Carlton P. Hightower, in the middle, with the Valedictorians, Rob Eckos and Billy Bax
Picture Credit, ECWA Staff at www.ecwaprowrestling.com
What up y’all and welcome to another McInterview. Today I had the pleasure of interviewing one of ECWA’s most obnoxious managers, Carlton P. Hightower. Carlton has been in ECWA for about a year. This is a good interview where Carlton talks about wrestling, indy wrestling, dolla dolla, wrestling buddies and much more. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: How did you get your start in pro wrestling, and why did you want to get into it?
Carlton P. Hightower: The process essentially began about two years ago, though an in an indirect way. I had been acting for God-knows-how-long, and I was craving something different and exciting. Around that time, I started going to ECWA shows again. I used to go a lot as a kid, which I always like telling Jim Kettner to make him feel older. ;)
But as I was watching the shows, I started to get this itch. Turned out to be a rash. Then, I started to think, “This is something I’d truly love to do.” Now I’m not going to kid myself or anyone else; the extent of my athletic ability is playing foosball at the local bar (and I’m not even really good at that). But I thought my acting experience might lend itself to a managerial role. So I contacted Jim and expressed an interest in taking on such a role. He, quite naturally, wanted a tape of my work. I dug up a tape of me performing as the Dentist from Little Shop of Horrors. He said he saw potential in it, so over the next several months, we talked about different options. Finally, about a week before his show in July 2002, we finalized everything, and the rest is Hightower History (tm).
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Carlton P. Hightower, might be the perfect name for you. Where did you get that name? Also, do you consider yourself the white midget version of Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel Air? And to follow up a follow up question, how many times do people mention Carlton Banks to you?
Carlton P. Hightower: Well, it’s funny you mention that, as Carlton Banks essentially was the initial inspiration for Carlton P. Hightower, right down to the first name. In terms of the last name, we were looking for something that gave fans the initial impression that this monstrosity of a man was going to be walking through that curtain…only for it to be me. The P. in Carlton P. Hightower? It may just be indy wrestling’s best kept secret.
Ok, it’s just my best kept secret. Just let me have this one.
Do I consider myself to be the white midget version of Carlton Banks? I never really sat down and thought about that one. So I guess my answer would be, “Sure, why the hell not?”
I always thought it would be funny if I ever told that guy that I based a wrestling character around his on Fresh Prince, to which his response would probably be, “Sir, please leave the premises.”
To be honest, I’ve only had one or two people mention Carlton Banks to me, which always surprised me. But they more than make up for it with the hobbit chants…and the midget chants…and the “Where’s your diaper” chants…and the Keebler Elf chants…and the…
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What kind of rush do you get managing?
Carlton P. Hightower: It truly is indescribable, which will be nullified by my attempts to describe it.
It’s so different than the rush I get from performing on stage or in other facets of acting. With those, your character is defined by a script and by the director, with little hints of you sprinkled around. In wrestling, there is so much more freedom to define your own character and the interaction with your audience is on a much more personal level. So that induces such a unique rush when the people actually react to what you’re doing, because it’s YOU. Now obviously, input and direction from the bookers, the other wrestlers, etc. help mold you and your character further, but it's just not as stringent as it is onstage. But as for the high itself...it’s a natural high that carries with you, even past the night of the show.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What has been the best match you've ever been a part of?
Carlton P. Hightower: That’s a tough one, because I’ve been a part of a lot of good ones. I think just for crowd heat alone, it was a match between Eckos/Bax and the Maxx Brothers. The fans were into the entire thing, and everything just flowed perfectly between everyone in the ring.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you think about the current role of male managers in indy wrestling and in the WWE today?
Carlton P. Hightower: Well, in terms of WWE, I think you need to un-pluralize the sentence to “What do you think about the current role of Teddy Long in the WWE?”
But in general, I think it’s a really understated and overlooked role in wrestling, both in WWE and indy wrestling. I mean, look at Teddy Long; he is doing exactly what managers should be doing. He is trying to get over two guys who may not be able to get over on their own merit. That’s why God created wrestling managers to begin with! Plus, I totally advocate changing our currency to the dolla dolla. But why WWE doesn’t utilize more guys like Teddy Long or Paul Heyman is completely beyond me. I don’t care what anyone says; Heyman was so instrumental in getting Brock Lesnar over to the point he’s at today. Lesnar is doing wonderfully on his own now and certainly helped his cause by his own abilities, but having Heyman as his mouthpiece so early in his career really cemented his status from the outset.
Fortunately, on the indy scene, there are more quality male managers out there, even if they don’t get as much credit as they deserve.
In my case, I’m very fortunate, as I have a stable of guys who, realistically, can easily also get over on their own merits. But as I said before, we help further define each other’s characters, and I think that mutually beneficial interaction is another overlooked facet of pro wrestling in general.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What is it like working in ECWA? Would you like to eventually branch off elsewhere?
Carlton P. Hightower: I absolutely love working for the ECWA. Obviously, in varying degrees, the performance aspect is what we’re all there to do. But it’s such a tight-knit, family atmosphere in the locker room as well. Everyone gets along with everyone, or, at the very least, is cordial with everyone else. For someone like me who never worked in such an environment before, it was such a relief to be a part of such a group. I am extremely lucky and fortunate, as I know that in some other places, things might not have been the same way.
Right now, to be perfectly honest, I’m completely content with remaining strictly with the ECWA. More than anything, it is out of loyalty and respect for Jim. He took a chance on an unknown, and I don’t know how many other promoters would take such a risk. He strives to remain unique from everything else that is out there, so if I can contribute in some way to that distinctiveness, I consider it an honor to do so.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What's a normal day in the life of Carlton P. Hightower?
Carlton P. Hightower: Well, I’m not sure if you mean the “9-5” Carlton P. Hightower or the “Guy Everyone Calls Hobbit” Carlton P. Hightower, so I’ll answer both. Though to be honest, but Hightowers can overlap sometimes…
In terms of my life outside of wrestling, I work a 9-5 job, come home, and play Tiger Woods on PS2 for hours on end. And yes, I created Carlton P. Hightower in the game. Hey, if the golf glove fits…
On show days, I come as early as possible to help out with whatever I can. Then, I run around to the different guys I manage, making sure I have all my cues straight. Then after the show, I run to around to the different guys I manage, apologizing for missing my cues.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Do you have any prematch superstitions?
Carlton P. Hightower: I just make a quick blessing, hoping that everyone makes it out of the match alright. Other than that, I just run my cues and the main points of my promo through my head one last time. I wish I had a more exciting answer like, “I meditate naked upside down and eat tons of pixie sticks,” but that just wouldn’t be truthful, now would it?
Word Association
Jim Kettner – Every good thing you hear about Jim is 100% true. He is a class act all the way, and he makes it so enjoyable to work with him and with his promotion. I just have the utmost respect for him and everything he does.
Ace Darling – A locker room leader, and you haven’t lived until you’ve seen him cut a promo for one of Boogie Woogie Brown’s energy drinks.
Matt Striker – Great guy, always joking around. And message to Matt...I did get the Kofi Annan joke backstage last month. :)
Rob Eckos & Billy Bax – They are two of the funniest guys on the circuit, in and out of the ring. Working with them has made my job a million times easier. Never a dull moment with those two!
Johnny Maxx – One of my best friends in the business; just a genuinely nice guy.
Joey Maxx – Another great friend, and again, one of the nicest guys you’ll find in the business. Mrs. Maxx would be proud.
Low Ki – As focused and driven of an individual as you will ever find. He’s earned every ounce of respect he’s received in wrestling.
Chris Daniels – For someone who is as big of a star as he is, he’s just such a down-to-earth individual. He had the patience of a saint when trying to teach me how to punch several months back, and never once made a snide or rude remark when I initially wasn’t getting it right. A true leader and as many times as it's been said...the fact he's not tearing it up on Raw or Smackdown is a travesty.
Trinity – The person who will take women’s wrestling to the next level…even if she has yet to bake me those muffins I’ve asked for.
Mega – Makes me look small. Ok, an Oompa Loompa makes me look small. But in all seriousness, he does something that not too many guys can do; he says a lot by saying nothing, which is not easy at all.
Prince Nana – The top heel in ECWA for a reason; he is just a heat magnet, and a incredibly funny guy backstage.
John Shane – I hate to admit it, but I’ve never seen his work. But from all the good things I’ve read and heard about him, I’m sure he’s every bit as good as he’s made to be, if not better. I’d love to share notes with him someday.
Devin Sturgis – See John Shane.
Barry Casino – I could never possibly fill the shoes or the void Barry has left behind since retiring from wrestling. He is the epitome of what a manager should be, and if I can be even half the manager he was, I’ll be in good shape.
Paul Ellering – Great talker, truly one of the best. Too bad his last few years as a manager consisted of shoving his hand up a puppet’s ass and telling a suicide-driven Hawk that his kids call him “Uncle.”
Bobby Heenan – I could write a dissertation on this man; the greatest manager of all-time, bar none. Although I study a lot of different performers to make myself better, he is truly the one man managers should emulate more than anyone. There will never be another quite like him.
Ted Dibiase – Such a phenomenal heel; my early character was very much based off the work he did. Maybe I should invest in a tear-off sweater vest…
Jimmy Hart – Another incredible manager, and an inspiration to small, weasly men everywhere.
Colonel Parker – Very underrated. I don’t think he ever got the credit he deserved.
Bastion Booger – An inspiration to all. My personal hero. I’m going to name my first-born Bastion, gender be damned.
Giant Gonzales – Out of all the wrestlers to ever be named Giant Gonzales, he is by far the best one.
Declaration of Independents – It’s great to have such strong advocates of independent wrestling, especially in this so-called “down cycle.” It’s nice to have someone root for the little guy.
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Don’t even go there…
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What are your career goals?
Carlton P. Hightower: As long as I continue to perform and (hopefully) entertain, I’m happy. I truly feel my calling in life is to perform in some capacity…
…Which means, due to the laws of karmic irony, I’ll be a street mime or a rodeo clown…OR BOTH!
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You recently lost an arm wrestling match to Trinity. What was that like?
Carlton P. Hightower: Well, it didn’t make me feel all warm and tingly inside!
In all seriousness, I’m just happy the angle played out the way it did. It’s just pretty sad that even if the match was “legit,” I’d still probably be the underdog.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Who were your favorite wrestlers and least favorite wrestlers growing up?
Carlton P. Hightower: Yes, I was a Hulkamaniac. I’ve been trying to find a support group for years, but no (fuzzy) dice.
But I think I always connected with Ricky Steamboat more than anyone. He was always the underdog and, as a kid, I just really related to that role. In fact, I’d say my two biggest mark-out moments as a kid were when he captured the IC Title and the NWA Title, respectively.
My least favorite wrestlers were usually the crappy gimmick wrestlers Vince churned out that, even as a kid, I knew the ideas sucked. Except for Repo Man, for some strange reason. I always got a kick out of him.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Did you always want to be a manager or were your true aspirations in wrestling was to be a wrestler?
Carlton P. Hightower: My true aspirations were to be a wrestler, as delusional as those aspirations may have been. But like I said, I got a little more realistic as I grew older, and I’m just as happy managing as I would be wrestling. Plus, you can only beat up Wrestling Buddies for so long before people start to wonder about you.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What makes a good manager?
Carlton P. Hightower: I can only really say what I’ve learned so far because, with only one year under my belt, I don’t think I’m completely qualified to firmly state all the criteria a manager must meet to be considered “good.” I mean, obviously, the primary role of a manager is to get his wrestler over. But the understated role lies in the manager getting the OTHER wrestler just as over, if not moreso in some cases. It’s a tricky balance that I’m still learning, but I think if at the bare minimum you can do that much, you’re at least on your way to becoming a great manager. Obviously, promo ability and fan interaction all tie into the same concept.
But I think what separates any performer from being good to being great is the ability and willingness to learn, especially from your own mistakes. It’s hard to take criticism sometimes; but when you learn as a performer that not everything you do will be perfect and that you can learn so much from your mistakes and from the people around you, it helps you to grow and mature in your profession. I’ve certainly made my share of f-ups, but if those f-ups didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be able to take my abilities to the next level. I truly believe the people around you "make you" just as much as you can make yourself.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you want to say to anyone reading this?
Carlton P. Hightower: I just wanted to thank everyone for reading this interview. Come on…group hug!
But in all seriousness, I thank all the DOI readers for their support of independent wrestling. If you haven’t been to an ECWA show yet or if it’s been awhile since you’ve attended one, I strongly urge you to give us a try. Simply put, there’s a reason Jim’s been in business for 36 years now. Information about future shows can be found at http://www.ecwaprowrestling.com.
Shameless plugging aside, thanks again for the interview, and I hope to see all your bright, shining faces at our show!
Your Friend,
Carlton P. Hightower
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Thanks for your time and this interview.
