Chasyn Rance Interview

Jeremy: First off Chasyn, I want to thank you for taking the time to do an interview today.
Chasyn Rance: Not a problem. Let's get to it.
Jeremy: When was it that you first knew that you wanted to be a wrestler?
Chasyn Rance: Guess you did get it right. I first decided I wanted to be a pro wrestler when I was little. Elementary school at least. I knew I never wanted a real job; I never wanted to be stuck at a guess. I also love the lime light as well as fighting, but I don't like to get hurt. So, I decided on becoming a pro wrestler. Little did I know the "not getting hurt thing" didn't actually exist.
Jeremy: So when did you start training and where and with whom was it?
Chasyn Rance: Well, you could say I started training very young. You train by doing as well as watching. I would go to independent shows in New York that my cousin, Howard Rapp, was a promoter for starting when I was 2 years old. I also took up Shaolin Kempo Karate when I was 7 years old with Michael Kaplan. Officially, I started training in a ring at the age of 15 in late 1998 by former WWE enhancement wrestler, Rusty Brooks with help from Rocky Johnson, The Warlord, and other top independent wrestlers from south Florida.
Jeremy: Rocky Johnson, father of The Rock?
Chasyn Rance: Same one. It was a really cool opportunity, and he was high on me. He later ended up having his own private school that I went to on occassions. I would train with Orlando Jordan among others, and I also helped train Rocky's niece. She didn't get too into it, but she was really hot.
Jeremy: Haha, that sounds like quality training. Where was your first match and who was it against?
Chasyn Rance: My first match was in Miramar, FL on a baseball field. I wrestled a three-way with two guys that 99% of the people who read this will have no clue who they are, Flex Magnum and Jon Elias. I think it was pretty good for a first match. I still show it off sometime and it will probably be an extra or an easter egg on one of my future best of DVDs.
Jeremy: What are some of the wrestlers that you've "clicked with", that have been good to work with?
Chasyn Rance: I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of great talent. Some known and some unknown. I pride myself on having great, or at least good, matches with everyone I work. I try to push them. But with people known that I have really clicked with have been guys like Jerrelle Clark, Krazy K, Jay Lethal, Jay Fury, Jack Evans, and the S.A.T. Others less known have been Legion Cage, Aaron Epic, and Angel Armani. There's a list of them plus other information like that on my website at www.chasynrance.com.
Jeremy: Some of those wrestlers you've mentioned, for example Jay Lethal and Jack Evans are ROH regulars. You currently work for Full Impact Pro, the sister promotion of ROH. How has it been wrestling for FIP?
Chaysn Rance: It's been great. It's real hard to get in there. If you notice, not many workers from Florida wrestle there. I got my in with Jamie Noble, so he made sure I was taken care of. Right now, it's one of my favorite promotions to work for because I know I'm always going to work quality talent.
Jeremy: Any chance we'll see you in a ROH ring anytime soon?
Chasyn Rance: There's a chance and that's all I'm going to say for now.
Jeremy: Wow, that would be great. You've worked for TNA, wrestling on XPlosion and even nationally televised on Impact in February. How is working for TNA?
Chasyn Rance: TNA is great. I've had a few matches here and there. It's real tough to get a full-time spot there because they have so much talent and just not enough tv time. I'm there at most tapings just hanging out and learning what I can from the agents. I hope to get a spot there in the near future. It'd be a great chance to showcase my abilities on a national level.
Jeremy: It definitely would be. Who are some of the wrestlers you've looked to for inspiration on your in-ring style?
Chasyn Rance: Honestly, I never looked at certain wrestlers to patten myself after. My personal advisor, Mister Saint Laurent, has a list of a couple to watch to improve a bit. I have been told by many that I work like Dean Malenko which I take as a great compliment. It's also cool because Rusty used to co-train with the Great Malenko back at their old school, so I at least know where I got it from.
Jeremy: Who is your "dream opponent?"
Chasyn Rance: Myself. Just kidding. I don't know who my dream opponent would be. That's a tough question. I know other's answer it pretty quickly with their favorite wrestler, but I wrestle because I want to be someone's favorite wrestler. You know? I guess I could go with Bret Hart as he was my favorite growing up. It'd also be interesting as the whole Hart Foundation now with Teddy and the rest of us. Original Hart Foundation member vs. current Hart Foundation member. Although it'd never happen unfortunately.
Jeremy: Teddy Hart? Is he really as hard to get along with as all of the internet rumors say?
Chasyn Rance: I lived with him for 3 months straight. Probably the hardest time of my life but maybe some of the most interesting 3 months. It was probably hard because I was away from home for so long. It wasn't hard to get along with Ted at all. He's a great guy but a little, actually a lot out there. I could go on and on about stories in Calgary with wrestling, clubs, fights, girls, the Dungeon, and so on. It was an experience I won't forget.
Jeremy: What is something that your fans would be surprised to know about you?
Chasyn Rance: Well, most fans know that I'm very well off with money but at one point I was homeless and had absolutely nothing. That's something that comes to mind. I'm sure there are better things like I've never eaten red meat or pork in my entire life. Never a hamburger, hotdog, steak, nothing. I don't eat animals that nurse their young. I don't feel it's right. I'm also big on improving the environment and taking a stand for animal rights.
Jeremy: Wow, that's tremendous that you stand for a cause like that. You have extensive martial arts training. How does that help you in wrestling?
Chasyn Rance: Well, if I never did martial arts prior, I probably would not have been in as great shape as I was to train in wrestling. Plus, not to sound cocky, but I have some great looking kicks.
Jeremy: Well, we need to see you and Low-Ki wrestle as soon as possible then.
Chasyn Rance: I would love to get in the ring with him more than anyone else right now after what him and Homicide did to me in this Lords of the Ring tournament. We are all trying to work together and not kill each other but then when Low Ki has an opportunity to hurt me, he took it for some reason. Whether it's my affiliation with Ted or that he's jealous that I'm better looking then him and girls flock to me. I don't know. Did you get a chance to check it out on YouTube or on my website?
Jeremy: I have not yet, but I definitely will after we finish this interview. What is next for Chasyn Rance?
Chasyn Rance: Actually, I want your opinion on this. Watch my neck as I land. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Os1jZZlMk and let me know what you think.
Jeremy: Ouch. Damn, you must have a strong neck because that looked like it could've broken it.
Chasyn Rance: It could have. My chiropractors were not happy when they watched that. I was instantly knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital. I had a concussion, a pinched nerve in my neck, and seperated my right shoulder.
Jeremy: What kind of recovery time did that take?
Chasyn Rance: It should have been about 3 months, but I made 3 months into 3 weeks. I saw doctors, my chiropractors, got massages, went into rehab, iced, heated, and anything else I could do to heal up as quick as possible. I'm still in pain but I don't want to miss anymore dates because I feel like I'm letting down my fans as well as myself.
Jeremy: So, is there revenge against Homicide and Low Ki planned in the near future?
Chasyn Rance: I had to start laughing when I get that question. You better believe it. I just want some promoter to put me in the ring with one or the other or both. They love to show off with how much pain they can dish out, and I can't wait until I can show them the same. I once got a concussion that gave me amnesia back in 2001. My next match was booked against that kid. I kicked him so hard in the back of his head, he was worse off then me. He never wrestled again and that's what I plan to do to Homicide and Low Ki.
Jeremy: Well, I think Homicide and Low Ki need to watch out for you. After revenge on Homicide and Ki, what's next for you?
Chasyn Rance: Just keep doing what I'm doing. Looking to go back to England for another tour real soon as well as a match in Israel when I go there for Birth Right this coming winter. Looking to push more to get a contract with TNA. Graduate from UCF in less than a year. Aside from that, just being a good person and enjoying life.
Jeremy: Sounds like a plan. I look forward to seeing more of you on the indy's as well as in TNA in the future. Any last words for the fans out there?
Chasyn Rance: Yeah, enjoy being a fan. I know a lot of you out there want to become pro wrestlers yourself but only do it if you're going to be fully dedicated to it. I get this question a lot about how to become a pro wrestler, and I think here's a good forum to answer the question to the masses. If you enjoy being a fan, stay a fan. If you feel you really have something to offer to this business, get in the best shape possible before you want to train. Once you cross that line from being a fan to being on the inside, you can never go back. This is the short answer to the question but too many fans have tried to become a wrestler, gotten bitter over it, and can never enjoy wrestling again. It's sad how many fans wrestling has lost that way. Ok, enough about that. I could go on with that too, but I'm not. Thank you for reading and visit my website at www.chasynrance.com for more information on me as well as future pro wrestling events to check out.
Jeremy: Alright, thanks Chasyn again for the interview. Good luck in the future and I wish you a speedy full recovery from the injuries.

Interview with PWG Champion Joey Ryan

Jeremy: First off I want to thank you for taking the time out of your day to answer a few questions.
Joey Ryan: You mean time away from my myspace.
Jeremy: Haha, yes. I have to say I'm quite addicted to myspace also. When did you first know that you wanted to become a professional wrestler?
Joey Ryan: When that son of a bitch King Kong Bundy injured the Hulksters ribs on Saturday Nights Main Event. I wanted a piece of Bundy.
Jeremy: Haha, I think that was sentiment shared by alot of people. When and with whom did you first start your training?
Joey Ryan: At Jesse Hernandez's school in San Bernardino, California. I was being trained by Frankie Kazarian, Bobby Bradley & Jesse himself.
Jeremy: Thats an impressive list of trainers. It says on many of your bios that you were also trained by Brian "Spanky" Kendrick. How was training with him?
Joey Ryan: Training with Spanky was intense. He seems fun loving, and he is most of the time, but he takes training very seriously. I credit him with my training because he taught me how to work outside of just learning the bumps.
Jeremy: Is there a wrestler or wrestlers that have influenced your in ring style?
Joey Ryan: For awhile I really patterned my style towards the Dean Malenko, Jamie Noble types, but they were way to good, so I decided to go with more character than wrestling and act like Ric Flair in his prime.
Jeremy: Nice. Who was your first match with and how did it go?
Joey Ryan: Random 8 man tag. It went well, but I didnt do much in it.
Jeremy: You're one of the "PWG Six", the six owners of Pro Wrestling Guerilla. How did the creation of the promotion come about?
Joey Ryan: We wanted a way to kill Disco Machine and get away with it, so we thought we would overload him with work. Then Super Dragon fucked it all up and starting doing a lot of the work himself.
Jeremy: What are some of your favorite matches you've been in?
Joey Ryan: The Ironman match vs. Super Dragon. Matches with Chris Hero, James Gibson, El Generico, Human Tornado & Chris Sabin. Those are always fun.
Jeremy: In late October/Early November, you had the opportunity to work the WWE RAW and Smackdown events. You had matches with Rosey and Sylvan, with the Sylvan match nationally televised on Velocity. How was working with the two and how was your experience working with the WWE in general?
Joey Ryan: I liked working with both. They are both down to earth. In fact all of the WWE locker room is down to earth as long as you know how to carry yourself.
Jeremy: You are the current PWG Champion, winning the title on December 3, 2005 against Kevin Steen. How did it feel to win and how has it been being the champion of one of the top promotions in America?
Joey Ryan: It feels like Prom night all over again.
Jeremy: You had a pretty good prom, huh?
Joey Ryan: Yeah, and the funny thing is that Kevin Steen was there too. Crazy I tell ya!
Jeremy: That is quite a coincidence. With PWG becoming more and more nationally known, have guys been knocking down your door to come in and work?
Joey Ryan: I would imagine so. Top Gun is the booker so he has to deal with all that, not me.
Jeremy: If WWE called and offered you a developmental deal tomorrow, would you sign?
Joey Ryan: Of course
Jeremy: Tomorrow you are competing in the Best of American Super Junior tournament. How do you feel about being invited?
Joey Ryan: I feel like I fooled someone.
Jeremy: Fooled someone? Come on... So who is your dream opponent?
Joey Ryan: Shawn Michaels. Or Hulk Hogan
Jeremy: Both good choices. Where do you see yourself and PWG in five years?
Joey Ryan: Ask me again in four and a half years.
Jeremy: Will do. Is there anything your fans would be surprised to know about you?
Joey Ryan: My favorite movie is The Princess Bride
Jeremy: Good movie. Is there anything else that you'd like to say to all of your fans?
Joey Ryan: Buy more PWG DVDs.
Jeremy: Haha, I actually have a few I am going to pick up once I get paid tomorrow. Anyway, thank you very much Joey for the interview and being the very first one I have conducted.
Joey Ryan: ;-)

Thanks again to Joey and make sure you check out Pro Wrestling Guerrilla at http://www.prowrestlingguerrilla.com. While you are there, make sure to pick up a DVD. I promise you won't be disappointed. Also check out Joey at: http://www.joeyryan.com/