NATE STEIN: I want to thank you for doing this interview with me. For those who may not know you or know much about you, how would you describe yourself?
PLAYER UNO: Personnally? Well, I’m 5’10ish and 160 pounds. I’m also a proffesionnal wrestler, hard to believe, no? As part of the business, I can’t reveal what I really look like, but I can tell you that my mask is actually my real skin, making me much darker then everyone else in Canada.
STEIN: How did you get into wrestling?
UNO: I was always a big fan of professional wrestling. I started watching it at a young age since my family were big fans of it. I grew up saying I wanted to be a wrestler (or a tap dancer, but that’s another story). Just when I was startin’ to realize it was nearly impossible, 2 of my friends introduced me to the local wrestling school. From then on, nothing separates me from the business.
STEIN: Growing up then, was there a certain wrestler you idolized?
UNO: Before even training, I idolized Steve Austin. He was possibly the most entertaining part of the WWE and he was the one that would have me glued to my TV set. Then when I started training, I didn’t really idolize anyone anymore. Sure, there were some people who I would love to meet and who I would have loved to work, but I wanted to be my own wrestler. Hopefully it worked.
STEIN: Where did the idea for “Player Uno” come from; what made you into the “8 bit playa”?
UNO: Well, El Generico was actually the one who gave me the idea at first. I was going to under another mask and another random mexican name, til he told me about his previous idea of calling himself Player Uno. Well, I stole the idea (actually… he let me use it) and I ran with the ball into my own direction. From there on, the character was built around the classic NES and around how I act in the ring.
STEIN: So, what is this about you calling him “Daddy”? Where did all that come from?
UNO: Well, it’s from the origin of my gimmick. It was his idea, so my friends would joke around and say I was his son/brother/cousin/protoge… and eventually, CPW turned it into an angle of some sort.
STEIN: Your professional debut was in Canadian Pro Wrestling, what was it like starting off there?
UNO: Canadian Pro Wrestling was my home. They were the ones who gave Player Uno his shot and I will be grateful for the rest of my life. The atmosphere was always fun there, and we felt like one big family. I’m also glad I got to start out much later then I was told I would, because it helped me work on a lot of stuff in that period of time and it also made wave for the Player Uno persona, which wasn’t invented when I was originally suppose to debut. So deep down, I’ll always love CPW and my debut, which I thought wasn’t half bad for some one as young as I am.
STEIN: You kinda jumped head first, no pun intended to the infamous Steenalizer (Note: over the head reverse powerbomb suplex – hey, you try to describe it), in a feud with Kevin Steen. How did all that come about?
UNO: I wouldn’t really call it a feud even if most people on the net built it that way because of the “Kill Uno” video (thank you Rotch!). Anywho, I always wanted to face Kevin. He was one of the future stars back then (and now he is!) and I was just naive to he point that I’d take anything to make someone look good. The first time we were set to face was at the Montreal Wrestling Federation and he came forward with this move he wanted to use (the Steenalizer). I was worried when he was explaining it at first, but I went through with it. It ended up being fine and didn’t leave a scratch. The next day, we were facing each other at CPW. Kevin offered to do the same move, but into the corner buckles! (I shoulda done it, it might have saved me from injury) I took the move that night but since my pants (damn them!) are so baggy, I got caught in his arms and it slowed down my momentum making me land headfirst and bend in 4. The end result was a Holy Shit chant and me having constant back pains. I’d like to say I’d never do it again, but I can’t promise something I will eventually break.
STEIN: Who has been your favorite opponent from this last year?
UNO: Mmmmm, I’d have to go with Dave Trips and Kevin Steen. Maybe it’s ’cause they’re both really nice guys, and I feel I’ve learned much more from wrestling them then others. Or maybe it’s cause I just liked my matches with them… I dunno.
STEIN: You’re pretty much young in the business, but who would you say has helped you along the way so far?
UNO: “Crusher” Klein – My trainer. Has taught me more then anyone could imagine. He’s given me the best advice and he’s also the best source for information on the business in our area. What do you expect from someone who ran Bodyslammers (Al Snow’s gym) for 3-4 years?
Kevin Steen – An awesome friend. He’s hooked me with a lot of people after squaring of against me. He always believed in me and I will never be able to find a way of helping him back.
Mike Rotch – My groupie and a great friend. He’s been around for me in the best and the worst of times and has helped me stay in this business and always fuels my love for this business.
STEIN: You recently had a long awaited debuted with the International Wrestling Syndicate at their “Season’s Beatings” show in December. What is it like now to be working for them?
UNO: I was waiting for a shot in the IWS for a loooooooong time. I was a big fan of their product and I believed in them. So when I made my debut, I was overjoyed. The workers were very nice with me and the show was simply awesome fun. I’d like to take this opportunity to plug my opponent during this show (and this match). Someone and everyone, in Quebec and EVEN the states, needs to pic up Dave Tripps. Awesome worker. BUY THE TAPE! haha. Shameless plug.
STEIN: What do you think highlights Quebec area wrestling?
UNO: The passion the people in the business here put into it. They’ll all kill themselves for no pay… and for 5 fans. And the fact that remotely all Quebec workers have HUGE potential and are good all around.
STEIN: With it being the dawn of a New Year, what are some goals you would like to accomplish by the end of December 2005?
UNO: – Become a big time player for the Quebec scene.
– Break into the states!
– Just wrestle. As long as I’ll wrestle, I’ll be happy
STEIN: Who are some current indy workers you would like to see yourself face off against?
UNO: El Generico, a one-on-one with Don Paysan, Damian, Jimmy Jacobs and Super Dragon.
STEIN: What do you think will make you a big time player in Quebec & maybe at the same time help you break into the states?
UNO: A build. Above all, a build will help me a lot. New gear and better skills come in 2nd right now, but those I can get soon… or will progressivelly get.
STEIN: If you could ask anyone in the business a question, what would it be & why?
UNO: Vince McMahon – “How did you make wrestling so big and then have it sink so low in no time?”
STEIN: So, Mr. Uno, what’s your favorite game system & wrestling video game?
UNO: It would have to be a tie between the NES and the SNES. As for game, I always loved Earthbound and the Kirby games.
STEIN: Is there anything else you would like to add or that you want people to know about?
UNO: I’d like to thank EVERYONE who has helped me improve in this year. I also wanna give a shout-out to all the fans (the few of you) and thank you for supporting me. Yes, I sound corny, but I am honest. VISIT MY WEBSITE! http://www.8-bitlucha.tk
