Pat Savino

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Why did you want to get into pro wrestling?

Pat Savino: I got hooked onto the sport WAY WAY back when the Hart Foundation were feuding with the British Bulldogs for the tag titles. From then on, I was a full-fledged fanatic and watched any and all wrestling that I could. I studied everything -- I think I was the only kid in junior high school who could prattle off the hometown and weight of the entire WWF roster, and knew the names of all the referees.

So I guess like most other people in the business, I was a fan first and wanted to become a part of the sport I love.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: How did you get into pro wrestling and what was your training like?

Pat Savino: I was reading Georgiann Makropolous' column one day, and she put over a local promoter in New Jersey who was looking for behind-the-scenes people. She hooked me up with a phone number, and that weekend I first met Ricky O of JCW. We struck a deal at the time -- he was about to open a school that I could attend free if I provided a sound system and did music for his shows. Being a professional DJ, I agreed.

Training under Dave Greco and Andrew Anderson was pretty typical -- Greco would handle the technical wrestling and Drew would handle the power moves. Problem there was that the ring was the shits -- it literally would break once every two weeks. It was an older wood-frame ring, and we were constantly fixing it. There were also problems with the building -- some insurance or fire code deal -- that eventually forced the school to close. On Drew's advice, I finished my training at Gino Caruso's school.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Who were your favorite and least favorite wrestlers growing up?

Pat Savino: Before I knew anything about the business, other than my dad's typical cry of "It's all fake!", my favorite performers were the Ultimate Warrior (still the best entrance music ever), and Jake Roberts. As I learned more about what went on behind the curtain, I started paying more attention to the better workers -- Hennig, Hart, Steamboat, Flair.

Least favorite? That's really hard to say -- at the time, I didn't know anything about backstage politics or the like, so my only basis for not liking somebody came from their gimmick. Nowadays I realize that they were only doing what they needed to do to get paid, but back then I couldn't work up any interest in guys like Ronnie Garvin or Greg Valentine. Their characters were so bland and boring that I just couldn't get into them.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What would you consider your career highlight?

Pat Savino: I've been lucky enough in my four years in the business to share locker rooms with a ton of legends -- Snuka, Doink, Tito, Kamala, Demolition Ax, LOD, Candido, Tammy Sytch, Francine, Simon Diamond, Dawn Marie, Little Guido, Whipwreck, Spike Dudley, Jeff Hardy, and more. I guess I have two real highlights though -- reffing my first show, and announcing in front of almost 2,000 people at ECPW's Mayhem event in May 2003.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You have wrestled, ring announced, work ring crew among other jobs in the wrestling business. Which hat do you like wearing best and why?

Pat Savino: I guess I'm kind of a promoter's wet dream in that I can fill any hat required for the day. Ring announcing is obviously the easiest for me, as I've done DJ work and hosted karaoke shows for the last 8 years, so I know how to work a crowd using only my voice. The most fun for me, though, is reffing. So few people outside the business realize all that a ref actually does in the ring. It's also the easiest way to draw heat from the fans, whenever I don't see the heel shenanigans or count down a babyface.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you think about the current state of indy wrestling?

Pat Savino: It's definitely on an upward swing. With only one major game in town, WWE has in my opinion, lost focus on what they're trying to accomplish. They worked very hard during the Monday Night Wars and put on some outstanding shows, but now with virtually no competition, it doesn't seem like they're trying as hard. So fans are looking for alternatives, and that's where indy wrestling steps in. Where else could a grandfather and grandson go to a show close to their home and see stars of the past along with wrestling's future, plus get the chance for pictures and autographs?

The only problem is the too-many-cooks problem. There are so many promotions running in New Jersey right now that the fanbase is spreading out too much. Promoters stepping on each others' toes to steal buildings or towns brings it down even further. On top of that, casual fans and non-fans tend to lump all promotions together as 'wrestling'. So if XYZ Wrestling comes in and puts on a shitty show with all kinds of blood and foul language, when the Nice'N'Clean Wrestling Federation comes to town the next month, people aren't going to go because they think it's all the same.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You recently made your SSCW in ring, and then later on ring announcing debut. Which do you prefer and what does SSCW offer that no other fed does?

Pat Savino: Didn't I answer this already? ;) I think SSCW offers a little something for everybody, which makes a fun overall show. I think Foley said it best in his book - a good wrestling show is like the circus -- first the acrobats, then the clowns, then the tightrope act. By incorporating different gimmick matches like the recent TLC match, it gives fans something different to see match to match. If every match on the card was a TLC match, by intermission fans would be bored. So by having a high-flyers match, a power match, a gimmick match, a comedy match, etc. it gives the fans a reason to remember the show as a whole, plus the matches themselves.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You also work and train in ECPW. What is that like?

Pat Savino: The ECPW roster is basically my immediate family in the business. Since I see a lot of these guys 2 or 3 times a week, I tend to form more of a bond with them than I do with guys I see once a month. ECPW owner Gino Caruso also pushes for a family-friendly product, a philosophy I completely agree with. Gino is a very hands-on trainer, and doesn't stop working you until things are done perfectly. I also appreciate that he is very open to suggestions; whether it involves new talent or storyline ideas, Gino will listen to you and then tell you if your idea is good or bad, AND explain why. That's rare among promoters I've worked for.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Do you have any pre-show superstitions?

Pat Savino: I don't think I have any real 'superstitions', but I do stretch out completely regardless of what I'm doing. If I'm reffing or ring announcing it gets me strange looks in the locker room, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I have had to have surgery before to repair a torn tendon in my left shoulder, so I'm well aware of the hazards of the ring. I also like to check and double-check my note cards to make sure I have everybody's info correct, plus check in with the sound person to make sure we're on the same page.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What's a normal day in the life of Pat Savino?

Pat Savino: Wake up, shower, head to school or training, come home, go to work, come home, pass out.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: How many times have people spelt your last name as Sorvino, like Mia Sorvino?

Pat Savino: It has happened a few times.

I've also been linked to Josh Saviano of 'Wonder Years' fame.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What is a good match according to your beliefs?

Pat Savino: Workers need to be able to tell a story in the ring. I don't like spotfests if they're done with no reason. Just because you can do a standing 450 or triple backflip off the top rope doesn't make you a wrestler. Go join the Olympic acrobatics team, and leave wrestling to the storytellers.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What are your career goals?

Pat Savino: If I were in this business for money, I would have quit long ago. Obviously someday I'd like to work in some capacity for WWE -- whether I'll be wearing a penguin suit or zebra suit is up to them.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Who are your favorite indy wrestlers to watch? Least favorite?

Pat Savino: Like I said above, I get into matches where people tell a story in the ring. And I simply can't stand anybody who steals other people's moves or gimmicks. And don't get me started on 'shoot interviews' or 'shoot angles'.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you want to get out of pro wrestling?

Pat Savino: The adoration of millions, enough money to retire on a private island with a staff of supermodels feeding me by hand, and a different car for each day of the week.

If that's not possible, I'll settle for fun.

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey: Who would you rather spend a night with, Britney Spears or Christina Aguliera?

Pat Savino: Plastic boobs make me ill -- a fun personality is more of a turn-on for me than anything physical.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you want to say to anyone reading this?

Pat Savino: If you are my credit card company, I already sent the money.
If you are my parents, please send money.
If you are from Financial Aid, you didn't lend me enough money.
If you are my friends, you owe me money.
If you are a promoter, please pay me more money.

And if you are female, don't worry -- I have plenty of money.

See you in the ring!!

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Thanks for the interview!