INTERVIEW WITH ANTONIO THOMAS
  • 05/12/2006 (7:29:43 am)
  • Georgiann Makropoulos

…..

Interview with Antonio Thomas, courtesy of
http://www.gerweck.net

Interview conducted: May 10, 2006

Key:
SG> Steve Gerweck of www.gerweck.net
AT> Antonio Thomas

SG> How did you break into the wrestling business?
AT> I broke into the wrestling business by starting
off with Killer Kowalski's school and then continuing
under Kevin Landry here in Springfield, Mass.

SG> Who was your favorite wrestler growing up?
AT> Growing up, it would be hard to pick just one. As
a kid, I lived and died with every Hulk Hogan match,
but as I grew older the two guys that inspired and
motivated me to become a professional wrestler were
Shawn Michaels and Ricky Steamboat. Growing up and
watching them made me say "I have to do this-this is
what I want to do with my life."

SG> Tell me about your training with Kevin Landry.
AT> My training under Kevin was great. He taught me at
my own pace and gave me a foundation of the simple
basics and fundamentals that were taught to him by
Paul Roma. I also must give much credit to Steve
Bradley. Once I started training and working for
Steve, he really accelerated my progress. What he
taught me from his time in Puerto Rico, Memphis and
WWE was invaluable.

SG> At this point in your career, what is your biggest
strength? What is your biggest weakness?
AT> At this point in my career I would have to say my
biggest strength is my work ethic and a hunger and
desire to constantly learn and improve in any way. I
would say my biggest weakness would be a lack of
experience.

SG> How did your developmental deal with WWE come
about?
AT> My developmental deal with WWE came about through
a dark match I had in Manchester, NH. I kept in touch
with Dr. Tom Pritchard and regularly did any camps he
had here in the New England area. He told me to stay
in touch and when the WWE was in the area, he would
see what he could do for me. About a week or so before
my first dark match, Tom called me and said that he
booked me for tv in Manchester and Providence. I was
ecstatic because this was the first time I was ever
booked as a worker for a WWE event. During the day,
myself and a few other local worker worked out in the
ring for Arn Anderson and after, he told me that id be
in a dark match that night. I ended up working John
Walters, who I had faced several times before and had
always had a good chemistry with. When we got back to
the dressing room, John Laurinaitis said he wanted to
speak with me and that's when I was offered a WWE
developmental contract. It was crazy, because at the
time Dr. Tom called me, I was unemployed, yet I walked
into the arena that day an unknown and walked out with
my dream job, the only job I've ever wanted. The WWE
gave me the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream
and easily made that day one of the greatest of my
life.

SG> What was it like training in OVW?
AT> Training in OVW was one of the greatest times of
my life. Learning and training under Lance Storm, Jim
Cornette, Bill Demott, Danny Davis, Al Snow, Paul
Heyman and the countless others that I was able to
work with and learn under is something that no worker
could ever put a price tag on and I will always be
grateful for them for helping me grow both in and out
of the ring.

SG> Do you feel you were prepared for WWE when you
were called up to the main roster?
AT> In ring wise, I think Romeo and myself could have
benefited by spending a little more time in OVW. We
had always worked as singles and had been only been
teaming for a few months at the time of our call up.
It's hard to be fully prepared for anything in life,
but we're professionals and we knew that anyone could
get a call up at anytime.

SG> What was the highlight of you brief WWE stint?
AT> Its hard to pick just one highlight, but getting
the opportunity to make our debut in Madison Square
Garden, live, has to rank at or near the top.

SG> Why do you believe you and Romeo were released?
AT> I absolutely believe that WWE gave us a fair
chance. Our first 3 weeks we debuted on Raw at MSG,
went to England and then wrestled at Backlash for the
World Tag Team Championships as well as being put on a
full house show schedule upon our call up.

SG> How did you learn of your release from the
company?
AT> Romeo and myself learned about our release via
conference call.

SG> Did WWE give you encouragement towards a possible
WWE return?
AT> Yes, there was encouragement towards a possible
return.

SG> Why do you believe WWE doesn't push many tag
teams?
AT> I don't think it's a matter of not pushing tag
teams, just look at the success that MNM and the
Spirit Squad have and will continue to enjoy. There
just aren't as many tag teams, at any level today,
like there were in the 80's and even early 90's. I
remember as a kid watching Survivor Series, there
would be 5 teams on each side of the tag match-10
teams in all. I remember watching the NWA and seeing
the Midnights, Rock'n' Roll Express, The Road
Warriors, Tully and Arn, The Freebirds, The
Fantastics, Sting and Luger, Dusty and Nikita-all the
teams they would have in the Crockett Cups. Theres
some great tag teams out there today as well, just not
as many.

SG> Since your release, have you received a lot of
booking opportunities? Perhaps international bookings?

AT> Since my release the booking opportunities have
been great. As of now, I have a full schedule of 2-3
booking every week through the summer and hope to see
them continue to grow. Since getting back in the ring
in April I have had the privilege to work up here in
the New England so far for WFA, NECW, Big Time
Wrestling, EWA, UCW in New Jersey and a series of
shows for TNT wresting and Ward family promotions down
throughout the south. I will continue to work a full
schedule these promotions as well as starting back up
within the month for Chaotic Wrestling, Northeast
Wrestling, MXW and CCW in Connecticut, URW in Fall
River, Mass, NWA Upstate and USAPRO in New York as
well as the Toms River Benefit show on June 3rd. I
have had a lot of contact outside the U.S and
definitely look forward to going overseas in the very
near future.

SG> Have you had any contact with TNA?
AT> Yes, there has been contact with TNA.

SG> Who is a better wrestler, you or Romeo?
AT> I think Romeo and Myself each have our own
strengths and weaknesses, but well be working a series
of matches against each other coming up soon, so I
guess I'll leave that up to the fans to decide.

SG> Where do you see yourself in five years?
AT> In five years, I see myself hopefully happy and
healthy continuing to make a living in this sport I
love. There hasn't been anything else I've ever wanted
to do. Iwant to continue to grow, learn and experience
as much as I can. Im still young and there's a LOT
that I want and intend, to accomplish both in and out
of the ring. This is only the beginning for Antonio
Thomas and that.is a Promise!

Antonio Thomas can be contacted for independent
bookings at [email protected]  as well as at
www.myspace.com/promiseantoniothomas   
 
Tags:

Comments are closed.