:: Interviews

12 Question Interview with Indy Superstar, Slyk Wagner Brown
By Marcus Madison

With only one major wrestling compnay left in the U.S., it is tougher than than any time in recent memory, for an independent performer to break through. What motivates someone in this situation to keep going? Slyk Wagner Brown is one of the most promising indy stars, out there. Wagner has appeared for the WWF, and is currently the head trainer at Killer Kowalski's Pro Wrestling Insititute. Accompanied by fellow student, April Hunter,(who may remember from her brief stint in WCW as one of the original n.W.o. babes), Slyk is the #1 rated wrestler in New England. Marcus Madison caught up with Slyk recently and asked him all about life on the indy scene, his inspirations, Killer Kowalski and much more, in this Wrestling Eye exclusive interview.

MM: Where did the name come from? and How would you describe your persona?

SWB: My trainer, Killer Kowalski would always encourage me land on my feet. So a good friend of mine at school decided to call me "Slyk" and it's been the same ever since. My persona is smart, creative, cocky, arrogant, confident, athletic and believes that there's no one better walking the face of the earth.

MM: April Hunter and yourself seem to be quite a team. What do you attribute your terrific teamwork and fantastic success to?

SWB: So far a huge part of our success is attributed to our training and our burning desire to succeed. April and I never miss a class (www.killerkowalskis.com) and are always trying to come up with something different to impress the fans. If I were to go down the list of people who have helped us along the way, we would be here all night. But they know who they are and we appreciate everything they have done for us both individually and as a team.

MM: Since you have been such an important part of Killer Kowalski's Wrestling school, tell us what you have gained from being a part of it?

SWB: Knowledge learned, experience gained. I've learned an unbelievable amount since joining Kowalski's. But there's one thing that sticks out in my mind the most. Walter always says, "Make the people notice you!" And to this day, that's been my goal each and every time my music hits.

MM: Who or What first influenced you to follow wrestling as a career? Could you describe what occured?

SWB: Two words: Shawn Michaels. I remember the first time I saw Michaels, he was the smallest guy on the screen surrounded by the giants who always ruled the wrestling world. He proved to me and many others, that it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. I know you've heard this saying many times, but if anything is true in this business, I think that is one of them!

MM: Do you see the Slyk Wagner Brown character changing much or is the character and the person one in the same?

SWB: The character and the person are pretty much the same, but "Slyk" has the volume turned all the way up. Do I see my character changing, I don't know! We'll just have to wait and see!

MM: What are some pros and cons of working the independent circuit?

SWB: The pros to me are being able to meet and greet the fans, having the ability to go out and try something new without the added pressure of thousands of people, being able to sleep in your own bed and seeing your family every morning you wake up. And of course the cons are not getting paid enough in order to make a living. Now I say cons because I can't say that enough!

MM: Independent wrestling promoters can often be described as "used car dealers". How would you best describe some of your previous relationships with promoters? What incidents could you recall either positive or negative?

SWB: I like that one, "used car dealers". I've had positive and negative experiences with wrestling promoters before. But the one thing that stands out in my mind the most is I had this one promoter who always claimed to have my best interests in mind, just like a used car salesman. And he never allowed me the opportunity to meet and greet the fans or sell gimmicks. How fast can you say, that relationship didn't last too long!

MM: Do you think working independent shows, has helped fans to recognize Slyk Wagner Brown and expose your character?

SWB: Absolutely! But there's more to the equation than just going out there and wrestling. There's the promoting aspect, marketing, being put with the right people in storylines and most importantly making the right decisions.

MM: What do you think of the state of professional wrestling as a whole(i.e, content, language..etc)? Where do you see professional wrestling headed?

SWB: I love the business. As far as I can see, pro wrestling will be around for a long time to come. I don't know what state it'll be in, but I can only hope for the best.

MM: What are your feelings about hardcore wrestling? Is it (possibly) stale and what does it need to maintain the audience's interest?

SWB: I don't love it and I don't hate it. But what I don't like is hardcore without a story, there has to be a reason why you would bring a chair in the ring. You shouldn't just do it because you feel the impulse to slam it over someone's head. I would say it's stale at the moment, there's only so much you can do with it until you run out of things to do.

MM: For fans, that may not know, you own and operate a wonderful site. Slyk, could you talk a little about your site and what it will provide viewers with?

SWB: Thank you for the compliment! I try to provide people with the best at all times and that includes my website www.SlykWagnerBrown.net. You can find all kinds of information on myself and people I work with. For example where I was born, where I grew up, what I did in my high school years and much more. There's a gallery page filled with interesting photos with people you have seen on TV to ones you may soon see on TV. I also have a merchandise page full with cool stuff including the best of Slyk Wagner Brown video tape. Buy it today, before it's gone tomorrow!

MM: This question allows you to be more of a fan and not an actual athlete for a second. If you could face anyone past or present in a match or watch any match of any two wrestlers who would it be and what type of match would it be?

SWB: I would love to watch Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair in a Hell In The Cell match with both men in their prime and at 100%. If I were to face someone, it would be Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania, in a main event Hell In The Cell match. Who do you think would win that one? These are the kind of questions they should ask on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Don't forget to sign up for my FREE and private newsletters. SlykWagnerBrown.net. Thanks and take care!

Slyk is also the head trainer at Killer Kowlalski's wrestling insititute which you can check out at www.KillerKowalskis.com