What’s up DOI-maniacs? Welcome to another McInterview with one of the hottest, up and coming tag teams today, The Rhode Island Elite. Mike and Chris have combined their skill and are honing their craft everytime they step in the wrestling ring. I was fortunate to meet up with Mike and Chris, and talk about the Rhode Island Elite tag team, among other things. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: How did you get your start in pro wrestling? What made you want to get in wrestling?

Chris - I started training with JAPW right after their second tough enough competition in July of 2001, but I had left for school after a couple of months. I came back to training with Michael in June of 2002 when BWO had opened with Magic as a trainer. I've always watched wrestling growing up and had friends who wanted to train with me when we had the chance.

Mike - I started watching wrestling seriously 6 or 7 years ago, and I was always a fan. My friends all began training and my partner Chris Soloff was one of them. BWO was our shot at training and getting onto shows.

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

Chris - My favorites were Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, The Rockers, Razor Ramon and the 1-2-3 Kid. My least favorites were the Orient Express, Lex Luger, and Yokozuna. I was a big mark for the faces.

Mike - Favorites were Jim the Anvil Neidhart, Tatanka, Legion of Doom (Road Warriors), Hogan, and the Undertaker. Least favorites were Yokozuna, Goldust, and Konnan always annoyed me.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What are your favorite promotions to work for? Least favorite?

RIE: BWO is our home, without a doubt our favorite to work for. SSCW was incredibly nice and professional when we worked there. We don't really have a least favorite, we're grateful to anyone who is willing to give us our time in front of the crowd.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Where did the Rhode Island Elite come from, and how much do you hang out with your tag team partner in real life?

RIE: The Rhode Island Elite came together during our freshman year at the University of Rhode Island. We met at the school and quickly realized we shared the same interest in wrestling. After a short-lived football career for the both of us, we decided to take wrestling a lot more seriously. We realized we were only professional team to come from Rhode Island, and we thought that would put butts in the seats. It turns out, the fans hate us. A lot. In fact, enough that they are willing to buy programs just to make paper wads and throw them at us while we're coming out to the ring. Our promoter, Richie Rotten, must love the extra profit.

In real life, we do hang out all the time. Poker games, bowling, swimming, biking, walks on the beach, bathing... wait, not bathing. I didn't say that... We always make the long haul from RI together, laughing at NJ's horrible drivers.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Do you ever watch other tag teams to take pointers from, and if so, who?

Chris - I have to say, a lot of our heat comes from tag teams that we borrow ideas from, such as Midnight Express, Hart Foundation, Rockers, and the Orient Express. I like to watch their tapes and see what great heat they get from the simplest things.

Michael - I know every time I watch the Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz, I learn a lot from how they work the crowd and their character. The way they carry themselves is a lot like the attitude that we try to portray in and out of the ring.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What's a typical day in the life of the Rhode Island Elite?

Chris - I usually work a 9 hour shift and see if my partner is able to go to training that night. If not, I try to spend my time productive, such as watching our tapes, turning down NJ girls, and making fun of Team Thomas.

Michael - I don't have a job, nor do I want one. I spend most of my time scouting our opponents, and looking for a third potential Elitist. Unfortunately, we are the only two true Rhode Island bred champions at BWO, so finding a third has been taking up most of my time.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You guys are a great tag team, yet it's a safe bet to say that not too many people have heard of you. How do you go about getting work in independent wrestling, and how do you make a match stick out in a fans mind?

RIE: Our main source of work is BWO, they're our home. We've also worked for IHPW, and SSCW. Angel Martinez scouted our match against Team Thomas during a BWO show and approached us about working in SSCW. We jumped at the opportunity and we had an outstanding match.

Chris - I know when I'm thinking about a match, I try to throw in something different. Whether it's a comedic spot, which seems to always backfire against us, or something that hasn't been done before, I try to include something that the fans won't see in any other match that night.

Michael - We try to work the crowd into the match as much as we can. We always are working to get the fans heated, we do better when they're more into the match.

Chris - That reminds me, one time at BWO, a handicapped kid tripped me with his crutch while I was trying to get up on the outside. To me, that said, "Job well done."

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Do you have any pre-match stipulations?

Chris - I love working in front of a crowd, I love the reaction I get from them, but right before I go out there my stomach turns into knots. My only true pre-match ritual would be using the bathroom as many times as necessary.

Michael - Whenever we're out there, we always do rock-paper-scissors to see who will start the match. For some reason, Chris is fine with sitting it out, and letting me get all the glory of taking the first few hits. He's a good friend.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Who are your favorite people to work with? Least favorite?

RIE: Our absolute favorites would have to be Team Thomas, while they're complete and utter losers, they seem to get the best match out of us possible. Our other favorites would have to be the Asylum, Big and Lethal, and Chino Martinez and the Orphan. I wouldn't say we have a least favorite opponents, because it's always fun as long as the crowd is hot and walks away happy. Although, I'd have to say, the Machines destroyed us. Flat out destroyed us.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What promotions would you like to work for that you haven't yet, and why?

Chris - I would love to work JAPW, because I've always been a fan of their shows. If at all possible, ROH would be a dream come true.

Michael - I would also have to pick JAPW because JAPW is in my eyes, the best indy promotion in the area. I would be completely honored to be offered a spot on their show.

Word Association (Both answered the same)

Corvis Fear - You mean Corbin? He's a great guy.

Carmine Sabia - Very funny guy, generous for giving us a shot.

Ricky O - Haven't had the chance to meet him, but would love to.

Fat Frank - Runs the best shows around, and is responsible for the BEST shows we've seen live (Seaside).

Richie Rotten - WIthout him, there would be no Rhode Island Elite, or a home for the BWO for that matter.

Angel Martinez - Outside of BWO, treated us nicer than anyone else so far in our careers.

Team Thomas - Who's got the belts now? Losers. In all honesty, they've carried us to our best matches.

SWC - Best big men, most entertaining in the business. Great guys in real life. Magic is a great teacher, and we'll always be grateful.

DRS - A tag team to watch, and look up to at the same time.

Tony Lazaro - Working with him in the ring was like an entire night of training, you learn a lot.

Solution - Looking forward to working with them in the future.

Danny Demanto - Met him in the SSCW locker room, looking forward to seeing him again.

Kevin Matthews - Same as above.

Vince McMahon - Genius business man.

Vince Russo - Very creative man, some of his ideas need to be cut off during development though.

Shawn Michaels - A living legend, innovator of ladder matches.

Bret Hart - The BEST technical wrestler to reach his height of fame.

Kurt Angle - Born to wrestle, and very entertaining when he's not serious.

Austin - Despite any personal problems, he still has it, and still makes us mark out.

Rock - Great at scripted promos, 95% charisma, 5% wrestling.

Lex Luger - Unfortunately hit his peak early in his career.

Bastion Booger - Horrible gimmick... Potential for a much better career in any other gimmick

Giant Gonzales - Full body suits are not necessary for people who are over 7 feet tall.

Declaration of Independents - Excited to hear DOI has interest in the RIE, and even more excited to see next issue.

Rhode Island Elite - Can't say much about ourselves... except that we're better than any of this tri-state area trash. Yeah, you, in the chair, get with the program, deodorant was invented a long time ago.

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What are your short term and long term career goals?

RIE: Short term goals... hold onto BWO tag championship, work as regulars in BWO and another promotion

Long term goals... We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but we're hoping to keep having fun and stay safe. ROH wouldn't hurt...

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you think has been your best match, either individually or a tag team?

RIE: RIE v. Team Thomas at SSCW.

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

RIE: To anyone reading this, planning on attending a BWO show: Please, shower before the show. It can get muggy in there with 125 sweaty, out of shape screaming idiots, trying to get a New Jersey chant in sync.

For anyone who would like to contact the Rhode Island Elite, e-mail Michael Adams at adamsrie@yahoo.com Or contact Richie Rotten through www.bodyslamu.com

Also don’t forget to check out our new website at: http://rhodeisland.cjb.net/

Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Thanks for doing this interview.