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CAGEMATCH: What first made you want to get into pro wrestling? Were you a wrestling fan growing up? When did you say, "That is what I want to do"? And what did your family/friends say about that?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: I was an amateur wrestler in high school, and a friend of mine suggested that I check out Kowalski's. Once I saw the school, I was hooked. Yes, I was a big time wrestling fan growing up. Like I said, once I checked out Kowalski's, I knew pro wrestling was what I wanted to do. My family and friends supported me, but my parents were sort of dissapointed that I didn't finish college first.
CAGEMATCH: You started wrestling at Killer Kowalski's school of hard knocks at the age of 17. Why did you choose Killer Kowalski's school and do you think it was the right choice?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: I chose Kowalski's because it is the best, and it was also stone throw away from my home.
CAGEMATCH: Right now you are working as the head coach at the very same school you started to wrestle. What do you think was the reason for Killer Kowalski to choose you (at a relativly young age) as the head coach of his school?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Before the head trainer at that time moved on, I was basically his assistant. I use to help out on the weekends with the new guys, and "Killer" would always tell me that he thought I was doing a great job. So it was an honor when he asked me to take over as head trainer.
CAGEMATCH: You also trained at UPW's Ultimate University in California. Please explain the difference between both schools. Do you think it helped you, to see another way of training?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Training at UPW definetly helped me. Because at that time, Kowalski's didn't train us on ring psychology, so I decided to check them out while I was vacation. Both schools' were very similar, but at the time UPW was a WWE developmental territory.
CAGEMATCH: As you already know, CAGEMATCH had the chance to do an interview with April Hunter just a few weeks ago. Just as we asked her about a comment on you, we're now asking you about a comment on her. So how would you describe her as a person and your relationship with her?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: April is a great person, and definetly a good talent. Unlike most girls out there today, April doesn't just rely on her looks to get by, and there's no doubt about it that she could. Our relationship is whatever you want it to be, but for now, we are the Dream Team.
CAGEMATCH: Now let's go through some promotions you've worked for. We'll start with "the big one" WWE. You've wrestled some matches for them as well as some TV appearances (e.g. as a cop). What do you think about your time there? Is it exciting to be in a locker room with so many "big names" in wrestling?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: It was definetly a great feeling being surrounded by some of the best in the business today. I appreciated the opportunities that I've been given by the WWE so far, and I hope to play an even bigger role in the company in the future.
CAGEMATCH: You also work for Afa's WXW. Please tell us something about the promotion and your time there, so we can get a look on WXW, as they may get a TV spot here in Germany.
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: WXW is definetly one of the best Indy promotions out there today. I love working for a professional company, that treats everyone with respect, and that's exactly what WXW does. WXW also has some of the top talents on it's beefy roster.
CAGEMATCH: Let's move on to Jersey All Pro Wrestling. You recently worked shows for them and will have a title shot for their heavyweight title in April. Your thoughts on JAPW?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Ever since I debuted for Jersey All Pro, they've been nothing but good to me. I got into this business to be the absolute best that I can be, and JAP gives me that opportunity everytime I step into their squared circle.
CAGEMATCH: Speaking of title matches. Does "wearing a championship belt" mean something to you?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Not really, while I believe it to be an accomplishment, I don't need it to be successful. But it's cool that someone thinks you're good enough to be the flagship of their company. Some people need a belt to be successful, all I need is a wrestling ring!
CAGEMATCH: Let's fly over the ocean and talk about Irish Whip Wrestling and All Star Wrestling. You just completed a tour with ASW and you will return to Europe at the end of april to work for both promotions. What do you think about your time here in Europe?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: I loved it! Wrestling for both promotions has been really cool. The fans are the best, they appreciate everything, and they really get into the action. I can't wait to return at the end of April. On the IWW show, I'm scheduled to face Jerry Lynn, which I consider to be quite an accomplishment. Jerry Lynn has been in the business for many years, and I'm sure there's a lot I could learn from him.
CAGEMATCH: What might be the reason for both promotions to choose you and April to work their shows?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: IWW contacted us to work their second show last year, and then All Star contacted us shortly after that was confirmed to work for them as well. So that's how things went down, and it's been a great ride so far.
CAGEMATCH: What is the biggest difference between the fans in the US and the fans in Europe? Which kind of crowd do you prefer?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: The fans in Europe allow themselves to be sucked into the action. They don't try to disect things and rip it a part, instead they allow themselves to enjoy the show. Some of the US fans, not all, are more interested in being critics, they no longer have the ability to enjoy themselves. I like working for both crowds, but at the moment working in Europe has been a great experience.
CAGEMATCH: I read, that you prefer to work as a heel. Any reasons for that?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: I just have more fun working heel, and plus I enjoy the creative aspect of it. There are just so many avenues that I could explore as a heel, but as a face, I just feel so limited. Sure I could sell my ass off, and fire up with the best of them, but in the end being a heel is when I have the most fun!
CAGEMATCH: Combat Zone Wrestling has a pretty big fan base here in Germany. As you may know, they have some hardcore/ultraviolence matches on their cards. In an older interview you said, that you have a kind of negative standpoint considering hardcore wrestling. What's the reason for you to dislike hardcore wrestling? What might be the reason, that hardcore wrestling has a fan base nonetheless?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: I wouldn't say I disliked hardcore wrestling, but it's definetly not something I see myself doing in the future. I think hardcore has a fan base because with the constant reminder that this is sports entertainment, the people want to see some "real" action, and to them, hardcore wrestling fills that void.
CAGEMATCH: Let's talk about NWA:TNA. Many people think, that they have the chance to become some real competition for WWE in the future. Do you think, they are able to reach that level?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Yes I do. I'm not sure what it takes to run a successful company, but I believe that if they continue to provide hard hitting wrestling action with a touch of entertainment, they will definetly reach that level. Because it provides the audience with something different, wrestling today has become more about entertainment than actual wrestling, and that could be the reason why the ratings are at an all time low. I'm sure if they returned to the way things were in the late 90's, they'll find themselves back in the limelight.
CAGEMATCH: Your website ( www.slykwagnerbrown.com ) offers nearly everything a fan needs to know about you. Do you see it as a bridge between you and the fans so that there's kind of communication between both sides?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: No doubt. Before I had a website, I had no idea about how many fans SWB had. But now, that's a different story.
CAGEMATCH: If you have to choose one part of your career that helped you the most in the business, which part is it and why do you think that it is that part?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Training at Killer Kowalski's. Hands down that's been the most helpful in my career. Kowalski's taught me how to be successful in the squared circle, and it taught me the most important thing about the wrestling business. Have fun, because it doesn't last long!
CAGEMATCH: We have to do the old "dream match question", of course ;-). So who would you love to face in a singles match and in a tag team match (maybe with April at your side) and why?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: In singles competition, I would love to face Shawn Michaels. I know the ladder match was instrumental in his career, but I would like to face HBK in an Iron Man match at WrestleMania! For tag team action, I would have loved to face the duo of Eddie Guerrero and Chyna. I thought they were both entertaining and great athletes, which would make for a very good intergender tag team match.
CAGEMATCH: What do you think about the fans? Do you feel fans today are too demanding? Is it to much "we want more high spots and bumps"?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Sometimes I feel that way, but other times I think if you throw something different at them, they'll like that too. Because today, they see the same sh-t over and over again. Most wrestlers go out there, and try to kill themselves, but for what? For a 5 second pop? I can go out there and wrestle on the mat and get the same pop that someone just put their body on the line for. And I didn't even have to leave the mat for it!
CAGEMATCH: What was the funniest story you've experienced inside a wrestling ring/locker room?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Someone was told that they would be going over in a battle royal, but the promoter told everyone else to eliminate him first. It was the funniest thing, when we would throw his ass over the top rope and watch him hold on for dear life. Good sh-t!
CAGEMATCH: What are the future plans for Slyk Wagner Brown? Is he going to Japan? Trying to get into WWE? Working for NWA:TNA?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: My ultimate goals are to wrestle in Japan and sign a contract with the WWE.
CAGEMATCH: Is there anything you want to say to your German fans?
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Don't Playa Hate...Appreciate!
CAGEMATCH: Thanks a lot for answering our questions! We wish you all the best for your future!
SLYK WAGNER BROWN: Thank you for asking me questions. If you wouldn't mind plugging my website www.SlykWagnerBrown.com
WORD ASSOCIATIONS
Sports Entertainment: Has it's moments.
"Wrestling is fake!": No, but most of the people in it are.
US Indy Wrestling: You wanna see some good wrestling? This is where you'll find it.
Vince McMahon: Created WrestleMania.
Killer Kowalski: One of the best heels in the business.
Jamaica: Can't wait to go back!
Europe: Has some of the best fans in wrestling.
Joanie "Chyna" Laurer: Brought female wrestlers to another level.
Shawn Michaels: The man who opened the doors for smaller athletes in the 80's.
