An Exclusive Interview With Shark Boy |
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Monday, 10 March 2008
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DOWN IN THE PIT: AN INTERVIEW WITH TNA SUPERSTAR SHARK BOY By Ryan Jevec (Ryan Jevec, a contributing writer for TNAwrestling.com, is ringside in the famous “Pit” of the absolute rowdiest fans at every TNA event in Orlando, Florida, and presents a cutting edge perspective on the pressing issues in TNA Wrestling.)  There is an old adage in the world of professional wrestling that you can take the wrestler out of the fight, but you can’t take the fight out of the wrestler. Professional wrestlers do not just wrestle to earn a living, they often live to fight, looking to achieve success and garner their own share of the spotlight.
Through blood, sweat and determination, they welcome adversity and battle to overcome the odds, to forge their own indelible moments and create a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. These are just some of the many goals of a professional wrestler.In a wrestlers quest for greatness, often times they will encounter roadblocks or setbacks. But how these in-ring warriors overcome these obstacles truly defines who they are and what they are capable of. In the wild world that is Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, stars from all walks of life compete to prove superiority against one another. And while new stars arrive on the scene in TNA, there are those who have stood the test of time, performing and watching the company grow from day one all the way back in Huntsville, Alabama. One such star is the one know as Shark Boy. Shark Boy, adored by the children for years, has been a part of TNA Wrestling since its inception. And in that span of time, Shark Boy, silently, has achieved success, but has also encountered more than his fair share of obstacles and tough encounters. In recent months on iMPACT!, the anguish for Shark Boy seemed to reach all time highs or lows depending on your perspective, as TNA superstar after superstar levied malicious beatings on the aquatic hero, at one point even rendering him near lifeless, and mired in a coma. However, just when all hope seemed lost and the average man would have given up, Shark Boy persevered through adversity and has executed a stunning comeback in the world of professional wrestling. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Shark Boy has stormed back on the scene in TNA Wrestling. However, this isn’t just your average Shark Boy. This Shark Boy is hyper aggressive, double tough, and has a lot to say….and he certainly is not afraid to share it with anyone. Be it with coarse words or his preferred method, sheer brutality, Shark Boy will get his message across to one and all, and the fans have responded in tow, giving rousing ovations at the mere sound of the first few bars of his theme music. Just prior to a recent iMPACT! taping in Orlando, Florida, I was able to spend a few minutes with Shark Boy, who brought his clam juice, to ask a few questions that I think the masses have been seeking answers to since his alarming transformation. The responses I received were ‘stunning’ to say the least and have certainly altered this writers’ perspective on the “toughest son of a beach” in TNA Wrestling, Shark Boy. So sit back, slam some clam juice and read on as “Shark Boy 24:7” is delivered, completely uncensored. JEVEC: In your words, how would you explain your remarkable…. SHARK BOY: WHAT?! JEVEC: I said...In your words, how would you… SHARK BOY: WHAT?! JEVEC: …you can’t be serious with this. SHARK BOY: No, I mean speak up son…I couldn’t hear you with yer damn mumblin! JEVEC: Ummm, ok, let me try again. In your words, how would you explain your remarkable transformation that we all have been witness to the past several weeks? SHARK BOY: Well, it’s like this.....When you get bounced around in that ring for three straight months and you wind up in a coma, that kind of thing can really &#@$ somebody off. I found my voice while I was in that coma and now there's going to be hell to pay. What you are seeing now is a new and improved Shark Boy that doesn't plan on taking any more crap from anybody. In fact, I would suggest you don't $#%@ me off during this interview. JEVEC: Ok, I will certainly do my best to not incite anything, I don’t want any trouble. The new attitude and demeanor you are exhibiting, has this always been a part of you and you just never vocalized it before, or is this a new beginning of sorts for Shark Boy? SHARK BOY: Well, since day one I've always been a tough SOB. I have never backed down from a fight in my life no matter how big the other guy was and that much is never going to change about ol' Shark Boy. But what you're seeing now is the angry killing machine that's been inside me all along and nobody's bass is safe. JEVEC: That is certainly true. You have been on quite a tear as of late. You also are one of the original stars of TNA wrestling, and who in your many years in TNA, never uttered a word, until recently. What now is your drive to speak your mind at any time? SHARK BOY: It's real simple, turtlehead. I'm #$%@ off and I'm letting people know for two reasons: 1. I'm warning them so they know that when they step into the water with ol' Shark Boy, they're fixing to get their bass bit.....and 2. I'm sending out a challenge to anybody dumb enough to think they can just stomp a mudhole in me to come on down and get his bass whipped. If they don't heed my warning or they accept my challenge, then what happens to them is their own fault. JEVEC: Back when you were injured and mired in a coma, we as fans got a bit of a peek into your personal life and more specifically, your immediate family. How have they all reacted to your new outlook on life? SHARK BOY: My family is none of your business, so I'm not gonna answer that one, and I suggest you be more careful with your questions because you're starting to %@#$ me off. JEVEC: Ok, my apologies. Moving right along to another topic, some of the newer TNA fans may not be familiar with you outside of your recent actions on iMPACT!, yet you have a storied history with the company and have had success both as a singles competitor as well as in tag teams. How would you classify this time period in your career and what impact, if any, did it have on who you are today? SHARK BOY: Every single time you step in that ring, it makes you that much tougher and that much better. TNA is full of some of big, tough SOB's and I've been in the ring with damn near all of them. I classify that period in my career like I would any other, and that's a period of time where I stepped up and fought no matter how bad the odds were stacked against me. JEVEC: Have you had any contact with your former tag team partner D-Ray 3000 since coming into your own? SHARK BOY: I haven't talked to D-Ray in a long time, but the next contact I have with him might just be physical if he &%$@ me off. JEVEC: In the same vein, at one point, you were part of arguably the most odd pairing in TNA history, when you teamed with New Jack. If memory serves, at one point you two were even playing Chutes & Ladders as a means to build teamwork and chemistry. What can you share about your time being a part of this most unlikely of tag teams? SHARK BOY: At the time, it was all fun and games for ol' Shark Boy. TNA thought it would be cute to show me playing board games and swimming in a kiddie pool with New Jack. I'll admit it made for good TV, but the time for fun and games is over now. I ain't playing Chutes and Ladders with nobody anymore, I'm just whipping their bass. JEVEC: In more recent times, it appears as if you have formed another successful tag team, this time with Curry Man. Explain your thoughts on this highly entertaining combination. SHARK BOY: I don't know what to think about that goofy bastard. He's got a plate of damn Chinese food on his head. All I know is that when the time comes to head down to that ring, he shows up and stands in my corner ready for a tag. I'll give him credit for that... and for being entertaining... but you're not gonna see Shark Boy dancing around, I can promise you that. JEVEC: In spite of some apparent communication issues, this new tag team duo has been rather successful and the fans absolutely love the both of you. How have you managed to handle the language barrier between yourself and Curry Man? SHAKR BOY: Whenever I don't understand what he says, which is all the time, I just say "What?" over and over again. How do you think I handle it, you stupid bastard? I really don't care what he has to say, so I don't even bother to find out. When that bell rings, we both speak the international language of whipping someone's bass. JEVEC: As you continue working together, do you see this duo challenging for tag team gold in the near future or are you more inclined to pursue singles titles? SHARK BOY: I'm inclined to whip anybody's bass that steps in the ring with me whether it’s a singles match... a tag match... a cage match... a ladder match... or a clam juice on a pole match... It don't matter to ol' Shark Boy... Hell, if anybody crosses my path, be it in the locker room, in the parking lot, at Joe’s Crab Shack, I don’t give a damn, I’ll whip someone’s bass. But if I ever do get a title shot, you're looking at the next damn champ. JEVEC: What are your goals in TNA Wrestling? SHARK BOY: I don't know how many ways I can answer that question for you, you piece of trash. My goal is to do what I've always done, and that's bring the fight to whatever dumb SOB steps into the tank with ol' Shark Boy. Everybody's long-term goal is to be the heavyweight champion of the world, but right now one of my short terms goals is gonna be to whip your silly bass if you ask me one more stupid question. I suggest you start wrapping up your little interview now. JEVEC: I certainly don’t want to cause any trouble with you. I am just trying to get you to open up to all the fans of TNA Wrestling. I don’t think anyone can question your newfound drive and determination. In TNA Wrestling, you have always been a fan favorite, adored by kids and cheered by adults. However, now, since the debut of Shark Boy 24:7, the fan response has been off the charts for you. What do you make of this reception that the fans give you? SHARK BOY: It's like this...The fans know that each and every time they see Shark Boy walk down that aisle, they're going to see one hell of an entertaining fight. The fans have always been with me and I believe they always will be. I believe they're glad that I've found my voice and they're ready for me to starting beating the hell out of everybody in the TNA locker room. JEVEC: Are there any special messages you'd like to tell the fans of TNA Wrestling or the rest of the stars of TNA Wrestling? SHARK BOY: The fans know that I've always put them first and I appreciate their support, but if they think I'm going to take it easy on somebody just because it's another fan favorite, then they have another thing coming. I'm here to fight everybody and I don't give a damn which side of the building they enter the ring from anymore. I'm serving notice to all the other stars of TNA Wrestling that if you're looking for a fight, you don't have to look any further than ol' Shark Boy. Now, I suggest you make this your last question, because this interview is taking too damn long and you've already managed to %@#$ me off. JEVEC: OK. Well, I think this interview and has been very eye opening and I thank you for taking the time to answer the questions and let the fans know a little more about the new you. As we wrap up, I’ve got just one last question that begs answering….what gives you greater joy inside that six sided ring, winning matches or beating the hell out of someone? SHARKBOY: Well, maybe this will answer your question…….. At this point, I cannot be sure whether or not Shark Boy said anything more, for as he spoke I felt a sharp kick to my stomach and then blacked out. Some time later when I reopened my eyes, I found a few TNA security guards standing over me. It was later explained to me that Shark Boy, apparently incensed at my final question, had ‘stunned’ me by hitting me with a maneuver he calls the “chummer,” and then stormed off the set with his six pack of clam juice. It is clearly evident by his newfound verbiage and his ‘current’ actions that there are ‘rough waters’ ahead for all those who cross paths with Shark Boy. Anyone who dares to try and ‘gut this shark,’ is sure to realize that, they’re “gonna need a bigger boat!” For there is a new ‘shark in the sea,’ and the world of TNA Wrestling may never be the same. |
