Joey Image Interview.

By P. Staniforth

15th June 2004.

I had a chance to sit down with one of my favourite people in the business recently, and ask him about his career so far; and his feelings on varying subjects. So let me introduce you to one of the best wrestlers on the independents right now - Joey Image.

PETER) : - Hi Joey. Thanks for making the time for this. What was growing up like for you?

JOEY) : - I had a good childhood. Loving parents that brought me up right, taught me good manners, right from wrong, etc… My father and I almost never see eye-to-eye, but I know deep down that he's my pops and I love him; it's just I disagree with a lot of what he says and/or does.

PETER) : - I think a lot of people reading would relate to that. When did you first discover wrestling?

JOEY) : - I guess I was about 3 or 4 years old. They say you generally don't remember anything that far back, but when people discover something they love, at that age, and love it for the rest of their lives; they remember where it came from. It was 1981, I think it was in March, so I hadn't turned 4 yet (My birthday is June 2) and a friend from school came over and told me that his dad brought him to a "fighting place". I had no clue what the hell that was, but when I asked my parents what he meant, they told me that his dad brought him to see wrestling at MSG. I thought it sounded like fun, and watched on TV when I could; but I wasn't as huge of a fan as I became when I saw my first closed circuit show or live show. What felt like a million years later when VCR's were big and low in price, and after I owned a few; I searched and searched for that show on a tape. It was March I thought, 1981; and I knew it was still WWWF at that time. To cut a long story short, I eventually got the tape and love it. Rick McGraw, Johnny Rodz, Moondog Rex, Baron Scicluna, Hogan vs. Tony Atlas… all this and more. It's definitely a tape I recommend to all the tape marks out there, of which I am the biggest!

PETER) : - That sounds like a challenge, as I'm very into my wrestling video's as well! Was there a particular incident that made you want to become a wrestler?

JOEY) : - My dream was born probably at the Paramount Theater at MSG. I was there in 1986 for the closed circuit broadcast of WrestleMania 2, and I was amazed by what I saw. I just loved it and knew I wanted to be a part of it. I then watched as much as I could, and went to my first live show in 1988 in Rockland County, NY. This was the Ultimate Warrior's first WWF appearance, and in fact his name was still "The Dingo Warrior". When I heard the reaction of the live crowd, I was even more amazed; for as like I said, it was my first live show. So ever since about 1986, I've had this dream.

PETER) : - So how did you get your break in the wrestling business, and what were your first matches like?

JOEY) : - To cut a long story short- I met a kid who introduced me to Kevin Knight, a promoter/wrestler here in North Jersey. We talked, I observed his classes for about 6 - 8 weeks, and signed up right after. Kevin gave me my start. My first matches though, were garbage; to put it simply. And the guy I wrestled in my first match, JT Blaze, was even worse than that. Where is he now?! But yeah, I was terrible. I only had about 3 months of training at this point, so I didn't expect to be any good. But it was fun being out there in front of a live crowd.

PETER) : - What would you consider your best moments in wrestling so far?

JOEY) : - My number one is definitely the day I signed the contract for training. Also, signing on to work for IHPW, because that federation is my #1 home federation, and always will be. Taking guest trainer classes/clinics with some big name guys are all great moments. I've had so much fun and good things in this business it's hard to name them all.

PETER) : - Who are your favourite opponents, and also your friends in the business?

JOEY) : - Favourite opponents huh.. hmm.. the ones that lose..?! I've always had great matches with Ryan Lockhart. I love working with PA's "Hardcore Mafia", Draven Blaze, also from PA, and I have some pretty big matches coming up this summer including a TLC match and a steel cage. I also have a big feud/program that just got started up this past Saturday night with Justyn Glory, also from PA. I do 95% of my wrestling in Pennsylvania. And I love working with Shawn Sheridan, that kid's great. I really don't have a favourite guy to get in there with because I learn tons and tons of stuff from every person I encounter, in and out of the ring.

PETER) : - Away from wrestling, what do you like to do in your spare time?

JOEY) : - I spend most of my spare time either with my girlfriend Thea, or working. I don't go to a lot of wrestling shows much anymore because of my work schedule. I'm also a huge gamer and spend a lot of my free time in front of my PC playing 'City of Heroes'. And I of course spend a good deal of time watching adult movies, because let's face it; I AM male!

PETER) : - With the PC, I'm the same with the 'Championship Manager' series. What are your thoughts on WWE and TNA?

JOEY) : - WWE are number one in the world, always will be. I still watch every Monday and Thursday night. As for TNA, I've only seen one of their shows, and it wasn't bad at all; I was impressed. I hope to contact them and maybe do some work for them in about a year or so, when I hope to be in better shape.

PETER) : - How do you see the indies right now?

JOEY) : - The indies are my home. I love it. I think the promotion "wars" are utterly stupid, but other than that I think the indies are the place to be right now; there's nothing better.

PETER) : - What advice would you give for people who are reading this and want to get into the business?

JOEY) : - Get an education first, and tights and boots second. Learn your craft, and learn what wrestling TRULY is…. an art form. And please be safe. Get out of the backyard and into a reputable school and learn the craft. If you're in the New Jersey area, call IWF, or AWA, or ECPW, tell them you want to learn the art of wrestling; because no one will ever tell you "you can't do it". And the only ONE person who can tell you "You can't do it" and be correct about it, is yourself.

PETER) : - Well put. To finish up, what are your plans for the future; and also anything you'd like to say? I know you might want to mention the gig in my country of England that I've hopefully helped to hook up for you!

JOEY) : - Well, I have a bunch of shows coming in the next couple months including July 11, August 1, and November 11 for now. Those are for a few different federations. I'm also in negotiations with UCW out in England, and will be flying out there to wrestle for them hopefully at the end of this year, or early 2005. As far as my long-term future… someday I will run my own promotion, that's always been a HUGE dream of mine. The only thing I can think to add is my website link and my email and IM name, for anyone at all who might want to contact me, and all those items are listed below. Take care and thanks for the time and this opportunity.
Site 1: http://joeyimage.fateback.com/image/index.html
Site 2: http://www.storystick.com/joeyimage/site/index.html
Commentary Site: http://joeyimage.easyjournal.com/
AOL/AIM/Yahoo IM: JoeyImageNJ
MSN IM: joeyimage@hotmail.com

When using any of this information give proper credit to Cactusb and the Wrestling Clothesline at http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com

Questions? Comments? Results? Wrestling Related items? Send them to us here. If we use them on the page you will be given full credit for supplying us with it!