Red Tornado Interview.

By P. Staniforth 2003.

Red Tornado Interview.
By P.Staniforth 2003.

Never turn down the opportunity to interview your friends, is my philosophy. A student of the great Bill Anderson, here is an interview that I recently conducted with the very talented Red Tornado who currently works for the International Wrestling Council (IWC).

PETER STANIFORTH) : Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. Let's begin by asking you about your childhood.

RED TORNADO) : I had a pretty normal childhood. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing out of the ordinary. My parents divorced when I was in high school, so I had to grow up a bit faster than I wanted to. I don't regret that decision because I think that has helped me become the person I am today. But wrestling has been part of my life for a very long time, and I have always been able to turn to wrestling for entertainment; and a way to let loose any anxieties.

PETER) : Wrestling is stress relief for many of us, I think! Writing about it, physically doing it; it doesn't matter - what it gives us can't be explained simply but we'd be lost without it. When did you first begin to watch wrestling?

TORNADO) : Around 4th or 5th grade, I went into my parents room and my father was watching (then WWF) Monday Night Raw; and I asked the infamous question "What are you watching?". A simple reply came - "Wrestling". So, I watched a match or two with him and was immediately hooked and watched every Saturday morning show; and taped the Monday night shows when I was younger.

PETER) : I still do tape everything, I have more cardboard boxes packed full of video tapes than is normal! I know my buddy Chris Hero would relate to that. So, how did you get your break in the business?

TORNADO) : Well, when I got hooked on wrestling; I thought that it would be really cool to actually be a wrestler. When I was old enough to train, I saw a commercial for Cincinnati Red's school; but because it was too far away he give me the number to "Big" Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez's school a little closer to my house. So I was trained by "Big" Bill Anderson and Jesse Hernandez and during my training they booked me on their shows and used me on some other shows through their own personal connections. It was a very nice humbling experience.

PETER) : It must have felt really good to be approved by guys such as that. What were your first matches like?

TORNADO) : Very exciting! I was lucky enough to get an easy start. My first show that I was booked on was September 4th, 1999 in Bullhead City, Arizona for Yokozuna's old promotion. Bill and Jesse were able to get me a spot in the Battle Royal on the card. This was an easy start because this gave me an opportunity to get used to wrestling in front of a crowd and to kind of get some of the 'jitters' out. This prepared me for the first show that I was actually advertised on which took place in Lancaster, CA two days later. It was an outside show in the middle of the day, it was a very small crowd; and the mat was blistering hot. It was hard to just take a pinfall because the mat would really burn our backs, so needless to say we did more aerial maneuvers. The whole experience was great, from the car ride to the show; then the show itself and meeting the fans after the match. Something I will never forget.

PETER) : Who do you like to watch wrestle, and learn from?

TORNADO) : The reason I wanted to be a wrestler was because of Bret Hart. His in-ring style and character personification really struck me. I watched him for his technical style and ring psychology. I would watch Ric Flair to learn how to really work a certain region of the body. If you want to learn this, watch Flair! For example, if in his match he wants to work on his opponent's leg; he will both physically AND psychologically work on his legs. Shawn Michaels for his speed and agility, The Hardy Boys for their innovation; but I don't limit the people I learn from… There is something you can learn from every wrestler, whether they are bigger in stature or smaller in size; everyone has something (either negative or positive) to learn from.

PETER) : Very true words spoken. I watch literally any wrestling promotion I can, and refuse to limit my viewing; and believe you can find positive viewing in everything from aerial high flying to hardcore and back again. What are your thoughts on WWE, TNA, and the Indy promotions?

TORNADO) : WWE is the big time, and I think every wrestler has wanted to get to the show. I personally miss the old "red, white, and blue rope" days, but the innovation from a lot of these guys is top notch. I do think TNA very soon well end up being the WWE's competition. I will watch it whenever I can, especially since one of the rising stars is "The Future" Frankie Kazarian; a guy that I have been able to train and work with. He really helped me out when I was first starting, I really owe a lot to him. I think the indy's are what makes wrestling. If there was one thing that I would change though, it would be the politics; there is too much of it! But if it wasn't for independent promotions then guys like me would never get to live out a dream, and many guys wouldn't have been able to use it as a stepping-stone to make it to the bigger promotions. That's why I really encourage people to go out and support their local independents, those guys work really hard to put on a good show.

PETER ) : For sure. What do you like to do in your spare time?

TORNADO) : I am a full time student, and work part time. So school keeps me very busy. But I always enjoy going to the gym, and just living life to it's fullest. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunities that I have had over the past four years.

PETER) : What are your ambitions for the future? And how would you describe yourself as a wrestler?

TORNADO) : I would like to continue to continue with wrestling and get my degree. I am ready for the future, that's for sure. As for myself, I am a technical and aerial wrestler. I am a little taller than some of the high flyers, but that makes it all the more fun to throw my body in the air!

PETER) Well, to wrap up; is there anyone you want to thank? Any final comments, or things you want to promote?

TORNADO) : I thank you for interviewing me, it has been an absolute pleasure. I would also like to thank Bill and Jesse for giving me my start. I have gotten to know Bill on a personal level, and I appreciate all of the insights he has given me on the business. There are too many people that let the business go to their head, and he has always taught me to stay humble and to keep a good attitude. There are more people that want to work with good guys over egomaniacs! I appreciate all of the friendships that I have gained over the years. It is really neat seeing some of the guys that you trained with really make it in the business. Wrestling has been a great and humbling experience for me; an experience that I will never forget.

PETER) : All the best of luck in the future, my friend. You won't need it though!

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Peter writes (columns,interviews,&video reviews) for the following websites - www.prowrestlingdaily.com , www.wrestlingclothesline.com , & www.ukevents.net .

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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