Interview With: Antonio Thomas
Interview By: Andy Steven
Date: September 18, 2006
Former WWE superstar Antonio Thomas from
the Heart Throbs recently managed to take some time out of his busy
scheduled to take part in an interview with Andy Steven and
www.PWMania.com.
Below is the complete interview:
Andy Steven: Firstly I would like to thank you for taking time out
of your busy schedule to take part in this interview for
www.PWMania.com.
How did you break into the wrestling business and what have you been up to
recently since your WWE departure?
Antonio
Thomas: I started training in 2001 in Springfield, Mass. under Kevin
Landry and continued on with Steve Bradley before being signed to WWE.
Since my departure from WWE, I have been busy every weekend working the
independent scene, mostly in the Northeast-where I started- as well as
some dates down south. I also recently had a portfolio put together and
look to get into the modelling business. I also recently finished shooting
an episode of "Ham On The Street" for the Food Network which will air on
November 8, at 10:30 p.m.
Andy Steven: What independent shows have you been working and what
indy’s will you be working in the future?
Antonio Thomas: I have been working for numerous promotions such as
New England Championship Wrestling, Chaotic Wrestling, MXW in Ct.,
Northeast wrestling, Liberty States Wrestling, and TNT Wrestling down
south as well as many more numerous promotions throughout the east coast.
I look to continue adding to that list, as well as starting to work
overseas and outside the U.S. I am always taking indy bookings and looking
to always work new places, styles and talent
Andy Steven: You signed with WWE in 2004, and was sent to work with
Ohio Valley Wrestling. What was it like working in OVW and wrestling minds
such as Jim Cornette?
Antonio Thomas: First off, being signed to a WWE contract was a
lifelong dream of mine and a dream come true. Getting to work with the
likes of Jim Cornette, Lance Storm, Danny Davis, Paul Heyman, Bill Demott,
Tommy Dreamer, Al Snow, and every other talent that I was able to work
with while in OVW is something that can never be taken away and I learned
lesson both in and out of the ring, that I carry with me day in and day
out for the rest of my life. Being able to work down there and work with
so many great talents truly made my OVW tenure one of the best times of my
life.
Andy Steven: You have been working with many indy promotions since
you left WWE, what has been your best indy show so far?
Antonio Thomas: It would be hard to pinpoint just one promotion,
but I would have to say my favorite match since I’ve been away from WWE
was at NECW's Iron 8 in June. It was a 45 minute ironman match between
myself, John Walters, Eddie Edwards and Jason Blade and was one of the
most fun and intense matches I’ve ever been a part of.
Andy Steven: In your independent travels have you every come across
a wrestler with a bit of an ego or if someone has had a problem with you
for no reason? If so, what happened?
Antonio Thomas: In any line of work you come across many people
with an "ego" or "attitude problem" and most people run across people like
this in everyday life. So far, I haven't come across anyone who has had a
problem with me in or out of the ring-and if they did, they didn't make it
known-so I've been very fortunate in terms of that. This is my job, so
when I’m at a show I do what I need to do to prepare for my match and
opponent. Being polite, humble, hard-working and courteous to everyone
both in and out of the ring can carry an individual a long way.
Andy Steven: When you are not in the ring, what are you doing? What
are your hobbies?
Antonio Thomas: When I’m not in the ring you can probably find me
at the gym, as I love working out, and anything related to physical
fitness and well-being. I also spend a lot of time watching wrestling
tapes and DVDs and love to play fantasy football and baseball. I’m also a
die-hard Red Sox fan, as well as a lifelong 49ers fan-no jokes please,
haha.
Andy Steven: What is your opinion on the internet wrestling media?
Antonio Thomas: This is a free country and everyone’s entitled to
their own opinion. It does annoy me sometimes when someone who never
stepped foot in a ring or has done anything physical or athletic in their
life, tries to critique or even bash any worker that steps into the ring
and risks their health and well being for the sport and business they
love. However, everyone does have their opinion and when paying for a
ticket, you definitely are entitled to express who and what you do or
don’t like. It's a part of any sport or athletic event and you take the
good with the bad, but the internet is also a great way for many workers
to communicate and network with promoters as well as be in touch with many
of their fans.
Andy Steven: Are you watching WWE programming at the moment?
Antonio Thomas: Absolutely. I always have and always will.
Andy Steven: What do you think of TNA?
Antonio Thomas: I think TNA is exciting and definitely growing.
It's another option for fans and I think the more promotions, at a
worldwide, national, and independent level, than the better for fans and
workers alike.
Andy Steven: I know you have to eat a lot when you are as big as
you are. How much do you have to eat?
Antonio Thomas: Haha. I definitely love to eat, but for me I stay
pretty strict with my diet. I don't deprive myself of something if I want
it, but usually I try to stay around 4,000 calories, esp with my level of
activity. I try to get in about 7-8 meals a day-with 2 of them being
protein shakes-at about 500 calories apiece. I usually keep track of
everything I eat, but a lot of time go on instinct-if I’m hungry, I’m
going to eat. For the most part this has worked for me and since my time
in WWE, I’ve stayed lean while adding a healthy and natural 15 pounds and
will continue to improve both my diet and training regimen to even further
my performance in the ring.
Andy Steven: What are your favorite DVDs?
Antonio Thomas: Hmmm...I'd have to say wrestling related would be
Shawn Michaels-From the Vault, the Bret Hart DVD, pretty much any of the
WWE DVDs that have been put out the past few years and some of my Classic
St. Louis wrestling DVDs from the Chase Auditorium, as well as many of the
ROH releases. Non-wrestling would have to be Anchorman, Rocky1-4, and
Caddyshack.
Andy Steven: I would like to thank you very much once again for
taking this time to take part in this interview for
www.PWMania.com,
I wish you the best of luck in the future and do you have any messages to
say to your fans and what is next for Mr. Antonio Thomas?
Antonio Thomas: I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to all the fans
that have supported me throughout my career, both in and out of the WWE as
well as everyone whom I've had the pleasure to work with during my brief
career-I’ve taken something from every person I've encountered in this
business and learn something every day and continue to grow both in and
out of the ring. This is only the beginning from, "the Promise" Antonio
Thomas! It's a new chapter in my life and one that I’m looking to make the
best for me yet. There is SO MUCH that I still have yet and NEED to
accomplish and I’m more enthusiastic than ever in this newest chapter in
my life. I WILL make my mark in this business and this is only the
beginning for Antonio Thomas. And that...Is A Promise!!!
To contact Antonio Thomas for independent bookings or to get in touch with
"the Promise" he can be contacted at his official website at
www.Antonio-Thomas.com, by email at
tjm2333@aol.com and myspace at
www.myspace.com/promiseantoniothomas.
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