1. How was the transition from Reality shows into Pro wrestling? And would you say your experience on reality shows helped you in any way in pro wrestling?
My transition from Reality Shows into Pro Wrestling ended up being a relatively smooth one thanks to some very close friends of mine in the industry.
It all started right after Big Brother Season 10 came to a close. By chance, I met The Nature Boy Ric Flair in California and told him that I wanted to be a Pro Wrestler. He strongly recommended that I apply to WWE's Development Division known as FCW (a.k.a. Florida Championship Wrestling) which later became WWE NXT. As a result, I applied to FCW, got accepted, moved to Florida and took my first pro wrestling class.
Little known fact: I had been captain of my wrestling team in high school so that was also a very big help starting out when I transitioned to pro wrestling. So once I graduated from FCW, I moved back to California and went straight into Big Brother Season 11. Then while appearing on Big Brother Season 11, I announced to Legendary Show Host Julie Chen on CBS that I wanted to be a Pro Wrestler. Shortly thereafter, my buddies Ryan Satin and Gary Trock from TMZ ran a story about my interest in pro wrestling...and that story ended up going viral. Then another very close friend of mine (who is a top TV Executive Producer) sent a personal email to TNA Owner/President at the time Dixie Carter recommending me for a spot on their roster.
While all this was going on, few people know this but CBS Survivor Superstar Jonny Fairplay contacted me and brought me onto a wrestling TV show he was part of called WFX Overload in Canada and he managed our tag team, The Hollywood Love Guns with Myself and Jon Cutler. It was AWESOME!!! Here's a look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COVs6Q7Tpxw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkAoN0VZjFY
Then, between the TMZ story, the personal email recommendation, and the buzz in the industry continuing to build around me, I was contacted by Wrestling Legend Terry Taylor from TNA to tell me that he, along with Dixie Carter and her mom Janice (who was a Big Brother fan!), really liked me on Big Brother and had big plans for me if I joined their promotion. So they made me an offer and I accepted...and it ended up being an AMAZING experience and it changed my life forever.
Then while under contract with TNA (a.k.a. Impact Wrestling), I went on to train at the prestigious Team 3D Academy with the Iconic Bully Ray and Devon (a.k.a. The Dudleys) and at historic, world-renowned OVW Wrestling (which is now owned by the Legendary Al Snow). I then debuted at the Bound For Glory 2012 PPV as TARA's Hollywood Boyfriend...and the rest is history! And yes, I would definitely say that my experience on reality shows did help me in pro wrestling!
My reality show experience taught me how to be comfortable onscreen and get used to being in front of a live TV audience. It was great, invaluable preparation that I still use to this day.
2. What was it like when you stepped into a wrestling ring for your first match?
It was surreal. That's truly the best way to describe it. It was a lifelong dream come true.
With my Peanut Butter Cup Tara (a.k.a. Lisa Marie Varon) by my side as part of Hollywood's Hottest Couple, I was honored to face World Renowned Wrestling Superstar Showtime Eric Young (a.k.a. EY) and I had an awesome time! It was an exhilarating feeling performing in front of such a large crowd and hearing the reactions and the emotions from the fans.
It was incredible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FAd_EAJ-_o
3. If you could have a match with anyone, who would it be and why...and what wrestling superstars who you faced before would you like to face again?
Oooh...that's a tough one. There are so many I'd rather not single a specific person out. But when I return to wrestling though, I'm determined to go after the World Title. In my career so far, I've been a 7 Time Tag Team Champion (5 times at OVW and 2 times at Impact Wrestling) but I have never yet been a singles champ so I definitely am eager to try to accomplish that lifelong goal. So, I'd want to face the World Heavyweight Champ at every promotion, especially Lucha Underground, NWA, Impact, OVW, NXT and CWFH.
As far as wrestling superstars I'd like to face again...that's easy! Some examples that come right to mind include my buddies Matt Hardy, Bobby Lashley, James Storm, Drew Galloway (a.k.a. Drew McIntyre), Eric Young, and one of my former mentors, Bully Ray (a.k.a. Bubba Ray Dudley). We had phenomenal matches in the past and it would be an honor and privilege to face-off once again. And two other wrestlers who I never faced before and who I'd be honored and excited to face for the first time are my heroes Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle. I also think wrestling The Miz would be amazing!!
4. Your Favorite match?
Hmmm...another tough one. As far as my favorite singles match? I would have to choose one of these matches:
https://twitter.com/MrPEC_Tacular/status/1059590861518966784
In addition, a little earlier in my career, two of my other favorite singles matches of all-time were against Bully Ray and Drew Galloway (Drew McIntyre). And as for my favorite tag team match? It's a tie between the two times my brotha Robbie E (now Robert Strauss) and I won our 2 Tag Team Titles as THE BROMANS!!! The first time was with our Big Bro 7x Mr. Olympia Phil Heath by our side at BOUND FOR GLORY. Flex Magazine covered that title win exclusively. And the second time IS when we recaptured our Tag Team Championships in BRO-kyo:
https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/tna-acknowledges-the-weekend-title-changes
Both very memorable celebrations. And both my favorite tag matches of all time. NOBODY is better than Robbie, DJZ and I...The BroMans...BOOM!!! Ber Ber Ber Berrrrr
5. As far as fitness and achieving a great physique, who would you say you looked up to?
OH, that's easy...definitely the legend himself Arnold Schwarzenegger. Other Legends who I look up to include Sylvester Stallone and a close friend of mine...The One & Only American Gladiator himself...TITAN...Mike O'Hearn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VibLFnBt7lc
Interview Date: Dec 2018