What up DOImaniacs and welcome to another McInterview. Today I spoke with Ru Starr, who is currently ½ of the NYWC Tag Team Champions, as part of No High Spots Needed, with Tyler Payne. Ru Starr talks about his career, the past, his future and a lot more. I hope you like this interview as much as I did.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Why did you want to get into pro wrestling?
Ru Starr: Long story short, I started watching and going to shows when I was three. Every other week there seemed to be some sort of wrestling event going on somewhere. My Dad and my Uncle were so into wrestling that we'd drive from home (New York City) to Baltimore, Delaware, Hartford, Philly, Boston, Riverhead, Jersey, pretty much anywhere within a six hour driving range to see pay per views, house shows, live events, and regular indy wrestling. I must of gone to over two hundred and fifty.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: How did you get into pro wrestling?
Ru Starr: Every now and then I did ring crew for ECW. I would just show up super early to events and ask if they needed help with carrying beams, or doing anything and most of the time they did. I'd talk and learn a few things by hanging around some of the guys, but soon after I did ring crew for another independent promotion where I met a few workers that pointed me in the direction of Critical Mass Pro Wrestling Academy on Long Island. Once I found out, I enrolled the next day.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What does Critical Mass mean to you?
Ru Starr: Well what does Mickey's Gym mean to Rocky? I spent a good portion of my life busting my ass in those walls, and had a lot of memories. Most good, some bad, some very painful but the place itself is the first school that began to mold me into the worker I am today before I left to continue my training elsewhere at Funk's place.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Is there a big difference from working NYWC, then working another promotion that's not NYWC?
Ru Starr: Inside the ring, no. I give just as much as I do if I work anywhere else.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You are currently the tag team champions with Tyler Payne. What is it like being friends with Triple H and holding gold with The Game?
Ru Starr: Haha, "The Game" is one of, if not my closest friend in this business. The thing I appreciate most about Tyler is the fact that he's tough, fearless, and has my back no matter what the outcome. We have goals as a team, and plan to be the most celebrated/dominating tag team on the independent circuit rather then try to make it on our own in singles competitions. Even though at the moment Tyler does his single things in Metropolitan and Delaware area, while I do my single competition conquering everything else from New England to Florida, we both know that "No Highspots Needed" is at it's peak as a tag team.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Seriously though, how does it feel when a promoter feels you're the man to represent his company as a champion?
Ru Starr: Very complimentary, it shows that you're the measuring stick and you're doing something right.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: You are part of No High Spots Needed, with Tyler Payne, as mentioned before. Was Chris Candido's "No Gimmicks Needed" an inspiration for your team name?
Ru Starr: No. Chris Candido is a fantastic worker and a nice guy, but I came up with the "No Highspots" Moniker after working show after show and seeing wrestlers do the same thing over and over again. It seemed that nobody had the talent or ability to get over by being themselves and letting their character shine through. It seemed like the only way wrestlers were able to get a reaction was to do a plancha to the outside or to kick someone really hard in the face. I found that I could get over without even laying a hand on my opponent. I found that I could entertain by being different, and not having a match that looked like boys gymnastics. I found that I could get it done with absolutely No Highspots Needed, so I made the name.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you think has been the best match in your career?
Ru Starr: That's a tough one. My match with Tyler vs Whipwreck/Wayne was a blast. I had a great match in New England with Chris Venom and a classic bout with Mike Mondo/Livewyre/Christian Corndog at the OVW camp.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Who are your favorite/toughest opponents?
Ru Starr: Chris Venom, Osamu Nishimura, Whipwreck, Dickie Rodz, Silvaman...haha exclude the last one.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Who would you rather spend a night on the town with, Christina Aguleria or Britney Spears?
Ru Starr: Are you serious? Both couldn't handle a night with "No Highspots Needed" aka "The Blonde Myth" Ru Starr. I'd probably make arrangements though to have them picked up in my chopper and we'd see where the night goes.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Do you have any pre match superstitions?
Ru Starr: I say a prayer, not out of fear, but I just thank God for the opportunity to live my dream and no one gets hurt that night.
WORD ASSOCIATION
John Curse - The Sheriff
Tyler Payne - Brother
Mikey Whipwreck - Unpredictable
Dickie Rodz - Character
Havok - Vicious
Papadon - Tough
John Shane - Extraordinary Manager
Dan Barry - Hotshot
Johnny Ova - Desire
Reefer - Dynamic
Chris Candido - Solid
Wayne - Madman
Ric Flair - Personal Inspiration
Greg Stengel - Kind
Livewyre - Intense, Amazing Pacman Player
Roadtrips - Fun
Danny Demanto - Phat
Dynasty Dan - Potential
Chris Jackson - Same
Bobby Riedel - Companion
J-Silva - Is not Silvaman!
Silvaman - is not J-Silva!
Ken Scampi - "Special"
Shawn Michaels - Divine
Triple H - Mastermind
Ricky Steamboat - Incomparable Spirit
Bastion Booger -Plump
Giant Gonzales - My halloween costume next year
Declaration of Independents - Groundbreaking
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you think about the current state of the indies? The WWE?
Ru Starr: Bret Hart said it best when he said that "The problem with wrestling, the reason why the ratings are down, is very few guys know how to wrestle anymore. Wrestling is an art form but today's wrestlers look like a bunch of Mexican jumping beans. After a while, that gets boring. It's like a movie full of car wrecks and explosions without any story." The indies have some major talent out there, I just wish there was more opportunites to obtain a financially stable and succesful professional wrestling career in the States, other than WWE. I truly think the only place that has picture perfect wrestling that is being aired, televised, and carried out correctly is Ohio Valley Wrestling. I think the independent wrestling scene has more than enough bodies, but few minds.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What's your favorite type of beer?
Ru Starr: I'm nineteen, I can't touch the stuff....well maybe I'll have one, just one. Corona.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What are your long term and short term career goals?
Ru Starr: To become the best tag team in the world. On the independent scene, I'd love to work for ECWA. I think they set the standard for independent wrestling and what it should be. Long term is to stay actively wrestling until my body gives out, and then pursue a career as a play by play broadcaster/promoter.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: What do you want to say to anyone reading this?
Ru Starr: Thanks to the Mic and DOI for the interview. Check out www.RuStarr.cjb.net to see where I'll be appearing next and check out the weekly commentaries. Take it easy fans, and thanks for your support. Remember if you can dream it, you can do it.
Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey: Thanks for your time Ru Starr.
