I got the chance to catch up with NEO-Pro's own John Shock. Shock is currently preparing for NEO-Pro's The Sky's The Limit tournament, featuring 16 of the top cruiserweight talents today. While Shock is not a highly-known commodity in some circles, it didn't seem to bother him, as I learned from my conversation with him following NEO-Pro's latest show. Here's what was on John's mind.
LZ: Okay, let's me start off with this... it's pretty cool that you were willing to chat with me so I could get the perspective of somebody who wouldn't be referred to as one of the "big names" in the business.
JS: Big names? Is there some sort of mystique that goes with that?
LZ: Well, maybe. But generally, it seems like the perspective I've been getting from most guys so far have been the guys that have been called the names in wrestling, and you're one of those who is still making your mark.
JS: Well, I suppose you could say I'm still trying to make my mark... then again, those who have seen me say that I probably have made my mark.
LZ: Yeah, there are those who have told me that you are probably going to be one of those guys who will have a bigger impact on this business in the future.
JS: Yeah, that's nice to know people think about that. But... as far as this whole deal about whether I'm a name in this business or not... that doesn't bother me. My primary concern when I go out to that wrestling ring is to make sure those fans appreciate my work, and you do that by giving them a great performance every time out. Doesn't matter whether you win or lose, all that matters is getting those fans excited about you, your matches and the company you wrestle for. And since there are those saying I've made my mark in this business... I'd say that's a sign that I'm doing my job well.
LZ: So it doesn't bother you that you aren't considered a big name then?
JS: Not at all. To me, that's not the ultimate goal in this business. Hey, if some day, people come along and say that I'm one of those guys who is standing head and shoulders above nearly everybody else in this business and that I've made my name that way, that's fine. But as for me, the way I make my name is knowing that the fans who see me in action the first time want to see me in action again, that those I work with appreciate the opportunity to work with me, and that those companies I work for are happy to have me on board.
LZ: Well, why don't we talk a little about your background... it was bullfighting you started off with?
JS: Yeah, that was it. Not really a whole lot to say about that, except that it's not the easiest job in the world. Consider that a bullfighter's job is to be the guy who distracts a bull a guy was riding and get him to come after you instead of the rider, I'm not sure how many guys even in the wrestling business would want to get involved with that. [Laughs]
LZ: Heh... I'm not sure I'd take a job like that. But do you think something like that is really a career that could help you become a wrestler?
JS: First of all, I wasn't intending it to be a career to help me become a wrestler. [Laughs] Seriously, the one thing you learn about being a bullfighter is to show no fear. I think that helped me with my wrestling career, because I don't show fear when it comes to what I do in the ring. You gotta get those fans drawn in, and that means you can't hesitate for too long, or you risk losing the fans. And if you show fear, that's when you hesitate.
LZ: As I understand it, after you were recovering from a concussion during a bullfighting incident, one day you learned about a wrestling school and the rest was history, right?
JS: Well, actually, when I first heard about this wrestling school, I figured it was something worth trying out. I've always liked challenges and I found it a challenge to see if I had what it took to be a pro wrestler.
LZ: But as you've mentioned yourself several times, you don't really fit the image of what a typical Texas cowboy wrestler would be like.
JS: That's right... when I first started at that wrestling school, my teachers knew there was no way I was gonna get any bigger. Besides, they also noticed that a brawling style just wasn't the type of thing I was drawn towards, so they figured that a quick-paced wrestling style would suit me better. That's kind of how things worked out.
LZ: How do you think that helps you when you consider so many of the wrestlers from your home state are often of the brawling nature, playing a tough Texan character?
JS: I personally think it's better for me. That's not to say I have anything against those guys from Texas who play the tough-as-nails brawler... for those guys, it's a character that fits them well and they play the character well. But that's a character that doesn't fit me and the style that I work in the ring is what I'm better suited at. You should never force yourself to play a character that isn't suited to you. You've got to go with what works best for you personally.
LZ: What about the fact you play a straighforward, pure babyface? Some people seem to think that type of character is a dying breed.
JS: I think it's a character type we need more of. There aren't that many wrestlers today who want to play a character who simply believes in doing the right thing. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that people want to see those more of characters. That being said, I also think variety is good. You can't have every face cut from the same mold and every heel cut from the same mold. Otherwise, wrestling just isn't an interesting. Having a variety of characters makes wrestling better for the fans. I'm just glad I can fill an area in which, as you've said, some people think is dying out.
LZ: You haven't been around in the business for long, but already, you have quite a tale to tell about your career, don't you?
JS: [smiles] What do you mean by that?
LZ: Well, considering that, as I understand it, most of your career has seen planned storylines and stuff get cut short... how do you deal with that?
JS: What can I say... luck may not have been on my side, perhaps. [chuckling] Seriously, though, it doesn't bother me that much. Sometimes, things happen. You just have to wait for the next thing to come along.
LZ: Well, what about those first couple of months you were wrestling? Two matches in GWC/MPW wasn't much to show for, was it?
JS: Perhaps not... I guess I just arrived there at a bad time. In fact, at that time, I know a lot of things in the world of wrestling were in a state of flux, so to speak. Plenty of people were talking about how the scene was dying and things like that. But I managed. FSW came along at a pretty good time.
LZ: You actually got some good exposure during SuperSlam, as I recall.
JS: Yeah, they had that big invitational match and I just figured I'd give it a shot. Little did I know I was the only one who had signed up for it. [Laughs]
LZ: And then Derek Irvin decided to work the match with you as a one-on-one affair.
JS: That really meant a lot to me. Derek Irvin is a great guy. He certainly knows what buttons to push to get people to react to him, especially when he plays the heel role. But Irvin is truly one of those guys who believes the most important thing is that the fans go home believing they got their money's worth. He isn't out for himself, he's out to do what's best for the fans and what's best for the business. You have to respect an attitude like that.
LZ: So then came the FSW experience... I know FSW showed a lot of potential but then ran into some financial trouble. What do you think was the problem there?
JS: How can I put this... I know there were those who were wondering about some of the booking decisions made, but I don't think that necessarily had anything to do with it. Chris Chronic is a guy who wasn't afraid to take a few chances when it came to storylines and such. I know there was a fair amount of roster turnover there, but again, I think Chronic was just trying to find out what was working for him. It's unfortunate he ran into the trouble he did, because I think things were just starting to get into a groove. I don't want to speculate on what led to those financial problems, though. I'm glad he's been able to bounce back with Rumble Pro and I think if he can overcome the rough bumps in the road, he'll lead that promotion to bigger and better things in due time.
LZ: FSW was a place where they kept trying to find you a good program to work with, but nobody seemed to stay for long, right?
JS: It is unfortunate the ball wasn't always rolling well with what I had to work with in FSW. But I'm not going to blame anybody for anything. I don't hold any grudges. There are definitely times when I thought we had some good material coming together and things didn't materialize, but I'm not going to say a bad word about anybody. It just doesn't solve anything. The best thing you can do is move on.
LZ: And after FSW closed, you did move on to NEO-Pro. How did that come to happen?
JS: It happened one day when when I was still with FSW, I got contacted by NEO-Pro officials, and they said they were interested in me. I was kind of surprised at this, because here I was, just going about my business in FSW and not thinking about other options, and then just like that, another option came about. When I first spoke to NEO-Pro officials, when they had called me, I just told them I'd keep them in mind, but for the time being I was going to stick things out in FSW. I really felt I needed to stay committed to FSW at that time.
LZ: When FSW did close, I take it your decision was pretty easy to head over to NEO-Pro then?
JS: NEO-Pro was the first place I contacted and they were excited to have me. I think it shows I did my job well in FSW that another promotion would not only take notice of me and inquire about me signing on, and then when I call them a few months later and ask if they still were interested, they were excited to hear about it. I'm just glad there was another opportunity for me after FSW closed.
LZ: Would you ever consider going to Rumble Pro, since you worked well with Chris Chronic?
JS: It could happen some day, I suppose... but right now, I'm trying to concentrate on one promotion for the time being and that's NEO-Pro. But that doesn't mean I'll never be in Rumble Pro... I'll see how things develop for me. But regardless, I wish Chris Chronic all the luck in the world.
LZ: What has it been like working with guys like Pak and Corey Hart, who you share the Trios titles with?
JS: I couldn't be happier. I know people will look at guys like Pak and Hart and not think much about them, but they are both good guys to work with. I think the only disappointment we all share was our originally planned storylines for NEO-Pro ended up getting sped up a bit because of the recent shake-ups, but we weathered the storm fine. I would have liked to have seen a better conclusion to our storyline we had, but circumstances dictated otherwise. But Pak and Hart have never shared any complaint with me about it, I have no complaints, and I'm really glad to get the opportunity to work with these guys. And I will add this... we've got some storylines in the works the coming months and, if all goes well, they should be quite enjoyable.
LZ: I'm sure plenty will look forward to that... now, what about The Sky's The Limit tournament... what do you think of that tournament field?
JS: You've got some great wrestlers there... those I've heard a lot about but never seen wrestle before, but considering I've heard a lot about them, I know they've got to be quite damn good. There are those who have already proclaimed this tournament as the best one NEO-Pro has put together yet. I think a lot of people are really excited about this and hopefully everyone us involved can send everyone home happy, regardless of who comes out on top.
LZ: You seem to be a guy who just doesn't have a complaint about anything, are you?
JS: [laughs] Well, I wouldn't say I don't have complaints... there are a few things here and there that might be done a little differently. For example, I'm not the biggest fan of the typical badass character, but there are those who can do it quite effectively. But there are those who aren't as effective at it and seem to be doing it just because it is, or was, a popular thing to do. I also think there aren't that many angles out there that open up tons of storyline possibilites and the scopes seem to be a bit narrow. And I'm not big on the wrestler versus promoter angles, but those seem to be going by the wayside, so maybe that's not something to worry about. But, wrestling in general is something in which there is always room for improvement.
LZ: I know you already mentioned that you are happy sticking it out with NEO-Pro, but might there be a chance you could show up somewhere else? Maybe not just in Rumble Pro?
JS: You never know what could happen. I keep up with a few other places, such as RCW and UWF, and both places have a lot to offer. I don't want to make any promises or guesses as to where I may end up going down the road, though. I'll just take things as they come.
LZ: What about wrestlers you haven't worked with yet? Any in particular?
JS: I've watched a lot of Psicopa's matches in NEO-Pro and would love to work a match with him. I wouldn't mind working with Derek Irvin again. Sushi Tsunami is a hell of a competitor and I'd love the idea of a match against him, not just because he's the current International Cruiserweight Champion. And who knows... maybe some day I'll work more in the heavyweight class and get a chance to work with guys like Ktulu, Trent Davidson and others like them... really, there's a bunch of guys on that NEO-Pro roster who I think would be great to work with.
LZ: Back to the TSTL tournament for a minute... who do you think is gonna win?
JS: [laughs] Who do you think I'd pick?
LZ: [laughs] Should have figured.
JS: Hey... I'll just say this again... I think everyone of us in this tournament has a good chance to send all those fans home happy.
LZ: Thanks so much for the time. Good luck to you in TSTL.
JS: Thanks.. and hey, a little luck never hurts.
- Lenny Zefring is the lead announcer for Championship Fighting Federation and head interviewer for Just The Facts! 3001. If you wish to setup an interview with Mr. Zefring, please e-mail us at [email protected] with the details