Da Baldies waged war on ECW wrestling, with the man known as Angel leading the onslaught, leaving a wasteland in their wake.
Don’t ask how, but I got a chance to get the “King of the Streets” to somehow answer the “infamous” 13 Questions.
MG: 1. Tell us a little bit about how you got into wrestling, and how you ended up in Extreme Championship Wrestling?
Angel: I first got involved in wrestling when I was introduced to the unpredictable Johnny Rodz in 1994. I got to know Dvon while I was training at Johnny's and he introduced me to Paul Heyman.
MG: 2. Da Baldies crew definitely stepped in big to fill a huge heel void in ECW when the Dudley Boyz left. How did the group come together, and what was it like to be put into such a major role so quickly?
Angel: The idea of Da Baldies came into play as a brainstorm of Tommy Dreamer & Paul. I was very proud to be put into such a position where Da Baldies were taking over where the Dudley Boyz left off.
MG: 3. Tell us a little bit about the guys who came to be known as Da Baldies, and how did the group get along?
Angel: Devito was cool to work with but short tempered. His temper was more comical than serious. Big Vito was pretty cool but was always trying to play the lead. P.N. News was not really with Da Baldies long enough to get to know him very well. Vic Grimes was the quiet one. We always played practical jokes on him and he took it in stride. As for how we got along, we were a real team. We were all strong personalities but managed to be a real family.
MG: 4. There were many blood-fueled feuds you had as the leader of Da Baldies; Da Baldies and New Jack battling for the “King of the Streets” title; Raven & Dreamer; Balls & Axl: Which was your favorite feud and why?
Angel: I would pick them all because it was fun just working with the guys - they would all make the top of my favorite list.
MG: 5. What goes through your head before you go through a flaming table?
Angel: "Oh Shit! This is gonna burn!"
MG: 6. Some say eccentric, others say genius, and still, others say manipulative and dastardly: What is your take on Paul Heyman?
Angel: I never personally had a problem with Paul. I did hear all the stories of people complaining but I can't complain about a man who gave me my first shot in the business so I can't say much about him but "Thank you."
MG: 7. It’s a dream come true for any wrestler to make it to cable television and perform for the masses. How, negatively and positively, did being on ECW on TNN effect your life?
Angel: Being on TV didn't really effect my life that much because I was so happy just to have a spot. That would obviously be the positive. The negative was the let down when TNN made promises to Paul that they didn't keep and it effected us all.
MG: 8. Besides wrestling in the U.S., you also wrestled in Mexico and Japan. Can you tell us about the differences in performing in other countries and where you prefer to wrestle?
Angel: The difference is that in Mexico they speak Spanish & in Japan it is Japanese! HA! HA! But to be honest my all time favorite place is Japan. There is just something about that place and it's history of fighters that makes my heart go!
MG: 9. We’ve heard quite a bit from fans who were there, myself included, as to what the ECW live events aura and atmosphere was like. What was the atmosphere like for wrestlers at ECW events in the ring and behind the curtain?
Angel: The atmosphere in the ring was electric and exciting -behind the curtain I could only say one thing about it..."family!"
MG: 10. WWE has somewhat resurrected ECW, well the letters anyways… do you watch the program, and do you think it will/has tarnished the legacy of the real ECW that men like you built?
Angel: Yes, I do watch. Nothing can replace [the] original ECW.
MG: 11. Since most of us will never be in one, shy of using the Create-A-Wrestler feature, what’s it like being in a video game?
Angel: The first time you see it is a feeling you can't describe. You are just in awe of seeing your own face & body digitally on the TV screen. Oh yeah, I have to admit, it's much easier to go through flaming tables on the game!
MG: 12. Since you left “mainstream” wrestling you have since began a career in law enforcement. Tell us about the transition from being “King of the Streets” to becoming a Police Officer, and do people recognize you when you’re in uniform? I bet the whole town stays in line lest they take a staple gun to the face!
Angel: One minute you are on top of the world and everyone knows your face and is screaming your name - the next you are just a normal guy with a gun and a badge. Yeah, I do still get recognized but it doesn't mean that anybody gets out of going to jail!
MG: 13. If there is one thing you want all wrestling fans to know about you, what would that be?
Angel: To all my fans out there, I would like to say that "The Kingpin is BACK!"
The last thing I gotta say is that I want to thank my sponsor FAclothing.com and be on the lookout for my website coming soon. If you need to contact me - you can holla at me on Coast to Coast Wrestling on MySpace.