Arik Cannon
Posted by Douglas Nunnally
on 07/27/2004
Interviewer's Note:
Welcome to another edition of "Wasting The Time Of..." and in this edition, I have one of the breakout stars of the year, Arik Cannon!
For those of you who don't know, Arik Cannon is arguably one of the most underrated and popular star of the past two years. Making frequent appearances in ACW, IWA-MS, and his home MPW, he has excited fans all over with his agility and hard hitting action. If you are skeptical of this wrestler, just look at the name and ask yourself when you last saw an original name like that. This is a man who has killed his car, which became his bed at times, among other things just to entertain the fans. This is a man who you will never forget.
From battling AJ Styles to perfecting a Shining Enziguiri, Arik Cannon has sure put all of himself into his profession. To all the fans, it shows. To all the promoters, it shows. To this interviewer, it shows.
Douglas Nunnally: Thanks for agreeing to do this interview, Arik.
Arik Cannon: Not a problem.
Douglas Nunnally: Arik Cannon. Wow. What a name. Any special story to how you came up with that?
Arik Cannon: Eh, I wouldn't say special, but there is a story. I decided on "The Anarchist" and I wanted to use "Arik" from the start. It's different, which is key. However, no last name came to mind, so Shawn Daivari suggested I use "Cannon". Jokingly (I think) he said, "It sounds well, and it's a big, mean gun too." When it came time to debut, I had nothing. So, Arik Cannon it is.
Douglas Nunnally: Why did you want to use the moniker "The Anarchist?"
Arik Cannon: "Punk," was taken, so I went with something I thought was close.
Douglas Nunnally: You mentioned Shawn Daivari earlier. How close would you say you are to him?
Arik Cannon: I believe it's a little over 11 hours to Louisville. [Laughs] Actually, we were tight for some time. I broke in just about a year after he did. We trained a lot together, lots of road trips, and hung out from time to time. Things change though. As I said, he's 11 hours away now.
Douglas Nunnally: Did something bad happen between you two or did you just grow apart?
Arik Cannon: Probably both, but I guess that depends on how you look at it. He knows what he wants in wrestling, and he's doing what he has to do to get there. While personally, I think it's probably hurting him a little in the long run. Basically, I believe there is more than one way to do things. That's all.
Douglas Nunnally: In today's wrestling world, everyone seems to have a best buddy. Someone they came up with and shared all their trails with. Since you have said that you and Shawn aren't that way anymore, do you have another one of these buddies?
Arik Cannon: Nope.
Douglas Nunnally: Any reason?
Arik Cannon: Because people can be ungrateful pieces of shit. [Laughs]
Douglas Nunnally: Do you ever wish you had a buddy or some kind of substitute?
Arik Cannon: Nah, I think I'm alright. I've got myself about a handful of really great friends that I've met through the business. People, I think, that would remain a part of my life, even if wrestling doesn't.
Douglas Nunnally: What kind of thoughts and perceptions did you have of Ian Rotten before you entered IWA-MS?
Arik Cannon: None really. I had never met the guy. I knew of his reputation though. I watch tapes, so I had seen that he can 'wrestle wrestle' as well as do some insane hardcore stuff. Upon arriving at the building in Clarksville and meeting him, the word intimidating comes to mind.
Douglas Nunnally: Were you still intimidated when you finally went in the ring with him?
Arik Cannon: Very much so. It was the same day.
Douglas Nunnally: What is it like during that match then since you were so intimidated?
Arik Cannon: I felt very hesitant in the ring. Luckily, it was a tag match.
Douglas Nunnally: When did that feeling finally wear off?
Arik Cannon: I think sometime around January of 04.
Douglas Nunnally: So you went through the whole tag match like that? How in the world did you even wrestle?
Arik Cannon: I wasn't in the ring with Ian all that much during the tag. Frankie the Face and I beat up on JC Bailey for a good portion of the match.
Douglas Nunnally: Would the match have suffered a blow if you had been in the ring with Ian a lot?
Arik Cannon: I would like to say no. I mean, I don't think it would have.
Douglas Nunnally: What was it like to being credited with the "Match of the Night" with Chris Hero on the June 19th IWA-MS show?
Arik Cannon: It's a great feeling. IWA puts on some of the top shows featuring the top guys, and to be considered to have had the best match on any given night at IWA is an honor.
Douglas Nunnally: Did you feel you deserved it?
Arik Cannon: Who am I to judge?
Douglas Nunnally: Good call. You seem to have a lot of matches with Chris Hero. Would you say that is your best feud?
Arik Cannon: Definitely. We share the same style and taste, to a certain degree. By that, I mean we not only wrestle a very similar style, but we also watch/study a lot of the same stuff.
Douglas Nunnally: Which of your matches with him would you say is your favorite?
Arik Cannon: I'll have to go with either the match from 6/19 or 6/25. Both of which were for IWA.
Douglas Nunnally: Do you feel you have your best matches with Chris?
Arik Cannon: Consistently, yes.
Douglas Nunnally: A lot of superstars spend their whole careers wrestling looking for accolades such as Wrestler or Match of the Year, yet you have gotten both accolades in MPW in your short career. What does that feel like?
Arik Cannon: Those awards were for 2003. Not to take away from them, but there is 2004, 2005, and so on. It is/was definitely and honor and a privilege to be given those awards. I think it'll mean more to me if I am able to repeat such things. One good year is great, but longevity would be greater.
Douglas Nunnally: Do you think you are a serious contender for those awards in 2004?
Arik Cannon: Definitely. There have been some great matches in MPW this year, with more to come for sure. I look forward to seeing who/what is awarded at the end of the year.
Douglas Nunnally: Who do you think are your biggest competitors in those categories?
Arik Cannon: I think this year my competition for Wrestler of the Year in MPW is Kid Krazy. He's having a great year; he's showed a lot of improvement and is having great matches. As for Match of the Year, Kid Krazy vs. Casanova from 12/27/03 (which I believe counts for 04 as the timeframe is December to December) is probably at the top of the list right now.
Douglas Nunnally: How does it feel to have such long title reigns in MPW with the Cruiserweight and Universal belts when the average title reign in professional wrestling as of late is around one month?
Arik Cannon: It makes me feel as though MPW has put a lot of faith in me.
Douglas Nunnally: Do you fail to find the same faith you get there in other places like IWA?
Arik Cannon: No. It comes in various ways, not just title reigns. IWA has allowed me to be in the ring with guys like Samoa Joe, Chris Hero, American Dragon, etc.
Douglas Nunnally: Well even though you have competed in many promotions like IWA-MS and they have put faith in you as you said above, it seems most of your success comes from Midwest Pro Wrestling. Does that feel as sort of a "wrestling home" for you?
Arik Cannon: I would definitely say that MPW is my home in wrestling.
Douglas Nunnally: I have spoken to a lot of Indy wrestlers and about 75% say that they have a "home promotion." Would you say this is something every Indy wrestler needs?
Arik Cannon: I don't know if it's something you need, but I'd be willing to bet that everyone has one.
Douglas Nunnally: Why would you say that?
Arik Cannon: You gotta start somewhere.
Douglas Nunnally: If WWE offered you a dark match try out on the same day as a MPW show, which would you attend?
Arik Cannon: I would attend the WWE show.
Douglas Nunnally: Would you feel bad or like a traitor?
Arik Cannon: Nope. I know they'd understand.
Douglas Nunnally: You seem to be on a losing streak as of late. Does that hit any nerve with you or bother you in any way, shape, or form?
Arik Cannon: Nah. It happens. You win some, you lose some.
Douglas Nunnally: What would your character have to say about that?
Arik Cannon: It's a conspiracy! And I would have beaten Jimmy Rave if it weren't for that stupid Chris Hero!
Douglas Nunnally: How much fun is it for you to portray your character to the fans?
Arik Cannon: It's fun. I like to think that it is an extension of who I am.
Douglas Nunnally: A good or bad extension?
Arik Cannon: Both.
Douglas Nunnally: How does that work?
Arik Cannon: Good because I try to leave Arik Cannon at the shows. Bad because as you see, I'm at home on my own time right now doing this Arik Cannon thing. That make sense?
Douglas Nunnally: Oh yeah, I hear you. What is your schedule like as of late?
Arik Cannon: My schedule as of late has been crazy! Out of town almost every weekend and making it home in time for MPW shows. Sometimes, I will drive straight to MPW and sleep for a couple hours in the parking lot. Otherwise, I get no sleep.
Douglas Nunnally: So for those out there who don't know, what is it like exactly to sleep in a car?
Arik Cannon: It sucks. It's uncomfortable.
Douglas Nunnally: Do you wonder if it's worth it at times?
Arik Cannon: Very, very rarely. My last totally free weekend was the weekend of July 4th. Prior to that, I cannot remember.
Douglas Nunnally: What are some things that make you question your line of work?
Arik Cannon: Things like having zero free weekends. All the driving. Lack of funds. As I said though, the wondering if it's worth it happens so very rarely.
Douglas Nunnally: When would you feel that all your trials were worth it?
Arik Cannon: I have 2 main goals within wrestling:
A) I'd like to make ends meet with wrestling. Have it be my "job."
B) I'd very much like to go and work in Japan.
Douglas Nunnally: What promotion in Japan? Or does it not matter?
Arik Cannon: Preferably one of the more known promotions; but given the opportunity, I'd not pass it up.
Douglas Nunnally: Is there anyone in Japan who you would love to work with now?
Arik Cannon: Truth be told, I am a huge Kobashi mark.
Douglas Nunnally: A lot of wrestlers look down on other wrestlers "marking out." What are your thoughts?
Arik Cannon: Bullshit. If you weren't/aren't a mark, you wouldn't be in the business.
Douglas Nunnally: Who else do you mark out for?
Arik Cannon: Besides Kobashi right now, I'm watching a lot of Johnny Saint, Jim Breaks, and NOAH stuff. I'm a big, big fan of Toryumon too. I'd mark out for Skayde, but I can't track down much of his stuff.
Douglas Nunnally: What would make you mark out as a little kid?
Arik Cannon: Snuka, JYD, Muta, and Cactus Jack.
Douglas Nunnally: I understand you utilize the Shining Enziguri in your repertoire (re-named Glimmering Warlock by you). How long did it take you to perfect this?
Arik Cannon: Actually, re-named by a friend, German Mark. Took about a week to get it to a point where I wanted to start using it on shows.
Douglas Nunnally: Why did you want to start using it?
Arik Cannon: During the shining wizard craze, the last thing I wanted to do was a shining wizard, so I opted for a shining something else. [Laughs]
Douglas Nunnally: What was it like being in the ring with the man people call the breakout star of the next generation, AJ Styles, in MPW?
Arik Cannon: It was awesome. AJ is amazing. If AJ is the breakout star of the next generation, it's deservingly so.
Douglas Nunnally: Is all the hype around him true or is it a little too much?
Arik Cannon: I'd say it's true.
Douglas Nunnally: You have been wrestling since 2001 and still have not managed to break the PWI 500. Does this feel odd to you or like a kind of robbery to you?
Arik Cannon: No. 2001 and 2002, I sent nothing.
Douglas Nunnally: What about last year?
Arik Cannon: I don't know why/how, but I found an e-mail asking for my info and what-not last year, so I sent stuff in last year. Happened again this year as well.
Douglas Nunnally: Since you have had what fans agree to be a breakout year, do you think this year will be your debut in the PWI 500?
Arik Cannon: It's very possible I imagine. If not, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. Whether I make the list or not really has no bearing on what I'm doing.
Douglas Nunnally: What do you feel about guys who rate their careers on their PWI standings?
Arik Cannon: Never thought about it. Probably isn't a great idea though.
Douglas Nunnally: Since you are a cruiserweight, do you take any offense for the way the division is being under-utilized in WWE?
Arik Cannon: No offense taken at all. I think the last time I saw any of it was Ultimo's debut. I don't watch.
Douglas Nunnally: Any reason?
Arik Cannon: Lack of interest I suppose. If I hear something like so and so had a really good match, I'll check it out if someone I know has a copy.
Douglas Nunnally: So you're not going to check out the Iron man tonight?
Arik Cannon: Iron man?
Douglas Nunnally: Touche. You're bored, tired, and desperate for wrestling action. What match or matches would you put on to watch?
Arik Cannon: I'll grab a tape containing one of the Kobashi/Misawa matches or some Toryumon. The Saint stuff never gets old either.
Douglas Nunnally: What will wrestler(s) will you never put on?
Arik Cannon: Wow. Good question. Never thought of that.
Douglas Nunnally: Thank you. So how about that answer?
Arik Cannon: I guess WWE stuff. I won't watch it when it's on; and when I want to see something, that's the last thing on my mind.
Douglas Nunnally: You have been invited to compete in IWA-MS many times, have wrestled such pop culture icons as AJ Styles, and gained a sort of cult-like following. So...boxers or briefs?
Arik Cannon: Wrestling in IWA and facing guys like AJ Styles have made answering this question easy. Boxers.
Douglas Nunnally: I can just imagine the ribs you're going to get on this one. Can't you?
Arik Cannon: Man, I hope nobody f***s with my shorts. [Laughs]
Douglas Nunnally: In 3 years, you have done a lot including 3 incredible title reigns and many stints in many promotions. What would you say is the most memorable part of your career so far?
Arik Cannon: Hmm, another good question. It's really hard to pinpoint one moment. There have been so many.
Douglas Nunnally: What came to your mind first then?
Arik Cannon: The Skayde clinics I've taken part in. They have been, hands down, some of the most fun times I've had while in the business. Constant learning and something totally new to me. Plus, this is where I met some really cool people, who became close friends of mine.
Douglas Nunnally: I know you have wrestled a lot of Indy stars out there today, but are there any Indy, or any for that matter, wrestlers left out there that you would love to work with?
Arik Cannon: Oh, definitely. I'd like to get an opportunity to work with ROH at some point. I've yet to be in the ring with Reckless Youth, Mike Quackenbush, Colt Cabana, CM Punk, Jerry Lynn...this could be a very long list. [Laughs]
Douglas Nunnally: What are your thoughts on the theory that Jerry Lynn is the most underrated star of all time?
Arik Cannon: I don't think I'd say he is under rated, but I think he was definitely mis-used.
Douglas Nunnally: What has got to be the most hurt you ever got in a match?
Arik Cannon: Well, in late ‘01 I tore the ligaments in my left AC joint. Other than that, I've been knocked out twice. Once via Chris Hero, and the recent time Jay Lethal (a.k.a. Hydro)
Douglas Nunnally: What do you mean by knocked out exactly?
Arik Cannon: Well on 8/8/03, Hero had me down and he went for a double jump moonsault; very similar to that of Christopher Daniels. One of his feet missed the top tope, and he came crashing down on top of me. I tried to roll out of the way, but I was too slow. Not sure what exactly caught my head, but whatever it was, it knocked me out.
And two weekends ago while I was in PA for Chikara's second annual Young Lions Cup, Jay Lethal and I collided. We smashed noggins, and I was out.
Douglas Nunnally: For how long exactly?
Arik Cannon: I don't know specific times. Couple minutes I'd say, 2-3 at most.
Douglas Nunnally: Do you have an regrets so far in your career?
Arik Cannon: Sometimes, I wish I had more free time.
Douglas Nunnally: Care to shed any examples?
Arik Cannon: Free time to relax, be with friends, etc.
Douglas Nunnally: We all know the road to being a professional wrestler is full of hurdles and sacrifices. Besides your free time, what kind of sacrifices and hurdles have you gone through?
Arik Cannon: I miss a lot of family functions and time with friends. When I had a girlfriend, I hated being away from home/her. I am killing my car; totally killing my car. I put on damn near 1000 miles every weekend.
Douglas Nunnally: And no money to replace it or what not, right/
Arik Cannon: Yup.
Douglas Nunnally: What is the worst fan experience you have ever had, besides me interviewing you?
Arik Cannon: [Laughs] This is by far the worst, but next to this, nothing really comes to mind. I've not had any "bad" experience; although, it kind of sucks when little kids ask me about heeling/facing, stuff like that. It makes you wonder what happened to wrestling.
Douglas Nunnally: What is your take on the website, TheWrestlingVoice.com?
Arik Cannon: I am a big fan of the cartoons. [Laughs]
Douglas Nunnally: Finally, what would you like to say to the fans and viewers out there?
Arik Cannon: Whether you're a fan or you hate my guts, thank you for reading and for coming out to the shows. Support Indy wrestling! Oh, and for those of you that don't hate my guts, be sure to check out www.arikcannon.com. Yeah!
Douglas Nunnally: Thanks again, Arik.
Arik Cannon: Thank you as well.
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