The following interview with ECW
Superstar Steve Corino was conducted on September 14,1999 by
ECW News.com editor BJ Leiby and TNN Reporter Josh Hughes.
Credit and Link to ECWNews.com .
This is an "exclusive" of ECWNEWS.com
ECW News: Steve, probably the most logical place to start off here is to ask you
how you got started in the wrestling business?
Corino:I got started in a small wrestling school in Reading, PA and my first
day there I met Tom Brandi and King Kaluha who trained me
ECW News: Do you feel that those two guys were major influences on your career?
Corino: Sure, because when I started Brandi was about a year out of WCW and
close to starting with Titan and Kaluha was a veteran of the independents.They
were very good to learn off of.
ECW News: Do you still get a chance
to stay in touch with them?
Corino: Not really. Brandi is still very busy on the Indies and Kaluha
is very busy with his job and family life.
ECW News: Speaking of Brandi ..did
you get to see him on that MTV special that featured Tony Atlas?
Corino: Yeah and I felt bad for the both of them, but that is everyday life
on the Indies.
ECW News: Do you like the fact that
a lot of major stations are picking up on the mainstream popularity of wrestling
these days and putting up specials of their own on their networks such as MTV?
Corino: Yes. In this day of wrestling, any publicity is good publicity.
ECW News: Other than Brandi and
Kaluha, what other guys influenced you? and in what way have they helped you
succeed in the business?
Corino: Alot of guys influenced me. When I first started I got the
chance to drive Jeff Jarrett,Tom Pritchard, and Jimmy DelRey around for a
weekend and Jarrett and Pritchard took the time out to teach me and tell me
things they didn't have to. Jim Cornette was a huge help. He got me booked
in Memphis at the end of USWA and then sent me to Puerto Rico and tried a
million times to get Titan to sign me for the light heavyweight division and he
was the one that got me in the WWF Dojo. Dory Funk Jr. was a major
help when I was there at the Dojo and still is. Then it was Cornette
that told me that ECW would be the place to go because he knows that Paul
Heyman can develop talent. And since I was here in ECW, guys like Nova,
Dreamer, Taz, and The Dudley Boyz have been great influences in not only ring
work but how to act in a locker room.
ECW News: Definitely aren't
politics in ECW's locker room compared to WCW/WWF.
Corino: I have never been in a WCW locker room but doing WWF TV for two years
I noticed that everyone belonged to cliques. In ECW, everybody’s goal is
for everyone to do well.
ECW News:Circling back to Cornette
for a second, he has been very vocal about how he dislikes ECW's product. Why do
you think he suggested ECW to you?
Corino: Because he knew me from the indies and he knew that the WWF would
never even come close to giving me the opportunity that Paul has given me and
thought that this would be a perfect place for me.
ECW News: Speaking of the Indies,
you said earlier that life in the Indies is rough. Please describe your
experiences in the Indies
Corino: I always took the independents are a learning tool and a way to get
to the next level. A lot of Indy guys know think that if they are kings of the
Indies that they actually mean something in this business and it is so far from
the truth. For almost 4 years I drove 500 miles for $25-$75, sometimes nothing.
I put up with the crappy rings and the promoters that put the show on just to
get on a show. I worked with all the horrible talent that thought they were the
next big thing and it is tough. There are times when you start to wonder
if it is worth it but it is.
ECW News: Steve, everyone knows how
ECW has expanded with the TNN deal, taking the product all overthe United States
and Canada,are there any places that you'd like to go that are considered
untapped territories?
The first one that pops into my mind is California, lot of ECW fans out there.
And what places do you think would be beneficial to visit for ECW.
Corino: I think we need to open up Texas and the old Mid South/UWF regions
again. They were so good in the 70's and 80's and if the right people
promote them then we are going to draw alot of money there. I would also
like to see us do some stuff in Canada and hit the West Coast. They need good
wrestling in California.
ECW News: Did you enjoy your time
in the New Jersey NWA with Dennis and Lance Diamond? Also, what was your
opinion on all the heat between that promotion and ECW?
Corino: Everyone has their Dennis Coraluzzo story but to do honest he was
great to me. He ran alot of shows last summer and it helped Simon and
myself out a ton and got us noticed by ECW. I think the heat between NWA and ECW
is probably miscommunication. Paul likes to run things his way and
Dennis likes to run things his way. If I had my way I wish they would work
together and the NWA could be like a farm team for us.
ECW News: How did the deal
with ECW work out to get you involved?
Corino: I just got done with the WWF Dojo and to be serious I was thinking
that I was going to get some sort of deal with them when Nova called me at
midnight one night. He said that Paul was looking for a few indy guys to
come in and make a impact and work with Nova and Chris Chetti. Paul's
original choice was Reckless Youth and I was Nova's and as history will tell
you, he didn't work out and I did. Lucky for me. Also Dreamer had
seen me do the anti-hard core gimmick with Nova in the AWC/IWF in New Jersey and
I guess he liked it.
ECW News: Where did that
anti-hardcore gimmick come from?? A creation of yours? And along those
lines...how has Tommy Dreamer helped you along?
Corino: Yes. I was in a tournament for the first AWC championship in
New Jersey in 97 and Nova was there and all the fans just wanted to chant ECW.
And I figured here I am busting my butt for these people and all they want
to see is tables and chairs and blood and it got me ticked off. By the end
of the tournament I was the most hated guy in the promotion and probably the
most hated guy in the ECW locker room because they got wind of it. As for Tommy
Dreamer, just being around him helped. Look at him, he is Mr. hardcore
here. We are a feud made in heaven.
ECW News: It really is. With
Raven in now, the angle has changed somewhat. Do you see yourself
fitting into that anywhere?
Corino: Hopefully. On one hand Raven coming in pushed me to #2 with
Dreamer so I will have to work harder to weasel my way back in. But
if anyone has noticed Raven hasn't touched me either and I think I have a
connection with him.
ECW News: Right now you’re
surrounded by Rhino, Victory and Tajiri, what do you like about working with
them?
Corino: Jack is a great veteran. He has taught me so much in the short
time that we have been together. I personally see us a 1999 version of
Tatum & Victory. Tajiri is an awesome talent that needed an edge
and someone to tell the people what he is thinking and Rhino is a future
superstar.
ECW News: Someone you have been
working a lot with recently has been Taz. Describe his impact on your
career and what kind of wisdom he has shared to make you a better talent.
Corino: Taz has always intimidated everyone that he has worked with and here
I am a kid that just keeps pestering him. Taz has been a great
impact on my career and I admire him as a person and a wrestler.
Hopefully the time will come that we will get to work together. I know
that we would have a great match. 9 months ago a Corino-Taz match looked
like another squash for Taz but now you don't know.
ECW News: What is your opinion on
all the big talk going around now concerning Taz and his situation with ECW and
the possibility of him going to the WWF at the end of the year?
Corino: Taz has to do what is best for him and his family. If going to
the WWF is what he needs to I will be the first to tell him "Good
Luck". Taz has been a great World champion and continues to be.
I haven't heard anything from anyone in ECW to confirm what has been said on the
Internet but on a personal note, I would be sad to see him go. I was
looking forward to wrestle him and learn from him. Just because you feud
with a guy doesn't mean you don't learn from him. Taz has a unique
style in and out of the ring and he probably doesn't know it but he has
taught me alot in the 9 months I have been here.
ECW News: Well this weekend you got
a big PPV, are you looking forward to going to Chicago and where do you see
yourself being booked?
Corino: Hopefully somewhere with Tommy Dreamer & Raven.
ECW News: are there any other
things your looking forward to returning to Chicago for other than the Fan Fest
and PPV?
Corino: I wanted to see a Cubs game. I will admit that I am a huge Cubs
fan but they are sold out this weekend. Jack and I won't be at the
Fan Fest, we will be at a indy show in Staunton, VA. Maybe we will see if
Jerry Springer will be taping on Monday or something.
ECW News: Even though you wont be
able to see the Cubbies do you find that you'll have the time to stop off at a
legendary hang out? Harry Caray's?
Corino: That is number one on the list. I was and still am a big Harry
Carry fan.I can't wait. To sing take me out to the ball game at Wrigley Field
would be like a dream to me. He was great.
ECW News: Ok, the last thing I
think we are going to do is just play a little game of 5 questions
Corino: ok
ECW News: These questions have nothing to do with anything and are completely
pointless.
ECW News: #1 Favorite hotel to stay in while on the road?
Corino: Residence Inn in Orlando
ECW News: #2 Big Mac vs.
Sosa ...who wins??
Corino: This year-Sosa
ECW News: #3 A Steve Corino action
figure??
Corino: Yes, next year.
ECW News: #4 Hardcore style vs.
Memphis style
Corino: Memphis style will always win out. You can last longer than
with the hardcore style. Look at Hogan (65 years old) compared to
Dreamer (28), you tell me.
ECW News: #5 Steve Corino vs. Mike
Quackenbush
Corino: I would KILL that kid. Here is a kid that wears
sweatpants and a black t-shirt with a singlet over top-What is that???
Keep doing your stupid flips and writing your boring articles for The
Wrestler and then when you are serious about your career come to ECW and learn
something but I don't know if we would competition for him and his 21
"backyard" championships.
ECW News: Ouch. #6(yes, I
know there are only 5...oh well) Philly fans vs. NY fans
Corino: They are both insane!! I prefer the Philly fans because I live in the
suburbs of Philly and the Arena is so much cleaner than Queens!
ECW News: For someone wanting
to get into the business, more specifically ECW what kind of things should they
do to make their chances greater or what advice can you give to someone with
such hopes?
Corino: Pay their dues.. Don't worry about being the kings of the small
independents. Don't worry about being over with the Internet. Get out
there and learn. You need to be a sponge and whoever gives you advice
write it down and study it. The Vets don't have to give out their wisdom so when
they do you need to listen. If the WWF calls you to get killed on TV-do
it, you can learn more in a 3 minute squash match than a 15 minute match
with a guy that has a year experience. Don't worry about money, it will
come.
ECW News: so basically, stick it
out no matter what if its what you truly in your heart want to do?
Corino: Exactly
ECW News: With the added exposure
on TNN, ECW is growing.. where do you see not only ECW in 5 years or where do
you see Steve Corino in 5 years?
Corino: I will hopefully be the World heavyweight champion and be in a
position in the company where I can help out with the newer talent. I want
to continue to be a good father and be there as much as possible for my
son and I want to be there when the Cubs finally win a World Series.
ECW News: Thanks a bunch Steve
Corino: My pleasure
ECW News: ok, guess that does it- thanks alot, I hope this wasn't too painful
Corino: No, it was fun