B-Boy interview
by Steve
In just about two years B-Boy has become one of
the top wrestlers not only in Southern California, but the entire
world. There has not been a single month where B-Boy wasn't ranked
in SoCal UNCENSORED's Top 15, and he was ranked #230 in the world
in Death Valley Driver's most recent DVD 500. I recently had the
opportunity to talk with B-Boy. In this interview we discuss his
start, his feud with Super Dragon, working for UPW, being selected
for the prestigious Revolution J tournament, and more.
Steve: Thank you for taking the time to do
this interview, lets get started shall we?
B-Boy: Okay.
Steve: When you were growing up you kind
of fell in with the wrong crowd, can you tell us a little about
that and what it was that made you decide to change your life?
B-Boy: Well like any other kid, you can sometimes
choose the wrong choices in life, with me I did I was with the
wrong crowd. I was in and out of juvenile hall. I did everything
in the book man. At something happened in my life where I had
a serious picture of what I was in ya know? Thought to myself
"damn man I need to get out the lifestyle" So I got my stuff together
and tried to changed my past or erase my past ya know, but everyone
has a past you can never forget it, I try to stay positive and
just go on with what I'm doing day by day. I'm just happy on what
I'm doing now and enjoying life as it is.
Steve: You trained at CCW's Palace of Pain,
how did hook up with CCW and what made you decide to go into wrestling?
B-Boy: Well I've always been a fan of wrestling
ever since I was like 4 yrs old man. So I was always the biggest
mark when it came down to it, but never really said anything lol.
I got hooked up with CCW by a flyer that was being passed out
at a WCW PPV down here in San Diego. I've always dreamed to be
a professional wrestler, so I called up the school the next day
and the rest was history.
Steve: How did the B-Boy gimmick come about?
B-Boy: Well I always was a B-Boy. B-Boy is
someone that was a breakdancer, use to spin on the turntables,
graffiti as well as rhyme on a mic. I always use to go to this
thing out here called the B-Boy Summit, which was sort of a gathering
of all the B-Boy's up and down the West Coast. One day I was at
work, thinking to myself that it would be a good name, and a good
gimmick. (Too Cool stole the gimmick) I ran it by the promoter
at first he didn't like it, but fans started responding to the
gimmick and it stuck ever since then.
Steve: Back to CCW for just a moment. CCW
is where you debuted and where you started to make a name for
yourself with a great series of matches with guys like Cruiser
Eddie Willams, James McFarlane (Chip Adams) and Jason Redondo.
What do you feel was your most memorable moment in CCW?
B-Boy: Actually there have been a lot of
memories in CCW, with having matches with those guys as well as
others. I have a couple that were of course the series matches
with Eddie Williams, which is probably THE person that got me
the exposure. I also had a memory of having the first "big" crowd
to work in front of as, but I think the best memory I have there
was probably winning my first title there against Eddie Williams,
which was the cruiserweight title.
Steve: CCW's end came pretty suddenly. What
do you think of the way Charles Gibbs (CCW owner) handled the
end of CCW?
B-Boy: I really in all honestly thought he
dealt with it the wrong way, I know the trouble of running a promotion
with the money and everything, but I seriously think he did not
think of the fans especially ones that were with us from start
to finish. I really think that he should've told fans that it
was the last show, if not I think he should've had ONE last show
just for the fans to give CCW the proper sendoff as well as leave
SoCal respectably.
Steve: Yeah. CCW had one of the most loyal
fanbases of any fed in SoCal and the way it was handled was pretty
much a slap in the face to the fans.
B-Boy: I seriously don't want to start heat,
but it is the definite truth.
Steve: Ok moving on to other things. You
pretty quickly made a name for your self in SoCal. You were named
socal-wrestling.com's 1999 rookie of the year. How did you feel
about that honor and how do you think it helped your career?
B-Boy: Well in all honesty I was shocked,
real shocked but at the same time really happy. The honor was
great because it was fans that voted for me, it was one of my
highest achievements I have had in wrestling. I believed that
it helped my career because at the time socal-wrestling.com was
the spot to go on the Internet. I guess promoters and workers
saw that I was and wanted to see me work, to see if I was hype
or if I was real.
Steve: When and how did you get your first booking
outside of CCW?
B-Boy: Well it was actually the "whole ref'n
show" in Adam Marantz. Adam just started to go to a promotion
that was tearing it up around the Ventura area in UIWA. One day
Adam just asked if I would like to go down there and see if I
would like to work, I went down there In December and wrestled
up in the dojo against Demento and I guess the UIWA brass liked
the way I worked and continued to book me.
Steve: How did you hook up with UPW (WWF
developmental territory)?
B-Boy: Well again it was a good friend of
mine in Samoa Joe, he told me about UPW and told me to try out
on one of their lite shows. I went up again, decided that I wanted
to try out because Joe was telling me that it was one of the best
things going in southern California. I went up there met Bassman
and Schwag and I worked the lite show against Joe. I guess they
saw potential and liked how I worked as well and asked me to be
on a galaxy show and I have booked ever since. When I first went
into UPW, Joe told me that there would opportunities of a lifetime,
I didn't' know it was gonna be like this.
Steve: Yeah, you are even the current UPW
cruiserweight titleholder. What is it like knowing that UPW is
getting it's own TV show, and being one of the promotions title
holders knowing you will be featured on TV a good deal?
B-Boy: Hell yeah it's a good deal. With the
television show going on, I'm just fortunate that UPW chose me
to carry the lightweight title going into the television show
because now I know for a fact that I will be on TV, which is the
best exposure you can get, and I know I will be UPW for a long
time. I'm just excited that I will be able to do what I love to
do not only in front of fans that will be in attendance but people
watching at home as well.
Steve: What is it like wrestling in front
of WWF scouts at UPW? Does it feel any different going out there
and knowing guys like Jim Ross will be watching and evaluating
you?
B-Boy: wow, the feeling is phenomenal. Going
out to wrestle in front of fans is everything to me, but to know
that guys like Bruce Pritchard, Paul Bearer and Jim Ross are out
in the audience basically looking over what you got and evaluating
you is like only what a indy worker can dream about ya know? Your
game has to be on top notch going into your match and during the
match, I try to bring something new everytime they are there,
so at least I will be notice some sort of way and looked at.
Steve: Speaking of getting exposure, you
started working for Revolution Pro, and among fans on the Internet
Revolution Pro became a hot commodity. Your matches there has
gotten you national recognition and even has gotten you ranked
in the Death Valley Driver 500. What are your feelings on that
and how have your experiences in Revolution Pro been?
B-Boy: My experiences in Rev Pro have been
good, they have always treated me with respect and have put me
against their top guys. Being ranked on the 500 was a great accomplishment.
I was seriously shocked to see my name on there being ahead of
other known wrestlers out in the world. To me it's one thing to
bring an audience to their feet by performing, but it's another
for the same people in the audience to say and recognize to talk
about your ability. It's the best type of compliment any worker
can get.
Steve: More than likely your best known match
is your singles match with Super Dragon, being that it is talked
about as a serious Match of the Year candidate and it was included
on Super Dragon's tape, Evolution. What are your thoughts
on that match?
B-Boy: I really enjoyed working with dragon
in contrary to belief. It was our first singles match and I loved
the whole angle as well as the match in particular. It had a special
feel, for the 70 people that were there know what I'm talking
about. I can't wait for our MPW match coming up; it will be a
test for both of us to see if we can do better.
Steve: Yeah, the angle that played out last
MPW show with you attacking Dragon was really well done, and in
my opinion should bring in a nice sized crowd to see the match.
B-Boy: Yeah a lot of people in southern California
wanted to see a rematch if they missed the first one, in my opinion
I hope the match goes even better then me and dragon are expecting
it to be. The angle was great and the delivery and the end went
well, people really thought I was shooting, so I mean it could've
been better. I'm hoping we get a lot of people to show, that's
when we will probably perform out best is in front of a bigger
audience.
Steve: My personal opinion about MPW is that
they are booking for the fans. They are putting together matches
that people want to see, but for that the critics have said MPW
has no identity of its own, and others have referred to it as
a kind of SoCal All Star Show just using others talent, what is
your take on MPW?
B-Boy: Well MPW has an identity and it's
a SoCal All Star Show. MPW is a fan based oriented fed, they bring
to the table that no one has in SoCal. They put together cards
that people would come out and see. I love working MPW because
they are getting a good fan base and the fans are good to perform
for. I have no problem w/them and I like Paul and Adrian, they
are both straight up and are really cool cats. I hope to continue
working for them for a long time.
Steve: OK, where do you see yourself going
in wrestling? Some of the guys you work with in UPW are wrestling
in Japan right now, is that one of your goals? If so what promotions
would you like to work for?
B-Boy: Dude totally, I would love to work
in Japan, I'm so jealous of Joe and Tom right now because it is
one of my goals, I'm just glad that they are both doing well over
there. I'm especially happy for Joe, we always used to talk about
it one of us made it to Japan, and what would happen and all.
Well I would like to work a lot of promotions, some would be,
Zero One of course, New Japan, Torymon, Michinoku Pro.... Osaka....
I mean I'm a big fan of all those promotions....
Steve: How about the WWF? Do you ever see
yourself there?
B-Boy: Right now they have so much talent
I don't think I can see anyone there unless ECW and WCW break
away and do separate shows. I would love work in any one, but
right now it's really impossible to do so.
Steve: In your promo on Dragon at the last
MPW show, you said you "were upset that Dragon gets to wrestle
the big names MPW brings in". Obviously its a work, but does it
ever upset you when guys like Horseshu and Nathan Jones get WWF
dark matches based on their size, when you are levels above them
talent wise?
B-Boy: Well I believe I'm better than no
one, but it does upset me that all the "big" guys get everything,
It kinda just upsets me because lightweight like myself, Reyes,
Romero, Frankie Kazarian and others don't get that type of push
or anything. This business is real hard on us guys (lightweights)
for the simple fact that this business is a big man business,
on the other hand though it makes us want to work harder and want
it more than ever so we when or if we do make it, we can look
back and say we did it.
Steve: One thing that separates you from
a lot of the cruiserweights out there is the ability you have
to have good matches with some of the bigger wrestlers out there.
Why do you think you can pull it off while others fail?
B-Boy: To tell you the truth I don't know,
I'm a student of a the game, I constantly watch tapes from old
school to present and I study the guy I'm wrestling. I pick apart
the things I can't do and substitute things I can do to someone
who is big. So to answer your question I don't know it's more
on a feel like, "okay I can't do this because your to big, so
counter it with this ya know"?
Steve: Who are your favorite guys to work
against?
B-Boy: I love to work with Reyes, Romero,
Pinoy Boy, Frankie Kazarian, Samoa Joe, Lost Boyz... I mean there
is a lot more but these guys just pop up in my head because everyone
one brings something new to the table. I mean I can have a wrestling
match with Pinoy or Frankie, to have a spotfest with the Lost
Boyz and finally to have a stiff as fuck match with Reyes and
Joe. I love work different styles so I like everyone that brings
something ya know?
Steve: What about Excalibur, when you guys
worked against each other in that three way with Rising Son, it
seemed to go very well?
B-Boy: To tell you the truth Excalibur and
me have never had a full on singles match and is definitely one
guy I would love to work with in the near future. Excalibur is
very underrated in my opinion, one of the best sellers in SoCal
and can work like a madman as well. He is very gifted and talented
and he is on my top list of guys to work with that I haven't already.
Not only that he is a very professional type of guy and respects
everyone and that's a trait you don't pick up until like you've
been working like 3-6 years. I can only express good things about
him and I can't wait to work with him in the future.
Steve: What other guys would you like to
work with around SoCal, that you haven't had the chance to work
with yet?
B-Boy: Umm.... Hmmm I've worked with almost
everybody but some that come to mind is, Tech 9, Messiah, Adam
Pearce. All these guys are good and I believe I can have a good
match with them. Ultimate goal though is to wrestle Chris Daniels.
Steve: You have been in like 75 different
(OK exaggeration) tag teams in UPW. It looks like you finally
hit a groove with Funky Billy Kim. How did that come to be and
what are your thoughts on him?
B-Boy: Well the tag evolved when Rick Bassman
came up to ask and asked how we felt about tagging with each other,
we had a look that no one in UPW has. So we came up with the whole
gimmick name and gear when we got told that they wanted to try
us out. We went out and performed first time as a tag and the
response was good. I like tagging with Funky because our styles
are somewhat similar and we both have the same philosophy on tagging.
He is very underrated in my opinion and can work with anyone.
I'm actually happy the way things are going for The Manilla Thrillaz.
Steve: What about you being called Blazin'
Benni Chong in UPW?
B-Boy: You know a lot of people still ask
me about that. I have no problem with the name or the change.
I was the one as well as others thought it would be a good idea
to have me changed the name for UPW. It was just a name change
to better suit the tag team. I'm Blazin only in UPW, everywhere
else I'm B-BOY. I guess it's weird because everyone knows me as
B-Boy.
Steve: Moving on to other things, later this
month you are entered as one of 16 in the prestigious Revolution
J tournament. What do you think about being selected for the
tournament?
B-Boy: You know I am really honored and privileged
to be apart of a thing like this. What makes this tourney so special
is that, there has been nothing like this. A tourney that is so
recognized in Japan, and now Ron (Ron Rivera, Rev Pro's promoter)
brings it to the SoCal. It's a good thing not only for SoCal but
the wrestlers that are in there. The competition looks good and
the workers in the tourney are phenomenal talents, some bring
their own flare to the tourney. I am happy and somewhat humble
that I was picked to be apart of something so special.
Steve: The day of Revolution J, WCWA
also had you booked for their show. What happened there?
B-Boy: Well it is a long story, but I'll
try to run it short. Ron told me to be apart of the Rev J along
time ago, but didn't have an exact date. WCWA had the date and
booked me, then it was announced what date the REV J was going
to be. I had a verbal agreement and was booked prior. Everything
is resolved and everything is totally cool, I'm good friends with
the owners of WCWA, and they were very professional about it,
and understood completely. So everything turned out fine.
Steve: Now that we are caught up to the present,
I'm gonna give you some names, you give me your opinion.
B-Boy: Okay, shoot
Steve: Samoa Joe
B-Boy: Joe is the man, one out of the boys
that has taken that big step and cross the line to going overseas,
I'm extremely happy for him, one thing I like about Joe is that
he will never forget where he will come from always trying to
hook you up or advising you to do something. For as long as he
has been in this business, he talks like a true veteran....
Steve: Chip Adams / James MacFarlane
B-Boy: Me and him go way back, seems to be
coming to his own with the new gimmick. Happy on what he is doing
and if continues to do so, can make it as a top name in SoCal.
Steve: Los Cubanitos
B-Boy: Nothing but respect, for JR and Reyes,
two guys that are so underrated in SoCal it's unbelievable. In
my eyes two of the top guys out here. Are good together but in
singles, they are great. Reyes is a complete worker and only the
smarts see it. JR is also complete but don't get that much recognition.
I'm hoping down the line us three with others in SoCal will finally
have our sun in Japan. They deserve respect
Steve: Frankie Kazarian
B-Boy: If WCW/ECW/WWF didn't merge and it
was still single departments, we would have definitely seen Frankie
in one of them, either in singles or tagging with Nova. Someone
who is actually busting his ass around the country right now,
hopefully sooner or later he will be picked up down the road.
Me and him have had some fun times man.
Steve: Pinoy Boy
B-Boy: The Rookie of the Year in SoCal. Has
learned so much from everyone in SoCal. Has been in almost every
locker room out here and knows everyone. Reyes taught him very
well and I guarantee that he will be the most promising star out
here soon enough. Has potential along with natural talent with
a good attitude, again SoCal rookie of the year.... It's not Shogun;
it's not any others with maybe the exception of the Lost Boys
that is at a close second.
Steve: Ok, as a final question, what do you
think of the scene in SoCal in general? As compared to other parts
of the country how would you rate it and where do you think it
is going?
B-Boy: SoCal right now is hot but can die
at any moment. I'm just happy I've accomplished what I have when
I could. In SoCal there is a lot of politics as well as political
bullshit here. SoCal is the hotbed of indy wrestling right now;
a lot of people want to come here to wrestle. SoCal is generally
where it is at right now in the country. My main concern with
SoCal is that it's getting too political and would demise anytime.
Steve: Is there any last thing you would
like to say to everyone?
B-Boy: To all workers, all I can say is keep
faith.... Hard for a lot of people out here working and stuff,
but keep faith, if you really want it the opportunity will come,
just got to let it come. To promotions, remember this we are indy
workers working for indy feds, always remember to take of the
boys as well as the fans, to the fans -thanks for the support
as well as supporting us (workers) as well everyone one of the
wrestlers appreciate it and as for me, who knows where I will
go or might do, all I can say is that I'm living a dream, that
a lot of people dot' have, I'm just happy I'm able to do so, B-Boy
comes to you raw and comes at you from the heart, I go out to
perform to the best of my abilities and excite the fans and it's
like this, like me or don't like me but you damn well will respect
me.
Steve: Thank you for your time and good luck.
B-Boy: Thank you...always keep it real. |