Mana Interview.

By P.Staniforth 2005.

Firstly, a little shout to my good friend Brett at Wrestling Clothesline.com for the hook up for this interview; it’s much appreciated. Now, here’s a chance to learn more about one of the future stars of professional wrestling, a man who’s making a big impression on the USA independent scene currently – Mana The Polynesian Warrior.

PETER) : Hi, and thanks for the interview time. Can I start by asking you a little about your childhood?

MANA) : I was the youngest of eight siblings, four of each. I grew up in Matamata, which is now known as ‘Hobbitsville’ because that’s where the ‘Lord of the Rings’ had their village made for the movie. I am a Maori boy who played rugby and went to school, and got beat up by my brothers; but more bitch slapped by my sisters!

PETER) : Ouch! Suddenly I feel glad to be an only child…. So, when did you first view wrestling?

MANA) : That would have to be Wrestle Mania 4. I watched the battle royal where Bad News Brown turned on Bret Hart, and I’ve loved it ever since then. Being such a rugby biased country as you all know in England that New Zealand are, it was hard at first to let it out that you’re a wrestling fan. So for the longest time I enjoyed it more to myself instead of being open about it. My favourite wrestlers were the British Bulldogs, The Harts, Demolition, The Samoan Swat Team, The Rougeau Brothers; and The Islanders.

PETER) : Did you know you wanted to be a wrestler, or did you have other dreams and plans?

MANA) : Well originally I always had it in the back of my mind. I was a wrestler at heart, but at the same time the Super 12 was being introduced and my rugby was rolling along really well. I was in Perth Western Australia and playing Prop for all grade teams there, the U/19s, U/ 21s and their senior team all in one year. I wanted to be a Waikato Chief also, so I wasn’t always committed to wrestling. But, professional wrestling then got the best of me and I eventually hung up the boots to come and see if I had the heart to do this or not.

PETER) : It really is a fascinating background you have, share with us a little more about your rugby experiences?

MANA) : I was a normal Maori kid growing up and playing rugby in Waikato, New Zealand; representing the underage Waikato teams up to U/21s and trialing for New Zealand U/ 19s , U / 21s and Australia U/21s. I got to play Prop for and against a lot of the All Blacks like Christian Cullen, Carlos Spencer, Jonah Lomu, Greg Feek, Anton Oliver and many more. It was a rough upbringing at home, but more kids from our town were more proud to wear the Green Jersey of our tribe of Raungaiti then they ever were to represent Waikato or even New Zealand. I made our local senior team at sixteen years old, and even got to Prop against the English secondary schools team in 1993 for Waikato secondary schools (which we won being the only regional team who beat the touring English that year).

PETER) : That really is impressive, and you’ve shown a lot of dedication and given up a lot to chase the dream of being a wrestler. How did you get your first break in the business?

MANA) : Well, I stumbled upon it on the net actually. I was pretty computer illiterate, but I managed to stumble across training centers in America. I saw a lot of ones that I was interested in like The Monster Factory and UPW. But as a child I looked up to the Wild Samoans and the Headshrinkers which is where I ran into (literally!), The Wild Samoan Training Centre. I was working scaffolding in the deserts in Australia at the time, so I was on real good money. It was more of a now or never thought process for me, and I took the opportunity to come and train at the Wild Samoan Training Centre.

PETER) : So what happened from here?

MANA) : I trained under the tutelage of Afa The Wild Samoan and Headshrinker Samu, along with Head Trainer Moondog Molsonn. You pretty much learn to grow together at the Centre, and all the students at that time such as Malachi, SLG and Smooth Tommy Suede all combined to help each other become the best we could become. We all still do push each other, and you can’t go wrong with the experience and love given to you by Afa and Samu. They have been there done that and always, just always have taken me in as family.

PETER) : What were your first matches like?

MANA) : I was nervous as all hell at first, but it seemed so right for me to be in a ring. I attacked my training with anger and graduated the fastest time ever at the WSTC beating Billy Kidman’ s record of ninety six days by completing in 60 days. I destroyed my first opponents, and was booked to go to other federations besides our home fed of WXW within weeks of starting. I loved my matches, and I especially appreciate my first match versus Guy In a Mask.

PETER) : How would you describe yourself as a wrestler to those who haven't seen you work?

MANA) : I am a Wild Samoan/Headshrinker style with my Maori heritage behind it. I resemble my mentors but at the same time I do my own style as well, which is best described as street thuggery with Strong Style. I do a Reverse Sidewalk Slam, an Anahera Driver (a Jumping Tiger Driver variation), a Top Rope Samoan Drop, a Headshrinker Splash from the Top Rope, and a Running Suicide Dive over the top rope. So as you can see by my moves I am the same, but a new type as well as old school; and I attack all out no matter who that it is I’m working with. I’m 6ft 4 inches tall and 320lbs, and all I’m trying to do is be the best worker I can be as a big man; and try to give all I can every match I’m in. I’m like the All Blacks during Haka time in the ring, I guess you’d say; I attack matches with the same aggression and fury.

PETER) : What has been your favourite match or show that you were involved in?

MANA) : I love WXWs Sportsfest, I am always looking forward to it; it’s like a mini Wrestle Mania for the indy’s. I always loved being at MLW while it was on, which is where one of my favourite matches occurred; when myself and Samu as the Samoan Island Tribe wrestled the Extreme Horseman (Simon Diamond / CW Anderson and eventually Steve Corino). It was a good match, in which I enjoyed learning from those great workers and having the great JJ Dillon get involved. I recently had a singles match which I was proud to be part of against NWA/ TNA monster Abyss, in which I accounted for myself well and enjoyed the match all the way. Abyss, Batista, and Gene Snisky are the two best big man talents going right now; and I was proud to share a ring with all of those men.

PETER) : Who are your closer friends in the business?

MANA) : The list would include the following, Cindy Rogers, Supreme Lee Great, Alere Little Feather, The CSC, Cabbie, Talia, Ariel, Bulldog Blanski, Tracy Brooks, Smooth Tommy Suede, Malachi, Gene Snisky, Samu, Allison Danger, Chris Hero, Striker, Luscious Lily, The Dynamic Sensation, Untouchables and a lot more. I’m not ‘Mr Popularity’ as it were, but I have a lot of great friends and I’m sorry if I missed someone. In fact I know I probably did, and this doesn’t mean you mean nothing to me; I do love you all and you all know how much you mean to me.

PETER) : What has been your lowest point in wrestling so far?

MANA) : That would be my nephew Heath being murdered, and I couldn’t do nothing about it or help my family out while I was here in America. I have been fortunate to have a lot of support like SLG, Cindy and Alere; and I thank you all for pulling me through all that time. But losing my nephew Heath has been the worst situation that I have encountered here, I started really becoming reckless on myself in the ring, trying to have an excuse to end my career and break something; but those three pulled me through those times.

PETER) : That must have been very difficult to come to terms with, and I admire your courage in carrying on. What do you like to do in your spare time?

MANA) : I look for more ring time and bookings. I study tapes and I mainly heal a lot of nagging injuries. I also like hanging with friends. I like quiet time as well though, just alone down time. I’m more of a computer nerd right now as well; I’m trying to manage my own schedule all the time.

PETER) : What five words do you feel describe you best?

MANA) : Aggressive, Unstoppable, Proud , Intimidating (even though I’m not by nature, I just look it ) and STIFF!

PETER) : What are your plans for the future?

MANA) : To honestly just keep representing Maori people in wrestling, and to be the best that I can be for myself and for the people who support me. Also, to make my family proud; because that’s how I always approach my career as a wrestler - every decision hinges on those factors.

PETER) : What are your thoughts on WWE and TNA, and the indy's?

MANA) : Well, I don’t watch much of either TNA and WWE right now. In fact all I watch is indy wrestling, as I like to watch people showcase their god given talents without any ties or nothing. Where they can just release their natural skill without no-one holding them back, and that’s what the independents provide for me; a learning process of growing and watching with my peers and trying to keep pace with them if not trying to keep ahead of them.

PETER) : Who do you like to watch or learn from?

MANA) : The best on the indy’s right now for me, now this is not marking out I just want to say, but for big men Samoa Joe, Danny Maff, Doug Williams and Samu are great. Wrestlers such as Chris Daniels, Homicide, Low Ki , CM Punk, Tommy Suede and Chris Hero; are all men that I respect, that I like, and that I feel that their matches or psychology change every time and always have something new to show you.

PETER) : So, to finish up; is there anything you'd like to promote, or anyone you'd like to thank?

MANA) : First, I would like to promote my website – http://manawxw.tripod.com/main.html - if you’re interested, I would love to hear from you. I would like to thank the people of Aotearoa for their support, and the love they have given me. To my whanau back in Oz and New Zealand, Arohanui with all my heart I hope that all is well and my nieces and nephews are behaving. I want to thank Afa and Samu Anoai for the opportunites and learning that they have bestowed upon me. Someday I hope to give that back by succeeding like the rest of the Island Dynasty have done so well before me. Most of all, I want to thank my Mum Hewanoa. Thank you for the upbringing and love, you are my world and I miss you with all my heart. It won’t be long, and your son will be home soon Paimarie Arohanui Anahera.

PETER) : Thank you very much for this interview, and all the very best for the future.

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Peter writes (columns,interviews,&video reviews) for the following websites - www.prowrestlingdaily.com , www.wrestlingclothesline.com , & www.ukevents.net .

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