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'THE
SMOOTH OPERATIN' GANGSTA
TRE
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GANGSTA’S
TIME
It was an odd Sunday night. Basking in the afterglow of The
Marks three state weekend. Then I got an e-mail from WWA
Superstar Tre. As a longtime fan of this veteran I was
thrilled he wanted to talk to me. We made phone contact Monday
and plotted a Tuesday meeting. I could tell he needed a forum.
I was happy to provide it. We both showed up ten minutes
early… always a good sign
This interview took place at a KFC on rt.16 in Everett,Mass. I
had a 2 pc. Meal.Tre got his with double mashed potatoes.We
were both a little nervous.That lasted about five minutes
FLIPPER:Is
this the first interview you’ve done?
Tre: This is the first website thing I’ve done cause again,I
read websites.They give props to certain wrestlers.That’s
O.K.You like this type of wrestler,you don’t like this
one.You like this certain style.But there’s a big difference
between a wrestler and a worker.Being able to psychologically
tell a story.Does your favorite wrestler know how to tell a
story.Because a lot of these guys on the sites,I don’t even
know,but from what I’ve heard they can’t tell a story from
that perspective.That’s why right now I’m with the WWA
because in my opinion this is where the best indy wrestling in
New England is.Whether or not I still work for the WWA…who
knows what the future is.If I was not able to work with them
tommorow I would still say they have the strongest roster in
the New England indies.
Flipper: O.K you mentioned the psychology.First time I wrote
about you I gave big props there.Let’s talk about
Walter(Kowalski)and his influence there.
Tre: When I first started the business in 1991.I was fortunate
at that time that I started with some good people too.Tim
McNeaney came in about a year before me,Perry Saturn,a lot of
the psychology I learned from him in fact.I was introduced to
a lot of that psychology by the late Chris Duffy,who was the
best heel in New England.Now this goes back to the day when
there were only two games in town.You had Kowalski and Richard
Byrnes.What is NOT common knowledge is that I joined a year
before Hunter Hearst Helmsley.What’s also not common
knowledge is that I had 6 matches with him.3 matches before he
became champion/He was Terra Rizing at the time/And three
after.Walter booked me into those matches with Terra Ryzing
because he wanted me to lead him and carry him.I have all six
of those matches on tape.Now I’m not going to take anything
away from HHH.He is the game,and he is that damn good.He’s
much better than I am.He’s up there.I’m down here.Butnot
common knowledge.Not taking credit.But I was there in the
beginning.
Flipper: All right… I’m not going to out and out
disagree,I will say this.He’s very good on the mike.
Tre: And he didn’t start off that good!I’m thinking a lot
of it is because he hung around with Sean Michaels.
Flipper: I’m thinking if he didn’t he never would have
learned the mike skills which compensate a lot for the
limitations he has right now as a worker.But let’s get back
to working.The difference between a wrestler and a worker.I
made a comment at a show I was at this weekend.Kid had great
hi spots.Tremendous hi spots.Notice I just said hi spots.He
couldn’t tie up.Every time he went for a chop,or a
punch,there were 50 people who could see that he didn’t make
contact.Now,with WWA,I know the guys there.I know Tim
McNeany.Big mark for him…
Tre: Now you wanna talk about someone who’s
underated.McNeaney’s underated…
Flipper :I said that about him in my first interview with
Mike.I said I couldn’t believe this guy never got his
dues.You two.12 years exoerience each.Give or take a year.With
a kid like,say,Aaron Stevens.or that kid Dan from Tough
enough,How imprtant is it.Knowing you’ve gone through this
transition 3 or 4 times for you to be able to impart knowledge
onto these kids?Because to me that is the future of this
business.Everyone,it seems wants to work like Rey
Mysterio,unfortunatly everyone isn’t.
Tre: I was shown when I first came into the business that you
keep that door of knowledge open.You impart that
knowledge.Whatever that worker choose to do with it,that’s
on him.Aaron Stevens is a good example.He listens.He wants the
critisicm.He’s a damn good example of somone who
listens.There are others.I’m not going to badmouth others
cause no ones bad mouthed me But when you turn this thing
off,I’ll tell ya somethings.Like I said this is a two part
interview! I have a lot of things to say!But if that
particular wrestler does not want to take advice from a
vet,that wrestler is not going to grow.I’m not saying I’m
the best worker in the world because I’m not in the WWE.But
as far as I’m concerned,I AM too damn smooth!I know what the
hell I’m doing in that ring!
Flipper: O.k(we’re both laughing here)Let me take what
you’ve said and go here.Your persona in the ring is defiatly
a heel,How pissed off do you get when the crowds so into you
that they wont boo you no matter what you do?Do you realize at
the Malden show,everytime you pulled trunks you had a bunch of
us denying it to the ref?Does that make you nuts when the
crowd can’t buy you as a heel?
Tre: No, because for the first 5 years of my career I was a
face.I came out rapping.Had a sidekick called The Judge.Friend
of mine named Chris.We came out before there was a “Men On A
Mission”,A rap of mine used to be “Long before there was a
mission,I was rapping about the opposition”We used to get
Mel Simon to do a dance with us,I worked with some strong
heels,Chris Duffy.Perry Saturn,Who was a very good heel.
Flipper: Very dedicated
Tre: This is a guy who basically walked away from his past.
From a wife and kid.To persue his dream
Flipper: I remember him being on a radio show. Someone asked
him about Kronus.He said that John Kronus had all the physical
tools nessesry and no willingness to make the sacrifices to be
great.One thing I'’e appreciated about Saturn is that he
came from here and never forgot that.Now,you were in the
brotherhood with (the late)Tony Rumble
Tre: Walter Kowalski would never let me be a heel.”You’re
a face. You come out rapping,You get the crowd going…”I
started with Tony in 97.All of 98.Most of 99.We had never
met.He’d heard about my work.I didn’t have to try out for
him.The thing was,he wanted me to be a heel.I said this is a
beautiful thing!I always wanted to try heel.Now,I used to come
out with bright spandex outfits,Even the dark one were kind of
bright.So I came out in the dark outfit and worked heel.He
wouldn’t put it on tv.He said I still looked like a
babyface,even though I worked heel.He told me to come up with
an outfit that said heel.That’s how I came up with the
outfit I have now with the baggy pants.Now,a lot of people
think those pants are sewn up.They’re not.Can’t tell you
how,We’ll just say they hold up by imagination,I make all me
ring attire.That’s the only thing I can sew!
Flipper: All right, You now have established a heel character,
but was that the “Smooth” character?
Tre: I’ve always been “Smooth Operator” I added
Tre.(Editors note.I know why.But if I tell you he’d kill
me>Suffice to say it was for a very good reason.A
heartwarming reason.And this also eliminates a great
followup.Damn)
Flipper: Were you with Tony until we lost him?
Tre: All of 98 I was with him. I was part of the
brotherhood,At the time I was just Tre.My trunks said smooth
but even though everyone knew me as the smooth operator we
didn’t mention it until 99,because at the point we were
running an angle where I’d been thrown out of the
brotherhood and was an anti hero.Then I was Tre,the smooth
operator
Flipper: You just hit on something nowYour still playing an
anti hero. Your stock in trade gimmick is…In Lynn you told a
crowd that if they had anything going for them they’d live
in Swampscott.Half the crowd thinks you’re a jerk.The other
half is going “Ya know’’’he’s right!He is our
champion!”So your still stuck in that anti hero mode .I like
it!
Tre: I think it’s easy for me to get the crowd to
pop(cheer)So as a heel,my personal challenge is to get them to
boo me.I really want them to hate me.I don’t know how many
shows of mine you see but usually when the music hits the
crowds poppin!I have to get on the stick and everthings
impromptu off the top of my head.And I turn heel.I don’t
rehearse anything!
Flipper: Is that right?
Tre: Nothing!I think if you rehearse something it sounds
rehearsed!You just go!I’m able to think on my feet.
Flipper: Well, you have a unique position in WWA.Youre one of
the few consistant charactors.By example,I watched McNeany
work with that Tough Enough kid last show and you would never
know that he was Proffesor Tim McNeaney or the fact that he
was their major heel about a year ago.Or the changing gimmicks
on tag teams.You’re the constant show to show.Is it the fact
you work exclusivly with them that they leave your persona
intact?
Tre: I don’t think it’s that. This is a chactor I
devoloped. Certain people over the year had wanted to tweak
it.In my opinion,this is a chactor I’m comfortable with.If
anything,tweak him heel to face.
Flipper: That would not be hard.You just interfere in a match
and help out a face.But I think you should just leave it
alone!
Tre: We talked before you turned this on about Slick Wagner
Brown.Now I don’t want to turn this into a Slick
interview.This is a Smooth interview but I also wanted to say
that I give him a lot of props.I consider him my
brother.I’ve got nothing but love for himWhen he was 17 he
came to Walters school everyday,watching.Kowalski wouldn’t
let him join until he was 18.But when he joined,I saw another
brother.Another chocolate face.I told him that I wanted to
teach him things.That I wanted to impart my knowledge onto
him. It was my goal to be older brother to Wagners younger
brother.So I kind of took him under my wingHe progressed
along.He'’ a natural at this.A natural heel.When he was
developing his skills you saw how he was wrestling like
me.Pulled him aside many times and said “Wagner,do not be
the second Smooth!”Be the first “Slick”!I actually named
him Slick.The idea was at that time was we were going to be
put in a tag team.Now,his name really is Wagner Brown.In my
opinion,the Smooth Operater could not team with Wagner
Brown.So we became Smooth and Slick.I didn’t come up with
the spelling on that.Tony Rumble did.I did give him the
name.Again,I don’t take credit for what he’s done.I’ve
told him to get work outside New England.I can say nothing but
good things about Wagner.He’s the head trainer at Walters
and I have nothing but love for that brother
Flipper: You hit on something again.You mentioned Tony.I
thought he was innovative.Ahead of his time.He presented
extreme situations in a family friendly environment.A lot of
promotions are doing that now.No blood.No swearing.I think
he’s sorely missed.You were with him a long time.Your
thoughts?
Tre: He had a lot of good guys around him who don”t get
credit.He also had a lot of crap around him,as far as people
in the back and as far as workers.What Tony,and Pat Doyle who
edited were able to do was even with crappy workers was make
them look good.And he brought in stars like King Kong
Bundy,Dan Severn,Tom Brandi.I thought 98 was the best year and
if you follow the storylines it revolved around five
workers:myself,Knucles Nelson,Eric Sbraccia,Mercenary,and
Slammdog.Now,the first three were the Brotherhood.Curtis
Slammdog was with the N.Y Posse.Mercenary was the face.
Flipper: You mentioned Sbraccia. I remembered him from the old
ICW
Tre:15 or 16 years old. Skinny
Flipper: I CAUGHT HIM A FEW YEARS AGO,Couldn’t believe the
difference.That’s another guy who should have gone to
Japan.Speaking of which.You stay pretty much in New England,
Why?
Tre(laughing)I’m not sure why myself!I did the NWA 50th
anniversary show a few years back in New Jersey.98 I think.I
did a show in canada a few years back withthere were four of
us.Tony Roy,who also doesn’t get the credit he
deserves,Terra Rizing(Hunter)myself and Saturn.Along with
Jimmy Snuka,Demolition AxWe did a weekend tour.But as far as
working outside the area I’ve always believed that if the
WWE wants you they will find you.(editors note.There is also a
much more compelling reason.Which I can’t tell you.Trust me
on this.It made me like this guy even more)
Flipper:I’m gonna say this for myself and for the Wrestling
Mark staff,much as with Billy Black who I saw this weekend,A
middle aged Terry Funk type.When it comes to you,the WWE’s
loss is our gain.I said this to Mike.I’ll say this to
you.The WWE is looking for a new image.Let’s kick the
ballistics here.There isn’t a glut of talented black
wrestlers with great mike skills
Tre: (laughing)No.No.Who you tellin dog!
Flipper:So they’re not gonna bring in New Jack.Because
he’s crazy.What?You couldn’t do a family friendly version
of New Jack.Hell you ARE a friendly version of New Jack!I was
happy for Aaron Stevens.He looks like Edge.With him and Edward
Extacy it was like Pitbull#2 and Edge.Same mold.You’re not
cast from any mold they use now.They’re purposly losing the
kid audience and they’re not connecting with their key
demographics.You could be what that demo needs.That’s why I
question your decision not to travel.If more people saw you
and there was more video of you….I don’t know.Just my
opinion.
Tre:I don’t know if you know but Tom Pritchard has seen me
Flipper:And Danny Davis.Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t
he one of the owners of OVW?
Tre:No.That’s a different one
Flipper:The beauty of watching him work with a kid who
doesn’t know what he’s doing is that he gains about 15
matches worth of experience in one night.My question is
this.Why isn’t the WWA putting you in with the big name
guest talent so you can further your career?
Tre:Unfortunatly for me,you don’t run your own promotion.If
you did I’d be working for you!
Flipper:I’m not saying put you in with Albert,But you have
had guys like Eddie Guerrero.Dude,I’d kill to sit in a venue
and watch a real psychological match.You two can play a crowd
like an accordian,15 moves and you jumping out of the ring to
draw heat.Man!Are there plans for you?
Tre:This is the part where we should stop the tape.
(editors note.We did.I know.And while I promise nothing,in
time,Tre will let everyone know.I hope it’s soon.These are
things which need to be said)
Flipper:Well!Now that we’ve vented.You only work a few shows
a monthThere are a lot of guys who work for everybody.What’s
your thoughts?
Tre:I think for the inexperienced guys.They should work for
anyone they can.For the experience.When you’re an
established guy,me,McNeany,Tony Roy,outside here Jose
Perez,Luis Ortiz,whos a good worker,Fred Currythat caliber,I
think if you work all these promotion you”re whoring
yourself out.I advocate working different areas.1 or 2 in
N.E.Another in Jersey.Maybe Pennsilvania.I don’t advocate
working for more than 2 New England groups.And with everybody
on all ythe shows you don’t know what you’re watching.Is
this WWA?Is this NWANewEngland?Is this Chaotic?Now there are
some promotions I couldn’t work for even if I wanted to
because(laughing)of the scumbag associated with them!
Flipper:Well I find it hard to believe that doors remain
closed to good talent in this day and age…
Tre:Well,this isn’t something I was going to say on record
but there’s a lot of jealosy on the indy scene.The indy
scene in New England in my opinion SUCKS!You go outside this
area and it’s more of a family thing in the locker room.I
was not aware for 4 years there were rumors spread about me
keeping a won loss record!
Flipper:Like that makes a difference
Tre:No one has the guts to say that to me.No one talks about
times that WWA takes a beating and Mike says you’ll get your
money later,And I say forget it,You got New York guys to
pay,No one mentions how I try to get Mike shows,The first
Malden show.I gave back some of my money to make sure the ring
crew got paid.It’s all this won loss thing.I have more
people thinking about my character than I do…
Flipper:I’m going back to the Curry match.I think you
lost,Doesn’t matter.We were so popping you,and dissing
him.By the end of the match.he knew.he started to heel turn
before our eyes.
By the way.Is he really a Curry?
Tre:Yeah.Freds son.Bull’s grandson.Nice guy.And a good
worker.
Flipper:Well,ok.He needs seasoningA bland babyface doesn’t
do it anymore.My opinion.
Tre:It doesn’t.He’s good though.
Flipper:So,in the future,you see youself doing this just for
Mike?
Tre:You never know
Flipper:In closing what I hope will be the first of many
interviews I’d like to propose,with your permission that we
make The Wrestling Mark the official website of Tre
Tre:Beautiful!I love it.You’re on.
Flipper:One last question.We watched mainstream wrestling
growing up>there are no more goodguys or badguys.The
storylines have becomeadult.
Tre:Some things are over the top.The whole HLA>Don’t know
if that was nessesary.The Katie Vick thing wasn’t
nessesary.Y’know Bret Hart was ranting and raving about the
business and I was like Bret,it’s not that bad but now….I
understand what they’re doing.Keeping the first hour lighter
but,in my opinion there are things they probably shouldn’t
have done
Flipper:With new money coming in is there room for a second
promotion?A more family based show.I cant have my kid watching
this.
Tre:Yes.With the right backing,that can happen.Wrestling needs
a number two.When WCW went under a lot of guys were left with
a tough road.No ones going to beat Vince but we need a #2
Well kids,that was it.I loved this and hope you will too.My
thanks to Tre and I hope to be conducting lots more
discussions in the future Later,Flipper
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