:: Interviews

Wrestle-Weekly Interview w/ Slyk Wagner Brown
By Simon "Wigmonkey" Hood

This past week Wrestle-weekly Owner Simon “Wigmonkey” Hood, caught up with ROH star and Indy wrestler Slyk Wagner Brown. Find out what he has to say about Ring of Honour, and of course you the fans!

First of all, for anyone who has never seen you, tell us a little Bit about yourself and how you got into wrestling.
I'm 6'2" 225 lbs and I was trained by Killer Kowalski. Made my pro debut in 1997. Before getting in pro wrestling, I watched the WWF (Now WWE) regularly with my family and fell in love with it.

Did you have any role models when you were young?
At a young age, my role models were Michael Jordan and Shawn Michaels.

Your well known catch phrase “Don't hate...appreciate!"” Explain exactly what you mean by this?
It means don't hate someone because they are doing good... use them as your inspiration to do better.

You've mentioned that you were trained by Killer Kowalski who also trained a number of WWE wrestlers did you have any run ins with them and what was Killer Kowalski like?
I visited the school on a regular basis for almost 2 years before joining in 1997 while Chyna was doing her training. Perry Saturn and A Train visited the school. Killer Kowalski is a good person. Whenever you were feeling down or doubting yourself, he would tell you to think positive and believe in yourself. He would always say, "shoot for the moon and if you miss, you may hit a star."

You have used the nicknames The Underground King & The Black Superhero did you come up with them if so why?
Yeah. I came up with Black Superhero because I want to be someone that kids (especially little black kids) can look up to someday. I came up with the name Underground King nickname after listening to 50 Cent's cd (Get Rich or Die Trying). It means that I 'm one of pro wrestling's best kept secrets

What do you prefer tag team matches or single matches?
I prefer single matches. I started out as a singles wrestler, so I'm more comfortable with it.

Who’s been your favorite tag team partner?
My favorite tag team partner has to be April Hunter. It was an unbelievable feeling when we won the JAPW tag team titles.

If you could chose anyone to be your partner who would you chose? And why?
Shawn Michaels. He inspired me to become a pro wrestler and it would be an honor to wrestle with and against him in the future.

You’ve wrestled all across America and around the world, which have been your favorite fans to work for so far?
I enjoy wrestling for all fans, but wrestling in Ireland and England was a great experience. They appreciate the athletics and still treat like a sport.

What federations did you work for when you were in the UK and what was your opinion on them?
I worked for All Star and Irish Whip Wrestling. They were both a pleasure to work for and I'm looking forward to returning in the future.

What did you think of the British wrestling circuit?
I thought it was very good. It was a great learning experience for me.

Who was your favorite guy to work with over here?
I had some good matches with James Mason and Doug Williams.

What was your best match in the UK and why?
My best match was against James Mason, because we took the crowd on a roller coaster ride for 20 minutes.

What did you think of the UK FANS?
They were off the hook!

Were they as you thought they would be?
I didn't know what to expect, but I was happy with the results.

Would you like to come back?
Absof--kinglutely!

What was it like working in ROH?
ROH is not only a good opportunity for me, but a career highlight as well. They are the on the top of their game right now and is without a doubt one of the top promotions in the United States.

What has been your favorite match in ROH so far?
My favorite match so far happened at "Night of the Grudges" with me, Dunn and Marcos vs. Slugger, Cloudy, and Angel Dust.

How was it working with Rob Feinstein?
It's been a pleasure. Rob is one of the easiest people to get along with.

Is there anyone in ROH you would like to work with? And any one you wouldn’t?
I would like to wrestle AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, Homicide, and Low Ki. I can't think of anyone on the roster that I wouldn't like to compete against.

What’s your feelings on the internet and how its affect the wrestling business?
The internet has done a great job getting guys like myself known on a certain level. However, it ruins surprises when it comes to setting up certain storylines

How was TNA to work with? And how do you feel about your recent TNA dark matches?
I liked working for TNA. It was a good learning experience.

Not only have you wrestled dark matches for TNA but also in 2002 you wrestled two WWE dark matches, how were you treated and did you hear any feed back?
I was treated very well. I did recieve some feedback. I'm going to work even harder at achieving my goals in 2004.

After having try outs at both federations which treated you better, and if both came calling offering you a place on there roster which one would you choose and why?
I was treated very well by both federations. I've always dreamed of competing in the WWE, so if the opportunity presented itself... I would choose them.

Have you worked in Japan? If not do you hope to?
No, not yet. But wrestling in Japan has been a goal of mine since the day I joined wrestling school.

When was the first time you met April hunter and what did you think when you first saw her?
I first met April at Killer Kowalski's dojo. My first thought was... "I wonder if she likes brothers?!"

How has April Hunter, having worked in WCW with some big names, helped you? What have you learned from her?
April has helped me a great deal. She has a great mind for the business when it comes to promotion and marketing.

What countries have you wrestled in so far?
England, Ireland, and the United States.

What's your favorite wrestling hold/maneuver?
The figure 4 headlock (Submission over the ropes into a handstand.) My favorite wrestling maneuver is the moonsault.

How did you learn to do a shooting star press?
Landing on my head many times using a crash mat.

Who's your favorite opponent(s) to work with?
Homicide, John Walters, and Dan Maff.

As a wrestler whom do you class as the best in the business?
As a wrestler, I think AJ Styles, Chris Daniels, and Low Ki are currently the best in the business.

As a fan whom do you class as the best in the business?
As a fan, I think Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero are the best in the business.

What is the best moment of your career so far?
The best moments of my career so far has been: getting a standing ovation for my match against Dan Maff in 2003, winning the JAPW world and tag titles, debuting for ROH, being in the PWI 500, and wrestling for the WWE.

You have wrestled for over thirty federations including TNA, MLW and ROH, which has been your Favorite to work for?
They've all been fun, but I really enjoy working for JAPW, WXW, and ROH.

If Vince McMahon came knocking would you wrestle for him? If so who would you look forward to wrestling?
Absolutely. I would like to wrestle Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, and Shawn Michaels.

Is there anything left you want to accomplish?
I want to become the top guy on the independents, tour Japan, and sign with the WWE.

To end the interview, and wrap every thing up, lets play some word association:

ROH: Exciting
MLW: Hybrid Wrestling
Steve Corino: King of Old School
Samoa Joe: ROH Champion
Rob Feinstein: Nice guy
WWE: King of the hill
April Hunter: Manager and friend
Jonny storm: Love the accent
TNA: X Division
British fans: Respectful
American fans: Keeps me interested
British wrestling: Safe