The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels

The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels has wrestled for nearly every wrestling promotion in the world. He has been seen on WWF television, in WCW, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and at numerous independent shows throughout the US. Mr. Daniels most recently won the ECWA Super 8 Tournament for 2000 and has been invited to participate in this year's Super J Cup, in Japan. Special thanks to The Fallen Angel who was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer the following 10 Questions for us. You can check out Christopher Daniels at his website: www.christopherdaniels.com.

1. What made you decide to get involved in professional wrestling?

I grew up in North Carolina during the late '70's/early '80's, deep in the heart of old Mid-Atlantic/NWA territory. I watched Ric Flair, Rick Steamboat, Magnum T.A., Ron Garvin, Tully Blanchard, and others, and I was a huge fan of it all. I always dreamed of being a pro wrestler, but I figured I was too small to do it. Later on, however, guys like Sean Waltman and Shawn Michaels began making their names in the business, and I saw that there was a place for lighter talent. The school I trained at in Chicago had a Lightweight division, so I got an opportunity to work against guys my size.

2. When was your first match? For what promotion? Who did you face?

My first match was in April 1993 on a Windy City Pro Wrestling TV taping. I tagged with a guy named Titan against the Manson Brothers, Ripper and Skull. I was pinned in about four minutes.

3. You have wrestled all over the world, for nearly every promotion. Which promotions stand out in your mind, either as good or bad, and why?

When I worked for Windy City, they were very professional, but because it was the only company I worked for (at the time), I didn't realize this. When I moved to California and started working the indy scene there, that's when I learned to appreciate a promoter with his business in order. The best promotion in California today is definitely APW. Roland Alexander has a great talent pool and knows how to promote his shows and get people in the seats. They don't have any television exposure, but are regularly drawing between 600-1000 fans per show. That has a lot to do with Roland's presence on the internet. I've also enjoyed working for ECWA and PCW, two promotions based in the Northeast. Jim Kettner (ECWA) and Blaine DeSantis (PCW) are both great guys with good minds for the business. They've always got a clear view of what they want happening on their shows, and they put a lot of preparation into their product.

4. How did you come up with the idea for the "Fallen Angel"?

The Fallen Angel had always been my nickname since I turned heel. The priest idea came to me when I saw how well Dustin Runnels was doing in the WWF with the Goldust gimmick. I thought he did a great job with a gimmick designed to capitalize on everybody's deep-seated insecurities about sexuality, and I figured that everyone would get just as fired up over a gimmick based on religion. So I came up with the character as an amalgam of David Koresh and Kevin Spacey's character in Seven.

5. What do you consider to be some of the highlights of your carreer thus far?

First, having the opportunity to wrestle Taka Michinoku on WWF Shotgun was a big event in my career. Up to that point, 99% of the wrestling world didn't know who I was, but that changed after that match. A lot of my big opportunities have come because someone has seen tapes of that one match. After that, working in Japan is a big thrill, especially being invited to wrestle in this year's J-Cup. Going to the WWF Dojo was a great experience. Training with guys like Test, Kurt Angle, Steve Williams, Steve Corino, Devon Storm, and being taught by Dory Funk, Jr. and Tom Prichard was one of the best weeks of my life. And finally, winning the Super 8 tournament this year was something special. To be a part of history like that will always be a highlight to me.

6. What wrestlers do you enjoy watching in the ring?

I always watch Billy Kidman when I can. I think right now he's the best WCW has to offer, head and shoulders above the rest. I like to watch my friends do well, so when Devon (Crowbar) Storm or Steve Corino are on, I pay attention. I like Shane Helms and Shannon Moore. Beneath a great gimmick, they've got great skills.

7. Who, if anyone, would be your "dream" opponent and/or tag partner?

I would like to have wrestled Rick Steamboat when he was working. He was the greatest babyface of all time, and I think we would have worked well together. But then, he worked great with just about everyone. As far as a tag partner goes, the only person I truly consider a "partner" is Kevin Quinn, my partner from "OverKill". We had some truly good times working together, and one day I hope we can get together again and work in one of the big feds.

8. How has the business changed since you first started?

I think a lot more emphasis has been placed on television in the last seven years, and as a result, wrestling on TV has become a lot faster paced. The higher ups are so plugged in to ratings that they don't want any "downtime" at all. So the matches have become faster and rushed. I'll give an example: last year, about two weeks before Wrestlemania XV, Val Venis and Hardcore Holly defeated the New Age Outlaws on RAW in 1:30. That's right, one minute and thirty seconds !! But it didn't faze the viewers or hurt the Outlaws in their eyes, it merely set up the next chapter in the feuds that were running at the time.

9. For the fans not familiar with Japanese wrestling, what are the most noticeable differences between the wrestling in Japan and the wrestling in the US and other countries. Which, if any, do you prefer?

In comparison to the last question, the emphasis in Japan is on psychology, regardless of how long it takes. Fans there are conditioned to watch a twenty minute match, and they love it. In America, fans would start chanting "boring" in the first five minutes, but in Japan, the fans respect the efforts of the athletes and appreciate the slow build-up to the grand finale.

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I hope in five years I'm celebrating my 5th year in a major federation.

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