please credit www.thecarnagecrew.com and MercuryFireball for the pics.

Declaration of Independents: You both have storied backgrounds in regards to how you first got involved in professional wrestling. Can you touch on this subject a little bit for us?

Devito: I was 12 yrs old and just flipping through the channels when I came to channel 9 and the WWF was on well I stopped flipping and watched and I’ve been hooked ever since. naturally I decided that’s what I wanted to do so when I was older me and a buddy found out about a wrestling school in Orange CT. that was run by Dr. D David Shultz I went joined the school and here I am now.

HC Loc: I started at crunchers gym in Elmira, NY. There were no Junior heavyweights on US TV at the time so , being that I'm pretty short (But MUCH taller than Devito), I didn't think they would let me train. Luckily they just wanted guys who could pay the tuition so that’s how I broke in. My first Show was in January of '95 when I did a battle royal. I did battle royals and six man tags a few times for like a year or more until I finally had my first singles match with Steve Corino.

Declaration of Independents: When ECW began, it was like a cult. Not too many people knew about it but those who did absolutely loved it and lived for it. It grew into the #3 fed before financial issues closed their doors. What was it like being a part of something so legendary as ECW changed the face of professional wrestling forever.

Devito: ECW was great no doubt I didn’t get NWA or Florida wrestling so when ECW came around I thought wow this is wrestling I mean blood violence awesome .I knew I wanted to work there I was already doing TV for WWF so that was cool but I kinda knew I wouldn’t ever get a shot I mean I’m only 5'8" so ECW was the place for me and I tried to get in a for years before I actually got a shot .at the time I was a load of shit I weighed 285lbs. so I lost a ton of weight got to 200lbs.and they finally took notice. When I did get a spot in ECW it was emotional for me I thought I finally made it and it was just great being there I spent 2 yrs. in ECW and that was the best time in my life

HC Loc: It was a dream come true. ECW was my first choice of any place in the world to work and I was honored to get the chance to be there. That said, ROH is the place to be now and if ECW could magically re-open and I had to chose I would stay with ROH.

Declaration of Independents: Tell us a little bit about your experiences in ECW. For Devito, tell us about rolling with the Baldies and the hardcore experiences you had with them and for Loc, tell us about being the Extreme Official and did you think when you first joined Crunchers gym that you would eventually become a referee? Also for Loc, have you ever heard of the new Hardcore Ref – The Motivator? We would love to see you kick his ass sometime!

Devito: I really liked the baldie gimmick Paul got it from the movie the wanderers. as a group the one I was the tightest with was angel all the others were revolving baldies witch was a term me and angel would use. we had a ton of hardcore brawls w/ New Jack, Balls, Axl Rotten, and Tommy Dreamer we had violent, bloody but real fun brawls. I loved every minute of them.

HC Loc: Being the Extreme Official was cool in a way but also very frustrating. It was cool because it was very easy to get over in most towns as a babyface. All I had to do was punch someone and the fans would go nuts because they had never seen a ref fight before. It was frustrating, though, because that character was supposed to be a WRESTLER who was paying his dues as a ref. Kinda the same way Dunn and Marcos are in ROH you know? Wrestlers who are earning their spot on the ring crew. I think it some times came of like I was just a ref. To be a ref for ECW was an honor, but I was wrestling most nights on the house shows and wanted the fans to know I was a wrestler. I've never heard of the new Hardcore Ref but the Carnage Crew are always up for kicking someone’s ass.

Declaration of Independents: To Devito, how do you feel about the career paths your former co-horts in the Baldies have taken?

Devito: well I know angel feel in love with some fat rat in Wichita Kansas and became a cop I really don’t know how they haven’t huny his ass yet I mean he’s Puerto Rican but every one thinks he’s black so I thought those backward ass crackers would have thrown a rope around a tree branch and the other end around his neck. I mean who the fuck would move to Wichita Kansas but I guess he’s happy. as for the other baldies I really have no idea what they are doing

Declaration of Independents: To HC Loc, would you ever consider not wrestling anymore and going back to being a referee?

HC Loc: Absolutely not. Like I said, I've never considered myself a ref. When I'm in my 40's it might be an option for me so that I can still be around the business but, for now, no way.

Declaration of Independents: Both of you guys have worked with legendary wrestlers over the course of your career. Who have you worked with that was a dream come true and who would you both still like to work with in the future?

Devito: not to disrespect any of the legends who I have worked with but none have been a dream come true. like I said I grew up with WWF in the 80's so the guys I've worked with I didn’t watch growing up. But it just recently we did a thing with Dusty Rhodes and id have to say that was really cool being in the ring with him he’s definitely the most legendary guy I've been in there with. the dream guys for me would have to be Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Paul Orndorff, Roddy Piper, Davey Boy, Dynamite Kid. What can I say I was a WWF mark. One guy I worked that I am proud to say I have worked would be Owen hart . future guys would be the Briscoes, Backseat Boys, A.J. Styles, Chris Daniels

HC Loc: Pretty much everyone in ECW was a dream come true because that's were I dreamed of working. As far as the future goes I'd love to work with Tommy Dreamer. There’s also plenty of guys in ROH that the Carnage crew hasn't had a crack at yet and I look forward to working with all of them.

Declaration of Independents: Lets talk for a moment about your Carnage Crew partners Masada and Justin Credible. Why did you feel you wanted the Crew to be bigger? Tell us about how and why both men joined the Carnage Crew? Either of you or both of you can talk about it.

Devito: I've known Justin since 1992 I would say besides Loc he’s the closet thing I have to a brother so when Gabe wanted to use him I said put him with us, and Masada I never knew before I met him in ROH but he comes with the Texas crew and Gabe liked him and wanted to put him with us and I think he’s done a great job he’s a good kid and a real talented work

HC Loc: At first we didn't want the team to be bigger. We were doing some 6 man tags and needed a partner and Masada was kinda thrown in at first. We didn't know if it was for one night or not. He worked out well and brought some youth and the craziness that comes with that youth to our team. Then when Justin got released from WWE we lobbied to get him in because he was our buddy and thought he would fit in perfect.

Declaration of Independents: Lets fast forward from the ECW and your training days to Ring of Honor. ROH is arguably the top Indy fed in the world today and the Carnage Crew are a big part of it. What’s it like working for ROH and how do you feel about Rob Feinstein as a promoter and Gabe as a booker?

Devito: ROH is definitely on fire if your an Indy worker this is the place to be just like ECW was. Gabe is a very good booker he doesn’t just throw you out there just to be there it all means something so if the fans sit back and enjoy the product it will unfold and make sense to everyone . just go back and watch everything he has done so far it all makes sense from one tape to another . I am very happy to be part of ROH and that the carnage crew plays a part in the story lines I have trust in Gabe with my character and he has trust in me to do it

HC Loc: Working for ROH is great. Rob, along with some of the guys he has in the office, are obviously doing a great job as we are growing faster than anyone could have hoped and not going bankrupt in the process. Gabe, quite simply, is the best in the world at what he does and still respects the fact that we've been around the business a long time and always listens to our idea's.

Declaration of Independents: The Carnage Crew have worked some of the top tag teams in the world in Ring of Honor including – Boogalou & Homicide, The S.A.T., Da Hit Squad, Divine Storm, The Christopher Street Connection and guys from the Texas Wrestling Academy - Hotstuff Hernandez, Don Juan, & Fast Eddie just to name a few. Who have been your toughest opponents to date and who would be The Carnage Crews most hated opponents.

Devito: no doubt we hate special k I hate that they are spoiled rich kids who don’t have to work and live off there parents. toughest opponents hell they are all tough I hand it to the Texas kids we have beaten the shit out of them and the come back for more but the toughest I would say was the hit squad we had some brutal matches with them

HC Loc: Our toughest opponents would have been DA Hit Squad. Our most hated, without question are Special K

Declaration of Independents: I’d like to talk about the Ring of Honor 1 Year Anniversary show for a moment. You guys were DQ’d in your match against Hotstuff Hernandez, Don Juan and Fast Eddie. Rudy Boy Gonzalez tried to break up the assault and continued to brutalize him until The Christopher Street Connection hit the ring and the crowd went nuts! What were your thoughts on that match and what are your thoughts of the Christopher Street Connection.

Devito: it was a decent match we were having fun. well as far as the fans knew the CSC was done and when their music hit the place went nuts we did some gay spots and the fans loved it. we had a lot of fun with the CSC they are easy to work with and a lot of fun

HC Loc: Honestly I thought that match was really good but nothing to write home about. I think we've had better ones with those guys since. That was the night we first met and got knocked out by Hotstuff. CSC was a surprise to the crowd and got over great. Those guys are great at what they do even if Buff is always super stiff with the kisses.

Declaration of Independents: Also at the 1 year anniversary show the infamous riot took place after the Corino/Homicide match. You were both heavily involved in the riot going after any fans that jumped the guardrail. Devito was even caught on camera with a huge smile saying “I love this shit." Which I thought was hilarious! Tell us about what you thought of the riot. Do you think it was the wrong thing to do and if you were the promoters would you have ever worked a spot like that?

Devito: that was the first time I've done an angle like that it was a worked shoot .I got to the building late damn boss making me work sat. I think the show had already started I was told about us doing this fight and I said what the hell are we suppose to do and Loc said what would you do in a fight and I said kick someone’s ass so he said do that and of course I said ok sounds like fun . so we went out there and I had no idea who was in on it or not so I waited to see how it broke down and when it did needless to say we beat the shit out of those guys I actually grabbed the biggest dude in the stands pulled his jacket up over his head and started punching the shit out of him that was a lot of fun...I think it was a hell of an angle to run it had the fans not knowing if it was real or not and it was the most talked about angle in wrestling that week

HC Loc: I thought it was great . The energy in the building was amazing. It could have gotten bad if the wrong person got hit I guess but they didn't and everyone was into it.

Declaration of Independents: The Carnage Crew has shown no remorse to any of their opponents including valets of their opponents. Is it safe to say that if a woman gets in your way she will greatly regret it?

Devito: shit yeah we don’t care who it is get in our way and we will let you know you fucked up

HC Loc: Who ever gets in our way, man or woman will regret it.

Declaration of Independents: Speaking of women, lets say Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Carmen Electra, Pamela Anderson, Angelina Jolie and Drew Barrymore were having an elimination match with the 2 winners getting a date with you guys. Who would win the match and how would you interfere?

Devito: the winners would be britney cause she wants you to think she’s squeaky clean but she’s really a slut and Pam Anderson cause did you see the way she can suck a dick. Loc would be guest ref. for the good old days and I would be the man valet for all the bitches the finish would have all six chicks breaking down into a naked cat fight Loc would dq drew barrymore for indecent exposure ,angelina jolie leaves the match when her old ass husband falls down and cant get up ,the other four are just rolling around in a 69 position when none can get the upper hand I come in and grab christina shoot her into the ropes she comes off and hits me with a naked frankenstiener I sell into the corner then christina grabs carmen and shoots her into me in the corner and she hits me with a naked bronco buster the girls celebrate but from behind britney grabs christina and pam grabs carmen (and Loc grabs his crotch) they go for a naked tomb stone piledriver but wait carmen and christina reverse the naked tombstone and then britney and pam reverse then another reverse and now the crowd is on their feet going wild then another reverse Pam and britney hit the naked piledriver on cristina and carmen they make the 69 cover Loc makes the count 1....2....3.... the crowd erupts I sit in the corner whipping my mouth and smiling for booking the best match in wrestling history

HC Loc: That’s a tough one. I think first thing we would do a run in and hit Drew with the Carnage driver just cause I personally never thought she was that hot. Britney IS hot but I kinda wanna smack her as bad as I wanna bang her so she's out. I think in the end I'd have to cast my vote for Boobs and filthyness so the winners would have to be Christina and Pam.

Declaration of Independents: You guys have been embedded in a nasty feud with Special K. What are your thoughts of that crew and how do you think this war with them will come to an end?

Devito: its been a good long feud that took time to develop. at first we hated them cause they were spoiled rich kids and we hated their life style then it became personal. And as you all know now the feud came to a head and ended at "at our best" in scramble cage 2 with a piledriver off the top of the cage through 2 tables on Angeldust

HC Loc: That feud WILL come to an end in the Scramble Cage II match when we kill those little bastards, and probably ourselves, on 3/13 at the Rexplex in Elizabeth, NJ

Declaration of Independents: When do you plan on setting your sights on The Briscoe Brothers and the ROH Tag Team Titles?

Devito: we would love to fight them for the belts but someone pulled a rib on us at the last show that we ain’t to happy about and if turns out to be the briscoes great cause we get to kick their asses and take the belts

HC Loc: For now our sights are on Special K. When the time is right for us to go after the belts they WILL be around our waists. (Who am I kiddin'? It would have to go over Devito's shoulder)

Declaration of Independents: The tag team scene in 2004 has grown and is stronger than ever on the Indy scene. Who do you think has the brightest future of all the current tag teams excluding yourselves? (S.A.T., Marcos & Dunn, CSC, Briscoes, Backseat Boys, Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz, The Solution just to name a few)

Devito: I think dunn and marcos their gimmick is great the fans love them and they deserve it I mean ring crew express is no gimmick those kids bust their ass putting up and tearing down that ring for the love of the sport and ROH

HC Loc: Without question, Dunn and Marcos

Declaration of Independents: 3 members of the Carnage Crew were ranked in the PWI top 500 this past year. This is a great accomplishment for any wrestler today even if the PWI is geared more towards the WWE then it is the Indies. What are your feelings regarding your rankings and the PWI?

Devito: I think its cool to be ranked and all but it really doesn’t mean anything I think they put a lot of though in the top 50-100 then the rest are thrown in there but like I said its still pretty cool

HC Loc: To be honest, I'm glad I was ranked and would probably feel slighted if I wasn't but I don't know or, to much care what my ranking was. As long as the ROH continue to get into what we're doing then that shows me more than any number could.

Declaration of Independents: You have a motto “We don’t want to beat you... We want to KILL you.” Personally I respect this theory and have used it in real life incidents. Tell us about this philosophy and how it helps you keep an advantage over any opponent coming into the ring with the thoughts “we are going to BEAT the Carnage Crew”

Devito: we like to go out there and fight winning is nice but kicking someone’s ass is a lot more fun

HC Loc: Anyone who has ever "beaten" the carnage crew has had their ass kicked in the process and that has been what's mattered most to us in the past.

Declaration of Independents: There has been a wacky fan that goes by the name Fecal Threats. He claims to go to every show on the Northeast and he takes a shit at each show but NOT in a bathroom. He claims it’s his gimmick as a fan. Personally I have seen his “work” left behind in different arenas. Have you ever heard of this maniac and what are your thoughts about him?

Devito: never heard of him

HC Loc: Never heard of him. That sounds pretty gross to me. Not a real big fan of fans with gimmicks.

Declaration of Independents: What are your thoughts of the “Smart Mark” fan and the internets role in professional wrestling today?

Devito: we are all fans so with out being a fan we wouldn’t be here and without the smartmark fans wrestling wouldn’t be here so its good to have them . the only think I hate is the you fucked up chant . the internet is good and bad . good cause wrestling is out there more then ever cause of it. bad cause everything is out there cause of it you know what I mean

HC Loc: I think that an educated fan who wants to voice his opinion is cool. the problem comes when these guys go off like they know more than the wrestlers do.

Declaration of Independents: Do you watch the WWE and if so, what are your feelings about the direction the WWE is going.

Devito: I do watch it cause I’m a wrestling fan plus I know many of the guys there don’t know if it is going in the right direction Vince is just trying to make it catch on again like in 96 I think ROH will help play a roll in that just like ECW did in that time and when it all catches on watch out cause the next few yrs. that follow will be a lot of fun

HC Loc: I try to watch it but I ALWAYS fall asleep. I'm not a big fan of their product right now but putting the belt on Eddie is a huge step in the right direction.

Declaration of Independents: You both are from NY. Can I assume 2 champs like yourself are Yankee fans? And if not, why not?!?!? And if so, how many games are the Yankees winning this year? My guess? 162 wins.

Devito: I am a huge Yankee fan unlike Loc who does have a Yankee NY tattoo but that don’t mean shit ask him who’s on the team he cant tell you..they are gonna win a ton this yr. and now with a-rod holly shit I am sad to see clemens,soriano,petite,and wells all go

HC Loc: Of coarse I'm a Yankees fan. I have a Yankees tattoo on my left forearm. Devito will, however, point out that he thinks I am not a Yankees fan at all.

Declaration of Independents: Correct me if I am wrong but you are currently working for Ring of Honor only. Do you have plans to take other bookings outside of ROH?

Devito: I choose to only work for ROH sometimes I just dont want to be bothered with other Indies I mean I will work but if its in the area and I don’t have to drive to far. but ROH is the place to be no doubt

HC Loc: We take other bookings here and there but we consider ourselves to be representing ROH when we do.

Declaration of Independents: What’s a Saturday night like for the Carnage Crew when you are not wrestling?

Devito: sit home drinking beer playing x-box

HC Loc: putting up with my family. trying to drink myself into a coma.

Declaration of Independents: What were your thoughts when you heard Da Hit Squad were breaking up their tag team to pursue singles careers?

Devito: I wished them both luck

HC Loc: I thought, and still think, it was the right decision.

Declaration of Independents: If you could choose 1 woman each in wrestling today that you would love to spend a night with who would it be and why?

Devito: Trish Status....have you seen that ass

HC Loc: I guess I'd have to chose Becky Bayless for this simple fact that she is SO much in love with me that I would wanna give the poor girl a break.

Declaration of Independents: If the Carnage Crew were given the right to slap 1 person in the face without any legal backlash who would that person be?

Devito: Teddy Hart ...just to slap some sense into him

HC Loc: Teddy Hart and it wouldn't be a slap

Declaration of Independents: Do you guys have thoughts on what is going on in the world today with the war on terrorism, same sex marriages and what are your thoughts of our current President George W. Bush.

Devito: not really

HC Loc: To drunk to think about it right now.

Declaration of Independents: Have you toured Japan or Mexico or have worked overseas at all? If not, is that a goal and if yes, where and what was the experience like?

Devito: Mexico no but I would love to go to Japan just 1 time is all I ask I think that’s all workers goal

HC Loc: Never have toured those places. I would love to get to Japan and hopefully we will sometime soon.

Word Association: (Just tell us your thoughts when you hear the following names)

Homicide –
Loc: THE F'N MAN
Devito: stiff

Samoa Joe –
Loc: The only World Champion that means anything to me right now Devito: ROH world champ

CM Punk –
Loc: Great talker. Future Champion. I'm begging him to have a beer though.
Devito: my hero for getting to slap teddy hart

Raven –
Loc: genius.
Devito: brilliant wrestling mind

Vince McMahon –
Loc: made the business what it is. that’s both a good thing and a bad thing
Devito: The man

Steve Corino –
One of the guys I respect the most in the world. Great wrestler.
Devito: Great father. He knows the sport

Osama Bin Laden –
Loc: I can't wait to see his dead body on my TV.
Devito: Asshole

Trish Stratus -
Loc: Deserves a ton of respect. Busts her ass. Plus I'd really like to bang her.
Devito: Have you seen that ass?

MLW -
Loc: Never worked there. From what I know I'm not surprised they're gone.
Devito: Out of business

3PW -
Loc: Seem to have a good mix
Devito: never saw it

JAP -
Loc: One of the smartest Indy groups. Happy with having there own little niche and not trying to take over the world
Devito: Not bad

USA Pro Wrestling -
Loc: Good place for guys to start
Devito: Long ass shows

Balls Mahoney –
Loc: Awesome. The FIRST guy to be cool to me in the ECW locker room.
Devito: I’m the focal point

Mikey Whipwreck –
Loc: a big influence on me in the early ECW days
Devito: Love him

Simon Diamond –
One of my favorite people I've ever met in the business. Would give you the shirt of his back and, pretty much, offered to do just that for me when times were tough.
Devito: Good dude

Low-Ki' -
Loc: DUCK THE KICK!!!!!!!!...LOL...j/k...he's great
Devito: Intense

Declaration of Independents: Why haven’t you guys worked for USA Pro Wrestling and Frank Goodman based out of your hometown of NYC?

Devito: I've worked for frank a bunch of times but its been a while

HC Loc: Just schedule stuff. I'm sure we will.

Declaration of Independents: What has been the funniest rib you have seen pulled by a fellow wrestler? And who is the funniest wrestler that you know today?

Devito: back when I was doing WWF I think Owen took Mr.Fugi's top hat and put it in the toilet

HC Loc: Funniest wrestler is probably colt but the best rib happened just a little while ago involving a fake magazine article someone made up reporting on a certain ring crew members first encounter with a rat.

Declaration of Independents: Last but certainly not least, what advice would you give to young men and women who wanted to become professional wrestlers?

Devito: don’t go the backyard route find a school learn the right way pay your dues and be respectful to the business

HC Loc: do anything and everything that is asked of you. Pay your dues. keep your mouth shut and ears open.

Declaration of Independents: Thank you so very much for taking the time out to do this interview with us. Is there anything you would like to plug or say to the fans reading this right now?

Devito: www.rohwrestling.com www.thecarnagecrew.com

HC Loc: thanks to the fans for getting into what we are doing and taking us from a team no one wanted to see 2 years ago to the guys that are main eventing ROH's biggest show on 3/13

Note: This interview was conducted with The Carnage Crew before the RF situation took place. Loc sent his response back before the RF situation happened and Devito after the March 13th ROH show.

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