"The Promise” 
Antonio Thomas

This is a Q&A that I hope will be just the first part of a series to include a video shoot and eventually a long-term relationship with a kid who is honestly one of the nicest people I have met inside or outside wrestling.

A bit of background, I first saw Antonio over 5 years ago at the Loomis Arena in Ct. I interviewed him that night and after another 2 viewings tabbed him as a sure thing NE prospect. The thing that struck me was how well he connected with the audience along with the fact that he seemed to effortlessly go from the good guy to the villain without sacrificing his ring style. That ability brought him to OVW and eventually to the big dance: The WWE.

This interview was germinated at NECW's Birthday Bash where he participated in a 4 man elimination bout that literally stole the show .No easy task on one of the most loaded cards of 2006 .I hope to address that show on the aforementioned video shoot but for now I thought it wise to bombard him with questions that are not being asked by everyone else. And so Wrestlingmark.com Presents:

GHYB: What is the major difference is connecting with 20,000 people in an arena and connecting with a crowd of 200.

AT: Each one has it's own uniqueness. Obviously, the rush and feeling of working in front of 20,000 fans is unlike anything else-an unbelievable high. Having made my debut in Madison Square Garden in front of that many people is a felling unlike any I've ever experienced, it just leaves you in awe and hearing the roar and reaction from that many fans is a high unlike any other. Working in front of 200 fans also has its positives. I think you can interact more on a one-on-one basis with fans at a crowd of 200. A smaller crowd also presents a more intimate and up close feeling for the fan and brings the fan within inches of their favorite workers. It also affords the workers to perform a little bit of a "running commentary" with a fan(S) throughout the course of a match.

GHYB: Having been under someone's idea of creative how important has it become to carry your own vision of your character forward.

AT:I believe its very important because, no matter what character or image you portray, you must be able to put your own personal spin on it and make that character an extension of yourself. The best and most successful workers have always been able to relate to the fans, because they were themselves with volume turned up a few notches.

GHYB: How soon into a match can you feel whether or not you can pop a crowd.

AT: It depends-you can sometimes get a good idea of how a crowd will react to you the moment you come out. Other times, you might not know until a few minutes in or not even at all. I think a large part of it is to get a feel for what type of crowd they are and what they're looking for. If you can sense that they're begging for a certain move, tempo, style, then teasing it, hinting at it, building it up  and finally giving it to them will more often than not draw a great reaction.

GHYB: As a follow up. How do you feel when you are cast as a heel and the crowd keeps popping for you as a good guy. I have seen this happen to you.

AT: I think you have to listen to your crowd. If they're dying to cheer someone on an indy show, then give it to them. On the independents, there isn't time for building storylines or angles for an extended period of time-fans want to come to show and cheer or boo someone and see good wrestling. So if the fans are behind someone, whether it's a "heel" or "babyface", why not listen to them. I think it's the mark of a great worker to change things up on the fly and react to what they hear from the crowd.

GHYB: Everyone has a different opinion on this.What do you consider "Cheap heat"

AT: I was always taught to get your heat in the ring. I was never a big fan of starting off a match with a clap, saying "this town sucks" or making obscene gestures at the fan, as anyone off the street can walk into a ring and give the fans the finger-of course they're going to boo. You can't do that stuff working in front of 10,000 people or in a dark match so why bother doing it. The best workers have always been able to establish themselves through their persona, character, the way they carry themselves and their work in the ring. A good worker knows how to get the crowd with them or against them through what they can do in the squared circle, not by saying “you suck" or flipping someone off.

GHYB: He! Do you have a My Space? If so can we give the mark readers the addy so they can check it out?

AT: Of course! I finally joined the rest of the free world and started an account where I can be reached for bookings and other general information. I can be reached at myspace.com/promiseantoniothomas

GHYB: How about your web site?

AT: I can also be reached for bookings and other general info at my official web site, Antonio-thomas.com



GHYB: Scenario: You have the top of a super card and you can put anyone with you in the main event. Who is it? And the outcome?

AT: Wow, that's a tough one. Can I pick more than one and work the entire show??? Ok, if I had to pick one, it would have to be Shawn Michaels, as he was the reason and the worker that made me decide that this was what I wanted to do for a living. I idolized him growing up and still am in awe of what he can do today. Working HBK at the top of Wrestlemania would certainly be my dream scenario.

TJM2333@aol.com

http://www.antoniothomas.net