Champion Rhyze
Recently Wrestling Reporters Editor-in-Chief, Tripp Atkins conducted a One on One interview with ICW General Manager William Tunney. That interview was posted and several people connected to ICW let their feelings be known. One of them being the Impact Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Rhyze, so this one on one interview is a rebuttal to William Tunney, GM of ICW.
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Rhyze: Thank you Ringo for making the time, the pleasure is all mine.
Ringo: Before I begin we begin could you please tell our readers about yourself. How you got into professional wrestling, who trained you and how long have you been with ICW?
Rhyze: For those who don’t know me, my name is Rhyze (pronounced Rise) and I’m the current ICW Heavyweight Champion. I’m called Rhyze because I’m 6’6”, 300 lbs and I’m not scared to take it to the air! I got into professional wrestling, and ICW, about a year ago through a close friend of mine (at the time anyway) in Cold Blood. He showed me the ropes and kind of mentored me as I developed. Too bad he jumped ship.
Ringo: You have certainly showed your loyalty to ICW and you are one of, if not the most popular wrestler in ICW. As ICW Heavyweight Champion how does being a popular wrestler and one that many look to lead the company, how does that affect you? How does it make you feel?
Rhyze: Before giving my feelings, I would like to thank the fans at ICW for continuing to support me. They have been with me from day one, and I feel like I owe them something for sticking with me. Words can’t describe the feeling I get when the crowd roars when my music hits, or how they lift me up during a match if I fall behind. I feel almost invincible when they get going. I try to bottle those emotions and use that as motivation to go out and put on a show for the crowd. Maybe you could say that I’m Samson, and the crowd is my hair.
Ringo: Let’s get to William Tunney, ICW General Manager. It seems that things between yourself and William Tunney took a turn for the worst, one would say, when your title match, which was original promoted as you vs. “Big Daddy Doom” Michael Devine was changed from a Main Event title match to a co-main event sharing billing with Broderick G. McQueen vs. Redman. That resulted in Michael Devine pulling out of the match and replaced by Cold Cash D and your decision not to bring the ICW title belt to the event. I know I said a lot there but could you explain, as fully as you would like your feelings when all this happened and what brought you to the decision to leave the title belt at home for the match against Cold Cash D?
Rhyze: My initial emotion when I seen that I had been replaced in the Main Event (for the second time, back-to-back) was anger. “Who does William think he is, coming in here taking over and automatically pushing the champ to the side?” That’s not a good first impression to make upon entering a new company. But I will admit though, I’m still kind of upset with that decision to pull me from the Main Event. And me not carrying the title out had absolutely nothing to do with Cold Cash D at all; I have nothing but respect for him. I just feel a champion should be treated as such, and until that happens, I won’t act like the champion.
Ringo: There are several ICW wrestlers and some fans who have commented that your decision not to bring the title is a bad decision. Some say that it is you showing disrespect to the title as well as to the sport and your opponent by not bringing the title. How you address those who say that you are actually disrespecting the title and ICW by doing so?
Rhyze: I’ve heard some things of that nature, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, I only chose not to carry to title with me because it was very clear that the title didn’t hold any weight anymore. When you disrespect your champion, you’re also disrespecting the fans, the company, and the title itself. Me not carrying the title out was actually in defense of them - both the fans and the company! I’ve heard people say respect is earned and so on, but I 100% earned that title – through a tournament to be named the Number One Contender, and then I defeated J-Smooth for the title. So all I expected from William and the guys in the back was to respect that. Ya know, actions speak louder than words, and if I’m not getting a champions’ treatment, then am I really champion?
Ringo: I have to ask you this, Rhyze. Is there anything that William Tunney has done as ICW General Manager that you like or support?
Rhyze: Is there anything William has done as GM that I like or support? Hmm…now THAT is a good question Ringo. The only thing I like that William has done so far is that he got me a new belt…
Ringo: Broderick G. McQueen, of the Sweet Tea Party, seems to be trying to stir up problems between you, Redman and a few others in ICW. What are your thoughts as they concern STP and Broderick G. McQueen?
Rhyze: Currently, I have zero concern for both Broderick and STP. It seems that they thrive off creating as much chaos as possible, and they’re succeeding right now. But, I’m not worried at all with Broderick. Sure he has done a lot in his career and he’s very talented, but you’re only as good as your last match. Last match, I defeated Cold Cash. His last match, he lost.
Ringo: Let’s talk about your upcoming match with Redman. Redman and you are friends. The both of you are set to face each other for the ICW Heavyweight championship. How do you feel about facing Redman? Will your friendship with Redman effect how you will prepare and wrestle your match against him?
Rhyze: My relationship with Redman will not affect my preparation or game plan at all for our match February 18th. If anything, it will intensify it. He knows me, I know him, and we’ve trained together. He has really stepped his game up, and I’ve noticed that. Although he has stepped his game up tremendously, he has been on the receiving end of a lot of dirty stuff lately. You mix that with his talent and his desire to be champion, and you’ve got yourself a dangerous man. Unfortunately for him, his next match is against me.
Ringo: After Redman, who are the next five ICW wrestlers that YOU would like defend the title against?
Rhyze: In no particular order: Cold Blood, Michael Devine, Broderick McQueen, Big Bad Bully, and Ali Steele – I only want the best.
Ringo: I would like to thank you Rhyze for the interview and your time.
Rhyze: No problem Ringo. There are a lot of guys out there, and you made time to sit down and chat with me. Thank you!
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Just as this article was sent out Wrestling Reporters learned that ICW General Manager William Tunney announced that the main event title match between Champion Rhyze and Challenger Redman will have a "Special Guest Referee" who has yet to be named.
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