What up everyone and welcome to a special McInterview. Fellow DOI founding father, “The Wizard of Buns,” Joel Grayson and myself met up with Mike Tenay and he agreed to do an interview with us. For the DOI, Mike Tenay is a prime example of hard work and reporting on wrestling, as he has worked with a lot of big names, had a job with the number 1 wrestling company at the time, and is part of the new upswing promotion, NWA TNA- and he started his career off with a newsletter. Check out this great interview where Tenay talks about WCW, how he got in the business, the indies, NWA and lots more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The DOI: How did you get into pro wrestling? Did you ever train to be a wrestler, or did you always want to be an announcer or a guy behind the scenes?

Mike Tenay: While editing and publishing my own monthly wrestling newsletter (1966-73), I started submitting feature stories and interviews to the national newsstand magazines and I also wrote a few stories and columns for the programs that were sold at the Olympic Auditorium (Los Angeles) live events. I had no training as a wrestler. I was always interested in the journalistic side of all sports. I had childhood dreams of announcing sports (idolized L.A. announcers like Vin Scully/Dodgers, Chick Hearn/Lakers, Bob Miller/Kings, Dick Enberg/Rams & Angels), but I couldn't say that I always wanted to be a wrestling announcer.

The DOI: How did a guy writing a newsletter, work his way up and wind up getting a job with then, the number 1 wrestling company in America? (WCW)

Mike Tenay: From 1986-1996 I worked in casino race and sports book management for The Gold Coast Hotel in Las Vegas. A 1991 appearance on a late-night national sports talk radio show (based in LV) focused on my sports (and wrestling) background. The strong public response to that guest spot led to my hosting The Wrestling Insiders on national radio. The radio show offered exposure that led to a slot on the WCW Hotline (900 number phone line) and eventually a chance to do color commentary on the When Worlds Collide Lucha Libre PPV. My work at that event led to my role as commentator for WCW's International (Mexican and Japanese) matches. Eventually I was added to the Monday Nitro broadcast team and was offered a full-time announcing position with WCW.

The DOI: You are currently a member of the NWA TNA broadcast team. How did you get that position, and what do you think NWA-TNA offers, that the WWE product does not?

Mike Tenay: Jeff Jarrett and Bob Ryder contacted me in May of 2002 and offered the position as lead announcer for the NWA/TNA PPVs. I think that our product offers a viable alternative to the WWE. I feel that our open door policy allows us to keep our roster fresh. We can offer wrestlers that fans have only read about in internet reports and magazines. Our biggest challenge is to create new stars, and I think we've done pretty well in that regard, to supplement a talent base of recognizable names and legends from the past. In terms of our in-ring product, I've been strongly encouraged by the strides that our X Division has made. And, when it comes to the X Division, I like the way that we often emphasize and feature it in high-profile, main event slots.

The DOI: What do you think about the current state of independent wrestling? Do you follow name indy promotions, such as MLW or ROH?

Mike Tenay: Independent wrestling is more important now than ever. It's the only real farm system, or feeder group, that the business has today. I watch MLW occasionally (on Sunshine Network) and I've seen several ROH events on videotape. There are many aspects of ROH that I enjoy watching.

The DOI: Do you still follow any Japanese promotions, and do you think there's a chance of seeing some Japanese wrestlers in NWA-TNA?

Mike Tenay: I still follow Japanese wrestling closely on the internet. I watch videos of the important (and good) Japanese matches. I watch Lucha Libre on Galavision almost every weekend (even though they're three months behind). I love much of the EMLL product, but have been disappointed with AAA for the most part.

The DOI: What was it like working for WCW? Lots of people have gone on record saying it was very hectic, and complained about Vince Russo. Was WCW as bad as everyone makes it out to seem, and is Russo the bad guy that alot of people paint him out to be?

Mike Tenay: It was a great experience working for WCW. I just wish that it could have continued longer. The positive aspects of my decade of employment with Turner strongly outweigh the negatives. I've been very outspoken about my true feelings for Vince Russo. What I've said on NWA/TNA PPVs is personally how I feel. We're diametrically opposed in our viewpoint of what the public wants from the wrestling business. Remember, it's not what I want the business to be, it's what I feel that the masses want from pro wrestling. Give the people what they want and success will follow.

The DOI: You are the known as the professor, due to being very knowledgeable about wrestling. What are some of the best matches you've ever seen, and why did you think they were great?

Mike Tenay: The Professor nickname was given to me by Tony Schiavone. The best matches that I've ever witnessed, and my favorites as well, were the Cruiserweight bouts in WCW from 1996-1999. With an incredible group like Rey Misterio, Ultimo Dragon, Dean Malenko, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Juventud Guerrera, Billy Kidman and Psicosis, how can you go wrong? Those series of matches brought together all the important parts of good wrestling as athleticsm combined with drama to provide a superior in-ring product.

The DOI: What direction do you see NWA-TNA going in the near and distant future? Do you think it could ever really compete with Vince and the WWE? For example, if NWA TNA gets a cable deal, do you think Vince would raid it, similiar to what happened to ECW?

Mike Tenay: I'm commited to making NWA/TNA a success both long and short term. Many people are looking for an alternative wrestling show and, with the proper marketing, we can be that group. Let's concentrate on improving our product. Let's focus on putting on the best TV we can every week. Let's let other people worry about us "competing with Vince." If we have our top talent signed to exclusive (non-WWE) contracts, he can't raid our roster.

The DOI: You recently worked CSWF in Rahway, NJ. What was your opinion of that show?

Mike Tenay: I'm commited to helping indy groups if it makes sense for both of us. I did the CSWF show (and I'll be back on September 13) to help the promoter and to help promote NWA/TNA. I also did the show to let other independent groups know that I'm available for appearances. It was a nice experience being backstage with the young talent. I didn't get to watch a lot of the show (since I was booked as a "surprise"), but I'm hoping to scout more on future events.

The DOI: If WWE offered you a job right now, would you take it? Have you ever had any past talks with them, considering that better announcing is something that the WWE could use?

Mike Tenay: No, I'm under contract with NWA/TNA. I did speak at length with Jim Ross, after WWE purchased WCW, about working with them in several capacities.

The DOI: What have been your favorite memories in wrestling? The worst?

Mike Tenay: Favorite memories would revolve around the people that I was able to meet and work with. I'll always say that the best "perk" of the WCW job was travelling with Bobby Heenan. He, and his family, became close friends and we talk frequently. Obviously the chance to be a part of a "hot" program like Nitro was for many years was great. I loved the chance to meet many big name celebrities from Springsteen to Gretzky, because of my so-called wrestling "fame". The worst memories involve the final year-plus of WCW. The realization that the ride was over. The negative feelings from many co-employees about how the company died.

The DOI: Who are some of the nicest guys you got to meet through wrestling?

Mike Tenay: Where do I start? I've enjoyed my association with almost everyone that I worked with in the past and present. Most of the wrestlers are great guys, but I hate to limit it to just that. The TV production people, office staffs and many of the fans are terrific too.

The DOI: What do you feel about the recent deaths and drugs in pro wrestling?

Mike Tenay: Obviously very saddened. I was friends with many of the people that have died in recent years. It's an extremely difficult situation to address and I hope that all of us learn from the mistakes of others.

The DOI: You've have done alot in your career. Is there any goals do you have that you have not yet met?

Mike Tenay: I would love to continue what I'm doing now for several more years. In addition to appearing on the Turner shows, I appeared in a movie (Ready To Rumble) and TV program (Arliss). I was in video games for EA Sports. I just started my fourth season as a columnist for the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. I love announcing the NWA/TNA PPVs. My only goal is to stay busy doing things that I love.

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

Mike Tenay: Thanks to everyone for their continued support. Please check out our NWA/TNA shows every Wednesday night. You can read my on-line column (Ask The Professor) and contact me via e-mail by checking out our website at nwatna.com.

The MiC and The Wizard: Thanks for doing this interview with us.