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Dan
Tanaka
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The
Mark: What made you decide to get into the wrestling business
and how
did you go about getting into it?
Dan Tanaka: Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to do
something in
wrestling. I was fascinated with the likes of Hulk Hogan,
Ultimate
Warrior, Andre The Giant, Jake "The Snake" Roberts,
Shawn Michaels, The
Undertaker, Owen Hart, and such. I wanted to be just like
them.
Complications in my back don't allow me to be a wrestler.
There are only
a few other options from there to work in when it comes the
ring action.
You can be either a referee or a manager. Originally I wanted
to be a
manager, but things took a different turn.
My start came from working for Extreme Wrestling Federation,
which was
based in Clinton, MA at the Saint John's Gym. The guys had a
few ideas
for me, either be the commissioner or a translator for Tiger
Kahn. Well,
one night of being the commissioner on bad sound
equipment.didn't work I
guess. So that was scrapped and I ended up doing odd jobs
around the
shows like music or helping the ring announcer get information
together.
So that was my little start.
Flipper: As you enter your 5th year in the business, have you
seen a
difference in the importance of good refereeing vs when you
began?
Dan Tanaka: I most definitely do. A referee should know what
he's doing,
especially when it comes to the biggest matches of the night.
The Mark: Where did you get your training?
Dan Tanaka: I started off with a seminar of sorts before a
Northeast
Championship Wrestling event. That was the same day of my
start as a
referee. I then went to Squared Circle Academy, which at the
time was
just T.J. Richter. TJ Richter moved to NWA-New England
WrestlePlex after
a while and I followed with. After a while I briefly went to
train not
too far away from home with Maverick Wild for manager
training. Due to
some conflicts my training with him was brief. He closed the
facility for
the winter season, as heat was hard to come by in the
building. I
eventually went to Slamtech Wrestling University with Bob
Evans. I'm glad
I made the choice!
The Mark: How do you feel training for a referee differs from
the training
of a wrestler?
Dan Tanaka: A lot less abuse on your body is the most
noticeable
difference. Pretty much while they practice wrestling, I will
practice
being a referee. Anyone does anything wrong, they are told so.
The one
time I would the exact same thing as the wrestlers is warm up
routines.
IE: Push-ups, sit-ups, and squats etc. I haven't done much of
what the
wrestlers do.
The Mark: What's your favorite type of match to officiate?
Dan Tanaka: I like standard singles matches taking place with
two
wrestlers (one on one) in a hot feud. There's just nothing
else like it.
Flipper: You have done the bulk of your work in NECW the past
couple of
years. Given that you work with these folks on a regular basis
has there
ever been a time when you have worked a match and just thought
"Oh no!
This guy (girl) is just not getting it!"?
Dan Tanaka: Yeah, I don't even recall their names. It happened
a long
time ago in another promotion, and I haven't seen them since
so.it's hard
to remember. Thankfully no one got hurt.
The Mark: Have you ever officiated a match where you thought
one or both
of the wrestlers were in danger of hurting each other, and how
have you
dealt with it the ring?
Dan Tanaka: Yes, the only thing I can really do is watch out
for anything,
listen and communicate. Sometimes it's just the environment
that creates
the danger. Like a rainy day on an outdoor event.that'll do
it!
Flipper: What separates a good promoter from a well, Crappy
one?
Dan Tanaka: Some promoters idea of "promoting" is
posting press releases
on message boards, and then do little or not one lick of
posting fliers
around the town of the event, or sending that press release to
the local
newspapers. Why wouldn't you? You got your money invested into
a
wrestling product, why not advertise and get those fans
packing in? Fewer
fans show up, less revenue, less pay or no pay for the people
working.
Some might say, "Well it's not like you Indy guys get
paid much anyway".
True, but it doesn't mean it has to be that way. That's not a
good
promoter. Good promoters send press releases to the newspapers
and other
publications, as well as posting fliers around the town before
thinking of
posting on the fan boards. It gets me thrilled when I'm
working an event
and I see the hall packed in when before there wasn't that
many. And
while it wasn't much, there was more pay. That's not to say
I'm all about
money and paydays, but it is still an important issue, and
what makes a
good promoter. There are other ideas, but they're escaping me
for now.
Flipper: The "call for the bell". I have only
noticed three referees in
the past few years.You.Rich Bass. And Rob Tuttle, who know how
important
it is to end a match with a bang. Explain what the signal to
the bellman
means for the match.
Dan Tanaka: It pretty much signifies the start or stop/end the
match. The
fans know what the signal means. They'll either be thrilled or
angered
depending on what happened. Pretty much it just means
"ring the bell,
this match is starting" or "ring the bell, this
match is over" or "this
match is stopping". If the bell rings without me calling
for it,
typically it means the time limit has run up.
Flipper: The best refs are virtually invisible during 60% of
the match. I
have watched hundreds of matches and still don't know how you
do that.
How?
Dan Tanaka: I just try to stay out of the way, unless I
absolutely need to
get in on something. I try not to block the view of the action
from the
camera. I didn't ever think much of cameras earlier on in my
time, but
picked up on it and then stopped. Sometimes it's hard to help
though.sometimes you get stuck.
The Mark: We all know the referee is there to control the
mayhem in the
ring, 10 counts, 5 counts pins call for bell but tell us what
responsibilities lie on the shoulders of the referee, i.e.
safety etc.
Dan Tanaka: I always watch out for injuries. If I know a guy
has a
previous injury and something happens in the match with them
I'm always
there to check on them. You have to watch out, keep your ears
open for
anything. Then of course after the match is over, check on the
wrestlers.
You can never really be sure how "ok" someone may be
based on just
looking at them. I ask them.
This past summer I was working an out door event. The fans
were pretty
tame but by the main event things were being thrown into the
ring. Best
thing to do in this situation is to remove whatever landed in
the ring.
Luckily, it was only a few things, and thanks to that I got a
free glow
stick, and a pin for the Uxbridge 4th of July celebration
event, they both
went in my pocket. One time while working for WFA, some fans
were
throwing tacos into the ring and one slightly hit me. That fan
got kicked
out. So I've been lucky with the safety bit.
The hardest part is keeping track of time, when there isn't
anyone around
to help keep time for you. That's the other bit,
communicating, and
passing messages.
Flipper: You see a lot of new kids. Anyone really showing
major potential?
Dan Tanaka: Yes, I'd have to say Joe Chece, Clip O' Reilly
(who is real
new), Bryce Andrews, and B.K. Jordan.
Flipper: Have you thought about working outside NE?
Dan Tanaka: Yep, and I almost did last year. A major snowstorm
caused
some problems with their ring truck, and they had no other way
of getting
another ring. So my trip to NJ got cancelled, and the promoter
and his
business partner broke off their partnership. No worries, I am
in semi
talks with other people. I can't say much until things are
official, but
they are in the regions of southern states, and southwest
states. We'll
have to wait and see what happens. The time to work outside of
New
England will come, but I'm in no rush.
The Mark: Backstage politics have always been a part of
wrestling, have
you ever been a victim of it?
Dan Tanaka: Yeah, a few times but nothing that big of a deal.
I don't let
it get to me too much. The only things I need to focus on are
getting
regular work, doing a job well done, and improving.
Thankfully, these
politics are outside of the promotions I work for.
The Mark: You've refereed for quite a few independent
promotions, what
have been some of your favorite place to work and why?
Dan Tanaka: I have enjoyed NECW for its atmosphere, and the
Iron 8. I
enjoy WFA for its intense action, and rabid fans, NCW just
because it's
NCW. EPW is looking very bright for the year 2006. The event
in
Plainfield, CT had an excellent attendance. I can't wait to
see this
evolve.
Flipper: Is there a promotion you would never work for again
and why?
Dan Tanaka: Anything like the first one I worked in, doing the
odd jobs.
The reason is because poor productions, and the fact that half
or so of
the wrestlers were not trained, or only went to a few classes
and figured
they knew everything. They were all nice guys, I don't hate
them.but
that's just not for me to work with. Some of the guys were
trained, and
continued training though. Some of those guys are known by
most: Chris
Venom, Tim Kilgore, K.L. Murphy, and Ruy Batello.
As for the other promotions I no longer work for, I'm open to
working for
them again, so never say never.
Flipper: We have lost a lot of good people the past few years.
What are
your thoughts on the premature departures of folks like Chris
Candido and
Eddie Guerrero
Dan Tanaka: Although I did not know Chris Candido, his passing
bothered
me. I had worked with him once, refereeing his match with his
brother
Johnny. I was a bit nervous at first. I learned that I
sometimes need to
not listen to things what I hear and just experience things
for my self.
Chris was pleasant, and a friendly guy. It's too bad he had to
have his
match earlier, and then leave right after.
Eddie Guerrero's death was a shocker. I thought it was some
kind of joke.
It's tragic. His winning battle with demons, and drug
addictions is a
real inspiration for those battling lesser or equal troubles.
The world
in general needs more people like that to help others keep
their faith.
The Mark: New England lost one of it's brightest stars in
Danny Quirk,
could you give us your thoughts?
Dan Tanaka: Not knowing Dan Quirk personally it's not easy for
me to
comment on who he was. I worked with him once at NWA New
England in
Lowell, MA that he and the Captain became Co-JR Heavyweight
Champion. He
was a nice guy, but I only had a short conversation with him
about the
shirts he was selling.
I got the news the night it happened from Instant Messages and
a phone
call. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare and upset me. I
read the
messages that the fans, and fellow people of the wrestling
business were
posting. I just wish I had a better chance of knowing Dan
Quirk
personally, but the messages posted gave me some ideas. Some
of my
friends were close friends with him, and they are more than
just saddened
by his death, they are angered.
What this whole thing teaches us though is that trained or
not, you can
still get into these deadly accidents regardless of the move.
It could
have happened to anyone. This also raises the awareness of the
danger of
wrestling under the influence. Just to clarify, it wasn't Dan
Quirk
wrestling under the influence. It was the other guy who is
well known for
taking part in that sort of activity.
Flipper: Scenario: YOU are wrestling. Who do you want to ref
YOUR match?
Dan Tanaka: It would have to be Rich Bass or Todd "Fat
Pants".
The Mark: What has been your favorite match to date to ref?
Dan Tanaka: Well I have a few it's hard to pick one. Bob Evans
vs. Tim
Kilgore in a belt on a pole match, Michael Sain vs. Maverick
Wild for the
NECW Heavyweight Championship, Johnny Idol vs. Steve King in a
kiss my
foot match, Brian Fury vs. Eddie Edwards in WFA. I also can't
leave out
Paul Lombardi vs. Alex Chamberlain in Ringside Wrestling when
Rich Bass
was trying to help Lombardi win, and then I disposed of Rich
and took over
the job.
The Mark: What has been your least favorite?
Dan Tanaka: Hard to pick a least favorite. If it was that bad,
usually I
forget about it. Sorry, I can't remember!
The Mark: Name association: tell us what comes to mind about
the following
people.
The Mark: Bob Evans-
Dan Tanaka: He is one of the best trainers in New England. If
you want to
get trained, he is the guy you want to train with. If you feel
stuck
somewhere, Bob can help you rise to the next level.
Flipper: Sheldon Goldberg-
Dan Tanaka: Great guy to work for, and sometimes over generous
when he
doesn't have to be.
The Mark: Steve Bradley-
Dan Tanaka: Revolutionized wrestling in New England.
Flipper: Rich Bass-
Dan Tanaka: Cool dude, and awesome referee when he's not
helping others
win. LOL.
The Mark: Rob Tuttle-
Dan Tanaka: Nice guy, who I haven't worked with in a couple of
years, but
I see him around from time to time. I'm glad he's doing well.
Flipper: Steve Weiner-
Dan Tanaka: Nortock! Just kidding. Steven is a good guy with
his heart
in the right place. It's good to see him get his chance at
being a
wrestler, like he wants to do.
The Mark: Todd "Fat Pants" Sinclair-
Dan Tanaka: Probably the best referee in New England. I'm glad
for all
his recent success.
Flipper: Chris Venom-
Dan Tanaka: Great guy and talent. I'm glad to have known him
since I
started. His encouragements are one of the reasons I'm around
where I am
right now.
The Mark: Paul Lombardi-
Dan Tanaka: Great in the ring, and I believe good things are
coming his
way in the future. Some of those good things are already
coming to pass.
Flipper: Alex Crowley-
Dan Tanaka: One of the more underrated managers in the region.
The Mark: Any final thoughts?
Dan Tanaka: Well I guess what I can do here is comment on
wrestlingmark.com. This site is run by a couple of good guys,
who have
the potential for a great product for other fellow wrestling
fans to
discuss wrestling and give feedback on recent events. It's
great to see
them wanting and trying to improve their product, and I hope
to see them
do it.
The Mark: Shameless plug time. Where can we find on the web?
Dan Tanaka: http://www.dantanaka.com
The Mark: How can fans contact you?
Dan Tanaka: dan@dantanaka.com
The Mark: What are your upcoming dates?
Dan Tanaka: January 7th: Northeast Championship Wrestling -
Dedham, MA
January 27th. Slamtech Wrestling - Seekonk, MA
January 28th. Empire Pro Wrestling - Plainfield, CT |
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