By Scott McCarthy

I recently had the chance to talk to the current AWA World Heavyweight Champion “The 1st” Ric Converse, all I can say is that he was the consummate professional and a real pleasure to talk to. The AWA World Championship is one of the more prestigious titles in the history of this industry which has been held by legends such as Verne Gagne, Fritz Von Erich, Dick the Bruiser, “Mad Dog” Vachon, Nick Bockwinkle, Rick Martel, Hulk Hogan, Curt Hennig, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Larry Zybysko and Steve Corino. The AWA has been steadily gaining momentum over the past couple of years, and may regain its status as a national and worldwide powerhouse. I want to thank Ric Converse again for taking the time to conduct this interview, I hope you all find it informative and entertaining.

Scott McCarthy: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us Ric, let's start by talking about how you got started in wrestling, where did you train, who trained you, who did you look up to and what was it like having your first match and who was it against?

Ric Converse: I had dreamed of becoming of professional wrestler since I was 8 years old, and on Sept. 15th, 1998, I began my training. I started my training at Ken Spence's School of Pro Wrestling in Winston-Salem, NC. Ken's school is now closed, but it was a great place to start out. Ken was so good at explaining every little detail of how things are supposed to go. Growing up I always looked up to Hulk Hogan & Randy "Macho Man" Savage, they were my absolute favorites! I also really enjoyed the Hart Foundation, they were a great team. My first match was at the good lo' VFW Hall in Winston-Salem, NC on Glenn Ave. on January 23rd, 1999 against Dr. Feel good and Double Trouble. I teamed with a beanpole named Mr. X, and it was probably one of the worst matches in wrestling history (LOL)!! But after the first one was out of the way, it all started going uphill, slowly....

Scott McCarthy: Well to say things went uphill is being a bit modest, considering you are the current AWA World Champion, a Title with a very prestigious lineage, while I am sure it was not overnight and you had to "pay your dues", you now hold a title once held by Hulk Hogan, Verne Gagne, Steve Corino and many others, how does that feel?

Ric Converse: It is a bit overwhelming to say the least, but I'm ready for the challenge of giving my all to this title reign and keeping the credibility that the belt deserves. Just to think that my name is now linked to such names as Curt Henning, Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkle, and Hulk Hogan and so on is such an honor to me.

Scott McCarthy: Staying on the topic of the AWA and the AWA World title, it seems that a theme in wrestling over the past couple of years could be Resurrection, considering how ECW has returned, the NWA Title has national exposure again, D-Generation X has reunited and the AWA seems to be gaining some momentum. In your own opinion, do you think the AWA could possibly match or even surpass the level it was once at? Also long time fans remember when promoters would make inter-promotion Champion vs. Champion matches, for example when NWA Champion faced of with WWWF Champion "Superstar" Billy Graham, the matches always ended in a time limit draw or no-decision, but they did generate excitement. While the odds are heavily against such matches taking place in today, how do you think a match between say current NWA Champion Jeff Jarrett and yourself would be received?

Ric Converse: I absolutely believe that the current AWA can equal, or even surpass, the previous level it was once set at. There is a lot of young talent coming into the AWA right now, with more sure to follow, so the possibilities are unlimited...... As far as the "Champion vs. Champion" match idea, I'd LOVE to be a part of a match like that, especially if Christian Cage was to recapture the NWA World Title again, because I feel we could tear the roof off of any arena that we'd lock it up in, but like you said, the chance of that happening in today's wrestling scene is slim, but for the record, I'd be all over that!!

Scott McCarthy: Unfortunately the politics of today’s wrestling scene will most likely keep those type of matches from happening, but you made a very valid point about the influx of talent to the AWA, there are a few former WWE talents now calling the AWA home and they are all gunning for your Title, what do you think of guys like Matt Morgan, Zack Gowen and Luther Reigns, also who are some of the names you think can help elevate the AWA to national and worldwide Prominence? (Your self excluded lol)

Ric Converse: A lot of the new wrestlers coming into the AWA have made names for themselves already without question, and going one-on-one against any of them is a great thing not just for me, but for the AWA as a whole. I wrestled Aaron "Jesus" Aguilera in Amite, Louisiana recently and was successful against him. Zach Gowen was there at the Louisiana show as well, so I got to watch his match and get some ideas for when I wrestle him down the line. Some of the others entering the AWA like Matt Morgan, Heidenreich, Mark Jindrak, Rosey, Luther Reigns... I am more than willing to put my AWA World Heavyweight Title up against any of them at any time, it's just all up to the promoters to make it happen. All the wrestlers I mentioned are capable of taking the AWA to new heights, not to mention the up and comers who are making a name for themselves, myself included.

Scott McCarthy : That title defense against Aaron "Jesus" Aguilera was at the annual AWA Super Clash, correct? The event featured stars from many of the AWA worldwide territories, what is the competition like in some of the territories you have been able to compete in? What are some of the top promotions in the AWA in your opinion and if i am not mistaken Steve Corino and Don Muraco have AWA sanctioned promotions, what is it like working with the different promoters?

Ric Converse: It was at the AWA Louisiana Super Clash and featured a number of the top AWA talent. The talent that I’ve competed against in the AWA territories so far has pushed me to the limit in every way, and I'm sure it will only get tougher as I move forward. It's hard to single any certain territory out. Some of the territories that stand out have to be AWA/CWF Mid-Atlantic, AWA World-1, AWA Brew City, AWA Slam (Chicago), AWA Pinnacle, and the list goes on.... I don't know much about Don Muraco's territory in Hawaii, but I hope to get out there REALLY soon to defend the AWA World Heavyweight Title. And it's been smooth sailing so far working with all the AWA territories and promoters.

Scott McCarthy : The AWA seems to have most of it's fan base in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, would you be interested in defending the AWA Title in some of the more prominent north-eastern promotions such as Ring of Honor, Jersey All Pro or Combat Zone Wrestling or would you welcome the challenge of some of the north-eastern talent making their way to the AWA and challenging you for the AWA Title? Who would you be interested in facing?

Ric Converse: Well first off, as far as the "more prominent north-eastern promotions" comment, keep in mind that the AWA has been up and running since 1959, and even though there were a few years were the company shut down, the name alone makes it a very prominent worldwide promotion, especially with some of the Japanese wrestlers who've held the AWA World Title Belt recently.... But to answer the question, I think it would be great to represent the AWA on any of the before mentioned promotions' shows, or have there top talent come to any of the worldwide AWA territories and defend the AWA World Title against any of them.

Scott McCarthy: Just to clarify, what I meant by "prominent" was promotions like ROH, JAPW and CZW among the crowded North-East scene. The AWA as promotion is a legendary one, which will be the focus of an upcoming WWE DVD (The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA) I am sure you and many current AWA stars are looking forward to see how the project is handled, and hopefully the effect of the AWA DVD is similar to the Rise and Fall of ECW and how it put the spotlight back on a beloved promotion. Did any of the current AWA management or stars get to be involved with the project as far as you know?

Ric Converse: I really hope that we do catch the kickback just like ECW did with the release of AWA DVD. As far as I know, none of the current AWA talent has been asked to be involved with the DVD, but again, that may not be the case, I'm only going on any info I've received so far.

Scott McCarthy: I am sure the DVD will benefit the AWA, any exposure can only help and with the history of how well these WWE produced DVDs sell, that can only help generate new fans or remind the old fans why they loved the AWA in the first place. Moving on, if you got to pick your own opponent, out of anyone wrestling today, who would you choose, and what kind of match stipulation would you want?

Ric Converse: If I could pick, it would be a toss-up between Triple H and Christian Cage, because I know I'd learn something from being in the ring with either one of them. Maybe like a 2 out of 3 falls match.... oh yeah, that'd be sweet!!

Scott McCarthy : So how about we make it Ric Converse vs. Christian Cage vs. Triple H in the first ever best two out of three falls-Triple Threat match. Before we wrap this interview up, is there anything you would like to say to the fans reading this?

Ric Converse: I'd just have to say thank you for supporting professional wrestling, the greatest SPORT in the world!! It's because of the fans that come out and want to get lost in our world for 3 hours or so that we are able to live out life long dreams, and I know I can speak for all the "boys" by saying thanks. Be sure to keep up to date with all the happenings in the AWA by visiting AWAstars.com and AWAUSA.com, as well as RicConverse.com.

scottykick@yahoo.com