Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You trained in IWF. What made you want to get into wrestling, and what did IWF offer that made you train there?

Josh Daniels: For the most part I was always into wrestling. But at the same time I had aspirations of playing football. However, as my football career and dreams died down, dreams of wrestling became a lot stronger. So I decided that after I finished college I would train to become a wrestler. Wrestling is the perfect blend of performance and athletics. I saw myself excelling at it. Well to make a long story short, a friend of mine informed me about the IWF. It was an immediate opportunity and they were willing to train me while I attended college. Training didnt cost $4-6,000, and things at the time were very professional there. This was an opportunity that I could not pass up. So I jumped at it.

The MiC: What was your training like? Anything like Tough Enough?

Josh: Training overall, consisted of drills, matches, calisthenics, and watching tapes. As far as Tough Enough goes, I think I’ve watched a collective 5 minutes of the show. So, I couldn’t compare the two. I’m not a big fan of reality shows.

The MiC: Who were your favorite wrestlers growing up? Least favorite?

Josh: I never really had any favorites. Mostly because I couldn’t connect with a lot of the wrestlers. In other words, I couldn’t find a wrestler that possessed something I saw in myself or something that I aspired to be or to have (I hope that makes sense). That’s not to say I didn’t love the characters and athleticism. Its just that nobody really made me take full notice. But a few that I do remember liking, were Jake Roberts, The Bulldogs, Bret Hart, Hawk of LOD, Cactus Jack, The Four Horsemen were great, Sting was cool, and I’m sure there were one or two others. As far as least favorites, in line with not being able to connect, I would say anyone large, goofy, fat or un-athletic, would make me walk away.

The MiC: You wrestle a style similar to Chris Benoit, meaning that you are a great mat technician, full of intensity and let your wrestling do your talking for you. Do you think you have a Benoitish style, or do you think it's just a coincidence?

Josh: I appreciate that comment. I know I have a "Benoitish" style. Chris Benoit was the first wrestler I ever really connected with, on a lot of different levels. So I set out, at first, trying to be him, more or less. As time has gone by, its kind of become what I do. But at the same time, I also try to put my own personal twist to things. Now its become me out there, doing what I do.

The MiC: What has been your best match in your opinion? What made it stick out in your mind?

Josh:I don’t think I’ve had a best match. I think I’ve had some better matches. Some of my better matches include Damian Adams for 3PW, Ace Darling for JCW, Rob Eckos for NWA:TNA, recently I’ve clicked with Mike Kruel, also Otto Schwanz for SCW was a better match of mine, and a great learning experience for me. The PWF tag tournament was a great night. That night me and Striker had 3 good, very different matches All these matches I’ve mentioned, were either new experiences, really tight, or where everything in the match went over very well, or a combination of the three. Also, these are matches where I consciously became a better wrestler, because of that particular experience/match/night.

The MiC: What are your favorite promotions to work for? Least favorite?

Josh: That’s a good question. Put it this way, my favorite promotions are where things are organized, professional, where workers are treated well and where the workers, promoters and bookers all know what is going on.

The MiC: Who are your favorite wrestlers to work with? Least favorite?

Josh: I always like wrestling new people. I like wrestling old opponents as well. I like wrestling period. It all makes me better. I just don’t like wrestlers who feel the need to constantly get themselves over in one way or another, nor do I like wrestlers who belong nowhere near a ring. Sometimes they’re both.

The MiC: How hard is it balancing work/school with your weekend warrior career?

Josh: It was hard while I was in school, now it’s not a problem.

The MiC: Do you have any superstitions before a match?

Josh: I’m not sure about superstitions, but I do have tendencies and things I like to do before I walk through the curtain. They’re pretty much just pre-match rituals that I like to do if I have the time and remember to do them. If I don’t get around to them, no big deal. I like my wrist tape a certain way, socks as well. I also prefer to warm up fairly well before wrestling. But, they’re not superstitions. Its not like, if I don’t do these certain things I think, "Oh my God, I’m going to suck tonight" and when/if my performance sucks, I don’t, for instance, blame my socks.

The MiC: What are things you look for when watching a wrestling match?

Josh: Placement, intensity, aggressiveness, psychology, if it makes sense and storyline. Those are just some of the things I look for. There’s more, but I’m not sure how I would go about saying them.

Word Association (add names if I forgot anyone you want to comment on)

Fat Frank- nice guy, I'd love to work for him more.

Ricky O- dedicated.

Jac Sabboth- I don’t know him.

Jasmin St. Claire- fun.

Rob Feinstein- I met him a couple of times. Id love to work for him. He's got a good thing going.

Afa- big dude. So nice. Good learning experience working for him.

Pete Ferriero- good guy to me.

Carmine Sabia- no comment.

Vince McMahon- pioneer.

Vince Russo- stables.

Jeff Jarrett- NWA:TNA

Chris Benoit- awe and inspiration

Kurt Angle- unbelievable

Lance Storm- machine

Steve Austin- tough, resilient

HBK- can still go.

Hogan- old and deserving of our gratitude.

Rob Eckos- The baby...young. (I’m not putting Rob over. Enough people, including Rob, do that already)

Damian Adams- tiger, horse . . . an animal, who can shake that ass.

Kevin Knight- trainer.

Paul London- athlete.

Reno The Black Pearl- good learning experience, I wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.

Bastion Booger- why

Giant Gonzales- ugh, why

Declaration of Independents- new and improving

Josh Daniels- fiercely determined

The MiC: What are your short term and long term career goals?

Josh: My goals, in a nutshell, are improvement, longevity, experience and taking my career as far as it can go.

The MiC: What's a regular day in the life of Josh Daniels?

Josh: Working out two hours a day, ring time twice a week, eating all day long, obsessing all day and night and watching tapes are just a few of the things I go through in my not-so-regular life.

The MiC: What do you have to say to anyone reading this? (plugs/website/whatever is on your mind)

v Josh: Nothing, I just hope the interview is good. Thanks.