Hawk Younkins

What’s up boys and girls and welcome to another McInterview. Today’s guest is Tough Enough II contestant and UPW wrestler, Hawk Younkins. Many remember Hawk for his outlandish antics and natural charisma from the Tough Enough show, and his infamous “Hawkwich.” Hawk discusses TEII, the WWE, acting, Jasmin St. Claire and the indies. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: What made you decide to try out for Tough Enough?

Hawk Younkins: My college football and ice hockey careers had just ended and I was completing my major in Theatre Arts at the University of South Florida. Basically I was in limbo and hit that realm of "Ok, now what do I do with the rest of my life?" I was thinking about signing up at a pro wrestling school in Tampa when a friend called me up and told me that I should try out for Tough Enough 2. My exact response was "Tough Enough 2??? What the hell was Tough Enough 1???!!!!" Needless to say I gathered info on Tough Enough and applied. You all know the rest.

The MiC: How did it feel like to be on Tough Enough II? Was this a life changing experience?

Hawk: It did and will have forever have changed my life for the better. I had basically hit ROCK BOTTOM in my life months before the tryout and was left with nowhere to go in life. I cannot put into words what that felt like. Tough Enough was a wake up call if you say...No it was more of a lifesaver and a chance to do something incredible with my life. I think it was some one's way of say that the best is yet to come.

The MiC: Everyone wants to know, and it's been little more than a year since it happened. Why did you walk out of Tough Enough II? You cited "personal demons" on the show, and in following interviews afterwards, but never explained what the demons were. Can you shed any light on this?

Hawk: I will not go into specific reasons for leaving the show only because it is far too complicated and gray to explain. I would like to quell all rumors though. It was not a toughness issue. It was not too tough mentally or physically and any right-minded individual can see that. Sometimes the show made it look as if the other cast members poked fun of me and that I was "SLOW" HEHEHEHE...Hey that is Hollywood for you, but it was an illusion for the audience. Bob Holly and Al were not too mean. It was no a drug/drinking issue or a gay issue or God knows what other rumors are out there. Yes, I did have some personal demons. They are not demons that I am embarrassed to admit. Like I said, my life had truly hit ROCK BOTTOM just months before I joined the show. It went in with a lot of baggage from day one and I am not afraid to admit that. I battled my demons all the way through the competition and it tore me up inside. I finally decided that it was time to leave 5 days before the end of the filming. I went home and laid it all out on the table and battled the demons.... and I won. The demons are dead, defeated, exercised, vaporized whatever you want to call it and I went on forward in my life. Believe me it wasn't easy, but I did it. I know that doesn't explain what it was, but like I said we would be here forever if I tried to explain. Since then I have never been happier. Besides, I love the enigma factor.

The MiC: What was it like being around Al Snow, Hardcore Holly and Ivory? Also to expand on that, you were one of Bob Holly's favorites, and he occasionally messed around with you. What did you think about his treatment to Matt Camponelli on TEIII, when he stiffed him?

Hawk: It was an incredible being around them on a daily basis, but eventually you got used to it and we grew as a family. Good, ole Bob...I knew from day one that he was messing with me and I played the game right along with him. How did I know? I just and sure enough I was right when he admitted his feelings at the end. As for Matt...."Hey, welcome to the wrestling business" Everyone talks about how he beat the crap out of Matt on the one day.... WOW, WELCOME TO MY DAILY LIFE MATT!

The MiC: Do you still talk to any of the cast members today, including the winners, Linda Miles and Jackie Gayda?

Hawk: I still talk on a daily basis with Kenny, Pete, Danny and Anni. Kenny and I have worked several shows together and we are awfully close with him being in Las Vegas and myself based here in Los Angeles. They are and forever will remain family to me. As for Jackie and Linda.... we I am sure that they are still enjoying that Kentucky Blue Grass in Louisville.

The MiC: You have worked in the indies since Tough Enough, including UPW. What has that been like, and was it anything like you expected?

Hawk: I have been working the indies a great deal now since Tough Enough ended. I was training at IPW and the UPW (Los Angeles) until recently. I have basically focusing 110% of my time, energy, and focus on HOLLYWOOD. I have a theatrical agent, a commercial agent and a Manager. Now, I am still wrestling around the Indies here and there, but Hollywood (Movies, television, commercials, music videos) are my main focus now and I intend to make a BIG SPLASH in this town. It will take time and I am enjoying my time in the shadows of obscurity now. Rick Bassman and I do not see eye to eye on that as the cards were laid out for me...Either be a wrestler or an actor. I am choosing to be an actor and hopefully a great one at that. I am not done with wrestling and I want to stick with it and still make it to WWE. Where there is a will there is a way.

The MiC: What did you think about Tough Enough I and III? Do you feel that TEII was any better/worse than the other seasons? And also, what do you think about the rumor that Tough Enough might be over?

Hawk: I would assume that Tough Enough is over. The concept of the show was great and it won over many fans, but that is it. Time to move on to other things. Tough Enough 2 was the best of the three. Don't take my word for it...Take yours. Tough Enough 2 had the best ratings of the three seasons on TV.

The MiC: What has been your best match to date?

Hawk: A six-man tag team match with myself Kenny and Shooting Star against AWC, Top Gun and Hammer.

The MiC: What's a typical day in the life of Hawk?

Hawk: I'll put it like this. Everyone tells me that I need to have MY OWN reality show and that it would blow the rest out of the water.

The MiC: Jasmin Saint Claire recently has used your email to her as an example of what not to do, in terms of contacting her. What's your side of the story, and what was your reaction when you saw it posted on her website?

Hawk: Jasmin St. Claire and I first met last year at an IPW show. I learned that she and I worked out (and still do) at the same gym in Los Angeles. A friend made a comment about how she was someone else, and I explained to them that she was Jasmin St. Claire. I must have said her name too loudly because she gave me a dirty look. Women what can I say? As for my email to her about working for 3PW; I have never been to the website and I do not know what is written there, but I am a blunt individual. I simply wrote her saying that I had heard good things about 3PW and that I would love to work a show at 3PW and asked if there was mutual interest and if there was then I could be reached at blah blah blah. I guess that she felt that I had a lot of audacity for writing that letter and went off. I never wrote her again after she sent me a "cordial and professional letter" in return. I have not had the fortune of running into Jasmin at the gym ever since, but if I do I'll probably say hello and that's it. The whole incident is far below me. I'm not here to judge anyone professionally.

Word Association

Vince McMahon great man with the balls to do anything. I hope he runs for president one day.

Vince Russo doing a great job for NWA-TNA

Al Snow Hey Uncle AL.....when are we going fishing?

Hardcore Holly I know that you truly care Bob...I do indeed

Ivory a gorgeous woman who never allows a dull moment to settle

Kenny Hawk, Danny, Kenny and Pete (4 horsemen for life)

Jake Ok...now take a bump..........hahahahahah (inside joke)

Linda Miles I thought about shooting her on a daily basis. She never shuts up

Jackie Gayda, and her tag match on raw dubbed "The match from hell" by many It was just a kiss on the cheek ehhh......Hawk knows the truth!!!

Nidia a sweetheart indeed...keep kicking ass on Smackdown girl

Maven a great guy who deserves to be where he is and has earned it

Hawkwiches THE BEST @#%^^ SANDWHICH ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!!!

UPW a great institution and I intend to return

Ultimate Warrior what the hell happened to the guy anyways?!!!

Hawk Don't judge me yet. I'm not done playing the game by any means. In fact, I'm just getting started. You can judge me in about 60 years. Just remember my face and my name!!!!!!!!!! You will be seeing a lot more of them soon enough.

The MiC: You are working on an acting career, even trying out for a reality TV show. How is that going, and do you still want to be a wrestler full time?

Hawk: Acting is great...It will take me time, but I am slowly and steadily climbing out of Life's gutter and working my way to the top. It will take time and a lot of hard work and some luck. That's what I love about it all!!!!! The struggles of life and the nonstop adventure that fills my daily life. I still want to wrestle, but that has been put on hold for now.

The MiC: What is your relationship with the WWE and NWA TNA?

Hawk: WWE...They are waiting...I'm just not ready yet.
NWA-TNA same story

The MiC: What are your career goals?

Hawk: "A" list actor
WWE wrestler
a great lover (well I am all ready that one)
and one day a great husband, father etc
Senator or Governor (that is not a joke)
There are other but those are my secrets for now

The MiC: What do you have to say to anyone reading this?

Hawk: Take your vitamins, say your prayers oh wait that one is all ready taken

Always follow your dreams...It is true when they say that success is a journey rather than a destination...Believe me I know.

It can be painful, but if you truly believe in something then follow it. There will be many dark days ahead, but remember this. The sun will always be there in the morning.

The MiC: Thanks again for doing this, it is very appreciated.

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