Dean Ripley is quickly becoming one of the hottest stars in wrestling throughout the northeast. Not necessarily in the ring, but for his managerial expertise. Check out some of his insight and views into the future of the independents.
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STEIN: For someone who may not have seen you yet, how would you describe yourself?
RIPLEY: That is definitely an interesting question. If you see me in Maine, I am as Gay as they come ::snickers:: Donny Marine is flamboyant and free spirited. Think about the F.A.G. from PA and add a bit of The Christopher St. Connection and you have Donny. Now if you see me as I am, Dean Ripley, I am a cocky, self absorbed, spoiled egomaniac. God I love myself ::laughs::
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STEIN: How did you first get into wrestling? What keeps you motivated to stay?
RIPLEY: For about a year before I began training, I was really good friends with The Damned (Mad Dog and Draven). I met them while role-playing Vampire: The Masquerade. When they reopened their school in 2001, I asked if I could join up and the rest is history. I think the ability to go out and entertain is my motivation to stay. Besides some of the people I met and some of the friends I have made, I just love to perform. I am trained in Theater Arts and have a BA in Directing. I am currently working on my Masters in the Arts as well.
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STEIN: How do you balance working in pro wrestling?
RIPLEY: Shows are basically on the weekends so it makes it easy to go to shows. It is very lucky I am out of classes on Fridays. Its just very difficult when I am in production for a show but I find that there is always a way to work around it to do shows. Plus I bring homework on the road.
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STEIN: What do you like best, managing or wrestling?
RIPLEY: Well, I can't say I have wrestled that much, or at all really. I love managing cause it allows me to do a little more verbally than if I was a wrestler. However, I am not afraid to step into the ring and strut myself either. But whatever gets the fans off. Hey that's cool.
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STEIN: Who has been your favorite talent to work with (in a wrestling or managing capacity)?
RIPLEY: By far I love working with the Damned. I managed them against Jim Neidhart last year and just the fact I could be out there with them was my dream come true. I also enjoyed working against them when they teamed with Chris Hamrick against Edward Extacy, Mike Preston, and Matt Vandal.
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STEIN: Why do you consider yourself, according to your website, "the hottest and most marketable manager on the North East independent circuit"?
RIPLEY: It was actually a title given to me by another wrestler. People don't realize the work ethic that even a manager has to go through. Not only work the crowd, but help with the psychology of the match, and take bumps. You won't find many managers in the business anymore who will bump. I am a big fan of the managers of old like Cornette and Hennan. They were willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. That is exactly what I try to do every time I go out. Bring a little old school mentality back showing that the managers are as vital as the wrestlers to the overall product. It's a flattering feeling to know someone thinks so.
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STEIN: What's a match you'd want to see? What's one that you'd like to be a manager for and directly involved with?
RIPLEY: I would love to see Adam Booker face Dylan Night. Two of the best up and coming wrestlers in the industry pitted against each other. I think it would be one of the greatest things to see in the territory. The one match I want to manage more than any would be The Damned's retirement match. My closest friends and teachers. It would be the biggest honor to be part of the event.
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STEIN: What do you think about wrestling in the North East? What do you think some of the major differences are between working in the North East and anywhere else?
RIPLEY: Wrestling in the North East was at an all time low when I began training. Although legitimate promotions like NCW in RI/MA, EWA in Maine, and Chaotic in MA were and still are some of the most known in the region, it seemed anyone with a bank account could try to run a promotion. There is so much more to a promotion than just money. With the overall disappointment with the WWF angles, there is a need to bring back angles and storylines that mean something. That's what I think the UWF and PWF Northeast are going to do and in an essence revamp the New England area entirely. As far as working other places, there is definitely a mentality difference once you reach New England. New York promotions still live on the old ECW bandwagon as most work out of the Elks Lodge (House of Hard-core) in Queens. To be honest I think some of the best wrestling out there is actually coming from the New Jersey/Pennslyvania area. I have always been a fan of JAPW and PWF Universal. They try to bring something new every time there is a show.
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STEIN: What do you think of the PWF's attempts to create a new national/territorial promotion?
RIPLEY: It's about time there was a territory again. NWA was a great one but you will find an NWA in every single state. PWF Universal was the brainchild of Steve Corino and from what I have heard of Mid-south and Northeast is running incredibly well, So we will see how it goes.
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STEIN: Seeing promotions all over from the standpoint of both being involved on a show and as a fan, what do you enjoy most overall about wrestling?
RIPLEY: I enjoy good wrestling. A wrestler who can work a crowd and put on a show is more important than just the work in the ring. I respect anyone who gets into the ring for it is a privledge but the wrestler who takes the extra insentive makes the experience even more so in my mind.
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STEIN: Who do you think are some of the best up and coming talent in the area?
RIPLEY: Bar none the first two names that come to mind are Adam Booker and Johnny Curtis. Booker is someone I met in Maine and for someone of his age and ability, there is no way I don't see him going far in the industry. If Mideast has Dylan Night as its shining star, then Booker is the one for the Northeast. Curtis is someone who I have seen since he was a member of the Marketing Dept. for the Hard-core Institute in Maine and Dr. Heresy's intern in MA. His Puroresu style mixed with luchalibra bring something to the plate that not many people have seen unless they see Mike Quackenbush and Reckless Youth. I definitely see him moving as well. Wrestlers who definitely stand out in my mind include Chris Venom, Tim Kilgore, KL Murphy, and Kid Krazy. These young wrestlers, all different in style, but they all bring something new and refreshing to the table. And with an industry full of Hardy wannabes, the old school mentality is where its heading once again.
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STEIN: What are some of your immediate plans? Any future long range goals?
RIPLEY: My goal right now is to work as much as possible while I can. I am heavily involved with PWF Northeast and EWA in Maine, but I hope to expand soon. I do not have aspirations of WWF for I feel the Indies is where the real action is and rekindled my love for the sport. If I am not working a show, I am in the crowd. I frequent shows up and down the East coast often. There hasn't been a goal I have not accomplished in my one year in the business but for now my long range goal is to be added to the fantastic roster of PWF Universal.
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STEIN: What do you think of the state of wrestling today in general?
RIPLEY: I think with Hogan, Henning, and Goldust back in the spotlight it is going to go back to a more old school feel with an edge. The WWF really lost me for a long time and I was rather disappointed with a product that was so good at one time, it had become stale and not even worth watching. With the split, I feel more Indies talent will be able to get shots at the developmental promotions and revamp the work as a whole.
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STEIN: If you could ask anyone in wrestling one question, who and what would it be?
RIPLEY: That�s a hard question considering everything is answered in an RF Video shoot ::snickers::
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STEIN: Anything else you'd like to add?
RIPLEY: Support Indies Wrestling. Some of the most amazing athletes you have ever seen are not that far from you at home. It is something for everyone from the hard-core, daredevil in you to the classic style wrestler you love. If you are in the Northeast, check out PWF Northeast. Oh and while you are at it, check out The Official Dean Ripley/Donny Marine Website.