ICE XVII Interview.
By P. Staniforth 2003.

A rare opportunity to interview English talent arose recently, so thanks to my man Adam Brown for the hook-up for this interview with the head trainer of his wrestling school in the North of England which is called C-o-W (Cream of Wrestling); this is the man known as Ice XVII.

PETER STANIFORTH) : Hi Ice. Thanks for making the time for this interview. Tell us about growing up and your childhood.

ICE XVII) : I was born in an industry filled North East England town called Middlesbrough. My childhood was very normal, I was never forced into sports or anything like that; I was allowed to express my opinion from an early age. I always got on really well with my parents and my brother, and still do. We are a very close family, we can talk about pretty much anything, which I think is a major positive in the world these days. I completed school and college and was always quite bright academically, and then I went onto University to study Sports Sciences; which I continue to do. If you want to be in this business, getting an education is vital as there are so few spots around.

PETER) : Very true words, and a good example for anyone reading who wants to learn to wrestle. How did you first find wrestling?

ICE) : I'm not entirely sure. I know it was in late 1991, just after the WWF title had been held up by Jack Tunney. It was massive in England at the time, and a few months later the WWF would reward our loyal support by presenting SummerSlam 1992 at Wembley. It was all anyone in my class at school could talk about, who would win between Bret Hart and the British Bulldog. Most supported Davey Boy, but I always liked Bret and cheered him on. From there I became a massive Bret mark and he was always my favourite wrestler. He still is by a long shot, he is my hero. If it wasn't for Bret I probably wouldn't be watching wrestling now. I don't know why this pseudo-sport appeals to me though, not many wrestling fans do. It's just something I love.

PETER) : Ric Flair had the same effect on me, I understand fully. As for what appeals, and why we still love it; I guess we're addicted no matter how good or bad it gets and can't give it up! What made you decide to get into the business?

ICE) : I've loved wrestling since I was 7 years old, its always been my dream. For years my parents said I would grow out of it. Later on in school when the boom ended, everyone else liked other things but I still watched wrestling; but you had to hide it in those days. People kept saying that I would grow up... It's 12-years later, and I guess I still haven't grown up. My life has always been about wrestling, I live it and breathe it. I started becoming serious about trying to make a go of it last year, but didn't actually do anything about it until about 6 months ago. It just came naturally to me, it feels right. I could never do an office job and work 9-5, that just isn't me.

PETER) : What's really scary is that last paragraph could have been written by me personally. In the UK, once wrestling was no longer 'cool', which would be between 1993 and late 1997; I used to wear my shirts proudly. And for me, it's 15 years later and I'm never going to grow up! But pro wrestling isn't life, it's FAR more important than that! What were your first matches like?

ICE) : Pretty poor if I'm honest. At the time I thought they went okay, but looking back on tape; even though it was just a few months ago, I can see so much wrong. The main aspect is the pacing, there's no story being told in the ring; just a bunch of moves that mean nothing. I feel I've grown as a wrestler since then from working with such great workers as Doug Williams, American Dragon and Robbie Brookside, I've learnt an awful lot just from being in the ring with those guys. Obviously I still have a long, long way to go; and I look at the likes of Arn Anderson, Bret Hart and Ricky Steamboat and think "I'll never be THAT good" but I'll certainly try.

PETER) : A passion of mine is playing guitar, and the amount of times I've sat there and said 'I'll never be that good'.... I also look at the bigger name wrestling writers on the internet, and have a serious determination to be at that level in this. The constant setting of goals is a necessity. What plans do you have, goals to achieve in the business?

ICE) : I just want to get as far as I can. My ultimate goal is the WWE, and I won't stop until I at least work a match for them. But then again, isn't that everyone's dream? I do have a list of things that I want to do, some of which I managed to tick off very quickly. I definitely want to train with the Hart's in the Dungeon, work with some of the guys I grew up admiring and watching, wrestle in America, wrestle in Japan; etc. But you have to be realistic, it's a hard business; and without old-time territories, WCW and ECW and such like - there are fewer and fewer opportunities. It generally takes 10 years in the Indy's to get anywhere, so hopefully a few promotions will have come along by then. It could happen, if you look back 10 years to 1993; the landscape was completely different. You never know in this industry.

PETER) : Yes, it's certainly fair to say this business is a 'never say never' one; and it's only now that we're starting to get some indy promotions with a solid base to them; such as RoH and CZW. How did you become Adam's head trainer for his wrestling school?

ICE) : As far as becoming Adam's head trainer, I'm not quite sure. I basically just went to CoW every week and tried to pay attention to what he told us and did it. It came naturally to me from watching wrestling for so many years. Adam must have seen something in me, and he started getting me matches with Doug Williams, bookings with All-Star Wrestling and a training school in Middlesbrough, which I run with Hangman Hansen. I guess I got it by working hard, something a lot of people trying to get into wrestling don't bother with. They think they can mess about and just hit powerbombs and tombstones and that's it, but it isn't of course.

PETER) : Ah, the kind of person who lasts all of five minutes in this game! I don't personally worry about people like that, they're never around too long. Who do you admire and respect, and like to watch wrestle?

ICE) : As I said, Bret Hart is my all-time favourite; and I could watch him wrestle all day. Everything he does is so crisp and smooth. I think Ricky Steamboat is one of the greatest sellers of all time. His match with Rick Rude at WCW Beach Blast 1992 is the greatest ever in my opinion, the psychology is spot on and then tells a wonderful story. No-one did that quite like Steamboat. I always enjoy watching the gimmicky stuff from the early-90's. I would choose to watch Doink the Clown, Nailz, Ludvig Borga and Tatanka over Austin, Rock and HHH any day.

PETER) : Ricky Steamboat is a class act, and an all time legend; I have to agree with you totally there. I feel Austin (pre injuries) could stand up talent wise with others, mind you. Who else do you like to view?

ICE) : I think Mr. Perfect and Shawn Michaels were both awesome with everything they did. Their over-selling for everything was tremendous, and helped get a lot of people over. I think SummerSlam 91 with Hennig putting over Hart is one of my favourite moments as a fan. Rick Rude was fascinating to watch when he was on form and gave a damn. I've always been a fan of workers above anything else, I can't be doing with all size and no ability. The WWE has a tremendous talent roster that just isn't getting the chance. Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar and Eddie Guerrero impress me greatly; they are really the best in the World right now. I love watching John Cena on SmackDown!, I would tune in just for him. The same applies to Sean O'Haire and Randy Orton.

PETER) : What are your thoughts on WWE, TNA; and the UK wrestling scene?

ICE) : The WWE is a different beast to how I remember it back when I was a lad. It used to be fun, and the storylines would slowly build over months and make you want to see the matches, even if the guys in them were pretty poor workers. These days you watch their shows and adopt the ECW principle that "maybe there will be one good match at least". I think the McMahon's should concentrate on pushing the talent rather than themselves. No-one wants to see Stephanie McMahon in the main event of Smackdown! There are some promising signs for the future however. John Cena is the next Stone Cold Steve Austin in my opinion, he is built from the same mould. He has an incredible physique and is one of the best talkers they have. He has gotten over on his gimmick, which the fans always pop for. Given the chance, he will be massive. I can see Randy Orton being the companies new Rock, although no-one will ever get to that level again, but he has the same mannerisms. Sean O'Haire can be huge as well, he has everything that McMahon looks for in a wrestler.

PETER) : I tend to agree in that a WWE show is seen as a success if it has one or two decent matches on it, where as in the past it would have took double that to cheer the critics. Standards have dropped rapidly over the years, and when non-workers such as the McMahon's are booked in main events it just cheapens the entire product; especially when it's an untalented on all levels McMahon like Stephanie.

ICE) : I am delighted that NWA:TNA has survived as long as it has. When it started up there were certainly sceptics, who wrote it off as another XWF or MECW. There have been some bumpy moments, but TNA is starting to get recognition; and it's a solid alternative for the WWE at the moment. I can't see it challenging the WWE for the time being, but they don't need to. As long as they keep going the way they are and the WWE don't strip them of their prized assets, then they will do well.

PETER) : TNA are doing well, and are in my opinion best to mind their own business and ignore the WWE for now; to focus on their own direction and product whilst continuing to stalk WWE so to speak. And the UK scene?

ICE) : As for the UK, I personally think that its starting to get big again. The FWA has certainly helped pave the way for its rise, and working with the likes of ROH will only further our credibility overseas. Doug Williams, Jody Fleisch and company have done so well in promoting a fresh modern image for our version of the grap game, that slowly people are forgetting about the old days and are accepting the inevitable change. That can only be a good thing.

PETER) : People still have a blinkered view of British Wrestling, but once they view the new style then they're hooked. Wrapping up slowly now, any names and friends you want to thank in wrestling?

ICE) : Definitely Hangman Hansen for being an inspiration with his work in the ring. He loves this business so much and he has a refreshing attitude in a business full of egos. If he sticks at what he does, he can be a player. Jonny Studd and Stevie Lynn are my running buddies in the ring as well, and both have come such a long way in such a short time. Lynn would fit in somewhere like RoH with no problem at all, he makes anyone he faces look like a million pounds. He is like Shawn Michaels in that respect. All the guys who have gave me confidence and believed in my abilities deserve a mention as well, most of all Adam Brown who seems to have seen something in me, because he keeps giving me opportunities; of which I am very thankful. Doug Williams and American Dragon also for putting up with my incessent requests to hit Tomahawk Chops on them as a Tatanka tribute and being generally such nice guys.

PETER) : Yeah, Adam is one cool guy; one of the best I've come across. And finally, a thank you for your time from me - best of luck in the future with all you're doing - Anything you want to promote before we finish?

ICE) : www.cream-of-wrestling.tk - You will find my website from here in the 'superstar' section. And thank you too.

Peter Staniforth.
Peter is a columnist for www.prowrestlingdaily.com
A columnist for www.justinrules.com
And a video reviewer for www.simania.co.uk

He writes the press releases for WWE Euro Shop - http://wweeuroshop.com/?tid=ps101 - who are the UK & Europe's official WWE merchandise company.

Peter writes video reviews for the following video tape traders - Simon, at www.simania.co.uk (the UK's number one tape trading website); for www.modtrom.com (the official production company behind Jersey All Pro Wrestling) ; for Vicious Verne at www.a1wrestlingvideos.com ;for Shaun at www.violentjtapes.com ;and for Rob at www.goldenboytapes.com .

Peter has been mentioned on EWR 4.0 on the credits page (downloadable at www.adamryland.co.uk ); and please feel free to leave a message for Peter at the following link - http://globalguest.com/gb2/PWDPETER/guestbook.html

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