Hello Giovanni and welcome to Talesfromtheturnbuckle.com its a honor for us to have you as our guest
Kevin Landry was your trainer, what made you decide to go to him to train to be a pro wrestler?
I was attending college at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT and was looking for a wrestling school. Alex Roma, who is the cousin of former star Paul Roma, worked out my college gym. He told me about Kevin’s place in Massachusetts, which was close enough for me to attend college but still go to this wrestling school.
In 2003 your formed the Heartbreakers for Eastern Wrestling Alliance, how was your time there?
The EWA gave me some of great opportunities when I was first starting out. I made some great friends there, and cherish the memories from those days. This was the time where I first teamed with Antonio Thomas, and who would have thought that a few years later we’d debut for the WWE as team?!
How was your move to Kentucky to train for the OVW?
I knew if I wanted to get to the next level, and to work for a WWE contract, that it would be a smart decision to go down to OVW and learn exactly what I needed to do and what they were looking for.
Did you enjoy teaming with Antonio Thomas again later in OVW and eventually getting called up by WWE to?
It was a dream come true getting called up to the WWE RAW roster, especially since we debuted at Madison Square Garden of all places. Knowing Antonio since we first started wrestling school together made it even more special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZbSlXyg_Ow
What was it like wrestling in the WWE opposed to wrestling in N.E.W, E.W.A, or Chikara?Working a television match is a lot more structured with having a spot work in a particular place, making sure to stick to specific time cues, and things like that. Working for an independent allows a bit more freedom, time, interaction with the fans.
Which wrestlers were you most inspired by?
I grew up as a child of the 80s, so of course was a big Hogan guy. As I grew older and got interested in becoming a wrestler, guys like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels were guys that inspired me.
How was it like working for the WWC in puerto rico and becoming their heavyweight champion?
I really enjoyed my stint working for Carlos Colon’s WWC Puerto Rico promotion. The crowds were fantastic and all the boys down there were great to work with. Winning the Puerto Rican Championship was a great thrill for me and I am honored to be a part of its history and lineage.
How did you feel becoming the heavyweight champion for Italy’s wrestling promotion NU-Wrestling Evolution?
Being an Italian-American, this obviously had a lot of meaning for me. Winning a heavyweight championship in Italy, jumping into the crowd and celebrating, holding up the Italian flag, are some moments that I will always look back on as some of my fondest wrestling memories
What where your thoughts when you worked a major league baseball player pitcher Joe Ausiano in a match?
Joe was really dedicated to learning as much as he could and I admired his discipline and commitment. He’s still going strong and getting better and better every time I see him! He will also readily admit that even though he was a professional athlete, getting into the wrestling business is no easy task.
Do you enjoy still working the indys?
I do, and will continue to work them as long as I am having fun with it.
What is your workout routine and diet like?
I train approximately 4-5x a week and do a full body workout every session that focuses on specific energy systems and joint actions. In regards to my diet, I eat primarily organic non-GMO that is high in protein, fats, and vegetables.
You were recently in the horror movie Jersey Shore Massacre, how did you like doing the movie and would you be interested in doing more horror films?I really enjoyed starring in this film and working with the great stunt crew and amazing special effects team. I’d definitely be interested in working on some horror films if the roles were a good fit for me.
Do you have more upcoming movie or T.V. appearences soon?
I recently appeared on a episode of the Fox program Gotham, as well as the new Showtime comedy HAPPYish.
You’ve been the N.W.E world heavyweight champion and the E.W.A tag team champion with Antonio Thomas when you were The Heart Breakers, but what was that one moment in your career that means the most to you?
I have a lot of amazing memories, and I’ve accomplished more than others thought and am proud of what I’ve been able to do. I feel if one moment sticks out, it was the moment where I was officially offered a WWE contract. All the hard work, sacrifice, discipline, commitment to get to that point, and for it to have it all pay off, is something that still holds a special place in my heart.
Thank you Romeo for your time, it was a great honor having you today as our guest on Talesfromtheturnbuckle.com Good luck with everything!
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