X-Cal
Posted by Daniel Warren
on 01/11/2005
Daniel Warren: All right folks, you know what time it is. This time I have another guest from the world of Indy wrestling. Why don't you introduce yourself, sir.
X-Cal: They call me, dun dun dun X-Cal! [Laughs]
Daniel Warren: That’s right I have the man here today, X-Cal. Now, let me start off by saying great to have you here, how has everything been?
X-Cal: Pretty damn good. I've been keeping myself real busy as of late with Internet shows, wrestling shows, and training.
Daniel Warren: Internet shows?
X-Cal: Ah yes. By "shows," I meant show. My bad. Steel Rage Pro Wrestling is debuting their new Internet Show called "The Rage" real soon. We finished off the first episode over the weekend. It’s some good stuff, it will feature a lot of the Ladder Match I was recently involved in, and have some interviews, and a little comedy.
Daniel Warren: Speaking of the ladder match, not only have I been able to see some of it, but I also had one of the other men in the match as my first guest. And that man is Cade Sydal. A man you know very well.
X-Cal: What can ya say about Cade Sydal, that doesn't already speak for itself. The man has improved so much in the some 17 months I've known him. A very good guy both in and out of the ring.
Daniel Warren: For those who may not have had a chance to see or meet either of you, please explain the history between you two.
X-Cal: I first started talking to Cade online about two years ago, and finally had the chance to meet/ work with him in July of 2003, and since we've been running up and down the road together, winning tag team gold, working good matches against each other, and being best friends.
Daniel Warren: Thus bringing us to "The Ladder Match". When I talked to Cade he was looking forward to being in that match. What was your mind frame going into a brutal match like that?
X-Cal: I think it was the most nerve-racking experience I've been in thus far in the business. It's so hard to prepare yourself for such a match. I was so nervous just before the match because I knew some of the risk I was going to take, and it kinda had me psyched out, but once I stepped "through the curtain” it was all business, and I think the outcome went very well, even though I lost.
Daniel Warren: Was there anything that you really wanted to do during the match, you know, to leave your mark?
X-Cal: I wanted to, and did my first Shooting Star Press to the outside. That was something I was hell bent on doing. And I also wanted to take a sick bump from the ladder. I don't know how "sick" the bump was, but I took a springboard Hart Attack from pretty high up the ladder. Other than that, I just wanted to make sure the match went smooth.
Daniel Warren: How much wear and tear does a match like that have on the body?
X-Cal: Well, during the match you don't really feel that much pain, or at least in my opinion, but afterward, you start to feel every little bump you took. My neck was popped pretty bad from the Hart Attack bump off the ladder, and then again on a Modest Driver, from Dexter Hardaway.
Daniel Warren: Now with a good deal of wrestlers either forced to leave or leaving the sport because of neck injuries, do you sometimes second guess yourself when you take moves that focus on the neck?
X-Cal: I honestly try not to think of it too much. However, I don't let just anyone give me piledrivers and such. I have to have a lot of trust in another worker. But to answer your question: No, I don't focus on the subject all that much. I may live to regret that.
Daniel Warren: I'm happy that you said that because it brings me to my next question. Have you ever been in a match where you have had to refuse to work with someone because of the fact that you don't trust them?
X-Cal: Fortunately, I haven't been put in that situation, but there are a few workers I regret working and others who I will absolutely not work due to their sloppy in-ring actions.
Daniel Warren: Smart thinking. Now X-Cal, is there a match that you've always wanted to do? And who would you like to wrestle you in that match?
X-Cal: At this point, I'd have to say, a WWE Velocity match would be a match I want to do real bad. [Laughs] Against who you ask? Well, I'd love to wrestle anyone on the WWE Roster, but I'd have to say realistically, The Hurricane or Rey Mysterio. Both very talented workers, to say the least, and to have that WWE experience would be a great chapter in my career.
Daniel Warren: Speaking of WWE, how do you feel about the way they handle lightweight/cruiserweight size and style wrestlers?
X-Cal: At this point I think it's a lost cause. I don't think any promotion will ever do the job WCW did at showcasing the Cruiserweight Division. It's sad, but true. Now a guy my size has to rely on getting jacked, and knowing how to talk or get a real good gimmick.
Daniel Warren: What do you think happened to cause such a downfall from ECW/WCW Cruiserweight matches to what we see now?
X-Cal: My guess is Vince McMahon has a hard-on for big guys. If you're not 6'2 240lbs, you're nothing. The cruiserweights still have good matches; they just don't get taken serious enough. They're more or less fillers.
Daniel Warren: what do you think of NWA TNA's X Division?
X-Cal: I think it was a good idea at first, but now it seems somewhat played out. I haven't caught a TNA show in quite some time, but from what I remember all the high spots finally caught up with the fans, and they became bored. What they need to do is push Shark Boy in that division. That guy can work!
Daniel Warren: Do you feel that high spots are taking away from actual wrestling?
X-Cal: In some cases yes, but when done right, I think they add a level of excitement to a match that few can follow. Also, depending on the workers.
Daniel Warren: Do you think some wrestlers train to learn high spots because it's the cool thing and forget about the basics?
X-Cal: I know of a few like that, but for the most part, around this area, a lot of the wrestlers train to work, not just flip flop around.
Daniel Warren: What is more important to you, the high flying or actual mat wrestling?
X-Cal: I like to incorporate both. But as far as proving yourself in the business, I think you get more respect being able to go hold for hold with a person rather than just flying around the place wildly.
Daniel Warren: What mat wrestlers inspire you to keep training at going hold for hold?
X-Cal: To name a few: Chris Beniot, Chris Daniels, American Dragon, Brent Albright, Triple H, & HBK. Maybe not all classified as "mat wrestlers", but all very good workers. Some even great.
Daniel Warren: What was your view on the WWE putting world titles on two smaller wrestlers like Chris Beniot and Eddie Guerrero?
X-Cal: I thought it was done very well. They gave both men great stories of struggles, life changes, and in Eddie's case, personal demons. To see the two men achieve TOP success in the business was a great feeling. It gives little guys like me hope that with hard work and personal sacrifice, anything is possible. By "gave them" great stories, I mean they showcased their actual, real life struggles. Excuse me.
Daniel Warren: This is true. Speaking about storylines, how important are storylines in the Indy world?
X-Cal: Not very in my opinion. But if you're going to be in a certain promotion long enough to do them and do them at a venue that draws the same crowd, I say, "why not make the best of it?"
Daniel Warren: How hard is it to keep up a storyline while working in the Indies?
X-Cal: It all depends on the situation. Like I said, if you work at a promotion long enough to do a storyline, and you draw the same fan base weekly, then it can be just as easy as any other promotion. Even WWE. With less production quality. [Laughs] I.E. promotional videos, vignettes, etc. On the Indy scene, you have to tell the whole story in the ring.
Daniel Warren: [Laughs] How much pride do you have in what you do in the ring? Is it about the paycheck or the love?
X-Cal: I take great pride in what I do, otherwise I wouldn't bother. I might not like everything I do, but I look for what I need to improve on, and use it as a learning experience. The love is what I do it for. The paycheck is just a bonus.
Daniel Warren: Now for all inspiring wrestlers out there, what do you feel is important to have a great career?
X-Cal:First and foremost, good training! A lot of schools will take you for your money and leave you to learn for yourself. Other things include: good attitude, good body, good shape, and a lot of drive and patience.
Daniel Warren: Have you ever thought of teaching or do any training?
X-Cal: I've helped out where I can. But as of now, I have no aspirations of training anyone. [Laughs] I don't have the patience for it. So kudos to my trainers. Maybe when I'm 40 years old and can't do anything with my in-ring career, then I'll look into training, but right now I still have a lot of polishing to do of my own.
Daniel Warren: Is there anything that you feel you do best right now in your career?
X-Cal: With only 2 years, I'd have to say no. But in time, I think I could be one of the many great "story tellers" in the business.
Daniel Warren: Well that’s a good goal to shoot for. Now we've talked about some of the good things in wrestling. But I feel that when I interview someone the readers need to see the whole truth. For those who may have seen the movie "Beyond The Mat", they know that there is a dark side to this sport. So I ask you X-Cal, have you any experience with some of the dark dealings of Indy wrestling?
X-Cal: A had a situation where I traveled over 600 miles to do a show, and the promoter stiffs us on our pay and hotel. So that was a lesson learned. And I'm sure that promoter was missing his ring ropes sorely when he realized they were missing at his following show, heh.
Daniel Warren: Is that something that you sometimes face, a shady promoter?
X-Cal: Sometimes, but you have to be strong and stand your ground, especially as a guy with my experience. Given the chance a promoter will run all over you. You have to stand your ground, and "get yo mutha f###in' payday!"
Daniel Warren: True words. Very true words. Do you ever have problems with guys who work too stiff?
X-Cal: No, I love it. I dish it out just as much as I take it. Although I think Low-Ki could make me shit myself.
Daniel Warren: Now I have to ask this, what is your view on backyard wrestling?
X-Cal: If you're gonna do it, don't look to "study" Japanese Death Matches and emulate them. But honestly, I don't care enough what kids do in their backyard. That's their business.
Daniel Warren: What do you feel about parents blaming wrestlers for kids copying their moves in the backyard and getting hurt?
X-Cal: I think they look for an easy scapegoat. If they were real parents, they would have known what their kids were doing anyway.
Daniel Warren: Are there lines you won't cross while doing a show?
X-Cal: No, not really. I've gone racial, dropped F bombs in front of little children (even made a few cry), and once took an old woman’s walking cane and made fun of her. They don't call me "The Loose Cannon" for nothing. Speaking of Loose Cannon, I do have an early flight to catch in the morning.
Daniel Warren: Well, is there anything you want to say to the people, any website you want to plug before you go?
X-Cal: I'd like to send a shout out and big ups to my folks down in Orlando, FL, Jon Young & Wes Fif'! Check out www.jonyoungmusic.com and www.steelragepro.com. And keep peepin' out this site, cause Dan the Man has it going on!
Daniel Warren: Hey, don't forget your site!
X-Cal: Ha, I'd like to forget it! It re-launches in March. So stay tuned for www.xcalmania.com
Daniel Warren: Well as always, this is Daniel Warren. That was X-Cal. Thanks for reading and remember, "It's All For The Love." Later!
X-Cal: Peace!
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