by Gerry Strauss
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Hey hey hey, what's happening? Gerry Strauss back at you once again with the THIRD installment of "Seven Deadly Questions". This time, I was able to nail Chris Hamrick (not like that, you sick freak). Call him "High Flying", call him "Confederate Currency", call him "Southern Comfort", even call him "Crimson Dragon"...just don't call him a supporter of the indy wars. But wait, before I get ahead of myself, everyone email me at djg4evr@aol.com and let me know what you think of the column so far, or any other comments you might have burning a hole in your medulla oblongata. OK, parents, put the kids to bed, here we go with our "7 deadly questions" with Chris Hamrick...
1) Congratulations on landing a spot in NWA TNA's X Division. Reportedly, you went a long way towards earning that opportunity by performing impressively, under the name "Chris Hamrick", in a dark match with Chi Chi Cruz. Now you show up on TV, but suddenly you are wearing a goofy mask, red pants, and are called "Crimson Dragon". How did all of this come about, and what is your opinion on the gimmick change?I sent Jeremy Borash an email,he told me to set up a dark match with Bill Behrens,so,I did....The night after my dark match,Jerry Jarrett told me about wanting someone to do a high flying lucha style,masked gimmick.He said the way I moved around the ring,and,all the crazy stuff I did,I was perfect for the spot....He asked me if I had any objections to wearing a mask..I told him,NO,not at all.I am making just as much as the Crimson Dragon with them,as I would working as Chris Hamrick.....I am just glad to be considered good enough to be with them.......
2) Lately, I've been hearing about more and more young guys that credit you with a large portion of their training, including Chi Chi Cruz, Mike Preston, and others. For the record, give us an overview of your training history. Who have you trained, how long have you been doing it, and who are your past, present, and future top prospects?I have really never trained anyone personally.I just don't have the time.....I have worked with Chi Chi Cruz,Mike Preston and Matt Vandal some before the matches when we are on the same shows.I think all 3 have tremendous talent...
3)Here is the requisite question that every former ECW'er must be asked: How much money were YOU screwed out of? How WAS it dealing with Paul Heyman anyway, in a business sense?Paul didnt owe me alot of money...I had just started,I wasn't making alot of money with them yet.I am not worried about the money,I was given a chance to work with ECW,with some of the greatest talent EVER...I got national exposure,I got to wrestle on PPV.....I did most of my dealings with Tommy Dreamer......I have no heat with Paul Heyman whatsoever.....
4) Being a seasoned talent, you have earned respect for your high level of skill in many aspects of the wrestling game. However, it is fair to say that your almost suicidal bump- taking is what sets you apart from the pack. As you have recounted in prior interviews, even the legendary Owen Hart was a fan of the famed "Hamrick bump" to the outside of the ring. Considering the amount of years you have performed, and the amount you would still like to continue to do so, what steps, if any, have you taken to alter your style in order to preserve your body? Have you toned it down at all? Do you feel pressure from promoters to unnecessarily risk injury with crazy spots? No,I havent toned down at all...The way I look at it is this,Everything I do,is for the fans....I am there to entertain the fans,they are the ones buying the tickets....If the crowd is responding good,I will throw some crazy shit in there,if they are not,then I won't.It is my decision...No one elses......
5)You are truly an old school indy traveler, and are a fixture in independent promotions from coast to coast. Therefore, you know as well as anyone how political the game has become, with promoters forcing talent to choose between themselves and competitors. It is an ever- changing landscape, as promoters seem to make nice and/or declare war with each other at the drop of a hat. However, one thing remains relatively constant: EVERYONE seems to hate Rob Black and XPW. Therefore, unfortunately, those who work for them, such as youself, run the risk of being blackballed by "enemy" promoters. Tell us your thoughts on XPW, your reasons for working for them, and how it has affected your dealings with other promoters and workers, and be as specific as possible.I love being with XPW.They have treated me with nothing less than respect,since my first time with them....Let me straighten some things out....If ANY promoter doesn't want to use me,because,I work,and,like working for XPW,then FUCK THEM....How childish is all this Philly shit?Why can't everyone let everyone run their shows?Rob Black has just as much right to be there as anyone else.....People say he doesn't because of what he did to ECW at the PPV in Cal....Well,first of all,they need to get the hell over it...First of all,as bad as I hate it,ECW is gone,secondly that was like 2 years ago....Let it fucking go people...Now,that we are running the arena,people are complaining that XPW uses too many ex ECW guys.....What the fuck.....so,when all these guys were in ECW,they were great,but,now that they are in another company,they are shit?They are the same fucking guys.....You are not ever going to please everyone,I learnt that a long time ago,so,I have stopped trying...Alot of people don't like Rob Black,that doesn't mean that I don't...I just wish people that hated XPW(and might I add,that if you hate XPW because Rob Black runs it,or it is run by porn money)what a stupid fucking reason......The guys are out there busting their ass,that has NOTHING to do with the owner...If you don't like XPW,then don't fucking come to the shows,let the people that do like the product,enjoy themselves.........
6) Since you travel so much, what kind of life do you have outside the ring? Do you have a non- wrestling related job?I stay on the road,I wrestle mostly weekends....I may leave on a Thursday night and not get home until Monday morning....I usually rest just enough to get back on the road again...I have no life outside the ring...I do fun shit while I am on the roads sometimes....To all the guys who want to choose this lifestyle,think about it real hard.....It is fun,I love what I do,but,it is hard sometimes.....I usually spend holidays in a motel,eating at Denny's or some shit like that...
7) Finally, who was the person or promotion(s) that you have liked working
for the MOST, and who have you liked working for the LEAST?I love XPW,PWF,NWA/TNA.......Those
are my main ones,I probably left some out,but,when you wrestle as much
as I do,you don't even keep up with the promotions anymore....I really
can't think of any promotions,I don't like working for...As long as I
get paid at the end of the night......
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Gerry Strauss has been working with a variety of quality independents in the tri-state area for a couple of years as a commentator, interviewer, and/or ring announcer. He lists companies like PCW, PTW, IHPW, 3PW, KAPOW, and SmartMark video as among those who have given him valued opportunities to contribute, and now, in an effort to try something different, has come up with a unique spin on interviews.
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Previous Columns:
Billy Reil
Matthew Hendrickson
