Mark Wolf Interview.

By P.Staniforth 2004.

I recently had chance to sit down and speak with one of the most underrated and talented stars of the independent scene, IWA Mid-South's Mark Wolf. Mark is a very honest and straightforward person, and this made for a really good interview; as you will see below.

PETER) : - Hi Mark, and thanks for your time. What was it like growing up for you?

MARK) : - I grew up in Baltimore, MD. I played football, baseball; and lacrosse. I had a great childhood; we used to live in Ocean City, MD every summer; so I was a beach bum all summer. My mother busted her butt to make sure I had everything I needed and I was very lucky. Then we moved to Charlotte, NC. I love NC, that's my home; but it's nice to go back to MD for an O's or Caps game every once in a while.

PETER) : - People often find they leave their home town behind, but it never fully leaves them. When did you first view wrestling?

MARK) : - I was a young child sitting in my grandfather's basement and he was watching WWF on television. I sat and I watched, and I have been hooked ever since.

PETER) : - Was that when you realised you wanted to become a wrestler?

MARK) : - Yes, the first time I was watching wrestling and I saw Don Muraco on television, I looked at the television set and said to myself, "I want to be like him when I grow up."

PETER) : - So, how did you go about making the dream a reality?

MARK) : - When I was 17, I trained with Joey Maggs in Baltimore, MD. I had a couple of matches in VA, and then thought I was ready to try to move on. I went to Florida to stay with my Grandparents for a while and to see if I could get into Florida Championship Wrestling. But all I got was someone telling me a different person I needed to talk to every day, and after a little while I got tired of it and went back to NC. I figured I would meet some people there and get into the business, but the timing was bad and the wrestling business was dead in NC at that point; so I started working in bars.

PETER) : - On the theory that all good things take time, what happened from there?

MARK) : - After several years of working a job I didn't like, I heard that an old friend had got into the business; so I looked him up and gave him a call. In Baltimore, I lived 1 block down the street from Ian Rotten when we were kids. So I asked him if I could come out and get into the business, and he said yes; and I packed up and moved to KY. I found a home in IWA-MS, but in the beginning; it wasn't easy. Since we were childhood friends, Ian made an example out of me a lot and worked me harder than most students. I think it was for the best as it helped me gain the respect of all the guys in the company and I am glad. I have had a chance to learn from so many people in IWA-MS and I wouldn't change a thing. I am pleased things worked out the way they did as I think it's made me a better person. My one bit of advice for everyone, is to always follow your dreams. I gave up, but got a second chance; when most people aren't going to get a second chance in life. If you want to do something, do it; don't be afraid to take a chance and live your life.

PETER) : - Very inspiring words, and your story is proof that hard work pays off. What were your first matches like?

MARK) : - Now, I am counting IWA-MS as my first matches; I don't even count the stuff from when I was a 17 year old kid. My early IWA-MS matches are horrible, I don't like to even put those tapes in the video recorder and I hope nobody ever sees them! It's good though, because you have your match & get the tape; and you can watch and see what you need to improve. Hell, I'm still doing that to this day; but it's all good. I have loved every minute of it. The first match I had was vs. Shark Boy, and Shark Boy's very good. It was an honour to be in the ring with him. Then from that point on, it's just been a learning experience. How can you not learn when you are in the ring with Bull Pain, Todd Morton, or Mitch Rider; all of whom have been in the business for 13 plus years? You are going to learn something from having them kick your head in.

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

MARK) : - I guess one would have to be, just like if you listen to Vampiro on his shoot talking about the JCW tape being the #1 selling wrestling tape of all time; well I would say it would be getting "forked" by Abdullah the Butcher on the JCW tape. Also, getting to team with Bobby Eaton was pretty cool. Most of all, I would say being in the IWA-MS locker room most of the time; nothing beats sitting down and listening to Tracy Smothers. He is the man, it's great to learn from him and such an honour when he watches your matches and gives you advice.

PETER) : - And these are all people I really respect. I have always been an Abdullah mark from an early age, and Bobby Eaton & Tracy Smothers are two of the most talented people out there still whose work I love to watch to this day. Who are your favourite opponents, and also your friends in the business?

MARK) : - I would guess my favourite opponents would be Chris Hero, Mitch Rider, Todd Morton; and/or Bull Pain. I have been in the ring with them more than anyone else. Chris Hero and Mitch Rider bring out the best in my work, but for different reasons. Hero's one of my best friends, so it's more of a friendly rivalry thing. We watch many video tapes together and he has helped me out a lot. Mitch Rider brings out a fight, I think he was trying to kill me; and I had to fight for my life out there at times and these were some of the toughest fights of my life. I don't like the guy and I would fight him any time & any place. As for friends, in this business it's hard to find people you can trust; but I am lucky. I know I have found some good friends. I have much love for Chris Hero, CM Punk, Ace Steel, and Dave Prazak. I also can't forget about Ian Rotten, because if it wasn't for him; I wouldn't be doing this. So, if you don't like me; blame him!

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

MARK) : - I like to hit the gym. I have always loved going the gym. I am trying to get back in shape, as I have had a few bad injuries; but I am on my way to being 100% very soon. I also watch many wrestling tapes, movies, and listen to music. I will watch a hockey game if it's on television any day of the week. Next to wrestling, it's the best sport in my view.

PETER) : - I have been looking forward to this next question. What are your thoughts on WWE?

MARK) : - Well, since I know I am never going to WWE, here we go. I think it's a shame what they have done to the business, as to me they killed it. They killed the territories and now they are pushing "entertainment". I think they have lost touch with the average wrestling fan, who wants to see wrestling. If you go out and talk to fans, they will tell you about the time they saw Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee fight or whatever the big match was in the area they grew up. Now except for a few guys, they have a bunch of guys who don't even belong in the ring and they are only there because they are freaks of nature. It's going to keep getting worse, because there is not really that many places for guys to learn the business. So the WWE is going to be loaded full of guys without a clue.

PETER) : - That speaks volumes, and there is nothing I can add to that bar that I agree with every word said. What do you think of NWA-TNA?

MARK) : - As for TNA, I think they could have something good. They have access to a lot of good talent. I don't really watch much TNA, but when I did; it was Russo was trying to do the same things he did in WWE or WCW. TNA was looking like the last few Nitro shows. Who knows, what do I know? They are on television and making money, so they are doing something right. Right?

PETER) : - I think they are doing more right than a lot do, as long as they continue to improve and push themselves. How do you consider the current state of the independent scene?

MARK) : - It's horrible. It's a shame these days because anybody can run a show, and anybody can call himself a wrestler. There are too many untrained people in the business. I was talking with someone who has been in the business 20 plus years the other day and we were talking about this. I asked him, "How many guys do you think would have been able to break in back in the day?" After he stopped laughing, he told me "you would, you have heart; but most of these kids wouldn't stand a chance." In my opinion, most of the people on shows all over the country need to get trained. It makes me sick to watch some of this crap and I can't even laugh at how bad some of it is. They are killing the business I love. I think it's time more of the trained people start to get together and not allow untrained people on shows. If they are on a show and you can't do anything about that, then if they get out of line; I feel they need to learn what respect for the business is.

PETER) : - Again, it's very hard to disagree with what you are saying.

MARK) : - Also, I think too many promoters pay attention to the Internet. They book shows for the Internet and people wrestle to have a good match so they will say good things about them on the message boards. They forget about the people in the seats. Those are the people everyone running a show or wrestling should be worried about making sure were entertained.

PETER) : - Do you have any advice for people who want to get into the business?

MARK) : - Save your money and get trained. In addition, be sure to go a good wrestling school where you will learn respect for the business. I would say, the best schools in the USA right now would be Thatcher's, ROH; or Chikara. Don't waste your time unless you are going to do it right. Once you get there, you shut your mouth, you listen; and you learn.

PETER) : - And to finish things off, what are your plans for the future; and also anything you would like to add yourself?

MARK) : - I am looking forward to 2004, I can't wait to get back in the ring. I think it's going to be a big year for me. I am trying to get my name out there and hopefully my schedule will be full. My plan is that I am just going to enjoy the ride, hang out with my friends Chris Hero, CM Punk, and Dave Prazak as much as possible; and try to catch an NHL game soon. That's about it for me, but check out my site www.markwolfwrestling.com. I always try to update my commentary everyday with a bunch of nonsense and I am always adding pictures to the photo albums. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and I am looking forward to being able to wrestle in front of even more people in the future. I am hoping to be taking my crazy life on a world tour. Poor world! Thanks Peter.

PETER) : - It's been my pleasure, thanks Mark.
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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, and www.ukevents.net .

Peter has written press releases for http://wwweeuroshop.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, www.ruffneckwrestlingvideos.co.uk, www.goldenboytapes.com, and www.mayfieldmayhem.com.

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.

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