Independent
TSJ 101 Exclusive Interview: “The Notorious 187” Homicide.
DISCLAIMER: This is an interview that was originally posted on June 24th, 2015; on the original TSJ 101 Sports website, ThaSportsJunkies101.com. It was an interview that I held with a decorated wrestling personality, “The Notorious 187” Homicide. Our site, which has seen many changes, had lost a lot of our older articles, and I thought that this was lost to time. However, in searching through my old documents, I managed to find it in its entirety.
So, here it is, reposted for the new site, enjoy:
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WWE/UFC
TSJ 101 Exclusive Interview: The Notorious 187 Homicide. Read about Wrestling 101, from the man from “Bed Stuy, Do or Die”, and we talk baseball?
Hello again, folks, this is Gregory Black, bringing you yet another exclusive interview, here, on ThaSportsJunkies101.com. The person that I’ve interviewed is someone who has become a bit of a household name, of sorts. He is someone who, as part of both the ROH & TNA rosters, has helped to build each brand up into prosperity, utilizing his strong-style arsenal to bring fans to the edge of their seats.
He has traveled the world, not only entertaining fans across the globe but, also developing & perfecting his craft. An avid defender of professional wrestling, both in and outside of the ring, who, though he presents a rough and rowdy personality in wrestling, can easily be considered one of the most humble people you would ever meet.
Hailing from Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy, Do or Die) Brooklyn, NY. He is The Notorious 187, Homicide! I had a chance to speak with him via chat, about wrestling, and we even spoke a little about baseball. So, read on, enjoy, and if you are looking to get in the business of pro wrestling, then this will definitely be an informative read. Enjoy, folks.
HOMICIDE:
GB: Let me start off with asking how you got your start in wrestling?
H: Winter of 1993, I was (a) very bad 17-year-old kid, training at Arena Puerto Rico, at south side Brooklyn, NY, and I made my debut as “The Latin Terror” March 5th, 1994.
GB: Alright, from what I’ve read, you were trained by Manny Fernandez? How was it to train under his teachings?
H: I met the Ragin’ Bull in 1996 and 98, he was [running] a training session at Jersey All Pro Wrestling, and I was a fan of the West Texas wrestlers, and fan of his work. He saw me getting my butt kicked, but, I always got up and he saw something in me and showed me the right tools of pro wrestling.
GB: That’s awesome, he took you under his wing, in a sense.
H: Yes, it was me, Crazy Ivan, Ron Killings (R-Truth) and a lot of guys from Texas, and the Midwest. We had a lot of guys and girls. I call it the Ragin’ Bull camp.
GB: That is cool, now, I know you’ve traveled across continents, and faced a lot of opponents, do you take what you’ve seen and learned on the road and incorporate it when training students?
H: Yes, when I went to Puerto Rico, I studied people like Savio Vega, in Japan, I learned from Masato Tanaka, and it wasn’t the hardcore part. I studied a lot of guys from the UK, especially students of Billy Robinson.
So, not only I’m a brawler, (but) I do every style, especially technical style, but I don’t do it on TV, I always take that style at wrestling schools.
“I met the Ragin’ Bull in 1996 and 98, he was [running] a training session at Jersey All Pro Wrestling, and I was a fan of the West Texas wrestlers, and fan of his work.” – Homicide
GB: I’ve seen that, from having watched some of your matches at LIWF, ROH, and TNA.
I still say one of the most brutal, but funny matches of yours I’ve seen was when you tagged with Boogalou against The Boogie Knights at the first ROH show.
H: Haha, that damn rubber chicken!
GB: Hahahaha, yeah, the rubber chicken had me dying.
H: I had so much fun those days, and The Boogie Knights are the most underrated tag teams, I wish they were still around.
GB: Yeah, I had the chance to see some of their work, too. Can’t lie, they were great. Speaking of ROH, you held their Heavyweight Title at one point, how was that experience?
H: Felt like Hogan winning the WWF title at MSG, lol, but, seriously, it felt like I gained respect from the wrestling world and the boys in the back, and it felt good. To me, having respect is better than a world title.
Favorite Title Reigns…
GB: Absolutely, respect is worth its weight in gold. And speaking of gold, what are some of your favorite title reigns?
H: My days at JAPW, in TNA, the NWA Tag Team titles, because I grew up watching the NWA, plus me and Hernandez were the first Latino NWA Tag Champs. Also, the TNA X Division and Big Japan Jr Heavyweight title, because I love the international scene.
GB: Who were your favorite opponents from your travels around the world?
H: Japan was Winger, me teaming with the original Dudley Dudley vs Mad Man Pondo & 2 Tuff Tony, Shadow WX, Masato Tanaka for Zero-1, Puerto Rico was their Jr Heavyweight champ, Blitz, and a feud with Slyck Wagner Brown. In
Mexico, there was Damian 666, Halloween, Extreme Tiger, and nick,
Then, got to excuse my memory, a bunch guys from Australia, Germany, and (the) UK.
All-time international was Masato Tanaka.
“Felt like Hogan winning the WWF title at MSG, lol, but, seriously, it felt like I gained respect from the wrestling world and the boys in the back, and it felt good.”
GB: Now, I’ve asked this question before, but, how different are the fans from America to Europe, and to Japan?
H: America and Europe, almost the same, but, Europe has more passion and (are) really into their favorite wrestlers and foes. Japan takes it very seriously, but now they’re learning the American style, so they make noise and boo. America is very entertaining.
Like some matches in the U.S. are like watching your favorite TV show, like The Simpsons, but if it gets a little intense, it’d be like Sons of Anarchy, like ECW.
GB: Be honest, how many streamers have the fans showered you within Japan?
H: Not as much, because I was a rookie in Japan. I say, maybe once in Big Japan, and once with Zero-1, but I think that was for Low-Ki, because he’s huge in Japan, lol.
(On current talent…)
GB: Lol, I want to ask, are there any wrestlers from the current crop that you would like to work with?
H: Independent or big stars?
GB: Both, I suppose.
H: That’s a very good question and tough. Everyone from NYC that takes pro wrestling serious.
GB: I can see plenty of dream matches in that.
H: From New Jersey, Joey Janela and Drew Gulak. Big stars? Eric Young, Bobby Roode, and Kurt Angle, but as a match, because we had a brawl. One more match with Teddy Hart, Samoa Joe or Steve Corino.
I’ve wrestled a lot of guys that are on tv now. Like Kevin Steen (Kevin Owens), Tyler Black (Seth Rollins), American Dragon (Daniel Bryan) & CM Punk.
GB: I know all of those had to be classics.
H: Hell yeah, plus Colt Cabana, Jon Moxley, who now is Dean Ambrose. I was his last feud before he left to WWE. My four all-time feuds are Samoa Joe, Colt Cabana, Teddy Hart, and Steve Corino. Excuse me, Jim Cornette, too. In TNA, it was the Dudley Boyz and Beer Money.
I had a lot, I’m one of those guys “that’s righttttttttt”!
America and Europe, almost the same, but, Europe has more passion and (are) really into their favorite wrestlers and foes. Japan takes it very seriously, but now they’re learning the American style”
GB: I see that, lol.
H: I even had a match with Booker T and the Steiner Brothers. But I’m humble, I don’t get pissed if fans or the media forget, I’m from the hood. I’m blessed, lol.
Trust I’m that same ol’ Homicide, training near a Bodega store from NYC. I really hate when people forget where they came from. That’s one my cardinal rule: Don’t forget!
GB: You never can forget where you came from, most folks forget that it seems. And indeed, lol, indeed you are. I know I asked who were your favorite opponents, but, what were some of your favorite matches that you’ve been in?
H: Me and Steve Corino, we hated each other, we were like the modern-day era of Terry Funk and, Rest in Peace, Dusty Rhodes.
GB: I’ve read about that, even seen some of the in-ring between you and Corino.
H: Me and Teddy Hart had that magic. I wanted that Bret and Michaels’ feud. With Colt Cabana, it was the Tommy Dreamer and Raven feud, where he couldn’t beat me, but, in the end, he did and me & Samoa Joe was that fire that can’t be watered down.
I had shoulder surgery, because of that yellow bastard (Corino). People said I smacked his ear [so hard], that he went deaf on one ear, but, I’m home, cause I tore my rotator cuff, because of him, 9 years ago.
I worked all these years and finally got it repaired.
No hard feelings, though, I respect fatso.
“Trust I’m that same ol’ Homicide, training near a Bodega store from NYC. I really hate when people forget where they came from. That’s one my cardinal rule: Don’t forget!”
GB: I know the fans must’ve loved those matches.
H: People love realness.
GB: That, they do.
H: But we are not fans with our insurance company, lol, cause they’ll be slick when it comes to pro wrestling. They think it’s fake. Ummm, we beat the hell out of each other.
GB: I hear that, lol, I’ve always said when it comes to insurance, out should always be available to those who are in the business. And anytime someone tells me that wrestling is fake, I tell them to get in the ring and give it a try.
H: Absolutely.
GB: I’d like to get off topic, for a moment, but, I know you’re a big sports fan, especially when it comes to the Yankees. How far do you see them going this year? Is there a postseason for them?
H: Yesterday was very painful. We need Ellsbury and Miller to come back. If CC comes back like his old roots, yes we are going far. It’s June, still early, but watch out for the Tampa Rays. That city don’t deserve a team.
GB: Haha, I’m sure there are those in Tampa who feel the same about NYC.
H: I use to live in Tampa. There are a lot of New Yorkers in Tampa.
That stadium draw is boring, it’s like watching the walking dead, cause their fans is boring to death and bandwagoners. So boring.
GB: Hahahaha
H: There more NHL Lighting fans at Tampa.
“They think it’s fake. Ummm, we beat the hell out of each other.”
GB: I imagine it’s because it’s a more laid-back atmosphere over there.
H: Think about, hockey is big in Tampa.
GB: That’s true.
H: It is, it’s Retirement City. Now, the strip clubs are great, but, that’s just me, lol.
GB: Hahahaha. Okay, so far, the Bombers are in second, but, once we pass the All-Star Break, you think they might pick it up?
H: Yes, this team is playing like [the teams from] 77, 78, 96, & 2000. I think the aces will be ok. I’m more worried about CC, Didi, and Drew.
Gardner going to be the best player this year.
GB: I see him heading to the ASG, I figure he will make it.
H: Yes, Ellsbury’s good, but, gets injured a lot. Mason Williams is the next big thing, but, he is on the DL. So, nevermind with that.
Ugh, Ellsbury…
GB: Unfortunately.
H: We need a good trade, before the deadline. I’m a fan of (Sonny) Gray, of Oakland. And, of course, Mike Trout.
GB: Absolutely, and soon, or, at least they need to bring up a farm hand. Trout, ha, the man that seemingly can do anything on the Field.
H: He’s the next Jeter, but, with less rings.
GB: I believe it, he’s a great player, Anaheim got lucky when they got him.
H: They’ve got a great manager, but, I don’t see him being like he was in 2005.
GB: Yeah, they were really aggressive then. That, I know. But, let me bring it back a bit. I know this is near and dear to you, you are considered one of the defenders of the business, what are some of your pet peeves, when it comes to some in the business?
H: Lol, there’s a lot, the main thing is heart. I just dislike people who blindly go on about having talent; not understanding the business and always having an excuse for politics, and some don’t know what politics are.
I always tell my students and friends, if I [could] make it, anyone [who would] put their heart [into it] could too. I did everything except WWF (WWE), MSG (Madison Square Garden), the Tokyo Dome, WCW and [making a] million dollars. Think about it.
“My days at JAPW, in TNA, the NWA Tag Team titles, because I grew up watching the NWA, plus me and Hernandez were the first Latino NWA Tag Champs.”
GB: I can understand that, being in wrestling is more than just slams and locks, it can pretty much mold a person.
H: I’m on my cell phone, screaming at my TV, cause the Yanks and Sillies (Phillies) is on a rain delay. I’m a huge fan of baseball. When I was a kid, I wanted to play in the MLB, but instead, I joined gangs and squads.
GB: Yeah, rain delays suck, lol.
H: It is, I swear, I don’t know how I did it since 94. I met such people, and bs, and I feel I’m still here. That game last night so gave me nightmares, I’m nervous as f%&k, like it’s the postseason, I don’t trust CC, lol.
GB: Haha, that’s how I was whenever Phil Hughes pitched.
H: Yeeeeeessss, hahahaha!
GB: He was terrible, hahahaha!
H: AJ Burnett, too
GB: Yeah, Burnett wasn’t that great when he was with the Bombers. I thought he would’ve been great here, when they brought him over.
H: He did ok his first year, but afterward, he bombed. He’s doing great now, with the Pirates.
GB: Yeah, what is it with some of these players coming to NY, and being terrible, but once they leave, they become great? Lol.
H: Yup. I really [don’t think that] they don’t come to NY for the money. Yankees and Dodgers are the richest franchises. It seems that some don’t care about the game. They get spoiled with the money. The Yankees need hungry players who have never won a ring.
GB: This is why I think they should stop trading all their farm players. If I may ask one more question, I’d like to ask, what advice would you give to someone who would be interested in getting into the business?
H: Pro wrestling is a business, always work hard, understand the game, just like baseball, or any sport, and take training very serious. This is my passion and I love it, and I will bust my ass to get what I want. In the words of Manny Fernandez in 1998: Work hard and shut the f%&k up, lol!
“…the main thing is heart. I just dislike people who blindly go on about having talent, not understanding the business and always having an excuse for politics…”
GB: Lol, awesome advice, spoken like a tried and true veteran.
H: LMAO, thank you.
GB: Hey man, I call it like I see it.
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Homicide is one of those vets who could definitely teach you a world of knowledge, and to those who are looking to get into the business, I would take his advice to heart. The man knows what he’s talking about, has run the gamut, and had the résumé to show for it.
Well, on behalf of ThaSportsJunkies101, this is Gregory Black, humbly thanking you for reading this interview, but, not only that, taking the time to come to TSJ101 for your sports news and updates. Until next interview, folks, see you then.
Photo by The Badder in the World, via Flickr.
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