What’s up everyone and welcome to another McInterview. Today’s guest is Tony Burma. Tony Burma is one of the many bright spots from the Critical Mass Training School’s promotion, The New York Wrestling Connection. (NYWC) Tony has wrestled many good matches there and is a new star looking to make a name for himself. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: How did you get your start in wrestling, and what made you want to get into pro wrestling?
Tony Burma: Well, a friend of mine I went to High School with Doug Winn was starting an "Underground" fed, it was pretty much backyard, but through that, I wound up at the old Doghouse, I tried getting the other kids to train at the doghouse with me, but they just didn't want it bad enough, before long I saw left the fed behind and began training at the Doghouse, where I had the privilege of getting in the ring with Tower Of Torture, Homicide, DRS, Lowlife Louie Ramos, The Solution, and others, in time I started working Doghouse Shows and was also doing WTF Tapings, after the doghouse closed down last June and I had injured my back severely, so in October, I checked out Critical Mass Pro Wrestling School, I met John Curse and Mike Mayhem, and the rest is history. What made me want to get in this sport all started when I was 3 years old, my dad took me to the Nassau Coliseum to see Hulk Hogan and Tito Santana take on Macho Man Randy Savage and Jesse Ventura, since the moment he placed me on his shoulders (we had floor seats and all the assholes in front were standing so I couldn't see), I knew that this was my calling in life.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What was your training like, anything that we see on Tough Enough?
Tony Burma: Well, in some ways, you know the trainers do a move, show you how to do it properly and you try to do it to the best of your ability.
Who were your favorite wrestlers growing up? Least favorite?
Tony Burma: My Favorites growing up, definitely Hogan, HBK, Bret Hart, Triple H, now Angle. My least favorite is Albert, wasn't really a big Mabel fan either.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What promotions have you worked for and which ones have you liked the most? Least?
Tony Burma: I worked for NYWC, LIWF/DPW, WWW, and I guess if you consider WTF a fed, them too, I simply love working in the ring, so every experience has been memorable for me, but I have to say NYWC has been my favorite, I have been given such an opportunity to shine there, and am forever grateful, my best work has been with them, and I look forward to ever show we do.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What is your history with WTF wrestling and Nelson Torres?
Tony Burma: I figured this question was coming, quite simply, when I first started in this business and was inexperienced I saw an opportunity to put myself out there with a group of guys that I became pretty good friends with. I knew they were on TV and they were good to me, so even though the wrestling was far from the best, I had fun doing it at the time and made some friends that I'll never forget. Now when I went to Critical Mass to train, I really started motivating myself and not to pat myself on the back but my wrestling improved dramatically to the point where my trainers and I had thought it wouldn't be a good idea for me to do WTF anymore because it would be a bad career move if I wanted to start taking indy wrestling seriously. So I left WTF on good terms. However, like I said earlier, I had some good friends still there and I knew they were going through some rebuilding pains, we reached an agreement, and I did a taping, but the wrestling disgusted me. The show was the worst WTF taping I had ever been apart of, and it was an awakening, although this was a part of me at one time, I decided it was time for me to move on, I left for good. To each their own, if that’s what they love doing, let them do it. I have no problem with it, I was even a part of it once, it's just not for me anymore. Me and Nelson don't see eye to eye on many things, I love the sport of wrestling, while he uses toilet humor more than wrestling on his shows.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What does Critical Mass mean to you?
Tony Burma: Critical Mass is my home away from home. They took me in, and they made me the wrestler I am right now. I have met so many guys in the past 7 months that I already hold close to my heart. My trainers are the best, and it is a brotherhood I am honored to be a part of.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What's been your career highlight so far? Also, what do you think has been your best match?
Tony Burma: So far every NYWC show has been my highlight, my official debut I had an Interstate title match with Southern Vinny Stylin', then I went on to face Livewyre, then D.W. Dudley, and just last week Johnny Ova. The 2 best matches I've had, have to be against Livewyre and Ova.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What's a typical day in the life of Tony Burma?
Tony Burma: Wow, I don't know if the DOI readers can handle a day in the life of Tony Burma (Haha, Just Kidding). During the week, I am up everyday at 4AM for work sometimes don't get home til 7PM at night, plus I train during the week, so I am pretty tied up, but once that weekend hits, it's party time, I always have some crazy ass stories to tell during practice to the boys at critical mass about my weekends, they know if they go out with me, they are in for a wild night. ROCK ON!!!
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What has been one of the funniest ribs that you've been part of?
Tony Burma: I haven't really been in on ribs, bt the funiiest one I had ever seen had to be when J Silva took a shit in JD Lishus' hat.
Word Association
John Curse: Excellent trainer, very down to earth, ROCK ON with your bad self! Trustworthy.
Mike Mayhem: Time is Money!
Frank Goodman: Never met him.
Nelson Torres: He's definetely a character.
Jac Sabboth: Met him once for a split second during an NYWC show, hope to work for his promotion one day.
Dickie Rodz: Great friend and locker room leader, I have become very close to him.
Livewyre: Look out for him like my little brother, but I would love to be as great a wrestler as him, good luck in OVW, you will be missed.
Dan Barry: Talented, The Champ
Johnny Ova: One of my best matches was against him.
Tyler Payne: Another guy I look up too, a good friend I can go to with a problem.
Southern Vinny Styles: Almost got married on Easter Sunday. HAHA Inside Joke
Roxy Rave: Should be interesting to see where she goes from here
JD Lishus: Retired
Ru Starr: Old School
Tusk: Big, called Greg T the frat boy from Z Zoo a pussy live on the air.
Vince McMahon: Genius
Vince Russo: Not the mind he once was
HBK: Wrestler of the 90's
Hogan: Made Wrestling
Angle: When it's all said and done, will be the greatest ever
Bastion Booger: Fat
Giant Gonzales: Nice tights
Declaration of Independents: Great idea, dedicated, can't wait to see the DOI 250
Tony Burma: Improving everyday, confident, hard working, ROCK ON!!!
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
Tony Burma: My short term goals are to raise to bar everyday, to get better with each practice and performance. My long term goals are to be in the WWE, but if I can't I hope to run my own wrestling school someday.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What wrestlers do you find inspirational, and try to emulate, if any?
Tony Burma: I am inspired by Livewyre, because the kid has come so far so quick, he really is special. The kid busts his ass in the gym and in the ring and it just goes to show if you love something enough and you work hard enough for it, you can accomplish it. As far as emulating anyone I just try to go out there and be me, to give the people something new, I love going out there and giving the crowd something that nobody else can.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What would be your dream match?
Tony Burma: Tony Burma vs. Kurt Angle at the Nassau Coliseum, where my aspirations to be a pro wrestler all began.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you have to say to anyone reading this?
Tony Burma: Be on the lookout, Tony Burma has arrived, and I don't plan on dropping the ball or leaving anytime soon, I only plan on getting better. Look for a website soon, and hopefully soon enough you'll see me getting more bookings in other feds, until then... ROCK ON!!! It's been a pleasure.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Thanks for doing this interview