INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING CARTEL

INTERROGATION
MICKEY GAMBINO
Conducted by Joe Dombrowski
IWC Color Commentator / Media Correspondent

Q: Before we focus on your official in-ring debut, let's reflect back on your training. How long have you been a student here at the IWC Coalition of Competition?

A: Well, I came to the Coalition back in early February of 2003, so it's almost been a year. A long, arduous, and often painful but fun year.

Q: What was the training process like? Exactly how grueling and painful was it?

A: The trainers started us off with getting basics and we just progressed onward into more complex situations, maneuvers, and techniques. Grueling and painful, you ask, cugine? Maddonn', sometimes I woke up the next day and my body would be wrecked. Other times, it would just be extremely sore! It really all boils down to what point in the process we were in, but it's hard to pinpoint how much this or that hurt. However, let me just say that running the ropes can still leave a nice reminder the next morning still.

Q: How well do you feel you've progressed in this amount of time?

A: I'm not one to gloat. In fact, if anything, I tell myself I can always do better. In an attempt to answer your question, I think we all at the Coalition have come along really well. We've covered a lot of ground and I'm satisfied with how long it's taken me to get my first match. I personally feel it's better to take a longer amount of time to train and make sure that you're ready. It's like testing the water a few times before you get in, you get the feel of what it's going to be like.

Q: Where do you think some of your in-ring strengths lie?

A: Strengths? That's really hard to say since I've never taped myself and watched it. That's a good question. I'm not the biggest, the strongest, the fastest, or even being close to the best. Hopefully I have a little bit of all of those factors; some strength, some speed, and some technical skill. All I can say is that I've got a lot of ambition, drive, and determination, as well as a love for wrestling, and I've seen Troy wrestle so I have kind of scouted his repertoire.

Q: Do you have any advice or tips for any other youngsters looking to break into the professional wrestling business?

A: I come from an ethnic background where respect is key. And that is the same with wrestling. You must have a lot of respect for everyone around you. You must also have a deep desire to do this because it can get hard and frustrating. Perseverance is a great quality to have as well.

Q: Of course you've had to pay your dues here in IWC: working on the ring crew, serving as a member of IWC Security. What are your opinions on these tasks you've been performing thus far?

A: They've actually been great. It's pretty much a tradition, you have to show that you want to be here. Don't think about getting into professional wrestling unless you're willing to do this stuff at the beginning. It's all a learning experience from stage one and you keep on learning. I'm just glad to be a part of IWC in any way that I can be. From ring crew to wrestling on January 31st, it's all been worth it.

Q: Unquestionably your most memorable moment serving on our security staff was when you were instructed to eject "Balls Hot" Troy Lords from the building. Lords wouldn't budge and a brief physical altercation ensued. What was running through your mind during that moment?

A: I was pretty nervous. Me, a nobody, stepping into the ring in front of all of those people attempting to coax Troy out of the ring peacefully. But it was my job and I planned on doing it one way or another. I have to say, though, that it was a pure adrenaline rush getting in the ring with all of those people watching. Then he dropped me like a slab of capo' coul and I don't remember much after that, just my self-defense mode kicking in.

Q: A few more months have passed and you're finally ready to debut inside an IWC ring: What's running through your mind right now. Any nervousness? Any thoughts of vengeance toward Lords?

A: Nervous? Yes. I've never done anything in front of a large crowd before. I'm accustomed to closer, more personal interactions with a few paisans. Now on the 31st I'm going to walk the aisle and step into the ring with a wrestling veteran and take him on man to man. So naturally, I'm nervous. Vengeance? You better believe it. I got into the ring to do a job, get him out of the ring. I had no intentions of provoking or partaking in an altercation. He definitely got the best of me that night... my face and neck were hurting after he dished out that beating. Now I'm going to get into that ring filled from head to toe with an itching to extract revenge. I'm an un' uomo di rispetto, a man of respect, and I plan on walking back down the aisle when the dust settles the same way.

Q: What should IWC fans expect out of you when they see you in the ring for the very first time?

A: They should be expecting to see a hungry goomba looking to gain some respect and credibility. I don't go down without a fight, so expect one.

As you can see, an eager, determined Mickey Gambino is anxiously anticipating his official IWC in-ring debut, coming up Saturday night, January 31. Is the fire inside of a young man out for revenge strong enough to defeat such a resourceful and diabloical competitor as Lords? We'll find out as this battle is just a small part of a jam-packed night January 31 at Hopewell High School.