Jeremy Lopez has been a rising talent in this sport since the Summer of '97 and hasn't lost a second in speed. Lopez has scaled the world in his early wrestling career as he has worked some time in WCW, All Japan Pro Wresling, Osaka Pro, Ring of Honor, NWA Wildside and the Pillman 2000 Memorial Show (a gret honor in itself). It was an extremel priviledge for the Declaration of Independents to be able to keep up with him, if only for a few moments, to have that proverbial 'sit down' and conduct an interview with this super talented cruiserweight so that you, the fans, could be let in, if only slightly, to the world of Jeremy Lopez. We humbly thank Jeremy for giving us this interview, and you the fans for reading it and appreciating such talent as only you fans can.

D.O.I.: Being trained by Dean Malenko must feel like a heavenly feat in this sport. How did you hook up with Malenko and what was training with him like?

Jeremy Lopez: Well, lets see... In my high school years I was doing a lot a research on wrestling schools. I would go to WCW WWF shows when I could and would ask the guys where is the best place to go to get trained and I kept getting the same answers it came down to two places either Brad Rhegans in Minnesota or Malenkos in Tampa. I also used the Internet a lot to find out about wrestling schools and at this time Marc Mero was big on staying in touch with the Internet fans so I sent him a few emails and I ask for Malenkos number since I knew he went there also he was cool enough to give it to me. Since I am cruiserweight and I hate the cold I figure Tampa was the best place for me. Training there was great I am very glad I went there he was there about 90 percent of the time he just signed a deal with WCW so he wasn't on the road to much so I got the best training there is.

D.O.I.: Growing up with military parents, did that childhood/lifestyle well prepare you for the wrestling life or were you upset not to be able to just 'settle down'?

Lopez: Yes and No. Since I did live in many different places I adjust very quickly to my surroundings. For example I just came from 10 months in Japan I can tell you most gajjin wrestlers cant take staying in Japan for more than 3 weeks. Just because its either the food, travel or the work. There is saying that you either Love Japan or Hate it. As long as I am making money wrestling I don't care where I am. But my friends that are not in this biz I very rarely talk too. I don't have a bunch of guys that grew up with in the same neighborhood or went to the same high school they are spread out everywhere around the world. IM not sure if I could live in 1 place to long its gets boring after a while.

D.O.I.: Do you think that the majority of American fans will ever adapt and accept the Japanese style of wrestling? If not, why?

Lopez: Majority maybe know but I do see a lot WWE fans do appreciate when Benoit and Angle go at it. That's about as close as you will get to Japanese style in the states. They don't have enough time on TV to reeducate fans. I wish they would.

D.O.I.: You have said that American wrestling today is in it's "Great Depression". Do you think that the independent wrestling world is being successful in trying to get out of that drought. If not, what do you think the sport will have to do?

Lopez: No, I believe the Independents are basically booked by the Internet if the Internet takes a liking to you then you will be booked everywhere if not you just have to prove yourself the hard way. There will have to be another promotion that can compete with Vince and is willing to lose a lot money before making any. And that will be hard to find.

D.O.I.: Your amazing ride to success happened extremely quickly due to your raw talent and understanding of the sport inside the ring, how did you, within just two years of performing professionally, be able to get to one of the two great wrestling titans in the U.S.?

Lopez: Well in 1999 I sent a tape too Chris Kanyon he called me back told me he liked what saw and the 3 other guys on my tape and that was Jamie Noble, Tony Mamaluke, Jet Jaguar. The next thing you know we are doing a tag match, a dark match at Bash at The Beach. The next night on Nitro we do the same thing we get back from the match and Eric Bishoff says welcome to WCW.

D.O.I. Your stay at WCW unfortunately caught the backend of the company, but how would you characterize your experience and time in the company?

Lopez: Everything was good I loved it actually the only thing I didn't like was the Power Plant. I had no complaints about the money or the travel. Saturday night show was great we had a bunch young guys that really didn't care about anything to much just having good matches that all wanted was to work.

D.O.I.: After seeing almost every corner of the wrestling world, what would you say is your favorite promotion that you have worked in?

Lopez: All Japan/WCW

D.O.I. How would you describe your wrestling style that is a recipe of so many different wrestling techniques?

Lopez: I take my stuff from (Chris) Benoit, Eddie (Guerrero) and Dean (Malenko) and come up with my own style. A little Old School mixed with the New.

D.O.I.: Are there certain wrestlers of the past or present that you have molded yourself after or just like to study closely?

Lopez: I cant just name one but there is bunch DEAN. EDDIE. CHRIS. (Jushin) LYGER. (Ricky) STEAMBOAT.

D.O.I.: Up to this time in your career, do you have a favorite match that you've wrestled?

Lopez: hmm There is few me and Jamie Noble but on some classics. Me as Black Tigers vs Tigers Mask in Osaka Pro I love those. And of course the one match that got us hired in WCW. (D.O.I. Note: That match took place on 7/12/99. Jeremy Lopez and Tony Mamaluke Vs Jet Jaguar and Jamie Knoble.)

D.O.I.: What would be Jeremy Lopez' dream match?

Lopez: Jeremy Lopez vs Chris Benoit

D.O.I.: How does your day-to-day life differ in U.S. and in Japan?

Lopez: Well in Japan I don't have to call people to make sure IM booked. I have a set schedule. In the morning go to the dojo train for few hours come back eat chunko then rest usually. States there is no dojo. You don't have to train everyday if at all its your choice. Its a lot harder to get around city usually you have to figure out the train system. States I just drive wherever I need too.

D.O.I.: When did you first get into wrestling? With stays in your childhood at such places as Texas, Georgia, Massechussetts and Virginia, all rich in wrestling history and excellence, did that benefit your wrestling interest or knowledge?

Lopez: Massachusetts was where I got hooked It was Savage and Steamboat feud that hooked me. My friends and I would never miss wrestling on Saturdays. That's where I saw my first independent it was SGT. Slaughter was the headliner.

D.O.I.: Within the sport, what goals to Jeremy Lopez have?

Lopez: Get back on the road with Jamie Noble WWE, or All JAPAN main stay.

D.O.I.: Open floor.

Lopez: Thanks too keep track of my schedule go to www.jeremylopez.net sorry haven't updated commentary but there will along one posted about Japan.

-Joel Grayson
The Wizard
DOINewsletter@aol.com

Joel Grayson's response to Ricky O and the Strong Style debate