The Damned are one of the northeast's most well travelled tag teams. Coming up this February 24, they defend their Premier Wrestling Federation Universal Tag Team Championships against Phoenix Championship Wrestling, East Coast Wrestling Alliance, and Ultimate Pro Wrestling tag team champions "Evolution" (Nova & Frankie Kazarian) in a "Winner Takes All Unification Match".
Read on to hear what "Mad Dog" Matt Storm and Draven have to say (http://www.damntheindies.com).
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STEIN: For those who may not have seen you before, how would you describe yourselves?
MAD DOG: We are a dark "goth" type team that fits very nicely into the role of the brawling/bad ass style of heel. We are often run as babyfaces. When that happens we continue to wrestle the same, and the people cheer for that style. We are very old school as far as how we act as heels, just bringing new moves and a little style to things.
DRAVEN: I'd describe us as a straight forward, brutal team. WE like to combine a bit of high impact team maneuvers with some high flying and brawling...with a somewhat gothic appeal.
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STEIN: What motivated you to get into wrestling? What motivates you to stay?
MAD DOG: I was a huge fan as a kid and dreamed of doing it... now I am. The thing that motivates me is dedication to my partner, our goals, and my love for the biz.
DRAVEN: Actually it's was the athleticism for me. I used to watch these guys do what they did and was always like ..."how'd they pull that off."....Why I saty in is simple...love of the business and its fans.
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STEIN: How did you both get into wrestling? What would you say to anyone looking into pro wrestling training now?
MAD DOG: I got into things the long and hard way. I did not start with the conventional training and basically trained myself. I got my foot in the door by a guy who was a co-worker with my father. He knew I was a fan of wrestling and invited us to his promotions first show. It was absolutely horrible... so of course I wanted in. After two years of trying to improve, I paid my money to a local school run by "The Falcon" Gino Caruso, who worked extensively for Century Wrestling (Tony Rumble's predecessor to the NWA NE). From there I started to work regularly and eventually become the worker I am today.
As for those trying to get in to the business... go to a good school first. Check where the trainers are working. There are a ton of schools out there who say they can train you, yet their trainers can barely work themselves. In NY, Mikey Whipwreck runs an amazing school, Reckless Youth just started a school with Mike Quackenbuch in MD, Afa runs his in PA, and heck.. right in CT... We run our own school.
DRAVEN: Actually, I got in the wrong way. I met a friend of a friend who was involved with a local Independant promotion. He asked if I wanted to leran and at that time i was like hell yeah. After a while of doing things on frozen ground I finally got into my first show. After a couple years I got re-trained by Sylvano Sousa, boy was I doing a lot wrong....I'm still doing a lot wrong, but the veterans out there, Guys like Steve Corino for instance always do what they can to help point us in the right direction...and we appreciate that.
If I had to tell anyone anything, it would be to get credible training,. Research, make sure they know what they're doing. Other than that...get the hell away, this business is like a drug...addicting as hell.
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STEIN: Was it hard to go back into training after already working in the business?
MAD DOG: No. Basically I knew I needed to clean up what I was doing. The hardest thing was unlearning bad habits and learning the new correct ones.
DRAVEN: At first it seemed like a pain and it got frustrationg, thankfully I had a teacher who just went with me. After a while I got it and just took it from there. However, I still have a lot to learn...in this business you never stop learning. There's always something new to pick up.
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STEIN: I understand you run a training program up in New England. How does your own training experience and professional experience play into your program?
MAD DOG: We try and prepare our trainees for what the promoters are currently looking for. Wrestling goes in trends. It may be entertaining and cool to be a great brawler with trash... but promoters want wrestlers. We encourage our guys to try new and innovative stuff, high flying, yet we push the traditional skills and psychology hard. We also help guys in working towards getting professional gear, as opposed to cut-off jeans and army boots. We also have made mistakes in the past. We pass on the lessons we have learned, so our trainees don't make the same mistakes.
DRAVEN: I think we both combine what we've learned through our respective teachers and peers into a very tough and phsyoically demanding program. We force respect for this business into our student and do our best to weed out the guys who are there as weekend warriors. We love this business and our students should as well.
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STEIN: Do you think some younger workers are missing that "something" that is takes to be in wrestling?
MAD DOG: Definitely. I think some guys are solely out to rub their own egos. You have to be in it for the show, not just yourself. So many guys have a laundry list of spots that they want to get in a match, rather than tell a story. Psychology is key... and many miss the boat.
DRAVEN: There are some that are missing it, but it's not up to me to judge them. The best I can do is offer them the same help that was given to me, or ot offer some constructive criticism of sorts.
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STEIN: What do you think of the PWF making an effort at affiliating with other promotions?
MAD DOG: Any time a great promotion works together with other great promotions with the best interests of the fans and the wrestling business as whole in mind.. it can only be good. In PWF's case especially, I am excited as the opportunities to work different and the best talent is presented to us.
DRAVEN: I think it's great, wrestling needs to teritorialize again. It allows for talent swaps and I believe an overall better product.
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STEIN: What do see PWF doing next to continue it's growth?
MAD DOG: With any luck, ironing out deals with international promotions and getting talent exchanges running. Bringing more stars from Japan or England here... and sending PWF stars (us please) there.
DRAVEN: Well, i'm not to sure of their next step, but they are definately going to continue going forward. They have , in my eyes, the most talented roster going today. With the crew they have, they booking behind it, and the drive to succeede, there's not much they can't do.
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STEIN: What are your thoughts on being the FIRST PWF Universal Tag Team Champions?
MAD DOG: The fact that we were given that opportunity was huge. We defended the straps against some of the best tag teams out there. In fact, The Backseat Boys and the SAT are probably the two best tags out there. To regain the titles for a second reign and be able to defend against international talent, like Hoshikawa, was an honor. PWF has allowed us to represent their tag division.. it is a tall order... but one we are flattered to take and work to keep.
DRAVEN: Look at what the PWF has done in a short time...I can sum this question up by simply saying I consider it an honor.
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STEIN: What do you have to say about your February 24th match in a "Winner Takes All Unification Match" when you face the Phoenix Championship Wrestling, East Coast Wrestling Alliance, and Ultimate Pro Wrestling tag team champions "Evolution" (Nova & Frankie Kazarian)?
MAD DOG: I have always liked Nova's work, but have had little chance to scout Evolution. Basically, they are another one of the top tags around. I tell my trainees all the time, the only way you get better is to challenge yourself by wrestling better people. Are Evolution better than the Damned? We don't know that. They definitely are another tag that works their asses off and will definitely be a tough team to get in there with. It gives us something to work towards. Win or lose... we come out a better team.
DRAVEN: Well, hopefully this will be one hell of a match. We're stepping in there with some incredible talent, a couple of guys who can go. To quote someone else we better "have our working boots" on that night. We're going to do like we always do, step through the ropes and give 110 percent of what we have to give.
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STEIN: What are your comments on the NJ/PA area wrestling scene?
MAD DOG: There are a handful of really excellent promotions there. PWF, Phoenix Championship Wrestling, Jersey All-Pro. Basically, places we are working or aspire to work for. These promoters do use some of the hottest and most sound talent around. Where else can you see guys like the SAT, Backseats, Low Ki, Homicide, Allison Danger, Dylan Night and Candi... on a single show? Only in NJ and PA... for now.
DRAVEN: Talent, talent and more talent. I think that area is one of the most thickly populated with talented wrestlers.
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STEIN: Who do you think some of your best matches have been against?
MAD DOG: Hands down, as much as I love the Backseat Boys, I think our best work has been against Jose and Joel Maximo, the SAT. These guys have such bright futures and so much talent.
DRAVEN: Now that's a hard one, we've worked with a lot of quality talent, Corino, sandman, Roadkill, The backseat boyz and the SAT are incredible. Then Rachies, jim Neidhart...there's a lot of great talent out there. Each contributing to my memories of a best match in one way or another.
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STEIN: What made the two of your team up to form The Damned?
MAD DOG: No one else would team with us... just kidding... Actually we have known each other for like 9 years in the biz. We know each other's dedication and work ethic. We have always brought out the best in each other, when across the ring or as a team. We are best friends out side of the ring... and our strictest critics.
DRAVEN: Actually it was a promoter for maine. I was already working for them and Maddog was looking to get in. After seeing Maddogs tape he asked if we would mind tagging...something we had joked about before anyhow...and it went from there.
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STEIN: Who is an opponent you would like to go up against some day?
MAD DOG: Well If I want to be selfish and name someone I want to face...it would be Terry Funk. He is my all-time favorite wrestler and a great inspiration to any worker. As for a team...I'd love the opportunity to work the Dudleys. They work so damn hard...I think it would just be a lot of fun. I would love to wrestle NWA Intercontinental Tag Champs Shinjiri Ohtani and Masato Tanaka because after having a taste of strong style, we enjoy it.
DRAVEN: Shawn Micheals or Jake Roberts if it could be anyone...if it had to be someone from todays wrestling market...I don't know...there are to many people out there that I'd love to go against.
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STEIN: Any thoughts of wrestling possibly outside of the country? Where all in the United States have you wrestled?
MAD DOG: Well I guess that is a good follow-up for the last question. We are dying to get to Japan or even England to work. We've basically been from Maine to West Virginia and every state in between.
DRAVEN: There's always thoughts of that. Personally i'd love to hit Japan or Puerto Rico. That's kind of a goal we've set for ourselves recently. I've been to almost the entire east coast.
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STEIN: What do you think of wrestling today? What would you change?
MAD DOG: I think wrestling overall has its goods and its bads. Working in New England and in PA, we've seen the births of tons of promotions and wrestling schools. Some of these "professional organizations" lack the experience of some of our more trained students, let alone guys that SHOULD be running things. Even worse are the promoters KILLING areas by having untrained guys working shows. Fans go hoping for pro wrestling and get men pretending to be Steve Austin and The Rock. I noticed, even Reckless Youth said that about the surgence of all the schools in their area. I think prospective wrestlers need to do their homework. Why is this school better than another? What have the trainers done? Who are they? I think the school run by former WWF Developmental talent (like Youth for example) is a better choice than say "a local boy who worked in a clown suit as Doink."
On the good side, there ARE great schools opening. Workers who CAN work are being produced. Many trainers are getting their students to have a true love and respect for the biz. That keeps the quality of the biz much better.
DRAVEN: Love it, just as I did growing up. I'd go a little less hardcore with some of it, but hey that's a preference. If i could make one major change, I'd opt for the indies to territorialize instead of working against each other.
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STEIN: Anyone in wrestling you would like to see interviewed? What question would you ask them?
MAD DOG: Mick Foley in a few years. After the injuries and soreness have really set in... I'd want to know if he'd do it all again and the same way.
DRAVEN: Jake Roberts, just so I could ask him if he could do everything again, knowing he could've had the werestling world in his hand...would he have done everything differently.
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STEIN: Anything additional you would like to add?
MAD DOG: Cheap Plug... go to our website www.damntheindies.com and buy our shirts.... Support Indy Wrestling!!!
DRAVEN: First, thank you for this interview opportunity. Secondly, thank you to all the boys out there who've stepped in the ring with us time and again. it's made for some great matches and better memories, without them we wouldn't look nearly as good as we do. Finally to the fans...thank you all, without you, none of us would be here...