Kazarian interview - part 1
Feb 20, 2005 15:43:05 GMT -5
Post by The Doctor on Feb 20, 2005 15:43:05 GMT -5
Alan Wojcik: Thank you for speaking to me in this difficult time in your
life. Before we get to everyone wants to read about. Let’s talk about
some of the recent past that brought us to this interview. During 2003
you, Chris Sabin and Michael Shane feuded over the X Division title,
including being the original Ultimate X competitors. What led to the
formation of a tag team with Michael and Tracy Brooks as the manager,
was it you or TNA that brought it to fruition?
Frankie Kazarian: It was TNA’s idea. AJ (Styles) had come back into the
X Division, beat me for MY title and the three of us had publicly voiced
our opinions when everyone else was fine with it. Then we wrestled each
other as part of a six way X title match (w/Styles, Elix Skipper,
Amazing Red and Chris Sabin) and we worked together well. So we had that
common goal and that led to our teaming up.
AW: What was the big issue with AJ Styles since he had held the X title
before winning NWA World Heavyweight title? You two pulled a Chris
Jericho and invoked a supposedly unknown clause in the TNA rulebook,
bylaw 8426-A according to the PPV I viewed, that stated since Styles had
wrestled as a heavyweight he couldn’t return to the X Division. Was
Jerry Lynn right by saying you two were afraid of Styles, or give me a
reason or better excuse?
Frankie Kazarian: We were tired of guys being able to do what they
wanted. Some guys were being held in place and we voiced our opinions on
it.
AW: During this time period Jeff Hardy joined TNA Wrestling. What was
your initial reaction to him joining the promotion and did you have any
interaction with him?
Frankie Kazarian: I had known Jeff a bit before he joined TNA and we had
gotten along. I was glad to see him join since he was a hot free agent
at the time since it would benefit the company; to this day he adds
something special to the promotion.
AW: The TNA taping schedule used to be live PPV in Nashville on
Wednesday’s and the Impact show the day after in Orlando. What was your
relationship like with Michael and Tracy in and of the locker room?
Frankie Kazarian: You have seen it after shows Alan; they are two of my
best friends in wrestling. Michael and I are similar in many ways. I try
to get to Orlando early so we can hang out before the TV tapings. The
three of us hang out after the Ale House and when you work with people
like closely that friendship evolves. I have friendships with many on
the TNA roster but they were the best friends.
AW: In our last interview you had spoken about losing YOUR X Division
title to AJ Styles on an Impact TV show. On July 28 in Nashville you
regained it, well half of it. You and Michael Shane wrestled Styles in
an Ultimate X match where both of you came down with the title belt in
your hands. What is it like to be in the X a second time and winning the
belt in the fashion you did?
Frankie Kazarian: Well I was really psyched to be back in the Ultimate X
match since I wanted to do another right after the original. I wanted to
raise the bar higher and do more innovative things. The wires were
higher this time out and its real scary being that high up dangling.
That is not a soft landing from that height (laughs.) One thing I regret
is I won’t do another one. I love the concept but I feel it is being
overused now. As far as the co-champions idea I thought it was cool
since it had never been done with the X title. But subsequently they
ended the angle not long after it began. It’s their decision but they
could have done more with the angle.
AW: That angle ended on the August 11 PPV when you and Michael had to
put the title on the line in a Gauntlet for the Gold. You ended up
losing the title to Petey Williams as a final four competitor. How hard
is it to prepare for a match like this where friends and enemies can
eliminate you in a second?
Frankie Kazarian: You have nineteen other guys coming at you from all
angles. That night I was number one and Michael Shane was number twenty.
In between were eighteen other guys gunning for our title. It is
survival of the fittest. Actually I was in the final three when Amazing
Red eliminated me to face off with Petey. When you go in there early
like I did you have to bring your “A” game. Petey won that night and had
a great title run.
AW: On August 25 you and Michael faced off with two Mexican superstars
in LA Park and Psicosis. What was it like to wrestle two men have
international experience and used to be on WCW’s roster?
Frankie Kazarian: I was looking forward to it since I used to see them
on TV and they are unpredictable as can be. They bring a new style and
it meshed with what Michael and I bring to the match. We mixed it up and
it worked great. I have wrestled them a few times in California since
that night. I had a good time and I like to wrestle with as many
different styles as I can.
AW: On September 8 TNA stopped producing their weekly PPV’s in Nashville
and moved into a monthly three-hour PPV format that is done in Orlando,
Florida. What was your reaction that day when TNA informed the talent of
the transition?
Frankie Kazarian: It was brought to us in a positive manner by the
office. We agreed it was something that would lead to the growth of the
company. I thought the weekly PPV concept was played out. People weren’t
going to spend their money on it when they can watch wrestling on free
TV. The Impact show was great and move to the three hour PPV was
excellent to allow storylines to grow and end on the PPV’s. I was
psyched.
AW: On the last show you and Michael were part of an X Division Tag Team
dominance match and were one of the final two teams but you upset by the
team of (former NWA Florida Tag Team champions) Mikey Batts and “Mr.
630” Jerrelle Clark. From seeing them all the time in the ring, I know
they are good but the TNA audience didn’t know it. What happened that
night?
Frankie Kazarian: Upsets happen in sports and that night they got lucky.
We took them too lightly, they were hot for a while upsetting teams like
the Naturals. I guess our confidence or arrogance, if you call it that
got the best of us and we came up on the short end of the stick and left
Nashville on a downer.
AW: Having lived in Nashville and experienced the PPV, several friends
voiced their displeasure how TNA left for Orlando and called the Orlando
fans the best in wrestling. Having wrestled in both cities is there
anything comforting you can say for the Nashville fans?
Frankie Kazarian: I don’t think the Nashville crowd should take it
personally. I know firsthand since I’ve had to make difficult decisions
in the last few weeks, as an individual or a company you have to make
moves that are going to hurt people and the move to Orlando was to help
TNA grow. The cities of Orlando and Nashville have great fans and I
don’t think either towns is better then the other.
AW: From talking online as friends over the past few weeks, you told me
around that time your contract expired and you worked without one until
this past Tuesday. Was it something that someone in the TNA overlooked
and why did you never mention it to the office?
Frankie Kazarian: Honestly it was something that slipped through the
cracks. I signed my contract around the same time as Chris Sabin,
Michael Shane and a few other guys. Before they expired I talked to
Sabin to see if he was being renewed because I hadn’t heard from the
office. He said he was in Nashville and he signed an extension, due to
legalities I won’t discuss other people’s deals. The two weeks all of
the extensions were being issued was when we were still doing PPV’s on
Wednesday and TV in Orlando on Thursday. I was only being booked for the
Orlando TV during that time and quite honestly Alan honestly I think it
was an oversight and the blame doesn’t fall on anyone. I could have
chosen to address it by saying something but because I tend to stay
below the radar I didn’t. I could have addressed it but I am a firm
believer that things happen for a reason.
AW: On November 7, 2004 TNA embarked into the realm of the three hour
PPV with Victory Road. You and Michael were part of the opening match an
X Division Gauntlet match where you were the last man with the eventual
winner Hector Garza. What was the backstage atmosphere that night and
memories of the match?
Frankie Kazarian: It was a very emotional night and we all worked hard
to get there. Dave Sahadi who is an amazing producer did the show
opening and it gave everyone there (the interviewer included)
goosebumps. To this day when I watch the tape it makes me emotional. We
were all ready to prove we belonged on PPV. I felt that night was one of
the few where TNA gave me the ball to run with it since I was the first
person the fans would see on the PPV. I thought everyone in the match
gave their all to make it a great start to an excellent show. I was and
am very proud to have been part of Victory Road.
AW: Let’s step away from TNA to talk about the promotion Pro Wrestling
Guerilla where you held the heavyweight title until losing the title to
Super Dragon.
Frankie Kazarian: Super Dragon and I have only been in the ring a few
times and I must say he is talented. He was professional and our
chemistry blended well. That last match ended my second PWG Heavyweight
title reign and I passed the reigns to Super Dragon. It has been a
pleasant working environment despite what other wrestlers have told me
about him.
AW: After Victory Road TNA changed around the writing staff to move in a
different direction. Were there any conversations with the new staff
about the direction you and Michael Shane would be going?
From Alan Wojcik (http://alanwojcik.com)
life. Before we get to everyone wants to read about. Let’s talk about
some of the recent past that brought us to this interview. During 2003
you, Chris Sabin and Michael Shane feuded over the X Division title,
including being the original Ultimate X competitors. What led to the
formation of a tag team with Michael and Tracy Brooks as the manager,
was it you or TNA that brought it to fruition?
Frankie Kazarian: It was TNA’s idea. AJ (Styles) had come back into the
X Division, beat me for MY title and the three of us had publicly voiced
our opinions when everyone else was fine with it. Then we wrestled each
other as part of a six way X title match (w/Styles, Elix Skipper,
Amazing Red and Chris Sabin) and we worked together well. So we had that
common goal and that led to our teaming up.
AW: What was the big issue with AJ Styles since he had held the X title
before winning NWA World Heavyweight title? You two pulled a Chris
Jericho and invoked a supposedly unknown clause in the TNA rulebook,
bylaw 8426-A according to the PPV I viewed, that stated since Styles had
wrestled as a heavyweight he couldn’t return to the X Division. Was
Jerry Lynn right by saying you two were afraid of Styles, or give me a
reason or better excuse?
Frankie Kazarian: We were tired of guys being able to do what they
wanted. Some guys were being held in place and we voiced our opinions on
it.
AW: During this time period Jeff Hardy joined TNA Wrestling. What was
your initial reaction to him joining the promotion and did you have any
interaction with him?
Frankie Kazarian: I had known Jeff a bit before he joined TNA and we had
gotten along. I was glad to see him join since he was a hot free agent
at the time since it would benefit the company; to this day he adds
something special to the promotion.
AW: The TNA taping schedule used to be live PPV in Nashville on
Wednesday’s and the Impact show the day after in Orlando. What was your
relationship like with Michael and Tracy in and of the locker room?
Frankie Kazarian: You have seen it after shows Alan; they are two of my
best friends in wrestling. Michael and I are similar in many ways. I try
to get to Orlando early so we can hang out before the TV tapings. The
three of us hang out after the Ale House and when you work with people
like closely that friendship evolves. I have friendships with many on
the TNA roster but they were the best friends.
AW: In our last interview you had spoken about losing YOUR X Division
title to AJ Styles on an Impact TV show. On July 28 in Nashville you
regained it, well half of it. You and Michael Shane wrestled Styles in
an Ultimate X match where both of you came down with the title belt in
your hands. What is it like to be in the X a second time and winning the
belt in the fashion you did?
Frankie Kazarian: Well I was really psyched to be back in the Ultimate X
match since I wanted to do another right after the original. I wanted to
raise the bar higher and do more innovative things. The wires were
higher this time out and its real scary being that high up dangling.
That is not a soft landing from that height (laughs.) One thing I regret
is I won’t do another one. I love the concept but I feel it is being
overused now. As far as the co-champions idea I thought it was cool
since it had never been done with the X title. But subsequently they
ended the angle not long after it began. It’s their decision but they
could have done more with the angle.
AW: That angle ended on the August 11 PPV when you and Michael had to
put the title on the line in a Gauntlet for the Gold. You ended up
losing the title to Petey Williams as a final four competitor. How hard
is it to prepare for a match like this where friends and enemies can
eliminate you in a second?
Frankie Kazarian: You have nineteen other guys coming at you from all
angles. That night I was number one and Michael Shane was number twenty.
In between were eighteen other guys gunning for our title. It is
survival of the fittest. Actually I was in the final three when Amazing
Red eliminated me to face off with Petey. When you go in there early
like I did you have to bring your “A” game. Petey won that night and had
a great title run.
AW: On August 25 you and Michael faced off with two Mexican superstars
in LA Park and Psicosis. What was it like to wrestle two men have
international experience and used to be on WCW’s roster?
Frankie Kazarian: I was looking forward to it since I used to see them
on TV and they are unpredictable as can be. They bring a new style and
it meshed with what Michael and I bring to the match. We mixed it up and
it worked great. I have wrestled them a few times in California since
that night. I had a good time and I like to wrestle with as many
different styles as I can.
AW: On September 8 TNA stopped producing their weekly PPV’s in Nashville
and moved into a monthly three-hour PPV format that is done in Orlando,
Florida. What was your reaction that day when TNA informed the talent of
the transition?
Frankie Kazarian: It was brought to us in a positive manner by the
office. We agreed it was something that would lead to the growth of the
company. I thought the weekly PPV concept was played out. People weren’t
going to spend their money on it when they can watch wrestling on free
TV. The Impact show was great and move to the three hour PPV was
excellent to allow storylines to grow and end on the PPV’s. I was
psyched.
AW: On the last show you and Michael were part of an X Division Tag Team
dominance match and were one of the final two teams but you upset by the
team of (former NWA Florida Tag Team champions) Mikey Batts and “Mr.
630” Jerrelle Clark. From seeing them all the time in the ring, I know
they are good but the TNA audience didn’t know it. What happened that
night?
Frankie Kazarian: Upsets happen in sports and that night they got lucky.
We took them too lightly, they were hot for a while upsetting teams like
the Naturals. I guess our confidence or arrogance, if you call it that
got the best of us and we came up on the short end of the stick and left
Nashville on a downer.
AW: Having lived in Nashville and experienced the PPV, several friends
voiced their displeasure how TNA left for Orlando and called the Orlando
fans the best in wrestling. Having wrestled in both cities is there
anything comforting you can say for the Nashville fans?
Frankie Kazarian: I don’t think the Nashville crowd should take it
personally. I know firsthand since I’ve had to make difficult decisions
in the last few weeks, as an individual or a company you have to make
moves that are going to hurt people and the move to Orlando was to help
TNA grow. The cities of Orlando and Nashville have great fans and I
don’t think either towns is better then the other.
AW: From talking online as friends over the past few weeks, you told me
around that time your contract expired and you worked without one until
this past Tuesday. Was it something that someone in the TNA overlooked
and why did you never mention it to the office?
Frankie Kazarian: Honestly it was something that slipped through the
cracks. I signed my contract around the same time as Chris Sabin,
Michael Shane and a few other guys. Before they expired I talked to
Sabin to see if he was being renewed because I hadn’t heard from the
office. He said he was in Nashville and he signed an extension, due to
legalities I won’t discuss other people’s deals. The two weeks all of
the extensions were being issued was when we were still doing PPV’s on
Wednesday and TV in Orlando on Thursday. I was only being booked for the
Orlando TV during that time and quite honestly Alan honestly I think it
was an oversight and the blame doesn’t fall on anyone. I could have
chosen to address it by saying something but because I tend to stay
below the radar I didn’t. I could have addressed it but I am a firm
believer that things happen for a reason.
AW: On November 7, 2004 TNA embarked into the realm of the three hour
PPV with Victory Road. You and Michael were part of the opening match an
X Division Gauntlet match where you were the last man with the eventual
winner Hector Garza. What was the backstage atmosphere that night and
memories of the match?
Frankie Kazarian: It was a very emotional night and we all worked hard
to get there. Dave Sahadi who is an amazing producer did the show
opening and it gave everyone there (the interviewer included)
goosebumps. To this day when I watch the tape it makes me emotional. We
were all ready to prove we belonged on PPV. I felt that night was one of
the few where TNA gave me the ball to run with it since I was the first
person the fans would see on the PPV. I thought everyone in the match
gave their all to make it a great start to an excellent show. I was and
am very proud to have been part of Victory Road.
AW: Let’s step away from TNA to talk about the promotion Pro Wrestling
Guerilla where you held the heavyweight title until losing the title to
Super Dragon.
Frankie Kazarian: Super Dragon and I have only been in the ring a few
times and I must say he is talented. He was professional and our
chemistry blended well. That last match ended my second PWG Heavyweight
title reign and I passed the reigns to Super Dragon. It has been a
pleasant working environment despite what other wrestlers have told me
about him.
AW: After Victory Road TNA changed around the writing staff to move in a
different direction. Were there any conversations with the new staff
about the direction you and Michael Shane would be going?
From Alan Wojcik (http://alanwojcik.com)