Ask Scrappy: Third Edition
By Adam Pearce

WELCOME TO “ASK SCRAPPY” THIRD EDITION
DISCLAIMER: The opinions presented herein are those solely of independent pro wrestler and wannabe columnist “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce. These opinions are in no way intended to be representative of those possessed by SocalUncensored.com or anyone affiliated. This transmission may not be reproduced or rebroadcast without the expressed written consent of the Chicago Cubs or Major League Baseball.

boogiewog asks:
Don't know if this was asked already or not but which moment in your SoCal experience stands out the most? Which match, opponent?

AP replies: “Good question, and actually I have been thinking about it, and am having a rough time picking out that definitive moment. The first match I had here (vs. Frankie Kazarian and Chris Daniels-MPW 3 way dance) was exciting because I came from working 2 or 3 times a week back in the Midwest and having everyone know me to coming here and having people wonder who I was. Being the new kid on the block is cool every once in a while. It was obviously my first opportunity to make an impression. I think I did okay that night. That is one moment that stands out. Another one, unfortunately, would have to be the last EPIC debacle. I vividly remember pulling up to the building to see a mass of people hitting each other with chops (No kidding, maybe it was some of you…). I was thinking to myself, “What the fuck could have possibly went wrong here?” Well, we all know now. I remember asking myself, “Why am I standing in the middle of the street in L.A. with Ultimo Dragon?” Just a weirdly surreal moment in time to be sure. Gary, if you’re reading this, I got what you sent me. Thank you for making good. I sincerely hope things get better for you; I always admired your passion.”

1eyedbastard asks:
How many ringrats have you tapped? Are there any hot ones?

AP replies: “How many ring rats have I tapped? Would anyone in his or her right mind admit to a number, much less be proud of that? I’ll give you the standard answer—ONE TOO MANY. However, there was this young lady in Austria named Natasha whom I thought was pretty hot. She was a red head. But she turned out to be a stalker of sorts. In fact I ended up giving her Dave Prazak’s home address and phone number to get her off my back. After I got home from the tour I thought I had escaped, only to hear that Dave received a long letter proclaiming love for me. The best part, enclosed with the letter was a box of Swiss chocolates. I got the letter eventually, but never saw the chocolates. Damn Prazak…”

kingofsmartasses asks:
Who is the one person or tag team you would like to most wrestle that you have yet to?

AP replies: “Hands down, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. I don’t care what anyone says; to me he is the master. I have had the opportunity to meet him a few times, and while he probably couldn’t pick me out of a room, I will never forget shaking that man’s hand. It is probably pathetic how many times I have watched him and Steamboat. If I could end up a tenth as talented as him, I would be satisfied. He’s the best, and obviously my robe is in tribute to him.”

gurentai_pt1 asks:
It seems to me especially in US indies, just about anyone can start a school and train people even though they themselves haven't done jack shit. But then again in any sport, great athletes don't always make great teachers of the game, vice versa. So my question is....In your opinion, what credentials do you think a wrestler should have in order to train another wrestler?

AP replies: “First of all, anyone calling himself a trainer should probably be trained himself. While that may be VERY obvious, you’d be surprised (or not). You have to know how to work. You SHOULD be able to provide “proof” (i.e. tapes, testimonials, etc.). I was lucky that both of my trainers worked fulltime in the territories, so for me, it was easy to believe that they were capable. Randy Ricci (one of my trainers, thanks Randy) had a good idea of how to provide credibility: he got the guys he worked with over the years to put him over on paper. On the brochure for his school (NAWF.com), there are testimonials from Jerry Lawler, Jeff Jarrett, Terry Taylor, Jimmy Valiant, Chief Jay Strongbow, everyone. That’s a sweet thing to be able to hand a student. These days even if the student does not know who those guys are, he can find out very easily. Now even if you have that stuff, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can train worth a shit. How can you tell if the trainer is worth a shit? The students of course. A trainer that has no students is not good. A trainer that has students who are slobs and disrespectful is not good. A trainer that hasn’t turned anyone out worth a shit is probably not good. Guys who go on message boards and websites and make an ass out themselves and others and then announce the opening of a school should also probably set off the dipshit alarm. Part of your question asked about guys training without “themselves having done jack shit ”. Let’s keep in mind that common sense on the student’s part is a must. If potential student goes to potential trainer knowing that potential trainer has only had 4 matches, then potential student is a potential moron and potential trainer is a potential asshole.

With all that said, I believe in getting trained in layers. That is, get your fundamentals (which are sorely forgotten today) down first, and get polished later. By fundamentals I mean etiquette and history FOLLOWED by basic ring instruction. By polished I mean fine tuning your craft. When there were territories, you got polished by working every night. When Vince ate up the territories, guys starting opening finishing schools. A finishing school is a great place to work with more advanced guys, which will get you moving forward. That is what I did anyway, when I left Sonny Rogers’ camp in early ’98 to go over to the (now defunct) Steel Domain, owned by Danny Dominion and Ace Steel. You don’t see any finishing schools out here, hell, you don’t really see schools outside of UPW, which has the beginner and advanced set up. Look, the reality of it all as I see it is this: You need a trainer to pound discipline, respect, and the basics into your head. I believe that is all a trainer SHOULD do. If a student wants more, the student should have the balls to go and get more. Sometimes you don’t have to go anywhere to get more, but do it anyway. Make as many contacts as you can, and work as many different people as you can. THAT is really how you learn anyway.”

timetapes asks:
How did you come up with the name "Scrap Iron"?

AP replies: “Originally, the name “Scrap Iron” was used in the (I think) 1960’s and 70’s by AWA worker George Gadaski. They called him that partly because he was known as a tough guy, but mostly because he set up the ring every night. Glamorous ain’t it? I wish I could say that I got in from him, but I didn’t. I actually stole the name from my best friend who trained with me in Chicago. He thought of it, and before he could use it, he joined the Navy. I thought it sounded better attached to my name, so I swiped it (sorry Joe, not really). I never could think of a decent kayfabe name. I was “The Alternative” Adam Price once, I was “Irishman” Adam O’Brien a few times (my WWF TV name, and no, I am not Irish), and I was even a masked wrestler called Black Iron or Super Black Ninja a couple times. Finally I decided that my given name was better than the kayfabe ones. After a year or so, I attached the “Scrap Iron” and started using a pseudo biker gimmick. Thank God the gimmick died. The name, however, lives on. I like it.”

Email your questions, insults, or nude photos to: Scrapdaddy74@hotmail.com.