SIMON DIAMOND TALKS ABOUT REBIRTH OF ECW, TNA, CRITICS
- 05/14/2006 (9:05:10 am)
- James Walsh
DAWN MARIE AND MORE….
Show: 3 Count Wrestling
Guest: Simon Diamond
Date: 5/13/06
Your Hosts: Brian Luquette, Chris Furguson, & James Walsh
This week, 3CW welcomes a man who worked for a rebel company in its time called ECW and now works for the rebel company that is hot right now, today, and is a true revolution, Total Nonstop Action! We welcome Simon Diamond!
Simon says a lot in this interview. And, I think you'll like it! So, check it out at www.WrestlingEpicenter.com
Simon Diamond Interview
Interview conducted by Brian Luquette, Chris Furguson and James Walsh.
The TNA remix of Simon Says brings us into the interview with the one
and only Simon Diamond.
Simon begins by talking about the Lockdown PPV, but goes into a speech
about internet critics and hype that needs to be heard to be believed!
CM Punk, Dave Meltzer and Wade Keller are mentioned during this
segment!
The conversation turns to the recent war of words between TNA's AJ
Styles and WWE's Dave Batista. Simon adds that while AJ is the best
athlete in the ring, Batista is a phenominal draw and character.
According to Simon, the next step for TNA is to get consistent 1.5
Neilsen ratings before moving into primetime, mentioning a possible
head-to-head with RAW.
Simon compares Sting's coming to TNA like Reggie Jackson arriving for
the Yankees: Someone with name value who comes in and brings new
viewers who might become fans of future stars.
Although the "Basebrawl" match at Turning Point 2005 generated tons of
attention, Simon was not surprised by the media attention. Simon also
mentions that he was in Sports Illustrated, something he told his
father he'd be in one day.
Speaking of baseball, Simon chose to go to college instead of being
drafted by the San Diego Padres (he was drafted in the 34th round).
The plan was that by his Junior year, Simon would be able to get into
the top 10 rounds, where the big money was. However, that didn't
materialize. Simon does not regret it, however, as he loves
wrestling.
Simon gives us a story about how he, in college, would run around his
locker room, in long underwear, with "Honky Tonk Man" in marker down
one leg, "Shake, Rattle & Roll" down the other and "Lay Down Sally" on
the back, all the while doing impressions of Flair, Honky Tonk Man,
Austin Idol and Dusty Rhodes.
He then tells about how he got into the business, including a teammate
of his who went to high school with "Jammin" Mitch Snow and how a
co-worker at Pepsi introduced Simon to James Kettner.
The conversation goes into how "Simon Diamond" is a play on Dean
Malenko. Simon says he modeled his wrestling style after Dean's and
Paul Heyman eventually came up with the name "Simon Diamond" for him
(He was originally "Lance Diamond" in the indies.)
The catchphrase "Simon has a problem" came from a time when Simon was
trying to cut a promo and just blurted it out.
Simon thinks the restart of ECW is great for the wrestlers, including
Ballz Mahoney, Francine and Axl Rotten, but the biggest winners are
the fans.
Simon predicts, correctly, that James, our intrepid producer, that he
feels that the WWE will not do ECW correctly. They then go into how
leftovers sometimes taste better the second day, a hot dog place near
the Meadowlands in New Jersey and Fried Twinkies. (Listen to it for
details!)
The conversation goes into the subject of Angel Orsini, the
"Prodigette" in ECW, and her injuries. Simon has nothing but praise
for her, even calling her one of the better women in the ring.
The next subject, which is difficult for us to bring up, is Dawn
Marie. Simon still talks to her regularly, clarifies that the two
were never married and even says that they had broken up months before
anyone figured it out!
TNA has Team 3-D and Raven locked into 2-year contracts, according to
Simon. TNA also offers a lighter work schedule, as well as being a
hungrier, younger promotion. Simon also accepts that the WWE will be
aggressive in acquiring new talent. Simon also puts Sabu over
strongly as the "ultimate professional," mentioning the broken arm AND
the fact that Sabu had already signed the WWE's contract but still
showed up to the PPV and did the job.
Simon says that getting rid of the name "Irish Pat Kenney" was like
getting out of jail.
Simon thinks "Diamonds in the Rough" is very good, but admits that
they are not the featured group in the company as "xXx" was. Simon
says that they just has to hope to be in the right place at the right
time.
Guest: Simon Diamond
Date: 5/13/06
Your Hosts: Brian Luquette, Chris Furguson, & James Walsh
This week, 3CW welcomes a man who worked for a rebel company in its time called ECW and now works for the rebel company that is hot right now, today, and is a true revolution, Total Nonstop Action! We welcome Simon Diamond!
Simon says a lot in this interview. And, I think you'll like it! So, check it out at www.WrestlingEpicenter.com
Simon Diamond Interview
Interview conducted by Brian Luquette, Chris Furguson and James Walsh.
The TNA remix of Simon Says brings us into the interview with the one
and only Simon Diamond.
Simon begins by talking about the Lockdown PPV, but goes into a speech
about internet critics and hype that needs to be heard to be believed!
CM Punk, Dave Meltzer and Wade Keller are mentioned during this
segment!
The conversation turns to the recent war of words between TNA's AJ
Styles and WWE's Dave Batista. Simon adds that while AJ is the best
athlete in the ring, Batista is a phenominal draw and character.
According to Simon, the next step for TNA is to get consistent 1.5
Neilsen ratings before moving into primetime, mentioning a possible
head-to-head with RAW.
Simon compares Sting's coming to TNA like Reggie Jackson arriving for
the Yankees: Someone with name value who comes in and brings new
viewers who might become fans of future stars.
Although the "Basebrawl" match at Turning Point 2005 generated tons of
attention, Simon was not surprised by the media attention. Simon also
mentions that he was in Sports Illustrated, something he told his
father he'd be in one day.
Speaking of baseball, Simon chose to go to college instead of being
drafted by the San Diego Padres (he was drafted in the 34th round).
The plan was that by his Junior year, Simon would be able to get into
the top 10 rounds, where the big money was. However, that didn't
materialize. Simon does not regret it, however, as he loves
wrestling.
Simon gives us a story about how he, in college, would run around his
locker room, in long underwear, with "Honky Tonk Man" in marker down
one leg, "Shake, Rattle & Roll" down the other and "Lay Down Sally" on
the back, all the while doing impressions of Flair, Honky Tonk Man,
Austin Idol and Dusty Rhodes.
He then tells about how he got into the business, including a teammate
of his who went to high school with "Jammin" Mitch Snow and how a
co-worker at Pepsi introduced Simon to James Kettner.
The conversation goes into how "Simon Diamond" is a play on Dean
Malenko. Simon says he modeled his wrestling style after Dean's and
Paul Heyman eventually came up with the name "Simon Diamond" for him
(He was originally "Lance Diamond" in the indies.)
The catchphrase "Simon has a problem" came from a time when Simon was
trying to cut a promo and just blurted it out.
Simon thinks the restart of ECW is great for the wrestlers, including
Ballz Mahoney, Francine and Axl Rotten, but the biggest winners are
the fans.
Simon predicts, correctly, that James, our intrepid producer, that he
feels that the WWE will not do ECW correctly. They then go into how
leftovers sometimes taste better the second day, a hot dog place near
the Meadowlands in New Jersey and Fried Twinkies. (Listen to it for
details!)
The conversation goes into the subject of Angel Orsini, the
"Prodigette" in ECW, and her injuries. Simon has nothing but praise
for her, even calling her one of the better women in the ring.
The next subject, which is difficult for us to bring up, is Dawn
Marie. Simon still talks to her regularly, clarifies that the two
were never married and even says that they had broken up months before
anyone figured it out!
TNA has Team 3-D and Raven locked into 2-year contracts, according to
Simon. TNA also offers a lighter work schedule, as well as being a
hungrier, younger promotion. Simon also accepts that the WWE will be
aggressive in acquiring new talent. Simon also puts Sabu over
strongly as the "ultimate professional," mentioning the broken arm AND
the fact that Sabu had already signed the WWE's contract but still
showed up to the PPV and did the job.
Simon says that getting rid of the name "Irish Pat Kenney" was like
getting out of jail.
Simon thinks "Diamonds in the Rough" is very good, but admits that
they are not the featured group in the company as "xXx" was. Simon
says that they just has to hope to be in the right place at the right
time.
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