What up loyal DOI-maniacs, and welcome to another McInterview. Today I had the privilege of interviewing Scott Chong, from Tough Enough III. Lots of people ask me why do I interview the Tough Enough cast members, and the answer is simple, they are good people (the ones that I’ve talked to, at least have been) and are looking to make a splash on the indies like anyone else. Scott was known as the quirky cast member on Tough Enough III and showed lots of improvement as the show went on. Scott recently sat down with the DOI to talk about what he’s doing now, Tough Enough and the future. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

The MiC: Tough Enough III. A learning experience to say the least. What was it like being on Tough Enough, and what is your relationship with your trainers?

SC: Tough Enough was a dream come true. I've always wanted to work in sports entertainment and TE was a great opportunity given the situation I was in at the moment. I was about to graduate from college (James Madison University, Tatanka and Tony Schiavone went there) and was getting ready to attend a wrestling school in Maryland, but I figured to give TE a try and it turned out great.

I was not aware of TE1 until the show aired and I was dead set on making TE2, but didn't even get the callback to Las Vegas. I was very determined on making TE3 and I am blessed that I did. I cant picture myself in the hot tub with Jackie, just kidding!

I have a great relationship with my trainers and Big. I keep in touch with them as often as I can.

The MiC: Do you still keep in contact with anyone from Tough Enough, such as Jonah, who wrestles on the indies, or Matt and John, the eventual winners?

SC: I have a great relationship with several of my TE3 cast mates. I just talked to John not too long ago; just catching up on old times and chatting. Not to sound so clichéd, but SOME of us consider each other like family. We're always keeping in touch with each other making sure that we're all ok and if we're ever in need of anything.

The MiC: What have you been doing since Tough Enough? Do you train, if so who with? How does it differ from Tough Enough?

SC: I returned to college in January and just finished summer classes about two weeks ago; I'm expecting to graduate next spring. I would have graduated this past spring, but TE put me back one year from finishing. My parents made an agreement to me that as long as I graduate from college, I will have their blessings in whatever I do. I'm currently looking for a school to train at as I have about a month before I head back to college. Aside from that, I will continue to work the independent scene.

The MiC: People know that The MiC likes to drink alot, and to be honest, watching you getting drunk on a few episodes was great. But in a professional world, it is looked down upon, do you think it hurt your chances of winning, and one of the reasons why you got cut?

SC: I feel that the binge drinking had nothing to do with me being cut from the show. I think it would have been if I didn't make the decision to quit drinking and if I had another drinking incident such as the hospital visit, I would have been in a heap of trouble!

On a side note, I have remained sober and proud of it!

The MiC: Recently, you appeared at an ROH Show in NJ. You then appeared at a JAPW show, albeit not on camera. Do you live near NJ, and is there a chance that we'll be seeing you wrestle at a future show in the north east?

SC: I live in Alexandria, VA which is about 20 minutes from Washington DC. I will wrestle at any show anywhere in the world!

The MiC: You have worked a few shows in Florida, and in other places. How were the lockerrooms, and do you feel that you were treated any different than a regular indy worker?

Also, expanding on that, do you think that some indy wrestlers resent you, and the Tough Enough crew in general, as you guys are taking spots that normal indy workers would get?

SC: I was a little nervous when I first started to work the independent scene, but now I feel comfortable with the fellow workers. There have been a few wrestlers who wouldn't give me a minute of their day to shake my hand or talk with me which is completely ignorant of them. Majority of those who resent Tough Enough are individuals who never advanced with their career that are jealous and just want to hold someone back from actually making it. It's completely ignorant and disrespectful for someone to judge any of the TE cast mates without getting to know them.

I have been blessed to have people like AJ Styles, Danny Doring, Chris Chetti, and a lot of others to help me out and kind of take me under their wing as you would say. Goes to show you that wrestlers like them are all about making the business better and helping others succeed.

The MiC: What do you think has been your best match?

SC: My first match will always be my favorite and most memorable. I drove 12 hours, broke my nose, mild concussion, completely bruised all over, and earned the respect of the whole locker room that night is what happened during my first match. I wrestled HC Loc who's a regular worker for Ring of Honor and I hope nothing but the best for him! The second favorite has to be my recent match with Greg from TE1. It was a lot of fun and the first time that I wrestled a past Tough Enough cast mate. I'm hoping to bring back the New Rockers with Al Snow, but we'll have to wait on that! LOL

The MiC: What indy wrestlers are you a fan of today? What WWE wrestlers are you a fan of?

SC: I have been a lifelong fan and I enjoy watching sports entertainment period. There are a lot of wrestlers that I am big fans of but growing up, I loved Bret Hart, Ricky Steamboat, Mick Foley, Ultimate Warrior, and the Steiner Brothers. Today, I enjoy watching my TE3 trainers and fellow cast mates of course, Tajiri, Kurt Angle, Tommy Dreamer, AJ Styles, Crash, and a whole lot of others.

The MiC: Do you have any pre match stipulations?

SC: I just say a prayer, nothing out of the ordinary.

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

SC: My goal right now is to work the independent scene aggressively while I work onto graduating from college next year. After that, I'll make some decisions on what to do with my life.

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

SC: Keep posted on this website for future dates and news until my official website goes up: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Scott_Chong

The MiC: Thanks for doing this interview!