Jimmy Flame
When did you decide to get into the wrestling business?
I was always curious as far back as I can remember. But the opportunity didn't present itself until I was about 17, sitting in the stands at Bingo Bill's in Baltimore, and the ring announcer invited anyone "daring enough" to call the MEWF (Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation) hotline for tryout inquiries. I called and was told to show up the following Monday with $50; so I did. I was greeted by Mark Schroeder, the then Mid-Atlantic Champion, and told to get in the ring for a "workout."
A local legend by the name of Lucifer ran me through a couple of drills and it hurt like hell. Then, fresh from his famous Barbed-Wire Baseball Bat Death Match with Ian Rotten, stood Axl Rotten. He was covered in stitches, and at first wouldn't even look at me. Axl told another worker, Corporal Punishment, to "get this fucking kid out of my ring." He worked me over like nobodies business. Hack Meyers came out of nowhere and piledrived me, then I ended up on the floor just beat to hell. At least they were kind enough to check on me. From that point I thought, as long as I could get through the hazing I'd be fine, because nobody was going to stop me.
I was always curious as far back as I can remember. But the opportunity didn't present itself until I was about 17, sitting in the stands at Bingo Bill's in Baltimore, and the ring announcer invited anyone "daring enough" to call the MEWF (Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation) hotline for tryout inquiries. I called and was told to show up the following Monday with $50; so I did. I was greeted by Mark Schroeder, the then Mid-Atlantic Champion, and told to get in the ring for a "workout."
A local legend by the name of Lucifer ran me through a couple of drills and it hurt like hell. Then, fresh from his famous Barbed-Wire Baseball Bat Death Match with Ian Rotten, stood Axl Rotten. He was covered in stitches, and at first wouldn't even look at me. Axl told another worker, Corporal Punishment, to "get this fucking kid out of my ring." He worked me over like nobodies business. Hack Meyers came out of nowhere and piledrived me, then I ended up on the floor just beat to hell. At least they were kind enough to check on me. From that point I thought, as long as I could get through the hazing I'd be fine, because nobody was going to stop me.
Who trained you, and how would you describe that experience?
Many workers have helped train me along the way. In fact, and even though I'm not active at the moment, I'm still training. Training has come both directly and indirectly. What I mean by that is indirect training happens by watching tapes and others work. I feel it's intrinsic for humans to learn from others simply by watching and adopting what works for them. On the other hand, direct training involves interaction. You get to know what's going on in the ring by following directions given by an experienced instructor. To ask "who" trained me is like asking if the wrestling business has ever existed.
I will, however, give a ton of credit to Tim Flowers and Mark Ferguson for giving me a shot in the Northwest, and for exposing me to other workers who really knew the business inside and and out. Buddy Wayne, Bryan Alvarez, Avalanche, to name a few. Later on workers such as Ron Sutherland and Dash Venture helped further my development. And for my first attempt to break into the business I need to acknowledge Axl Rotten, Mike Awesome, Mark Schroeder, and basically the entire original cast of ECW, MEWF, and Mid-Atlantic Wrestling for being keepers of the gate. I kept coming back, ass kicking after ass kicking, and they knew I wasn't going anywhere. Lastly, my cousin Beau James deserves a mention as well. One more thing, I hated every minute of training, but I kept telling myself not to quit. It's better to suffer a little now and live the rest of my life a champion.
Many workers have helped train me along the way. In fact, and even though I'm not active at the moment, I'm still training. Training has come both directly and indirectly. What I mean by that is indirect training happens by watching tapes and others work. I feel it's intrinsic for humans to learn from others simply by watching and adopting what works for them. On the other hand, direct training involves interaction. You get to know what's going on in the ring by following directions given by an experienced instructor. To ask "who" trained me is like asking if the wrestling business has ever existed.
I will, however, give a ton of credit to Tim Flowers and Mark Ferguson for giving me a shot in the Northwest, and for exposing me to other workers who really knew the business inside and and out. Buddy Wayne, Bryan Alvarez, Avalanche, to name a few. Later on workers such as Ron Sutherland and Dash Venture helped further my development. And for my first attempt to break into the business I need to acknowledge Axl Rotten, Mike Awesome, Mark Schroeder, and basically the entire original cast of ECW, MEWF, and Mid-Atlantic Wrestling for being keepers of the gate. I kept coming back, ass kicking after ass kicking, and they knew I wasn't going anywhere. Lastly, my cousin Beau James deserves a mention as well. One more thing, I hated every minute of training, but I kept telling myself not to quit. It's better to suffer a little now and live the rest of my life a champion.
I bet you've seen plenty of people who gave up on their training. What is the drop out rate at an average wrestling school?
I don't know about now, but when I first tried to break in back in '94, the dropout rate was insane. Hell I dropped out quite a few times. It was a rough and tumble, highly exclusive world. The standards have eased quite a bit since, and we can thank all the whistle blowers who exposed the business as a "sham" instead of praising it for it's aesthetics.
I don't know about now, but when I first tried to break in back in '94, the dropout rate was insane. Hell I dropped out quite a few times. It was a rough and tumble, highly exclusive world. The standards have eased quite a bit since, and we can thank all the whistle blowers who exposed the business as a "sham" instead of praising it for it's aesthetics.
While I was doing research for our interview I came across a Seattle PI article from 10 years ago where you were featured as a trainee breaking into the wrestling business. Has your outlook on professional wrestling changed in the last decade?
I was training with ICW at the time and I wanna' give a shout-out to Randy "the Pimp" Taylor! That was my third attempt to break in I think, first in the Northwest. Anyhow, my outlook has changed correspondingly to cognitional development. I feel WWE has taken wrestling into this fake-fighting MMA typecast, whereas some indies have held on to wrestling's true nature; that being a worked sport where it's up to the wrestlers to tell a classic story using nothing but body language. I prefer the optimist's answer.
I was training with ICW at the time and I wanna' give a shout-out to Randy "the Pimp" Taylor! That was my third attempt to break in I think, first in the Northwest. Anyhow, my outlook has changed correspondingly to cognitional development. I feel WWE has taken wrestling into this fake-fighting MMA typecast, whereas some indies have held on to wrestling's true nature; that being a worked sport where it's up to the wrestlers to tell a classic story using nothing but body language. I prefer the optimist's answer.
Along with wrestling, you're also in a band. How would you describe your music, and how does being a musician compare with performing in a wrestling ring?
It's all rock n' roll to me, whether I'm in the ring or out. I'm going to have a blast every time out, and those who don't like it can kiss my ass.
Do you have a favorite match that you've competed in, and if you could choose a 'dream opponent', who would it be?
My first match with CW Bergstrom. Selling the full nelson in Portland was surreal. And to finish out your double-barrel question, no I don't have "dream opponents," I prefer to deliver pain to anyone I step in the ring with.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to become a professional wrestler?
You better hope you never step in the ring with me.
It's all rock n' roll to me, whether I'm in the ring or out. I'm going to have a blast every time out, and those who don't like it can kiss my ass.
Do you have a favorite match that you've competed in, and if you could choose a 'dream opponent', who would it be?
My first match with CW Bergstrom. Selling the full nelson in Portland was surreal. And to finish out your double-barrel question, no I don't have "dream opponents," I prefer to deliver pain to anyone I step in the ring with.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to become a professional wrestler?
You better hope you never step in the ring with me.
Do you have anything that you would like to promote?
Surprisingly nothing at the moment. I'm focused on getting my degrees from Loyola University. (History and Law)
Are you accepting bookings, and if so how can people contact you?
I don't feel like breaking anyone's bones right now, nor do I need another title. But when I do, I'll be sure to let you know.
Surprisingly nothing at the moment. I'm focused on getting my degrees from Loyola University. (History and Law)
Are you accepting bookings, and if so how can people contact you?
I don't feel like breaking anyone's bones right now, nor do I need another title. But when I do, I'll be sure to let you know.