Source: Challenge TV
TNA Impact Wrestling star Magnus recently participated in a Q&A for Challenge TV:
Q. What inspired you to start wrestling?
When I was a kid, my heroes were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Man Utd, Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart and ‘The British Bulldog’ Davey Boy Smith. As a kid I would always visualize and dream of scoring the winning goal of the world cup final in the last minute, or of being a rock star performing at a huge arena, or being a superhero. One day I realized that being a pro wrestler allows you to satisfy all of those visions in one career. I get to be an athlete and an entertainer. Somewhere around the age of 12 or 13 I started to formulate the idea in my mind that I could do it.
Q. Is there any type of match you would like to participate in that you haven’t been in already?
I would love to be in a one-on-one Ladder Match. I have been in tag team ladder matches but never a singles. Some of my favorite matches include one-on-one ladder matches. I would also love to try an iron man match.
Q. Would you ever consider being involved with your own UK talent show like the recent British Boot Camp show?
Absolutely. I thought British Boot Camp was a great concept and a great show. I would love to be the face of a show like that. A commanding presence to really convey the magnitude of what these guys and girls are trying to accomplish.
Q. How does it feel to be part of the Main Event Mafia?
It’s a huge honor. I loved the Mafia the first time around. I always felt like I would be a good fit one day, but honestly I was surprised when it was first put to me that I would be a member. That is, until I thought about it and realized it was art imitating life; out of all the really iconic names, Sting and Kurt Angle have been the two guys that have gone out of their way to help me and endorse me in interviews, you can go back over their last two or three years of interviews and see that. And there’s no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I’m at now especially in-ring without Samoa Joe. Getting to team with him and then wrestle against him, I soaked up so much technical knowledge and my confidence increased ten-fold. I was apprehensive about how I would be received as a MEM member, but those concerns were alleviated in about 30 seconds in Las Vegas, the people bought it, that’s the most important thing.
Q. What advice would you give to a trainee wrestler?
Fools rush in. I was always wanting to run before I could walk. If you get exposed too early, before you are really ready, it can end up setting you back in the long-run. I know that might seem strange coming from a guy who is 26, but I started in the business when I was 17. I was lucky to work for a lot of the more experienced British promoters, especially Brian Dixon, by the time I was 19. Thanks to Brian and the Butlins circuit, I was able to get a lot of matches under my belt fairly early. It really does take so many matches and more importantly the right opponents to make you any good. Before you even have your first match, you should be really familiar with the fundamentals. Practice the fundamentals over and over again, they are the foundation that you’ll build everything else on.
Get in shape. The way I look at it is this: Nobody is ever going to turn you down for having a great physique, but they might turn you down for not having one. This is a very physically difficult thing to do, only athletes need apply. If you’re under the impression that the reality is something else, you’re mistaken. You don’t have to be Mr Olympia, but athletes come in many shapes and sizes, but you can always tell an athlete from a non-athlete.
Q. What do you love most about British fans?
It’s pretty simple; they love wrestling. I love this industry so passionately that to be surrounded by fans who are so enthusiastic, so responsive and so respectful is like a drug. They are the best wrestling fans on the planet, no question.
Q. What is the best match you have had in your career and who was it with?
I’m sure it’s debatable, but I think my best match was with AJ Styles in the BFG series Final. I thought we told a great story, and the St Louis crowd were there for every move. It’s the match that I’m most proud of, especially considering we had both wrestled one match already earlier that same night. I also loved the No-DQ match I had with Samoa Joe at No Surrender 2012.
Q. How do you think wrestling will evolve over the next few years?
More international flavor. I think we’re seeing it already in both companies, but the world is getting smaller, and we will have to have characters that resonate with all the different markets and cultures worldwide. I think within the next couple of years, we’ll have a ‘big bang moment’ that will be the catalyst for another boom period. But who knows…
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time when you’re not wrestling and hosting shows?
I write my column every month for FSM Magazine (available at all good UK newsagents wink-wink!) and I’m always looking for opportunities in the industry and beyond. In my spare time, I love reading, music and TV (who doesn’t?) And living in Florida, I get out to the pool as much as I can, I love the sun.
Q. What can fans expect from Magnus at the 2014 UK & Ireland Tour?
A new era.
