June '03
Chris Hero
on IWA's Strong Style Tournament
By Al LagattollaFormer IWA Mid-South champion Chris Hero talks to Chicagowrestling.com's Al Lagattolla about the IWA's Strong Style Tournament, which takes place Friday at the IWA's arena in Clarksville, Ind. (1390 Woerner Ave.). Hero talks about the tournament's concept, as well as some of his favorite IWA moments, his name and his entrance music.
AL: First, could you explain what exactly strong style means?
HERO: Strong Style is basically the name that Antonio Inoki gave to the New Japan wrestling style. Some say it's a more realistic style built around suplexes and strikes, but some also say that it's merely a name similar to Vince McMahon's Sports Entertainment.
AL: Are there any stipulations on the tournament matches to enforce that style of wrestling? Or is it implied?
HERO: Basically, as far as the Strng Style Tournament is concerned, Strong Style means a Japanese Puroresu style influenced with the story being told through selling and maneuvers as opposed to the classic good guy, bad guy matchup. There aren't any added stipulations, but given the name, the fans know that each wrestle will approach his match with the "strong style" influence. There's more emphasis on submissions and there is considerably less rope running and high spots in general.
AL: You have Ace Steel in the first match. Have you faced him before, and will this approach make this match different than any previous meetings?
HERO: I've wrestled Ace on 3 different occasions. First at the (Sweet Science 16 2000) in the semifinals, second in Michigan in a tag match (myself and CM Punk v. Ace and Colt Cabana) and most recently at IWA Mid South's Spirit of '76 show. This match will probably differ somewhat from the last one with both of us trying get a feel for one another on the mat.
AL: You're now a former IWA champion. What did it mean to have that belt, and what would it mean to win this tournament?
HERO: Well, I've held the title 3 times now, and representing IWA Mid South as their champion has meant a lot to me. This tournament is packed with talented guys, and to be the best guy on that night would definitely be an accomplishment.
AL: If it's you and Punk in the finals, should we expect another 90-minute match? Have you faced each other since your last marathon?
HERO: We faced each other in a tag match that went nearly an hour. The 90 minute match was a 2 out of 3 falls match and if we meet in the finals, I'm sure both of us will be quite exhausted from the first round and the semis, so I think our match would end somewhat shorter. :-)
AL: Tournaments and themed shows aren't anything new to IWA. Do you know what inspired this particular tournament?
HERO: Honestly, I think Ian just saw that a number of his wrestlers are influenced by puroresu and wanted to showcase it and do something a little different.
AL: Do you consider yourself one of those wrestlers inspired by it?
HERO: I believe so. Ian and I have had a handful of matches where we barely leave the mat. Some wrestling fans might be bored by the idea of that, but I think a lot of fans like the story telling and can really get into a realistic match with credible strikes and holds. I don't think I have one particular style, but I definitely try to incorporate some Japanese wrestling into my work.
AL: How do you think the IWA fans will react?
HERO: I think the IWA fans are very respectful and when there are guys in the ring that they care about, they're quite attentive. On Independent shows, fans get a closer look at the performers, and at the Strong Style Tournament, I'm sure everyone will enjoy seeing and hearing everything from up close.
AL: How long have you been in IWA now?
HERO: I've been in IWA almost 3 years.
AL: How have you changed since you've been there? Were you always the Super Hero?
HERO: Man, I've changed a whole lot since I got here. I think I'm more well rounded, I can wrestle many different styles and personality wise I'm the nice guy that's always smiling.
AL: Is a tournament like this a chance to show off a different style? Is it a lot different than, say, the Sweet Science?
HERO: I would say the two styles are similar, but i think there's more scientific wrestling and high flying in the TPI. You will see strong style in the TPI, but you'll also see a lot more high impact and high risk maneuvers. I guess it's the difference of something like Malenko v. Guerrero against a Misawa v. Kawada match.
AL: Looking back, do you think you approach something like this differently now than when you first started? Or was this always a style you liked?
HERO: When I first started, I'd only seen American wrestling. Through the years, I've been able to collect tapes from all over the world and I just mix and match elements of every different style. My three all time favorites are Dean Malenko, Toshiaki Kawada and Johnny Saint (retired British wrestler) so I like a little bit of everything. I like watching guys like Dick Murdoch and Tully Blanchard for some old school aspects. I've spent time training with Dave Taylor, Fit Finlay and Steve Regal so I could earn more of the European style and a few months back, I got to learn some lucha libre techniques and whatnot from Mike Quackenbush. And in July I'll be going to Quack's school for a seminar with some Japanese wrestlers from Ultimo Dragon's Toryumon promotion. I really, really love professional wrestling and I want to learn any and everything possible. You never stop learning, and I'm just on a quest to better myself and become the best possible wrestler that I can be.
AL: How has IWA helped that along? Opportunities like this? Chances to do different things? 90-minute matches?
HERO: Without a doubt, IWA has helped me grow as a professional wrestler. I've gotten the opportunity to work with some amazing guys and Ian Rotten has given me the freedom to have more of a say in what I do. People always say "so and so is a great worker," but I honestly believe that thanks to the chances I've been given in IWA, I've become a good worker. I've said it a million times, working and wrestling are two completely different things, but learning from Ian, Tracy Smothers and wrestling with CM Punk, Mark Wolf, Dave Prazak and others has really helped sculpt me into someone that knows what he's doing out there. I don't claim to be great ot know it all, by any means, but I am confident in my abilities, and I'm well aware of the weaknesses that I have.
AL: What kind of opportunities are you looking forward to? Is there anything in particular you have in mind for this year?
HERO: Well, I've been quite fortunate to have been able to travel to Europe for wrestling. I've been 5 times since 2000, and I even have a handful of students over there. I'm hoping to go back in August and maybe even hold another camp for my students. July 2nd I have a dark match for NWA TNA. I know that a ton of people have had dark matches, so I'm not holding my breath, but I'm looking forward to heading to Nashville and doing my thing. Two of my goals are to wrestle in Japan and England, but I know I have to continue to work hard and bust my ass if I'd like to achieve those goals. Last November I started on a diet and workout plan thanks to Mark Wolf and I've dropped around 50 pounds. I want to keep getting in better shape and believe it or not, I have some actual wrestling gear on the way. Like I said, I know my weaknesses, and if I want to be taken seriously, I have to continue to work on my look and my build.
AL: Has everyone liked the Chris Hero name everywhere you've gone? Was it hard to come up with the name, or was it something you always had in mind?
HERO: Well actually, my original wrestling name was Wife Beater. Current NWA President (I think) Richard Arpin booked me on a show in the summer of '99 and wanted me to use a different name, so on the way to the show, I saw a Greek Gyro's place and decided to wrestle as "Chris Hyro." Lame, I know, but either people would pronounce it wrong or spell it wrong so I just started wrestling as Hero. The name is very simple and it's a bit corny, but I think it works. I haven't heard many complaints on the name and I think there are many, many guys out there with worse work names. :-)
AL: And I guess you had to feel pretty good about the fact someone put out a song about Kryptonite. Or did you like the Bonnie Tyler thing?
HERO: Actually, I used "My Hero" by Foo Fighters initially. Ian was the one that picked Bonnie Tyler and Three Doors Down. I didn't care for either song at first, but they grew on me and I think they've both been good choices.
AL: One question I get a lot from the fans here ... why doesn't Chris Hero work more in Chicago?
HERO: I've wrestled in the Chicago area twice. Once for ICP's Juggalo Wrestling and the other was IWA Mid South's Morris show. IWA is my home and they're my top priority. Most promotions in the Chicago area run Saturdays and that conflicts with my IWA bookings. In the last three years, I've wrestled on more IWA shows than anyone else. Ian's booked me in like 150-200 matches since the Summer of 2000 and I have a loyalty to him and his promotion. I would love to wrestle more in Chicago, but it's just a matter of keeping IWA as my top priority.
AL: What have been your favorite matches so far? And what are the odds you might be adding to that list this weekend, or any given weekend? Can you tell when a match is going to be especially good?
HERO: I typically don't like my matches overall. Sure, I'll find bits and pieces that I like, but I'm always trying to pick everything apart and improve. I'm particularly proud of the 93+ minute two out of three fall match with Punk and a handful of our other matches have come out very well. I guess I can't really tell if a match is good until it's over. I think there's a HUGE difference between having a match with a lot of cool stuff and putting on a good match. For instance, my matches with Nate Webb, Adam Gooch and JC Bailey have all had some pretty cool stuff. My matches with Ian Rotten are very solid and the matches I've had with Punk are a little mixture of the two. Good matches with some cool stuff. I think too many guys go out there now and just try to turn people's heads with crazy moves when they should work on their character, ring presence and learning how to gauge what that particular crowd wants.
AL: Is it hard to come up with enough stuff for a 93-minute match, and is it hard to keep your stamina when you know you've got that coming up?
HERO: The 93 minute match was quite draining physically, but I pride myself in knowing an assortment of holds and maneuvers, so I haven't had to worry about not being able to come up with enough stuff. A lot of my matches have been pretty long (60 minutes with Cash Flo, 60 draw with Punk, 50+ tables and ladders with Punk, 45 draw with Danny Daniels) so I'm pretty good at pacing myself. I really despise the WWE's style of 3 minute television matches, but I guess you have to have a little of everything.
AL: I assume TNA won't give you too many minutes for a dark match. What in particular do you think you need to show in that case?
HERO: I think they basically wanna see guys that can do cool stuff to pop the crowd. I think it's also important to fuse some kind of connection to the crowd and to make them care about me even though none of them have a clue who I am. I'm going to keep it solid and simple and focus on drawing the crowd in with my babyface charm and charisma. :-)
AL: A final question. What's the biggest reason a fan should go to the strong style tournament? And if a fan doesn't think he likes that particular style, do you think you can win him over?
HERO: If wrestling fans want to see some hard hitting, no nonsense wrestling, they should come check it out. Even if they don't care for the style, I'm confident that I can bring them into the match. You have to pay close attention to detail, you can't expect to be wowed from bell to bell. No good movies are nonstop action. You have to absorb everything and get caught up in the moment. A strong style matchup is no different than any sporting event. One athlete versus another.