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Peter interviews Shaka - February 2005

Peter interviews Shaka

Here's an interview with one of my closest friends in the wrestling business. I must admit to being a little biased on this one, and will try not to let it show too much! Without further ado, here's a chance for you, the reader, to get to know Maximum Championship Wrestling's own; Shaka.

PETER) : Can you tell us a little about your childhood?

SHAKA) : If I told you about my childhood, I'd have kill to kill you.

PETER) : I thought I told you to behave with this interview! When did you first view wrestling?

SHAKA) : Well, just for you Peter; this is the exception to the childhood question. I was twelve years old when I saw my first match. Ironically, it was a replay of Hogan beating the Iron Sheik for the WWF strap.

PETER) : Did you know you wanted to be a wrestler, or did it just kind of happen by surprise?

SHAKA) : I always wanted to wrestle, but since I knew I wasn't as big as half of the men that influenced me; I thought better of it for a moment.

PETER) : How did you get your first break in the business?

SHAKA) : An associate referred me to someone who ran a school in Philly.

PETER) : So, who trained you to wrestle?

SHAKA) : Because of this person's reputation in the business, I won't name him; but he started my basic instruction. However, my training was overtaken by a luchadore named the Red Demon, El Monstro, Mr. Arrogance and completed by Rev. Ron Starr. I learned a great deal of the business aspects from Capt. Rick Adams, who got me a lot of road time starting off. >From there on, I began studying matches on video whenever I couldn't get to a ring. I still study this way.

PETER) : What were your first matches like?

SHAKA) : I did basic lucha style matches when I faced the Red Demon, after that, I took a lot of punishment; because I was always working against someone who outsized me. As a result, I started using more of a striking style to take my opponents off my feet. I already had a background of martial arts prior to breaking in, so this was far from difficult.

PETER) : How would you describe yourself as a wrestler to those that don't know you?

SHAKA) : Unorthodox. Because of my size, people expect to see high flying or high risk until they see me work. No one expects a high impact game from someone like me or a heavy submission game, but that's what they get. In the Philly scene, this got me a reputation of being hardcore; oddly enough. I'm not opposed to the occasional 'hardcore' match, but that doesn't mean that I'm hardcore; which is such a generic term now.

PETER) : It has sadly got very played out as a term now. What's your favourite match or show that you've been involved in?

SHAKA) : That's harder to answer than I thought, but I'll try to narrow it down. Last year, I had a series of matches against Chris Nightmare which lead into a series of 3 way matches against my former partner Kris Krude. I've never worked too many of these type of matches, but the ones we did were quite interesting to watch when I got the footage.

PETER) : Yes, I must say having seen the footage; you and he 'click' very well. Who are your friends in the wrestling business?

SHAKA) : I have many associates and a few alliances in the business, because there is no room for friends. Enemies are better to have, because you know what they want from you. Friends are the ones who just as soon stick a knife between your shoulder blades and deny that they did so the minute they do it. I highly respect Chris Nightmare for his resilience and ability. He has a lot of potential. I am co-holder of the NWA Va. Global 6 man titles with Pharoah and Malik, who are driven men such as myself; and they understand the nature of this business.

PETER) : What has been your lowest point in wrestling so far?

SHAKA) : Besides the stagnant condition of the business reflected by the Mainstream aspect, it makes it hard for any of us to progress. This is due to the large transitory state. The rules have changed, and no one is quite sure how to capitalize on it. It's been this way for the last few years. My career in the Philly circuit came to screeching halt due to that factor and many more factors about 3 years ago. Fortunately, I already had plans to branch out and work outside of the region, which is the best course of action for anyone in the business.

PETER) : To me, Philadelphia is a very enjoyable; but very competitive and politically highly strung part of the wrestling world. What do you like to do in your spare time?

SHAKA) : Another personal question? Besides, reading, studying matches and training, I sometimes put myself into conditions of altered states by different means of body play - sometimes I may be bound by chains and blindfolded in a dark room for days on end or I might put hooks through the flesh of my back and chest. Just remember, you asked me for this information....

PETER) : What AM I going to do with you?! Behave, mister! What five words do you feel describe you best?

SHAKA) : Enigmatic, resilient, sensible, unpredictable and obscure.

PETER) : What are your plans for the future?

SHAKA) : To continue my current momentum and invade as many independent markets as possible.

PETER) : What are your thoughts on the WWE currently?

SHAKA) : WWE will eventually lose its power, whether McMahon wants to realize it or not. All empires fall as well as they rise, or as Hendrix once put it "castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually".

PETER) : You got to love a man who quotes Jimi Hendrix.

SHAKA) : There have been rumors of him buying TNA. If true, I think that's reflex on his part to throw money at a potential threat or nuisance; which is exactly why wrestling is suffering at the moment. The monopoly won't last forever. You can expect to see a new territory to flourish, but it will take more mature and business-minded promoters for it to happen. As long as we have people willing to jump on the mainstream bandwagon, this will not happen. This business was made by blazing trails and breaking standards, not by following them.

PETER) : Very true. You'd think with all the money in WWE, they'd take some more chances instead of the same path. Who do you like to watch or learn from?

SHAKA) : In no particular order, I've been influenced by the Great Muta, the Road Warriors, Nikita Koloff, Sting, Manny Fernandez, Kevin Sullivan, Arn and Ole Anderson, Jimmy Snuka, The Dynamite Kid, Tiger Masks 1, 3 and 4, Hayabusa, Taka Michinoku, Ultimo Dragon, Chris Benoit, Jushin Liger, Atsushi Onita, Yoshihiro Tajiri, Masato Tanaka, Low Ki, Rey Mysterio Jr., the Guerreros, Megumi Kudo, Shark Tsuchiya, Aja Kong, Bull Nakano and that was off the top of my head. For a myriad of reasons, these men and women and a host of others helped to mold me into the wrestler that I am. They've accomplished many things to make them stand out in their careers and they were huge impressions on me and my decision to join their ranks. I may not attain the level of recognition that they have, but that doesn't mean I won't try.

PETER) : You're a very determined guy, and I wouldn't rule you out. To finish up, is there anything you'd like to promote, or anyone you'd like to thank?

SHAKA) : I'd like to thank all the people who have supported me throughout my career. I can't name you all, but you should know who you are by now. To all the doubters and skeptics, your input will just encourage me to do and go where you said I wouldn't and beyond. Most of all, I thank you, Peter. Without the power of the wrestling media, no one would know who we were or what we're doing or trying to accomplish. You're more of asset than you think. For the rest of you, the funeral is about to begin... Kein Mitleid Fur Die Mehreit!!!

PETER) : Thanks my friend, its been fun like always.

 

Links:

http://www.shaka.8k.com