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Andy
DiStefano
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A
THREE WAY DANCE WITH THE HICW
It’s not often we here at WrestlingMark.com get invited to
look at what it takes to put a show together. But as luck
would have it The Mark got to meet a young man at PWF
Northeast’s Animosity and then Flipper meet him recently at
a WWA event in Malden Ma. He spoke with us on both occasions
about beginning his own promotion on November 9th.
We had an opportunity to go face to face with Andy DiStefano
earlier this week. Although we were questioning Andy’s
decision in such a massive undertaking, We were pleasantly
surprised in how he handled himself during the interview, and
convinced us that he has not only the smarts to make the HICW
a major player in the New England Indy circuit. But the Heart
as well.
THE
MARK- How long have you been involved in wrestling? Where did
you get your start?
ANDY- Well, I have been in and out of the business for about
three years now. When I say in and out I have taken breaks for
several reasons. College, difference of opinions ect. Now as
for were did it get my start. It was kinda weird. I was rushed
into the business and found that out the hard way. I trained
before a couple of NEWA shows with my old partner Danny Boy
O'Callahan. The next weekend I did my first show in
Providence. It was so sloppy, now that I look back at it I
wonder what was I thinking. I have worked with Jose Preze and
Kevin Karrisma a lot over the last few months. They really
helped me out a lot still have a LONG way to go.
THE MARK- Whose promotions have you worked for?
ANDY- NCW,RIWA.NEWA,NCW,EWF,XWA,APCW…
THE MARK- What was the experience like?
ANDY- Good and Baddepends on the promotion. When we did a show
for NCW it was cool spike Dudley was in the audience He was
laughing his tale off. We were heals and getting crazy heat.
Some promotions on the other hand ya wish ya never went to the
show. Nothing against them it is just that they put their
friends over and that is all. I am not a fan of that kinda
stuff.
THE MARK- You’re a young guy, and some would say starting up
a new promotion with wrestling on a downward cycle is a little
fool hardy. How do you respond to that?
ANDY- Indy's are a totally different deal. Honestly Indy
promotions stick mainly with the wrestling aspect of it. The
big FEDERATION uses the story lines. I am not a huge fan of
them. In an Indy who there are some story lines but they do
not kill the show with it. I hope to just put out a good
product. Not to sound cocky or anything. I feel I have a good
show put together and I think the workers should feed well off
each other.
FLIPPER- You're quite young, for either promoting or wrestling
really. Do you have knowledge about the history of Indies? I
think you need to. Given the state of the business now
ANDY- I would not say I know everything about the business.
Yes I am young but I have seen allot in the last three years
good and bad. I have a good relationship with all of the
workers that I am using on my show and I hope word passes and
more and more workers will want to work for HICW. : I think by
letting my workers do the work and not putting out a bad story
line my promotion should get over well with "real"
wrestling fans
FLIPPER- The only reason I asked was that at the Malden show I
observed that you didn't recognize Danny Davis. Who’s one of
the owners of OVW.That's what concerns me. You’ve got a good
head for the business and that was one of those opportunies to
pick his brain.
ANDY- I knew who Danny Davis was. Biggest feud was with Bret
Heart I honestly though do not believe in using BIG NAMES to
draw at a show. Like old WWF/WWE guys
FLIPPER- Given that strong storylines and exceptional work
rates are the keys to Indy success, are you taking this all on
yourself. Please don't misunderstand. Wasn’t a diss? I just
thought given the situation I would have cornered him to pick
hi his brain.
ANDY- That is cool. I totally understand
FLIPPER- I'd like to see this work. Wrestling’s going
through a stale period right now. Young blood's good. Any new
ideas? I think wrestling is in a stale period for a reason.
They are using the same guys that they have used for the last
3 years
ANDY - I believe in using young guns. I think in the WWE
especially they need to work on using the new guys. RVD, Book
ect. And even use some of the ECW talent. Also do not hold
guys back.
FLIPPER- I'm not just talking WWE. Even the Indies. Everyone
is "extreme" now.
ANDY- Thet is one big problem I see, I am not doing extreme
stuff, I believe in "wrestling” old school and new
school.
FLIPPER- Especially when the "talent" they're
pushing is 44-50 years old. I’m in there. The only thing
extreme about guys this age is how fast osteoporosis comes
ANDY- I agree totally you got to look at this way these young
guys are coming up with new spots everyday
THE MARK- So would you utilize bigger older names if you had
the opportunity
ANDY- Depends on the guys
THE MARK- What will set you apart from other promotions in the
area?
ANDY- I think one of the biggest things is that I use guys who
are fully trained and are well known solid workers. Some NOT
ALL promotions in this area use just guys who get in a ring
and work a match with no training or very little. Also I will
not put my self on the card. Some promotions do that. My self
I do not agree with that. That is why the workers are there.
They do the show, let them entertain.
FLIPPER- You planning on videotaping this. If you do, please
send me a copy.
THE MARK- Flippers shameless plug
THE MARK- Do you have anyone helping you, and who are they?
ANDY - Well honestly I am doing this all on my own. I have had
some help from some workers about getting me plugs on 920 WHJJ
in RI. But all the other stuff like bookings, advertisement
and of course the money aspect is all out of my own pocket.
THE MARK- You have some big names on your roster for show on
the 9th, how did you get them?
ANDY- Most of the guys I have known for a while now. Some I
dropped them an e-mail and I got a response back. I think you
need to sell your promotion to workers. Like make them feel
that if they come they will be in a safe environment when they
are working your show. I hope they like working for me and
hope they will come back in the near future.
THE MARK- What has been the toughest part of putting this all
together?
ANDY- Money Backing a show by your self is hard. Rental,
advertisement ect. Getting the word out is also tuff. I will
admit though I have gotten some huge feed back from people who
are interested in coming to my show or working for me in the
near future.
THE MARK- What do you like most and dislike most about the
business?
ANDY- 1) EGO'S This is something I really hate. People in the
business who think they are better than the next guy. If you
put on a great show great but do not think you are the S*percentT.
2) Is guys putting them self's over because they are the
bookers. I think some people in the WWE really set the
example. Guys who refuse to do the job because of the position
they are in. Angle is someone I have a lot of respect for. The
guy does anything. And I do mean anything. Certain people need
to follow in his footsteps.
THE MARK- On the 10th the 1st show will be under your belt,
what’s next?
ANDY- Watch the tape. Over and over and over and over again.
See what I could have done different. Also get a response back
from the people who saw the show. Ask them what they think.
They paid to see the show if they are not happy then I did not
do my job. Also work on a second show if all goes well
THE MARK- Do you have a working relationship with any other
promotions?
ANDY- I talk to the guys from PWF northeast a lot. I go to
Maddog for advise on certain things. I get the feeling in RI a
lot of the promoters have that EGO problem though. Too good
for everyone. I wonder why we cannot just get along.
THE MARK- I come to you as a guy looking to start up his own
promotion. What’s your advice?
ANDY- Hummmmm Think about what you’re getting your self
into. It is a lot of work. Have fun with it though. Who knows
maybe someday we will be on a big time TV network giving Vince
a run for his money.
FLIPPER- Ok, Shameless plug time…
ANDY- yeah NOVEMBER ninth from the NWA wrestle plex bell time
seven pm doors open at six tickets are just seven bucks you
can contact hicwinfo@aol.com or call 401-383-3605
THE MARK- I love shameless plugs, I’m there…
ANDY- Gotta get my name out there
FLIPPER- Got one more question and then the Mark and I have to
go. The Indy scene strikes me as a rather strange, incestuous
lot. How have your dealings with other Indy promoters gone?
ANDY- hummmmm depends on the promotion. I have met very few
that I have not gotten along with. I have met a great group of
guys through the business PWF guys have been very helpful with
me giving me advise ect ect. There are only a few promotions I
have differences with. I want anyone who is interested in
coming down to see what my promotion is all about. If you like
wrestling this is the place to be. I also want to thank the
guys at Wrestling Mark for taking the time out during their
busy schedule. To talk with me and let people know what HICW
IS ALL ABOUT
November 9th is the date and 7:00 is the time.
WrestlingMark.com urges everyone to attend. It’s not often
you get to see an inaugural show and it’s an opportunity for
everyone to say, “I was there when it started”. Go to
www.hicwrestling.com for details on the event.
The Mark and Flipper want to that Andy for taking the time
with us in this Three Way Dance. We both found him gracious
and fun to talk to. He’s a guy with a love for the business
and a passion for wrestling. Good Luck to everyone involved. |
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