk and he said slide in when you come down the ramp and take me out with a big boot. Bump me, bump Husky, and bump Joe then we'll just overpower you, three on one. This way you still look strong. I'll give you the high kick and we'll be done. Cool?

Needless to say I thought it was great for a first Rumble appearance. It was what followed that I wish I could have changed. When my music hit and I stood at the top of the ramp, I did the thing where I pulled my dreads away from my face and then I charged the ramp, full sprint. I could feel an energy in the crowd and I knew that this was going to be awesome. When I slid into the ring though, Punk never got up off of his knees. I was taken off guard but went for the big boot anyways. Before I got there, Husky and Joe tackled me, shoot style. I'm pretty sure my boot accidentally connected with Punk's forehead in the process. I was just completely thrown off guard and confused. Sorry Punk.

As Joe and Husky were pummeling me I asked them, "What's going on?" Husky said, "We're changing it. Go with it!". So I did. Apparently when the Rumble started and they were in the ring, Punk told them (regarding other guys), "Give them nothing." The result was me getting jobbed out and looking like a tool. I had literally had my head stepped up by a top guy, just like I'd heard about all the years before.

After the Rumble, Steve Austin pulled me aside and talked to me. It was probably one of the most vivid and real moments of my WWE career. Austin said, "Look, I'm guessing you probably did what they told you to do, which is OK. BUT did you feel the energy out there?"

I said, "yes"

Austin said, "That crowd wanted you to do something. They were 100% behind you. It was your look, your physique, and the way you charged that ring. They wanted to believe you stood a chance. When you feel that **ck what you're told to do and do what you feel is right. You should have beat the piss out of those guys for your full time limit and that crowd would have eaten it up. Then, when it's time to go, let them take you out but go out swinging. You're a big guy and that crowd would have been behind you."

I'm quoting from the best of my memory here but I wish I had known that before I went out. I think Austin was right and I always wonder how that night would have turned out if I had picked up on that and taken that chance.

12. When leaving the spotlight sometimes people choose to move on from their past profession. You've been very open in acknowledging your past career in Professional Wrestling, is there anything you would like to say to your supporters?

Honestly, although my time as a WWE Superstar and as Tyler Reks was short compared to many of the top guys, I truly feel as though Hawkins and I amassed quite a cult following. The internet viewing audience watched our Midcard Mafia cartoon, NXT, and followed us on Twitter/Facebook. That group of fans, no matter how small or large they were or are, was amazing. They supported everything we did, brought signs to shows, and blasted #ReksAndHawkins at every chance they got. I was honored to know that the world was watching us and enjoyed what we brought to the table. We never would have got where we did without them. Thanks everyone.