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T.J.
"The Voice" Wylde
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Four
Years ago WrestlingMark.com met a young gentleman who was
involved with a small Indy company based out of Connecticut.
Since then the company has grown to a regional powerhouse, and
TJ Wylde has become one of the top managers around. On the
Ever of Genesis 5 TJ stands to make an impact on New England
Wrestling. We would like to Thank TJ for taking time from his
schedule to answer a few Questions.
WrestlingMark.com:
Four years later. When we first met you were working for
Castle cinema discussing an upcoming WWE PPV. What happened to
castle and the concept of PPV’s on the big screen and do you
feel that concept is as viable today as it was then?
T.J. Wylde: The Castle Cinema was a great business, and a ton
of fun to work with. However, the problem with that business
was a slight lack of vision from the ownership, and the fact
that there was no parking lot avaliable for patrons.
On-the-street parking is not exactly ideal when you are
dealing with the narrowest road in Providence (Chalkstone
Ave). Shortly after I was let go from the Cinema, it went out
of business. About 2 yrs ago I heard rumors that it was bought
by a Spanish church, to be converted into some sort of
religious meetingplace. More recently, I heard that it was
sold to another movie theater company, in hopes to re-open it
as a “dinner in the movies”, similar to the original
concept of the Castle. As far as the PPV viewings we had, I
thought, and still do think, that it was a VERY marketable
concept. I have been to the shows at Hooters, where you cant
hear anything and the food is lousy, and wanted to have a
better option for the wrestling fans. We had already had the
Pats games, boxing matches, etc, so why not wrestling? Who
wouldn’t want to watch a PPV on a 25 foot screen, with Dolby
surround sound and leather Lincoln towncar chairs? You guys
were there, didn’t you like it?
WrestlingMark.com: Absolutely. During that first meeting you
mentioned a small promotion running in a barn in Connecticut.
Four years later PWF is one of the strongest in the region.
What were you thinking then?
T.J. Wylde: I thought the same thing as I do now. Get a group
of people together with a common vision, a strong work ethic,
and a great working attitude, and you have a great recipe for
success. We are very lucky to have a locker room full of guys
who really care about what they do, and feel at home under the
PWF banner. I am prouder than ever to be an original member of
the PWF locker room, since day one. I could tell we were doing
something special, and we didn’t realize it yet. We all
helped out and gave what we could to put on a great show, in a
barn, in someones backyard. PWF has had great leadership since
its inception in Matt West (Storm), and different additions
(and subtractions) since then, including Kyle White (Storm),
Spencer Jawitz (Dean Ripley) and Nathan Durette (Mark
Reality). I don’t believe that we would be where we are
today without the help of those guys.
WrestlingMark.com: You got your start calling matches for the
PWF, along with Ebony Blade, AJ Paz, Grange Harvard Yale
Bernard, and Rich Palladino. Who has been your favorite and
why?
T.J. Wylde: Don’t forget Tommy D and Mark Reality! Working
with each of those guys was…different in his own right. I
definetely enjoyed my experience with each of them. My
favorite has definitely been Ebony Blade. Not that my best
commentary was with him, that man could call an entire show on
his own, and sometimes did! But I learned the most from him,
just from listening to him call a match. It probably helped me
in my promos later on, but I owe him the most out of everyone.
AJ was fun to work with, breaking him into the commentart
table. Grange was great, always thanking me for any advice I
might give and always eager to get behind the mike. And Mark
Reality was just fun to watch wrestling with. We had a great
time, but definetely did not turn out work that we should be
proud of. Hilarious moments? Every time. Great commentary? Was
to be desired.
WrestlingMark.com: Who have you yet to call matches with but
would like to?
T.J. Wylde: Well, obviously Jim Ross, Joey Styles, and Paul
Heyman. More local? Ive worked with some great people already,
and I am not familiar enough with many other local
commentators. But its always been my goal to work with people
with different backgrounds and experience, and take a little
bit from each of them. Working with someone with more
experience can only make you better, which is why I loved
working with Ebony.
WrestlingMark.com: You’ve always let it be known your
ultimate goal was to call matches for the WWE. Yet today you
are one of the most popular managers in the region. Have your
goals changed in any way, and why?
T.J. Wylde: My goals have not change one iota. But the thing
is, I had done commentary for PWF for 3 straight years, and it
was time for something different. I wanted to work with other
companies, but not too many other places bring in outside
commentators, they usually have their own team. So if I wanted
to get work other places, I would have to branch into other
positions. And oddly enough, it happened to be Genises 4 and I
had a Wyldside interview with a new forming team called High
Society. Matt approached me, saying he thought that we all
meshed really well together, and wanted to see where it would
take us. So we decided that the following show would be my
last behind the table, and I would be the full time manager
for High Society. And once that started, I began getting
contacted for work. So I got exactly what I wanted, and got to
work in the ring more, allowing me to interact with the fans
more.
WrestlingMark.com: With all the talent you have seen come and
go, who do you think was the most talented?
T.J. Wylde: Consistently, Jason Blade. I have seen him grow
over the last 4 yrs from a good tag wrestler and high flyer to
an incredible singles superstar. Hes going to go places, and
I’m happy knowing that I can say I ‘knew him when’. Kid
Mikaze has a ton of potential. I honestly believe that he is
almost at the level Blade is at. His only problem really, is
Blade. Now before I scare a few people, let me explain. I
don’t like to use the word ‘shadow’, but it may be
appropriate in thes case. People havent noticed how good
Mikaze is because of all the attention that Blade is getting,
which is why I think they work so well together as a team in
ROH. Once Blade is called up for bigger things, Mikaze will
step into the limelight that is already beginnig to catch him.
PWF has also see a lot of new WWE stars pass though our locker
room, including Antonio Thomas, Ken Pheonix, Matt Stryker, and
Big League Brian Black. As far as future stars in our midst? I
think that Riot has a lot to offer, he may be now where Blade
was 4 yrs ago. I think that Tripelicious is a trmemdous
talent, a real fast mover for a man his size. His only
drawback is his lack of a personality flare. Gorman is a great
match for him, but Trip is going to have to show a verbal edge
if he is going to be the total package.
WrestlingMark.com: While doing color for the PWF it was
basically your job to observe the product. Now I know you
watch WWE & TNA. What in your opinion are they doing right
and what are they doing wrong?
T.J. Wylde: I was very happy to have the responsibility to
watch our company operate, and report to the higher-ups what I
thought. Almost like PWFs version of Jim Ross. With WWE, they
are not harnessing the talent that they have. And the talent
they don’t have, they let run free. You have Chris Masters,
who cant work a lick in there going over on Ric Flair.
Newsflash: If Flair cant make you look good, then neither can
anyone else on that roster. Yet he remains in the main event
scene. Another thing they are doing wrong is not capitalizing
on the strength of the independents. The indys arent going
away, Vince. You better just start acknowedge they exist, and
utilize it if you can. The Angle challenge was nice, because
you got to see ‘local’ workers get a shot on TV, and it
paid off for Matt Stryker. On the up side, I think that they
are getting better in the angle area, they just need to work
on the ring work some and it will be fine. As far as TNA goes,
they need to do the opposite. More stories. The wrestling is
great, and I really like that the boys may work at other
places, which keeps their popularity up, their skills honed,
and the national audience interested. Unlike WWE, you can go
to a local indy show and see a guy in a gymnasium with 200
people in it, and then see him on TV later that week. It works
for the boys and for TNA.
WrestlingMark.com: How has modeling affected what you do in
front of the fans?
T.J. Wylde: Modeling didn’t have much of affect on my
wrestling demeanor. I had already worked in live theater long
before wrestling, so the live audience was something i was
used to. Don’t let that sound like it was easy, because it
ISN’T. Nothing more terrifying than a silent crowd, even
now. Just makes you work harder. But there was a LONG time
that I let the fear of the fans get to me, and it showed in my
work. I wasn’t comfortable with how I was presenting myself
to the fans, and they could tell, and they jumped all over me.
It was then that I asked for a bit more freedom in how I
acted, and with some input from management, TJ Wyld took a new
twist. There were a few looks in there that I tried in
transition, but I am definitely comfortable in my skin now.
WrestlingMark.com: The character of TJ Wyld is a
well-developed one with great depth. What do you the person
and TJ Wyld the character share in common?
T.J. Wylde: They always say that your ‘character’ should
be a version of yourself, but turned up about 10 notches. I
had a lot of trouble with that in the beginning, but I am
happy with how im doing now. The similarities between myself
and Wyld are numorous. Do I have an ego? Sure, we all do. But
Wyld lets his ego soar. I am confident in my ablities and
talents, Wyld is cocky and sure of himself. And to be honest,
its more fun to be Wyld, but hey, the real world would be more
fun if it were the wrestling world.
WrestlingMark.com: TJ Wyld has gone through many changes over
the last four or five years. What were the early influences on
the character and how have those influences changed?
T.J. Wylde: All the changes I went through were for the
better. You can actually watch me become more sure of myself
on confident in each tape, between the changes in my
‘character’. Its hard to compare Wyld the commentator with
Wyld the manager. Behind the table, I like to reflect Bobby
Heenan and Jim Ross. In the ring, I try to emulate Heenan
again, Cornette, Hart, and Heyman. I try to take pieces of the
people that entertained my as a kid, hoping that they take it
as I did.
WrestlingMark.com: On your present course where is TJ Wyld the
character going to be in five years?
T.J. Wylde: Well, I have big hopes for Kristian Frost, who is
showing a lot of promise as an up-and-comer in PWF. So, with
the success of managing him, I hope to get some work at other
places, managing different guys, and seeing how many types or
workers I can adapt to. But in a perfect world, I would like
to be on the road as a ringside commentator for WWE. I am not
opposed to working for TNA, or even ROH. But one place I
always will call home, and will always come back to, is PWF.
And I hope to be doing another interview with
WrestlingMark.com about Genesis 10!
WrestlingMark.com: You’ve not only worked with the PWF but
also CCW. What are the differences between the two companies
and how are they alike?
T.J. Wylde: I cant compare the 2 companies. They are so
different, in management, operations, mentality, and
especially environments. The CT area is a very hard place to
run a show, because the fans on CT have been fooled so many
times with fly-by-night shows that they have come to not trust
a company anymore. If I had to make a comparison, I would say
that CCW is where PWF was 4 yrs ago. I don’t think that the
locker room is as driven as PWFs was at the time, most of our
guys were fairly new to wrestling, most of them under 2 yrs
professionaly. Everyone wanted to give their hardest at PWF
shows to prove that they were the stars of tomorrow, whereas
CCW draws from a much larger talent pool, all whom have more
experience now then PWF did then. If CCW wants to be
successful, then they need to put on consistant quality shows,
and on top of that, get rid of the negative baggage that it
inherits simply by being a promotion in CT. And if I can help
make that happen, then I will.
WrestlingMark.com: Are there other promotions on the horizon?
T.J. Wylde: XWA has gotten a lot of great press lately, lets
hope they can keep it up. If they can, then RI will be a great
stop on the NE indy tour. There are a lot of promotions
hovering right now, almost on a plateau between being the next
big thing and dropping like a stone. We also have to wait and
see whatt he returns of Slamtech and NECW have for us, now
that they are 2 separate entities. But only time will tell.
WrestlingMark.com: Working with Ebony Blade must have been
great. On the eve of his retirement, What are your thoughts on
the Character and the man.
T.J. Wylde: Like I said earlier, your ‘character’ has to
be a version of you turned up 10 notches. Ebony is the
exception. Ebony Blade IS Eric Anderson. Ebony is the same
stand up, outspoken, honest person in and out of the ring. You
can count on him to be there in a time of need, in your
corner, or by your side. If I had to pick one person that I
have met in my time in wrestling thus far that I would never
lose touch with, it would be Ebony. And what makes that great
is I already know that I never will lose touch with him. He is
the kind of man that will greet you with the same happiness
whether you saw him yesterday or 5 yrs ago. He is always there
for advice, critisism, or just to shoot the breeze. My short
feud with him a few yrs ago is one of my fondest PWF memories.
I hope that New England has not seen the last of him, in the
ring, or out. Thank you Ebony, for everything.
WrestlingMark.com: Ebony’s leaving creates a great void in
the company let alone the region. Who do you see filling that
void?
T.J. Wylde: I personally believe that the void you speak of
lies in the promos, not the ring. That doesn’t mean that I
don’t think highly of his ringwork, to the contrary, no one
tells a story like he does. But no one can deny that when hes
in the ring with a mike in his hands, he has the crowd eating
from his palm. And honestly, given the opportunity, I would
love to try to fill the shoes of Ebony. A daunting task, no
question. But I cant think of anyone else whom I would rather
emulate.
Name Association:
Matt West:
A great leader, a great friend. He is a great balance to Kyle.
With Matt, you get your second, soemtimes third chance. Not
everyone makes the best first impression, and Matt knows that.
Kyle White:
Again, a great balance to Matt. Thank God for Matt, because
with Kyle, there IS no second chance. Kyle is a great friend,
good at delivering the bad news with the good. Sometimes, I
think he actually enjoys delivering the bad lol. Not to many
people can revel in being the asshole. Kyle does that. With a
smile. And a kick to the face.
Big Kev:
Wow. A name I havent heard in a while. I liked him, but Im
sorry to say it: A big man with great size, but a lousy
attitude and work ethic.
Billy Black:
The REAL king of old school. Every time I bring someone to a
show that has never been, they always tell me how much they
enjoyed watching Bad Boy out there. And that says something.
He can captivate you, just by going out there and being a
miserable prick. Outside the ring, we’ve talked about a lot
of things, and helped each other through a lot. Sometimes you
need someone who just gets you, and Rob is that guy. Thanks
Rob (3 slaps)
Rob Dimension:
I haven’t seen or heard from him since the fall of
Universal. Cant say anything nice, or bad about him. So I’ll
say something only a few people get: Suzie stick.
Kristian Frost:
2006: The year of the Ass with the Class!
Bulldog Blanski:
Another genuine good guy in a world of pricks. Always there
when you need him. I believe that we would all know a much
different Bulldog if Spider hadnt passed on. But it happens,
and we all deal with it in our own way. To Bulldog, Spider WAS
wrestling. And when something you love takes away someONE you
love, you might have trouble going back to it too.
Dave Padula:
Along with Ebony, Dave is someone that anyone, wrestling
related or not, could sit and talk to for hours on end. A
teddy bear of a guy. Theres a reason Daves such a big guy, and
its because you couldn’t fit that much niceness in someone
smaller. But meet him in the ring, and he WILL put a stapler
to your head.
TJ Richter:
Extremely talented wrestler, experience way beyond he should
be at his age. I think that he would be more well known if he
worked for more promotions, or had more of a look than just
his hair. But he can talk up a storm if you put a mike in his
hand and let him go. A great contender for Ebonys mike time.
Rich Bass:
Rish is someone I wish I had hung out with 5 yrs ago. Ive
known him since he started coming to PWF, but never hung out
with him until about 6 months ago. If we had only known how
many good times we were missing out on…but on a professional
note, hands down, THE BEST ref in New England, and I’m not
afraid to say it. And hes yound enough that he can only get
better. I sincerely feel that he and I are going to make up
for the 4 ½ yrs we missed hanging out when we are both at WWE,
driving the road together.
WrestlingMark.com: Last Question. What can the fans expect at
Genesis 5?
T.J. Wylde: The fans can expect a turning point in PWF. You
thought it had gotten as good as it was gonna get. You were
wrong. The only thing better than the last 5 yrs at PWF…will
be the next 5. See you on the 18th.
WrestlingMark.com will be there and hopefully so will you the
fans.
Thank you, once again
Visit T J
@ MySpace |
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