'Low Life' Louie Ramos Interview.

By P.Staniforth 2004.

Another interview in my recent series in which I've spoken with hardcore wrestlers, this is a chance to find out more from a man who's wrestled for many of the independent promotions including IWA Mid-South and CZW. Welcome to the world of 'Low Life' Louie Ramos….

PETER) : - Hello Louie, and thanks for making the time for this interview. Let's start by asking you what growing up was like for you.

LOUIE) : - Well, I had a tough childhood, growing up with just my moms and my little brother; as my pops was not around. My brother and I were just crazy kids that loved wrestling. I miss my brother a lot, as he passed away 3 years ago; he was only 23.

PETER) : - That can't have been easy to deal with. When did you first start watching professional wrestling?

LOUIE) : - Man, my moms tells me that when I was 10 months old, I would sit there all quiet watching the WWWF television programmes, and if you changed the channel I would start to cry; so I guess its been a life long love affair with wrestling. It's my escape, my dream, my reality; it's everything to me.

PETER) : - I can very much relate to that last statement. Was there anyone that you watched in wrestling that made you want to do it yourself?

LOUIE) : - I always liked Hulk Hogan, he was my idol, I thought of him like a god. But the problem was he was larger than life, and I was too small and could never be like him. Back in 1995 I graduated high school, and had nothing to do; so I was watching some tapes and my boy ordered an ECW tape. I was hooked, these were normal sized guys doing what I loved, and doing it well. I was always attracted to hardcore wrestling, I was a big fan of Abdullah the Butcher and Cactus Jack, but when I saw Ian and Axl Rotten; I was addicted, and knew I wanted to use a barbed wire bat.

PETER) : - So, from there; where did you learn to wrestle?

LOUIE) : - I was real rowdy and got thrown out of WWE hall of famer Johnny Rodz's gym, but then I wandered around and found a little local gym with a ring in a church, it was called Arena Puerto Rico; with the promoter being from Puerto Rico. I went there and met the two men that would change my life forever, Laithon TOT (tower of torture) and Homicide. They took me in, taught me the business and showed me the way. They were very tough, but showed me love and respect. Homicide is now and international star and TOT is planning a comeback, they deserve all they get; they are the best. In addition, I'd like to give a big shout out to Bobby Lombardi, who opened the Doghouse, and gave us a place to train and live for 3 years.

PETER) : - Homicide is a very impressive worker, in my view. Who was your first match against?

LOUIE) : - My first match was me and my best friend, Mace Mendoza from the Christopher St Connection; we wrestled as the Jackals in masks, and we fought our trainer, T.O.T . Bear in mind he was 6 ft 6 and 450 pounds at the time, he pretty much kicked our ass, but we survived. I was so scared that I wanted to call the whole thing off before it went down, but thank god I did not!

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

LOUIE) : - Well, my best moments were wrestling people I helped out. I was helped and I love to help others.

PETER) : - That's a really great attitude, one which I wish others had.

LOUIE) : - I have wrestled Ian Rotten, Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney, New Jack, Abdullah the Butcher and Terry Funk. I have been blessed, but my favourite memories were wrestling my 2 boys the Elm St Kids, Psycho and Rayza in a handicapped death match. Wrestling The Motivator, my boy 'The Bison' Johnny Bravado, JC the Damager - they were all great moments for me. And the last show at the famous Elks lodge in Queens NY, it was a 4 way death match with Bison, Danny Demanto, New Dynamite Kid and myself; I was stapled in the bare foot, and during the match we got 6 'HOLY SHIT' chants, which is unheard of since the NY crowd is smart and hard to please. Also pinning Ian Rotten and winning the LIWF title rank right up there in my favourite moments.

PETER) : - And your favourite opponents?

LOUIE) : - My favourite opponents have been Abdullah the Butcher, and Terry Funk as they are legendary and they treated me like an equal, which was awesome. Homicide because he helped me so much, he is too stiff though, strong style thug. The Elm St Kids, and 'The Bison' Johnny Bravado because they are some of my best friends out and in the ring, and of course wrestling against The Christopher St Connection Buff E and Mace, they are two of my best friends and they started with me. Outside the ring I am friends with all these guys, and also Low Ki and Monsta Mack; as we all started together -Mace, Buff E, Mack and Low Ki, with T.O.T and Homicide training us.

PETER) : - Where have you enjoyed wrestling the most and working for?

LOUIE) : - My favourite places to work were USA Pro, the owner Frank Goodman is a great man and lets me do whatever I want. The LIWF, because Bobby Lombardi because he gave me a home; and JAPW because Fat Frank was a great visionary, that sadly lost his vision and went mainstream. Nevertheless, I thank him for my first real break.

PETER) : - What do you like to do in your spare time?

LOUIE) : - I don't have much spare time, I work 56 hrs a week and try to wrestle as much as possible, plus I take care of my mom and I have a girlfriend called Angela; who I love so much. So therefore I don't have a lot of time, but when I do; I watch wrestling tapes and play video games and watch TV.

PETER) : - What are your thoughts on WWE and TNA?

LOUIE) : - WWE and TNA are great, but the indy's are where its at. There is so much great undiscovered talent out there.

PETER) : - For sure. That's what I find the most rewarding part of what I do, helping that talent get more attention and noticed more by fans and promotions. Would you share with us some of your hardcore experiences?

LOUIE) : - Hardcore wrestling is tough. Taking chair shots from Ian Rotten and Balls Mahoney isn't fake. It's so tough, but I love it. In the ring, I'll do anything. I have had my tongue stapled to the turnbuckle, I have had my foot stapled, I have been set on fire, and I have had a drill used on my forehead. Injury wise, I have had nine concussions, a broken leg in three places, Terry Funk knocked out my front tooth, I have separated my shoulder, broken my tailbone and taken dozens of stitches and staples to heal cuts.

PETER) : - The next time I get in a fight, I want you on my side! What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into this business?

LOUIE) : - If you want it bad enough, and love it so much; don't let no one tell you that you cant do it,. Go to there and do your best, that's the bottom line. Try to live your dream, if you have the balls to sacrifice for it.

PETER) : - Well spoken. What are your plans for the future?

LOUIE) : - Much like you, I want to write columns for sites once I retire. I would like to wrestle as long as I can, maybe take over the book for a promoter or referee; which is something I did when I started after I took of the mask after my first match. I feel it would help my career come full circle. Also, I just want to thank anyone who had ever cheered for me, or booed me; as that means I entertained you and I did my job. Support hardcore wrestling, indy wrestling; all wrestling - we do appreciate it. And finally, big shout out's to Homicide and all the Hit Squad, all the Elm St Family, The Doghouse family, Sunset Park, my girl Angela, my moms and my brother in heaven, much love Psycho Ric - and that's about it.

PETER) : - And to wrap up, I'd just like to thank you for your time, and for this interview; it's very much appreciated.

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Peter Staniforth.
Peter is an English based professional wrestling journalist, currently writing for the following websites : - www.prowrestlingdaily.com, www.wrestlingclothesline.com, www.pwbts.com , and www.ukevents.net.

Peter has written press releases for http://www.eeuroshop.com/?tid=ps101 , the official WWE merchandise outlet for the UK & Europe.

Peter reviews video tapes for the following wrestling tape traders, who come strongly recommended by him - www.simania.co.uk, www.violentjtapes.com, www.bluethundervideo.com, www.modtrom.com (the official video production team behind Jersey All Pro Wrestling), www.a1wrestlingvideos.com, and www.ruffneckwrestlingvideos.co.uk .

Peter is also a booking agent to such names as CZW's Nick Berk (and others), and runs a independent wrestling bookings website for wrestlers - http://www.pstaniforth.vze.com/ . Peter was also mentioned on the credits of the cult PC wrestling simulation game EWR 4.0, by Adam Ryland.

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

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