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Prince Nana Interview

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Steve Urena's

Interview with Prince Nana

1/06/06

SU: What made you decide to become a professional wrestler?

PN: First off I tell everybody this, it was Ric Flair. Flair was the man at the time and it was mainly at Wrestlemania 8 when it was Randy Savage versus Ric Flair and Elizabeth was all in the situation also and it was at the Hoosier dome, it was just an unbelievable spectacle, I always knew before that I wanted to wrestle but THAT SHOW. That's when it really came into light that I wanted to do it, that I wanted to wrestle.”
SU: Who influenced you as a child?

PN: Guys like Flair guys like Mr. Perfect, The Undertaker, guys that really have longevity in the business and they had good minds as far as just putting other guys over and also being able to put themselves over as well, they weren't greedy with it, they spread the love and they did it for the sport for the business for the love of the storyline.';
SU: How did you actually break into the wrestling business?

PN:' Broke into the business with the "Unpredictable"Johnny Rodz. I started out as a photographer, I use to photograph guys like Bill Demott, Big Vito, D-von Dudley, The Spanish Angel and then from there I went from being a photographer and then I started wrestling. I went in started training at the age of 15 I was Johnny Rodz's first young student I was the youngest student to be trained by Johnny Rodz at that time and now I'm 26 and I'm doing it and doing it well brotha.
SU: You were trained by Johnny Rodz what was a typical training day like and what did you learn from him?

PN:;A typical day of training was BRUTAL! Johnny's ring was like working out on concrete. If you can bump in Johnny's ring you can bump anywhere. When I was training I had guys like Big Vito who would constantly get us in the ring and have us do 200 Hindu squats, have us do 200 rolls, 200 dropdowns, everything basically in order to get our bodies ready for the beating we had to endure. We basically had a very vigorous training, that's why a lot of our guys are very successful, we see Matt Striker on T.V, you see D-Von on T.V, Big Vito, We got Bill Demott training at Deep South, we have Tommy Dreamer the head of Talent Relations and I'm here at ROH doing my thing waiting for my little niche in the business. I'm ready to give back.'

SU: When you first met Johnny Rodz were you intimidated by him what were your thoughts of him when you first met him?

PN:' Yes I was intimidated by him I was a 15 year old kid, but one thing that Johnny liked about me was that I was very mature, I sat down and I listened I didn't act like I knew everything and I'm still like that today. Even though I do have a lot of answers to a lot of questions I like to observe and I like to see what the other man will say first, just in case he fucks up then I can jump on top of that and capitalize if you will.'

SU: I understand you debuted against current WWE wrestler Big Vito what was going through your mind before you competed in your first match.

PN: Oh my god, Vito back then and right now is probably one of the most intense wrestlers in the business he loves the sport he eat, sleeps, and he breathes this business. It was definitely nerve wrecking, but once I got in there I did my thing and Vito really put me over like a million dollars.

SU: You then worked for the ECWA in Delaware what did you learn there and what was your best match there?

PN: My best match there was winning the title against Scoot Andrews. I beat! The Nature Boy's Scoot Andrews in the middle of the ring took the belt and was and probably still am THE most hated villain in ECWA history. ECWA was an unbelievable starting ground for Prince Nana, an unbelievable starting ground for a lot of new young talent and I will continue to support ECWA. ECWA was one of my home bases as well



SU: Even though you're a trained wrestler you found your niche becoming a manager when did you decide to do this and how did you create your character?

PN: 'There was no creation of the character. Prince Nana is Prince Nana. Prince Nana is an outspoken individual, Prince Nana is African Royalty, Prince Nana is everything he wants to be. Especially when he's on the microphone. The reason why I left the ring was because I had self esteem issues. At that time I was about 245 pounds, I was pretty big and out of shape, I was still in there doing my thing but at that time it was probably best for me to let the guys that were really really serious about doing their thing in 2004 and 2005 to do their thing while I grew and while I got myself together. Right now I feel I'm in the best shape of my life. Next year 2006 I'm going to be back in the ring, back into competitive action. You will see me at all the local independent promotions and I'll be back in the Ring I don't know about being back in the ring in Ring of Honor but you never know.'

SU: You then joined Ring of Honor what was your thoughts upon entering the promotion and did you think you would stay as long as you have?


PN:' Didn't feel any type of way when I first entered Ring of Honor. Ring of Honor was started by guys like me, Homicide, Low-Ki, the SAT, Xavier, Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, Paul London, Spanky, we were all there in the beginning. If you go far back into the company, I was in that heavyweight contenders match. I was in the running to be in that match, got knocked out by Low-Ki, but as you can see I've been here, I've hung in there. I was always willing to learn, always willing to help other people out and that's what really has kept me around at ROH. I'm a leader not a follower.'


SU: Probably the stupidest question I've ever asked but the people want to know. How did it feel to get kicked in the head and get knocked out by Low-Ki?

PN (laughs) Getting hit in the head by Low-Ki was not a fun thing I got knocked out twice by him. Once in the ring when we had that heavyweight confrontation and one time in a match when he knocked me out with a kick to the back of the head. Low Ki is one tough son of a gun. Low-Ki is probably one of the most underrated performers in the industry today. Even though people know that he is one of the best wrestlers, he's still underrated in trying to bring him in and let him do his thing. People are afraid that he will be way too dominant because he's so knowledgeable about the business. It's just how it is sometimes you know'


SU You have comprised a great stable in ROH called the Embassy what talents do you look for when scouting people to be in your Embassy?

PN:' The Embassy we're professional bro. The Embassy started out with Xavier, The Embassy had the Outcast Killaz, Jimmy Rave, obviously the crown jewel. Alex Shelley and Abyss. We have had a lot of people in the Embassy, but the embassy is about heart, the Embassy is about money, long limousines, jet planes, shrimp cocktail. We are living the lives of professional wrestlers. We are out there and we are soaking in the glory my friend and that's what the Embassy is about. 2006 the Embassy is about taking titles and hurting feelings, that's basically what the bottom line is bro.

SU: Do you think I would be cut out for your Embassy?

PN :(laughs)'Absolutely not. Number 1 you're a 150 pound soaking wet my friend, you need to get your act together. GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER (With accent).

SU: Favorite moment in ROH thus far?

PN:'My favorite ROH moment has nothing to do with getting in the ring. Even though being in the ring is always great to me. Being in front of the fans and performing every night, every night is a memorable night but the one moment that sticks out in my mind is the sold out crowd in NYC that I promoted 1000 people in attendance. Having ROH premiere on the WB morning news was a great accomplishment. The company by myself and putting that together was a great accomplishment.'


SU: How would you describe your managerial skills?

PN: 'Just like Flair, the dirtiest player in the game. I try to keep it fair but when I feel that my guy is in danger, look out for Prince Nana to do something about it.



SU. A lot of the ROH roster has shown up in TNA have you been in talks with them at all?

PN: I tell you one thing I've been in talks but the talks ive been in have not been official talks. I want you to print it like that. I'm not even sure if TNA is even interested in me at this time. Why I don't know. Until they are ready for Prince Nana and a light bulb goes off in somebody's head I will be here doing my thing. I will go out there and keep promoting myself. Letting people know who the hell I am and who the companies are that I work for. Until I break until someone really sees that there's talent in me and I'm not just out there glory hounding.'
SU: Which do you prefer wrestling or managing?

PN: Both to be honest with you If I had a chance to do anything in the business I would be a color commentator I would be a wrestler, a manager I would be the GM of RAW. I would do anything because I love this business. I love to do the wrestling thing because I'm a wrestler at heart. When I come back to the ring in 2006 its time to let people know who Prince Nana is and that Prince Nana can get down and dirty with the rest of them and that Prince Nana is destined to be a star.'

SU: What do you like to do when your not wrestling?

PN: 'I love music I have currently have an artist that I'm working with his name is Scorpio, he's an R and B artist. I'm shopping him around in NYC trying to close a substantial deal with him. Other than that I love hanging out at home I live in Brooklyn. One of the most down and dirty places Brownsville. In my spare time its hanging out at home with the friends and family. I like to go the movies shit like that Mainly I like to keep it low key.'

SU: What music do you listen to?

PN: Everything. Hip Hop, R and B, Metal, Jazz, Reggae ton, I listen to every type of music I'm very global when it comes to the music thing. Some of my favorites right now: Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, I like T-Pains stuff right now, Kelly Price, ICP, System of down, groups like that.

SU: What is your favorite movie or top 5 favorite movies?

PN: Two of my favorite movies of all time include A Bronx Tale and the other one is the color purple.

PN: When I'm on the road I like to eat a nice steak, preferably a T-Bone steak and I'm trying to get on the diet thing, so ive been eating a lot of grilled chicken and protein and that type of stuff. Its not the best stuff but its good.
SU: Favorite place to wrestle?

PN: 'Wrestling wise NYC is one of the most energized crowds you can wrestle for. I wrestled at MSG and that was unbelievable and I did quite a few shows that I promoted for Ring of Honor in NYC. If there's a place where I'm up to perform its NYC, my hometown, Where I live and where I was born in NYC. Just to quit the Kayfabe. My family is from Ghana the only two that were born here was me and my brother Kojo.


SU: Final thoughts?

PN: Steve, I'm going to be honest with you its 2005 and I want all the wrestling fans and promoters and especially the wrestlers. Prince Nana is about to make a 360 degree turn back into the aggressive wrestler that he came into the business as. A lot of people have been sleeping on me. A lot of people don't think I have the guts to bust somebody's teeth in, trust me I've been doing it for a long time and I'll continue to do it in 2006. I'm telling you its going to be a guaranteed roller coaster ride for anybody who follows my career this is the time to follow it. I'm serious. I'm ready. I'm educated about this business and other businesses and I'm ready to make it happen.

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