GM: When and how did you get started in pro wrestling?
Torch: I first got involved in pro wrestling while I was in high school. I met a local promoter and began helping out with some of the shows. I was doing the school newspaper in high school and I would write articles about the local indy scene, so they employed me to replace whoever was doing their programs. I also was recruited to do a variety of other jobs such as announcing, time-keeping, etc. One summer, my best friends brother was training to wrestle, and somehow, they dragged me in there, too. They needed an extra punching bag or something. Anyway, I picked it all up really quick, and when one of the wrestlers failed to show up one night, I got my shot and haven't looked back since. That was when I was 19, although I trained off-and-on from the time I was about 16. It could be said that I got in through the back door, but I see it differently. I took the time to learn the business from the inside, and by the time I started wrestling, I already had close to five years of background in the business and understood how it worked.
GM: How did you get interested in pro wrestling?
Torch: When I was about nine, I was having a sleep-over with my friend. He turned on the TV and on came wrestling. I remember not really being interested, but I didn't change the channel because he thought it was so great. Needless to say, I watched it the next week. Then I watched it the week after that. In no time I was hooked.
I guess as a kid I had dreams of being a wrestler, but they weren't any different than a kid's dream to be an astronaut or a fireman. That sort of thing hardly ever comes true...but it did for me. That tells me that this is what I am supposed to be doing.
GM: Who did you grow up watching in pro wrestling?
Torch: Superfly Jimmy Snuka, Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, Dynamite Kid, and Ricky Steamboat were my favourites. They all had the niche and worked incredibly hard. These were the guys that kept me watching.
GM: What are your goals, short term and long term, in pro wrestling?
Torch: Short term plans are to stay as busy as I can. In the next few weeks, I'll be making my first appearances in Oregon, Montana, and Manitoba. That will increase my area of activity which already includes all of British Columbia and parts of Washington State. My long-term plans are to be able to make a generous full-time living through wrestling. Whether that be through one of the major North American promotions, or in the Orient.
GM: Who are some guys in ECCW that you think could be making a jump to the big 3 in the near future?
Torch: I don't know about "could be making a jump", but there are a few guys who I feel belong in the big three.
"Rocket" Randy Tyler is a complete package. He should definately be in a major promotion. The only reason why I can think he isn't is that we are all kind of secluded up here. If you're out of sight, I guess you're out of mind when it comes to the big time promotions. "Gorgeous" Michelle Starr is incredibly dedicated and deserves a run in either the WWF or WCW. He eats, sleeps, and breathes wrestling. He'sa veteran, but he won't sit back and rest on his rep, he is constantly updated his arsenal. He even stole a few things from me!
"Tornado" Tony Kozina is one of my favourite opponents, as well as my favourite people in ECCW to be around. He's dedicated, hard-working, and he seems like he'll try anything once.
And, of course, I would love nothing else than to be given the opportunity to show the world what I have to offer on a larger scale.
GM: Is Canadian wrestling much different from US wrestling? If so, how?
Torch: Here in Canada, it's a little more hard-hitting, I believe. It's always been that way. The smaller guys are more technically sound than most, and very fast. The bigger guys will bleed and practically kill one another. In most parts of the US, the pace seems slower.
GM: Is there anything you would like to plug? shows? sites? ect?
Torch: Well, I'd like to invite everyone who is interested to check out my web site at http://www.eccw.com/torch/ . Also be sure to check out any show in your area where you see my name listed. I guarantee you that I will give 150% of myself. Whether I'm hurt, sick, or otherwise, I always believe in giving the fans the action they came to see.
GM: Is there any other comments you would like to make?
Toch: Please support your local independent wrestling promotions. These groups are wrestling's lifeblood. Without them, there will be no wrestling in the future. Support web sites that support indepepndent wrestling. It's very hard for a lot of us to get our name out in the public and get exposure. I think I speak for everyone when i say every little bit is appreciated.