MWR Spotlight: Mephisto
by Joshua Ray
I’m here today with Mephisto, a controversial figure on the regional pro wrestling scene. The word “controversial” is a relative term in this day and age’s wrestling environment, so hopefully this interview can shed some light on Mephisto and any perceived controversy.
Mephisto, how are things going for you these days?
Pretty good. I beat Mad Man Pondo on March 9th to win with Wicked Wrestling Alliance (WWA) Hardcore Title. It’s the biggest win in my career, to date. My daughter recently came home from the hospital, too. She’s doing great. Now that things in my life are starting to settle down, I’m hoping to get back into wrestling like I was a couple of years ago.
It’s great to hear about your good fortunes! Hopefully things continue to go well for you.
So, how old are you and how did you get your start in pro wrestling?
I’m 23 years old, and started four years ago in Mid America Xtreme Wrestling (MAX). It used to be based in Alton, IL. They were around for a year and a half.
I originally went to Rampage Championship Wrestling for training, but was blown off. I then approached Gateway Championship Wrestling’s owner, Ben Oliver, at a show. He told me to visit the website. Since I didn’t have Internet access back then, I contacted Butch (the owner of MAX) by phone. He had given me his business card. I started with him that same week.
You’ve done a lot of wrestling in your four years of pro wrestling experience. Where do you feel you’ve received the most positive experience?
Well, I’ve received a lot of positive experience. I’d say I’ve received the most positive experience in WWA. They took a chance on me when nobody else would. They’ve always conducted good business by me. I feel like they are family when I go work with them, and there is no other indy group I’d rather work with. They really took care of me when I needed it early on in my career, and still do.
You’ve worked in at least sixteen promotions in four different states. Where are your fondest wrestling memories? Is there somewhere, either a state or promotion, where you’d like to work that you haven’t?
I’ve had great memories everywhere. I’d love to work at least once in any promotion that’ll book me.
(Mephisto laughs.)
Seriously though, I’d love to be given a serious chance to work for Lethal Wrestling Alliance (LWA). They are based here in St. Louis and I currently do not work for anyone here.
In doing research for our meeting today, the common theme seemed to be your controversial nature. I’ve heard of altercations with fans, accusations that you are at odds with various promotions, and doubts of your wrestling ability outside of the “hardcore” style. Care to comment on any of this?
I recently wrestled in an organization where I brought a bar of soap to the ring with me, then told the crowd what it was and how they could benefit from using it. A drunk guy and his 14-year old son ran into the ring and tried to beat me up for it. The ref ran away, but I stood my ground with them. I stuck him in the mouth with a left hand while his son jumped me from behind. I hit him with a few shots and cracked his dad in the face again. The locker room finally cleared out and broke the fight up.
I’m at odds with some promotions because I don’t approve of how they run things. In my opinion, most feds don’t have their junk together. They hang ten flyers out and expect to pack the venue. They advertise their shows on message boards and expect the wrestlers to check them out rather than actually calling the wrestlers to book them. One fed in particular would book shows two or three hours out, and then wouldn’t pay the guys for their work. In some other feds, the owners are wrestlers, too, and it’s all about them. They are constantly putting themselves over at everyone else’s expense. Then there are the veterans that have maybe 300 matches under their belts, but have more than 10 years of experience.
As for my wrestling ability, if you doubt it then give me a shot. I’ll prove you wrong.
Fair enough. In particular, I’ve heard some people limit Mad man Pondo similarly to how they limit you. You know, like “he’s just a hardcore wrestler with no real wrestling value”. Things like that. You’ve had two death matches with him. What are your thoughts on Mad Man Pondo? Is there a chance we’ll be seeing you two meet up for a third time?
I like wrestling Pondo. He;s a fun guy and he maks his money, so there must be a need for that kind of wrestling. I’d love to wrestle him a third time, especially if I could wrestle him in Japan!
I’ll keep this one simple and let you run with the ball. Do you have a dream match?
I don’t really have one, no. I guess any match of importance would be a dream come true for me.
Keeping with our open-ended interview, if you were to compare yourself to any wrestler of the past…
(Mephisto interrupts)
I don’t compare myself to anyone.
I hope that I can take ass kickings like Mick Foley, though. Some have told me that I’m like Rhino or Raven. Some have also called me a hardcore Chris Jericho. I’ve also been told I look like a fat Rob Van Dam because of my hair cut and the way I dress.
Personally, I’d like to be just me. I’m not the first, but I am the greatest Mephisto.
Everyone has their influences growing up. The above mentioned were a few of mine. I’m not trying to be like anyone else, although moves can be borrowed and styles can be incorporated. Everything gets recycled I wrestling, so if a few of my influences happen to shine through, then so be it.
Well, that’s about all the time I have right now. Is there anything else you would like to add before we go?
Yes. I have a Myspace page:
Feel free to stop by and add me.
Thank you very much for your time, Mephisto. I hope that this has proven a pleasure for you. It’s been very informative on my end, and you’ve fun to interview for sure.
Folks, we’ll be back soon with another edition of MWR Spotlight! Keep checking Missouri Wrestling Revival for more columns, interviews, and news!
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