Source: Alternative Wrestling Magazine
Former iMPACT Wrestling star Shark Boy recently talked to the team at the Alternative Wrestling Magazine regarding a variety of topics. Some of those topics included his time working for TNA Wrestling. The TNA centered highlights of the interview are included below, but there is much more in the Alternative Wrestling Magazine. Check it out by clicking here. Enjoy!
In the early days of TNA you were apart of some of the most memorable segments with New Jack then later Mad Mikey before he sadly passed. How much creative input was you allowed in them segments?
Most of those segments were crafted by Vince Russo, but I feel like all of us had plenty of creative input. That was one of the best things about working with Vince. He usually allowed for plenty of creative ‘tweaking’ on the part of the talent.
Did you ever go to management with ideas for the character? And were there any times you were tempted to step away from the mask and portray a different character in TNA?
The idea of Shark Boy waking up from a coma with the ability to speak was actually my idea. So were most of the catchphrases like ‘Shell Yeah’, etc. It was fun making all of those changes to the character and I felt like a huge part of the process. Toward the end of my run with TNA, I pitched a few ‘Dean Baldwin’ ideas to the creative team, but nothing seemed to stick. I actually feel like there is more the company could have done with Shark Boy as well.
One of the most memorable moments in TNA would be the transformation into Stone Cold Shark Boy. How did this come to fruition? And What was the feedback you got from the character?
I have been doing an impression of Steve Austin since the mid 90’s and one day I did it in front of Jeff Jarrett and he said ‘We’re going to have you do that on TV’. It was then that I suggested the idea of waking up from the coma, etc. The feedback was split right down the middle. Some fans loved it and some fans hated it, but it seemed that everybody was talking about it. Steve Austin himself said in an interview that he was entertained by it and he hoped I made a lot of money with it. Steve is truly a class act and I can’t thank him enough for those comments.
Another a memorable moment for me would be Prince Justice Brotherhood. A group which I thought could have really taken off. Why did you think it never got a chance to succeed at a higher level?
As often happens in professional wrestling, when an undercard act starts to ‘catch fire’, somebody at the top of the card does something to shut it down. I suspect this is what happened to the Prince Justice Brotherhood. In short, we sold too many T-shirts.
I recently talked to Johnny Devine. Who I feel had a similar role in TNA. In the sense you would both be there to put other talent over. Were you ever frustrated at not being able to go out and have a classic X-Division matches with guys like AJ, Daniels, and Kaz?
There was truly a “glass ceiling” that certain talents could never break through, and I was certainly one of those talents. It was frustrating at times, but overall I was just happy to be a part of the team.
On a whole what was the experience like being in TNA? And would you ever go back?
On the whole, it was a very positive experience. I never would have received so much worldwide attention had it not been for TNA. I would love to have one more run with the company if they ever feel like there is a spot for me again.
