by Gerry Strauss
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What's up, Clothesliners? I'm Gerry Strauss, and I am back to attempt to bring this column back from the dead... I KNOW I haven't done one of these interviews in a good while... why, you ask? Well, for one, my well of interview subjects has dried up a bit, as I have been stuck waiting for people to get back to me... also, I have intermittently been busy with my OTHER wrestling related endeavors, which, if so inclined, you can catch a glimpse of in my NEW column on this site... as of now, it's unnamed, so I believe the link off the main page simply says "Gerry Strauss's new unnamed column", which, truth be told, I kinda like, so it may stay that way for awhile... anyway, I shall preface THIS interview by saying that I have several more in the works, including one with a NJ promoter who organized arguably one of the biggest indy events of 2002, and another with a true NWA TNA superstar on the rise... but for now, we have... Mike Winner. For those not familiar, Mike has been a fixture in the tri- state area for several years, mostly as a manager, but also as a commentator. He has used several totally different gimmicks in the last year alone, and currently works for JCW, PCW, the IWF, and more. In addition, as an issue of total disclosure, it should be noted that Mike has also been my broadcast partner for all video and DVD releases from 3PW in Philly. This familiarity did not dissaude him, however, from giving one of the oddest interviews I've ever read, let alone participated in. Read on, and see for yourself, check my other column out, keep checking back for some REAL good stuff REAL soon, and write me at gerrystrauss@aol.com, darn it!.....
1) As someone who put in a significant amount of time and money training to become a manager at "Camp IWF", how much of that do you feel was actually necessary to become a good manager on the independent level?
I wouldn't say i'm a good manager, just lucky. I learned everything i could from them. They got me into wrestling. for that i would say i didn't pay them enough. Although, now i have realized that wrestling isn't the be all end all in life. Its just a nice hobby. The situation is growing ever more grave in Aceh where Indonesian government troops continue their offensive in the rebel province and are killing civilians at will.
2) It has been documented in past interviews with IWF alumni that there has been a certain amount of heat at times between head trainer Kevin Knight and former students/members of the IWF locker room, contributing directly to their departure. As one of the veterans of the IWF, what are your thoughts on all this hostility? Who, what, when, where, and most importantly, why?
To be quite honest,i really don't care. Other people's business has nothing
to do with me. the people who left have never done me wrong. IWf has never
done me wrong. I am a good position to say that i am totally apathetic
to other people's problems. I'm only concerned about my happiness. I only
care about my life. It may sound selfish, but i am an artist and i don't
need other people's influences.
Q: What's the first thing a woman does when she gets out of the
battered wives' shelter?
A: The dishes, if she knows what's good for her
3) You have worked as a manager for Rob Eckos in JCW for some time now,
yet never get mentioned in the published line-ups or press releases...
what's up with that?
I don't understand the question. you know, there are only 2 ways a game
of horseshoes can end.
1. "This sucks, let's do something else."
or
2. "Ow, you hit me with a horseshoe"
4) In somewhat of a departure from previous gimmicks, you have been working in Phoenix Championship Wrestling as Harold Heckubah, hollywood director and supporter of PCW's own Lil' Ricky. Also, you have become a staple of Carmine Sabia's SSCW as Harvey Goldstein, attorney and part of the management team of the "Dynasty Of Excellence" with Pete Van Orton. In each case, who came up with these ideas, and how do you feel about them?
Well, Gerry, yes and no. I am an actor first and an artist second. So i would have to say that i would. And heckubah and the other guy were created by outside parties who need such characters. Nothing new to me. What's a dynasty? Who is pete van orton? I thought i was a co-manager with some chick.
5) What do you think is the status of managers in pro wrestling in 2003 and beyond? Are they becoming extinct?
A trained monkey could be a better manager. Honestly it really takes nothing. Although you can tell the great from the the monkies. Like Teddy Long and Paul Heyman. They are just way too entertaining. They are what managers should be these days. You really can't have another bobby heenan or whatever. They've all been done to death. And if i see another manager with a glitter jacket and sunglasses. i'll puke. I hate when other people are happy. Seriously. Its like a club that they flaunt. Its a club i am not a member of. At least the masons are secretive about their membership. and forget it, PDA is sickening.
6) You also have been working as the color commentator for 3PW's video releases, and contributed to their commercial VHS/DVD release. How does that experience compare to managing, and what future do you see for yourself in either role?
I try not to look too far into the future. but i love the commentary. I really enjoy the product as well. I can't say much for my broadcast partner, but i feel i've been doing a good job. That and I live in Philly and its nice to roll out of bed and walk to the shows. Honestly, insomnia sucks. I really don't sleep anymore. I don't know if thats bad or whatever, but i really don't get to talk to anyone. Too many people go to sleep at reasonable hours. Plus there's really nothing to do. nothing on tv either. Its almost 4 now and i know i'll be up for at least another 2 hours. You'd think i'd wake up around noon or whaever, but nooooooo i have to wake up at 9:30/10:00. I'm tired for a few hours in the beginning of the day, but eventually i end up staying awake till 5 or 6 am. It really sucks.
7) Name and describe the 3 best experiences in your career, and the 3 worst.
If you really want to call this fiasco a career.
best
1. harley quinn or the goth club (tie)
2. art school
3. mak
worst
1. red meat
2. "s1m0ne" (ugh)
3. weekends without qxt's
