Gray Ghost 51 interview w Joey Rockstar/Rob The Giant Araujo

[Scott M.R.]

Here is a joint interview I just conducted w two of New Englands up and coming younger wrestlers, GIant Rob Araujo and Joey Rockstar. One gives very detailed answers, one more general, but I hope you get a good perspective and enjoy, and, as always, comments are welcomed in the indy section.

When did you start becoming interested in wrestling as a fan? Who were some of your favorites?

Rob the Giant: It was 1998 and I witnessed a Sting and Bret Hart confrontation on Monday Nitro. Sting, and Rey Mysterio quickly captured my attention watching someone my size run around and compete on the same level as the bigger guys. First show I can't really recall but I remember going to alot in the mass area. Seeing guys in diffferent gimmicks doing different things captured my mind

Joey Rockstar: I was young barely 3 years old and my parents used to go to Riverside Park Speedway when they had racing there Saturday nights. My Grandparents had the honor of baby sitting. So one faithful night Grandma was channel surfing and I saw something cool and was like “go back” and it was wrestling! I thought it was the coolest thing ever from that point on. Some of my favorites growing up were Ricky Steamboat, The Ultimate Warrior and The Freebirds but I didn’t tell anyone about the Freebirds because I thought if I liked “bad guys” id get in trouble. The first live show was my father and I at the Springfield civic center for a house show. I don’t remember any of the card but I do remember staring at the tickets for weeks in anticipation. Just as I thought I would I had a blast!!!

What was the moment that you decided that you wanted to be an indy wrestler? Any particular person(s) influence your decision?

Rob the Giant: It was at my first EPW show (fan wise) Bob had an advertisement for young kids to sign up and 16 at the time it was something I always wanted to do since I first watched wrestling. My good friend Ian Conley was with me at the show and we both wanted to do this for so long. We found Bob's school Slamtech and signed up a few weeks later.

Joey Rockstar: I knew from the moment I saw it when I was 3 years old that’s what I was going to do. I was never going to have a real job and would go to the WWF and be famous. I knew growing up later on there were wrestling schools that cost a lot and thought once you paid money and went there when you were done you go straight to the top. The first time I heard of indy wrestling was in the early years of NECW. They came to my town and did a show at a place called Games and Lanes in Agawam Ma. And once I knew I could do it around here I thought I need to look into this and damn these guys are so lucky. I then ended up getting a real job with no weekends off for 6 years and did what I had to do to get by and regret not starting earlier.


Describe some of the training that you undertook, what training you are doing today.

Rob the Giant: I started in September 06 with Brutal Bob Evans. He had us do alot of basic technically wrestling, and taught us to the pont where we could be confident every match with anyone go out and perform at top level.

Joey Rockstar: I started with Kevin Landry and Billy King for a few months and after that fell on some hard times in my life and stopped going which was dumb on my part since they are 2 of the best. Then made some bad decisions as far as wrestling goes which should have never been done and enough people know the story so it don’t need repeating .Aaron Morrison stepped up to the plate and began to train myself and a bunch of friends at a very reasonable price. He wanted to help us and not let us hurt the business or ourselves and it came down to if we wanted to do it for real or not. We trained for over a year 2-3 times a week in a warehouse we rented in Holyoke. Also Chris Camero eventually started to come down and help us on his own time. We lost our warehouse right before summer so now im at the point where if im at a show and the ring is open I will ask someone to work with me lately. Also this past week we did a camp with Kevin Landry, Johnny Idol and Frankie and they worked with us and picked us apart .I’m hoping we get to do that again more often with them because it was a great experience and a much needed one.

What has been the hardest part of being an independent wrestler, so far?

Rob The Giant: Being able to focus building my career up as while as work and go to school. Its alot to balance, but I always manage time for everything as well as trying to branch myself out to other promotions I hope to work for down the road.

Joey Rockstar:For me it’s just I want to keep getting better and learning. If im out there and I mess up, the typical fan might not notice so much but I do and the guy im working with does. Also my size, im 145 pounds in a big mans world. I love being the underdog but being bigger has its advantages. Mentally im one of them people who feels like I will never be the best I can be and there’s always more to learn. But I will always give people the best I can while im out there

Please discuss the challenges of someone your size learning the wrestling game, and also, discuss your WWE appearance and other opportunities you have received in that vein.

Rob the Giant: No challenges it's more of a helpful advantage too me. Granted i've been at alot of shows because there isn't many midget workers in the area, but something I'll always be proud of is when i trained with Bob I was taught no different and was just like everyone else. So I feel I have a firm grasp on ring psychology by now. Going to the WWE for Raw was a thrilling experience and I was proud I finally was able to make one appearance on there. Hopefully I'll be able to build on my career and hopefully return there one day or even TNA.

Who was your first match with, for what promotion, and what was your opinion on it?

Rob the Giant:It as April 2007 for EPW at my old middle school, It was a tag match against Max Bauer and Handsome Johnny, two of the best workers around and they took care of me and Ian Conley in our debut. I will always feel greatful for how those 2 guys helped me out and took care of me in my debut.

Joey Rockstar: My first match was with guy named Twiggy at UWD and it was what it was haha. My girl friend at the time broke her ankle earlier that day in A freak accident so I had to take her to the hospital come back do the match, then rush to see her back at home afterwards .I was more worried about her then the match.

In your career so far, what do you feel your highlight as an indy wrestler has been, and what do you consider your lowest point, i.e. bad match, lesson learned, etc.

Rob the Giant: My highlight as an indy wrestler would have to be being a better person. In wrestling you become more outgoing and push yourself to get out there in wrestling which is just like life. Everything ive learned in wrestling has led to great things. Friends, experiences, road trips, and even closer friends and being able to say I livedmyy dream and I didnt succedd.....no say on the lowest point or bad match

Joey Rockstar: The highlight for me probably was at the last UWD show when a kid named Kevin actually dressed up as Joey Rockstar and I was thinking that’s so cool and it was an honor to see someone do that for me. Also hearing from fans telling me they like what they see me do out there. Im hoping at some point to win a title somewhere which is my next goal down the road. My opinion on titles are that means to me the promoter has confidence in me to carry a small part of the company so I figure it’s a good stepping stone to try and achieve. It’s not about looking cool and walking around with a shiny belt to me. My lowest point was having the wrong attitude when I first started out for a few months which did lead to me becoming A better person out of it and that has a big part thanks to Aaron since he not only taught me wrestling but how to be respectful.

For someone who is interested in breaking into the business, what is the best piece of advice you can give to him/her?

Rob the Giant: Find a good school to train out of. New England has so many places that have alot of good trainers to help put guys/girls wanting to succeed in wrestling on the right path.

Joey Rockstar: For anyone wanting to start out I wish you the absolute best. The right attitude plays a huge role in gaining respect from people. Know it’s not going to be easy and training hurts A LOT and just keep listening and not talking. It’s all worth it in the end when you go out there and get to do your thing. Also where there is a will there is a way to do it, there are so many Indy guys out there who will want to help you .If you don’t know where to start go to shows offer to help in anyway possible and be respectful .If you lose respect from one person it’s a chain reaction because everyone has friends in different places and word gets around fast.

If you could sit down and talk to any wrestler to learn more about the business, and such, who would it be and why?

Rob the Giant: Hmmm thats a tough one because anytime a big name comes around or I have a chance to talk to someone who has made it and hear their stories. I love always hearing different stories and people's outlook in the business it fascinates me.

Joey Rockstar:The number one person id love to sit down and talk to is Jim Cornette no doubt. I feel he has a great eye for the wrestling business and the thing about him is he will back up all of his statements with an answer that makes total sense. So many people shoot off at the mouth and talk trash without any explanation. But speaking of that id also love to hang out with Sheiky and maybe have a beer with him because it would probably be the time of my life!

Though you are just in the indies, what is your opinion of WWE and TNA, in terms of their product/matches, etc?

Rob The Giant: I watch both every week and they both are different in terms of product. Tna I beleieve is finally pushing themselves to pass WWE and I love it, because more competition helps bring up wrestling just like before with WCW.

Joey Rockstar:Ok here it goes. Personally im a fan of old school wrestling AWA,NWA territory days and 80’s early 90’s WWF .To me them guys appeared larger then life like you wouldn’t see them walking around town at your local supermarket in most cases. These days it seems most characters are to real to what’s going on in society .I personally like wrestlers who are different then anything you would see in real life .The magic of these guys being so different is what drew me to watch wrestling as a kid and it was an escape from reality .It also seems the shows have more to do with their entrances like the insane pyro as well as promos /story lines than the actual wrestling matches. Also way too many pay per views so they don’t mean as much anymore because of the less build up to them or the build up seems kind of rushed. But the thing is they are the best and I am not a 10 year old kid buying up merchandise like crazy so my opinion doesn’t mean much. WWE and TNA are the top 2 dogs, they make money, have the best wrestlers for the type of wrestling they do so even if you hate the product you have to respect that. Also id say at least 90% of Indy wrestlers who talk trash about them 2 promotions would jump at the opportunity to be there in a second if they had the chance including myself. Like the product or not that’s where a lot of guys dream of being.

If you would like to, add something on to what we havent already discussed, and thanks for your time.

Rob the Giant: I just want to thank my trainers Bob Evans and Dan Freitas, Short sleeve Sampson for allowing me to wrestle him any chance he gets and to every single promoter who has given me an oppurtunity. If you have a dream don't let anyone stand in your way, because if you really want something you have to work hard and you can succeed.

Joey Rockstar: In no particular order thanks Scott for the interview, it was really cool to be able to do this. Johnny Miyagi for being an awesome tag partner to get beat up with in some promotions Also I know I already have said it but thanks to Aaron Morrison for everything he’s done to help myself and friends of mine over the Last couple years. As well as Chris Camero for taking the time out to work with some of us. More thanks have to go out to every promoter who gives me a shot to go out there and do what I love and the other wrestlers who have helped me out. Lastly the fans who pay their hard earned money to check out shows and support the Indy scene whether im working the show or not, they are what keeps the independent scene alive. Oh and check out http://www.joeyrockstar.com and maybe win stuff. Ok im done got to amp up the guitar for my next stop on tour and begin to write my next album that will go platinum.