Cade Sydal
Posted by Daniel Warren
on 12/28/2004
Daniel Warren: All right, people. Seeing as this is my first interview for TWV, it is only right that I have the man whose interview was so good that it got me my spot as my first "official" for the site. So for all you people out there, I bring to you...CADE SYDAL!
Cade Sydal: I guess this is the part where I say hi, right? So, um, hey.
Daniel Warren: Well, it's nice to be interviewing you again, Cade, how have you been since our last talk?
Cade Sydal: I've been alright. Getting beat up, but that's a part of this business, obviously.
Daniel Warren: This is true. Now let’s just get right down to business. Have there been any changes since the last time.
Cade Sydal: Refresh my memory on what happened last time we spoke? I mean a lot of things have changed in a year, which I think was the last time you interviewed me. I'm now a former ACW Cruiserweight Champion and former ACW Tag Team Champion. Also, I just recently lost the SRPW Light-Heavyweight title that I've held for six months. Lot of things going down in my little corner of the world.
Daniel Warren: So I've seen. Have you been working outside of ACW and SRPW?
Cade Sydal: Unfortunately, not really. I did some work for a fed in Kansas, MWCW, that never went anywhere after their initial double-shot weekend, and some work for IZW down in southern, Oklahoma, but again they didn't do anything after their first show; though they have me booked for their return shows, January 21st and 22nd, so that should be fun. But otherwise, not really. My main priority is SRPW actually.
Daniel Warren: And why is that?
Cade Sydal: Just a lot of big things happening there for me. Member of the Fraternity of Sin. Looking to take home their Most Improved Wrestler of the Year award, as well as their Tag Team of the Year award with Chris Gazaway, also known as X-Cal. Big things going on in SRPW, and they treat me like I'm family, so that's always a plus.
Daniel Warren: That’s great to hear. Now, is it hard to find an atmosphere like that in the Indy wrestling field?
Cade Sydal: I think it really depends on the individual and their location. Oklahoma isn't thriving with independent wrestling really, so I do think I'm pretty fortunate to have found this kind of atmosphere.
Daniel Warren: How are the independents looking at this time? Have things started to pick up or are things still at a somewhat slow pace?
Cade Sydal: It really depends on the area you're in, to be honest. I think out in the Northeast and all, things are hot out there. Same with SoCal. All along either of the coasts things are good. But like right now, in this area, there's not a lot of support for Indy wrestling, and that sucks, because a lot of guys out here don't get the kind of exposure they deserve.
Daniel Warren: Have you ever thought of branching out to the coasts?
Cade Sydal: Have you ever thought of rigging the lottery for me? Heh. I mean, money and trees, and all that, ya know?
Daniel Warren: It's interesting that you say that, because a lot of people want to get into the business. From your experience, can you explain hard it really is money wise to make it in this sport?
Cade Sydal: It's damn hard. I'm not going to mix words. Unless you live in the areas where it's flourishing and prospering, it's going to be really difficult for you to pay the bills doing this. Most guys don't get paid anything substantial for several years. At this level it's really not about the money, it's about the love of the business as a whole, really.
Daniel Warren: Amen to that. It is all about the love, Cade. Now let’s flashback to your first time wrestling. You just finished your first match. You are looking at yourself in the mirror. What was going through your mind and what made you want to continue?
Cade Sydal: What was going through my mind was "Damn, I was supposed to lose." See, I won via DQ, because the referee saw the chained fist go to my groin. He didn't call for the DQ though until the guy hit his finish on me and went for the pin, which made it weird. Anyway, it's just something I always wanted to do, and when I watch that match now I can say to myself "for a rookie, I was pretty damn over."
Daniel Warren: And how do you see yourself now?
Cade Sydal: I think I improved greatly. I also know that I gained about 25-30 pounds since then, which is always a plus when you're as small as I am. I learned a lot more about psychology and improved on areas I was always good at. I'll never stop learning things in this business.
Daniel Warren: That’s a good view to have in the sport. Now, since our last talk a lot of things have changed in the wrestling world from former stars and legends dying to the scandals. Now, how long have you been a wrestling fan, Mr. Sydal?
Cade Sydal: I was born a wrestling fan. I was even told, from a young age that on my first birthday, as my mom was in the hospital giving birth to my sister (weird, I know), that my grandpa and I ate animal cracker cake and watched wrestling. So I've been a wrestling fan for life.
Daniel Warren: Good, the reason that I asked is because I know you have seen the various changes in the sport. Now, I want to ask you, is there anything you wished would have carried on from the old days of wrestling to now a days?
Cade Sydal: I wish it'd still be more about the in-ring product. I think that promos do a great deal in telling the story, don't get me wrong. But, I think the storylines and angles and everything should be to advance what goes on in the ring, rather than it being the other way around like it tends to be now.
Daniel Warren: Do you think that sometimes in ring skills are being overlooked in favor of strong mike skills?
Cade Sydal: Yeah, actually I do. But, for some guys that aren't really strong in the ring but are great talkers, that's great for them.
Daniel Warren: Do you think in the long run it could damage the sport?
Cade Sydal: I'm not positive either way actually. It helped bring wrestling into the mainstream, so it can't be all bad.
Daniel Warren: Okay, now speaking of in-ring skills. Do you feel that "High Spots" are also starting to push back actual in-ring skills?
Cade Sydal: I do. I'm a firm believer in there's a time and place for everything. Build up to the high spots. If you just do them all the time, then doing them means less and less. That's just my humble opinion, coming from a guy that most would expect to see high spot after high spot from.
Daniel Warren: I agree. A lot of people forget that it’s the in ring work that helps tell the story. Without it, a match is just a bunch of guys jumping around. Now in your mind, Cade, why do you think that in-ring work has taken such a backseat?
Cade Sydal: Because, in part, the high spots are fun to do. They really are. And they do get pops from the crowd, at first, and then they start to get familiar pops when it becomes routine. And I think a lot of guys like to talk shit, and cut a good promo. I think a number of factors added to that have made good, technical, wrestling take a backseat.
Daniel Warren: Do you think that there is any chance for that style of wrestling to make a comeback?
Cade Sydal: I think it's starting to, slowly. It's a cycle, really.
Daniel Warren: Now, do you think what has been shown on Wrestling TV shows have a hand in the hard road back that Technical Wrestling has been having?
Cade Sydal: Definitely. Because, most promoters, this isn't to say all but most, want to emulate what's going on TV, because to them it obviously worked for the big guys, so why not stick with that? And a lot of fans, again not all but most, want to see what they see on TV. Now in areas populated by the smart marks and promoters that can afford to cater to them, I think that's great. I also think there needs to be a happy medium for it though. Smart marks, and this isn't a dig at them, but a lot of times you have to kill yourself to get over with them. And that's not really fair for them to be so demanding. Not all, but I've seen and conversed with some that only care about the latest high spot of death. Other smart marks appreciate good wrestling without it having to be spot after spot after spot, and that's good. I have no problem with smart marks as a whole. But it's much more fun to be a regular mark, just having fun at the shows cheering and booing. Take it for what it is, ya know?
Daniel Warren: I know. I feel that Smart marks sometimes over step their rules and are very fickle. I mean some people (WWE) can't even go to Canada with out fans reminded them of certain events. Do you think sometimes Smart marks over step their limits?
Cade Sydal: I think we all overstep our limits sometimes. I don't think it's fair for wrestlers to single out smart marks in all their interviews, because they're paying fans and loyal fans just like anyone else. But, it's like this, some smart marks like to boo the faces and cheer the heels, because they think that's the cool thing to do. It's not. It irritates us; especially knowing you do it just because you think it's cool. Some cheer guys they like even if they're heels. Now, while that's a bit more acceptable to me, it's also wrong. Because, if you like me, and respect my work, please boo me. Because you'll f*** up my heat if you start cheering for me. It's just disrespectful to me.
Daniel Warren: Ok, now what I want to know is, how hard is it to go out there and go at it in front of the fans?
Cade Sydal: It's really not that hard for me any more, I guess. I've got a style that the fans here see, and they get it. It's not overly flashy, but it's effective. I keep it on the ground a lot, but I keep it quick and intense. I'm athletic, so going at it isn't a problem for me. And I've learned to adapt to how the fans are feeling, to piece a match together. I call most the things in the ring now, and I feel that's provided a lot of great work.
Daniel Warren: So you like to tell a story in the ring?
Cade Sydal: Yeah. I really do. I can talk, real well actually. But I prefer to do it in the ring.
Daniel Warren: In your mind, which one of your matches do you feel you were clicking on all levels?
Cade Sydal: It's hard to say actually. The one that stands out in my mind was an ACW match. [It] was a tag team match. X-Cal and I (X2C) against Team Shenanigans (Kenny Campbell and Tyler Bateman). They were just trying to get over as a face, and struggling. X and I were very solid heels at the time. They went against us, and I don't think I've ever heard bigger pops for a pair of guys wearing pink shirts before in my life. The psychology, the flow, everything was clicking. And the fans were pissed when they got screwed out of their win.
Daniel Warren: What means more to you, a big pop and respect from the fans or a paycheck?
Cade Sydal: The fans, definitely.
Daniel Warren: Why do you say that?
Cade Sydal: Because it's the truth. I have very limited respect for guys in this business that care more about the money than they do the fans, the reason we do this and beat ourselves up. Because, trust me, unless you're incredibly lucky, you're not going to be paid a lot for awhile, so getting in for the money is the wrong reason.
Daniel Warren: Now a lot of people don't realize just how real this sport is. Do you mind letting people know what kind of injuries you have received from your wrestling career?
Cade Sydal: I have chipped teeth. One tooth got completely broken off. And a broken arm. From wrestling, that's really it. I’ve been fortunate.
Daniel Warren: What would you like to tell people who believe pro-wrestling isn't a real sport?
Cade Sydal: To try it for themselves.
Daniel Warren: I'll second that! Cade, what is one match that you always wanted to do, and who would you wrestle it with?
Cade Sydal: Actually I'm about to do the one match I've always wanted to do, on January 2nd. A ladder match. In this one, I'm going against my tag partner, Mitch Carter, and the guy I lost the SRPW Light-Heavyweight Title to, Dexter Hardaway.
Daniel Warren: What is it about the ladder match that makes it one that you want to do?
Cade Sydal: I'm a creative person. I've done a match of my own creation, the Teen Idol Deathmatch, to win the SRPW Light-Heavyweight Title. Basically what that is is a best-of-three falls match, with a chair in every corner. A lot of innovative and creative uses for a chair were demonstrated there. And I'd like to bring some creativity to a ladder match as well.
Daniel Warren: Have you watched any other Ladder Matches in order to get ready for it?
Cade Sydal: Actually, I'm odd; in that I can't watch the big matches I'm about to be in. Like I can't watch the same kind of it. Because it messes me up. I prepare a lot mentally.
Daniel Warren: Now I know a ladder match is very painful and dangerous. How do you get yourself mentally prepare for the world of hurt that you are about to visit?
Cade Sydal: Well, first, I'm hoping the fans are loud and a lot come out to it. It's a free show, so if you're in the Tulsa area, check out www.steelragepro.com for information and directions and all. Anyway, if they're loud and it's packed, I'll be able to ignore the pain for the most part and push through it. And, I know that I'm tough, and so are the guys in the match with me, and it's going to be a blast.
Daniel Warren: That’s great to hear, now I can see I'm getting signaled that Cade's bill has just been faxed to me, and I don't want to have to pay anymore then the large amount that I already see in front of me, so I guess I'm going to end it, but before I do, Cade do you have any plugs, websites or show-dates you want to shout out before we end this?
Cade Sydal: www.steelragepro.com definitely. January 2nd, ladder match there. January 16th, a match against Timmy J. IZW's website escapes me at the moment, but I'm going to be tagging both nights in their double-shot deal, January 21st and 22nd.
Daniel Warren: There you have it folks. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions, Cade.
Cade Sydal: No problem.
Daniel Warren: This is Daniel Warren and that was Cade Sydal, saying thanks for reading and remember, "It’s All for the Love."
Cade Sydal: It really is.
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