No Punches Pulled with Benny Martinez

[Robert Lotti]

Welcome to another edition of the No Punches Pulled interview series. This time it's former NYWC competitor Benny Martinez

RL: Were you a wrestling fan growing up?
BM: Yes I was. Huge fan. I pretty much destroyed my mother's furniture with suplexes and germans growing up.

RL: When did you decide you were going to wrestle?
BM: When I was about 15 years old, my Dad had asked me what I wanted to do when I got older. So we were in the middle of watching WCW at the time and I had pointed to the screen telling him that I would want to do just that. He was on board after that.

RL: How did you discover the NYWC academy?
BM: Shortly after I told my father about my plans to become a professional wrestler, I then immediately began looking for schools in the New York State area and stumbled upon one in Hicksville, Long Island called Critical Mass Pro Wrestling. I didn't attend it just yet because I felt I was still too young so instead I saved money and continued to wrestle freestyle, collegiate, and Greco-Roman until I felt I was old enough at the age of 17.

RL: What were your initial impresions of Mikey Whipwreck?
BM: I was extremely nervous. Mikey had his long, red hair as he was sitting on the top rope over seeing my class that he taught. Made eye contact with me, asked my name, made a joke, an had me sit down to watch his class.

RL: How tough was training?
BM: Very tough but also the best. Mikey nver took shit from anybody. You do what you're told and that's it. If you did it wrong, you simply do it over and kept your mouth shut. Anyone whou would did open their mouth got extra cardio for everyone else. This pretty much would make you public enemy number one. Some days, he would just kick you out, which is the worst feeling imaginable.Then there would be squats, push ups, and sit ups depending on the playing cards that Mikey had for cardio, while you do drills in the ring.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Brian Myers & Brett Matthews?
BM: Talented guys that deserve what they have today and as well gave me the name I currently hold to ths day.

RL: What are your memories of Prince Charles?
BM: Always chatted with me and was nothing but kind to me when I first started.

RL: What are your memories of yourin ring debut teaming with Bruno Marciano against The Stroke?
BM: I never had to pee so much before a show. I mean buckets! Hell, we were nervous, but we were ready. It was a fun match and hey, my first match and my first win.

RL: What are your memories of Mana & Samu?
BM: This I believe was my second match. It was also my first concussion in wrestling and I had dislocated one side of my jaw which was lucky enough to snap back in. Hurt like hell. Mana has a mean kick but I was thankful to have that match.

RL: What are your memories of "Sure Thing" John Shane?
BM: First guy who took me in and gave me a shot to do what I love to do to this day. Introduced my father, my brother, and myself to NYWC that was in the Deer Park Community Center at the time on Homer Avenue. He gave me the tour when I walked in and let me sit in to watch Mikey teach what was left of his class before I started the next day.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Grim Reefer?
BM: The highest flyer....Had fun matches with him and let me shine when I was first starting out.

RL: What are your memories of teaming with Spyder?
BM: This man gave the opportunity to learn the style of Lucha Libre. Teaming with him was tons of fun as we got to even team with Savio Vega.

RL: What are your memories of Javi-Air?
BM: I did remember teaming with Javi-Air for some time against Alex Reynolds, Dan Barry, and The Dirty Rednex. Good guy.

RL: What are your memories of All Money Is Legal?
BM: 2 cool guys who liked to have fun. I remember having some matches with them while feuding with The Uninvited.

RL: What are your memories of teaming with your brother?
BM: I remember asking Shane if it was all right to tag with my brother and once he gave me the green light, I told y brother and it just started from there. We would always train together, lift together, share ideas, and just become closer through wrestling. We had incrediboe matches together including the memorable Straps and Ladders event.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Robbie E?
BM: Great guy. Was always willing to chat and was always laid back. We would speak about his profession at the time, which was at the time the same field I was getting myself into. I'm glad for him and his success

RL: What are your memories of Dirty Rednex?
BM: Fully gimmicked stable that I had seen first hand. From the shorts, to the unwashed shirts, and bottle of Jack Daniels. With a little more work, they could have had the potential to go further.

RL: What are your memories of Danny & Billy Angus?
BM: When I first saw them, I was at the merchandise table starting out and they were just increcibly fast and inovative with their movesets. Their matches with the SAT wee insane. It made me want to be in te ring even more.

RL: What are your memories of The Celtic Saints?
BM: Great tag team. They gave me a match that I couldn't forget at Straps and Ladders, as well as the match with Spyder and myself teaming with Savio Vega.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Stockade?
BM: Good friend mine to this day. He was my road buddy, along with Bruno Marciano. We just had many memories on the road and travelling every weekend. Amazing worker and wisdom that had his success only increasing in various promotions.

RL: What are your memories of Syther?
BM: Spot on impersonations of pretty much all 90's wrestlers. He would prank various stores, depending on who he plans on impersonating.

RL: What are your memories of Anthony Nese?
BM: Good guy who worked hard for what he has. Humble and friendly to me.

RL: What are your memories Appolyon?
BM: Big dude that can move! He was always humble and willing to work hard for what he wants.

RL: What are your memories of King Mega?
BM: Cool guys who looked out for me at times. Always in a good mood, until you piss him off(luckily I never pissed him off).

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Mike Reed & Blake Morris?
BM: I remember tripping over a guardrail and kicking it out of frustration and having it hit some lady in the front row. She wasn't too happy about it but regardless, I had a good match with them that night. Two guys that I got to know over the years.

RL: What are your memories of matches with Alex Reynolds?
BM: Lumberjack matchand the first ever fusion tournament...If you haven't watched these matches, do yourself a favor and watch them.

RL: What are your memories of Big Time Rush?
BM: I remember the Nickelodeon show coming out shortly after they had already estestablished their name. I also remember two very different styles that happened to work great together.

RL: What are your memories of Eddie Guapo?
BM: Chill guy who was wiling to have The Uninvited fuel rise increible expectations. Funny, too. He made wrestling fun for me.

RL: What are your memories of Quiet Storm?
BM: Quiet and very low spoken...Until you went into the ring with him. That Storm Cradle Driver is devastating. I had some road trips with him and he would teach me some Japanese while on the road. Overall good guy and very talented. Glad for his success in Japan.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of your match with Papadon?
BM: I had just been rushed to the emergency room for a really bad reaction that I had on medication that I was taking for my bronchitis. As soon as I was relased from the hospital, I drove over to the MLK center to wrestle him that night.

RL: What are your memories of Fredrick Of Hollywood who later became Darren Young?
BM: Quiet but was always able to have a talk. He was friendly though I didn't get to know him much because he left shortly to the WWE.

RL: What are your memories of Boogalou?
BM: He brought me in to get my first tattoo. Great guy with lots of jokes. Having him and Guapo go back and forth in his Insane Clown Posse van was hysterical on the road.

RL: What are your memories of Francis Kipland Stevens?
BM: Met him for the first time at Hofstra University in Long Island for some physical centre convention, or something like that, and he told the boys that he was a fan and wanted to start training. Saw him working 2 weeks later and then became that nerd from Compton. Some good memories with him and of his macho man impersonations on the road.

RL: What are your memories of Dickie Rodz?
BM: One of the first gus I met when I started at NYWC. He had some great matches with Mason Raige.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: How did you end up in Mike Morgan's ACE Pro Wrestling?
BM: I had spoken with Azrieal at NYWC and he had mentioned to me about ever having some interest doing shows outside of N.Y. I really was hungry to keep wrestling as much as possible and that's what brought me to ACE.

RL: What are your memories of Azrieal?
BM: Showed me the door to other promotions. Good friend of mine to this day and talented guy.

RL: What are your memories of Rob Vegas?
BM: Weird haircut but original look. Had my first match at JAPW with him.

RL: What are your memories of Mike Donovan?
BM: First guy who wanted to test my limits at ACE and later saw that I belonge there.

RL: What are your memories of Danny Maff?
BM; My first biggest challenge. With a name like Maff to be looking at you from the opposite side of the ring tested my skills that I had to that date.TThat match led me to be noticed for JAPW?

RL: What are your memories of your match with Mo Sexton?
BM: Talented guy who was willing to give me a good match with some hard hits. It was another match that had me noticed to many fans that I was a competitor who was willing to throw down.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Wes Draven?
BM: I accidentally ripped 3 of his dreads out of his head once while we rolled around around in the ring. Other than that, chill guy.

RL: What are your memories of matches with Vince Steele?
BM: This was yet another challenge for me which tested me on something else besides my wrestling strength. I couln't overpower Steele because of his size so instead it had me think outside the box. It was actually fun to think diferent and had me utilize on other options.

RL: What are your memories of Tommy Dreamer?
BM: There was a time where Dreamer & I were being booked at the same places for a month straight, which led him to think I was following him. Funny and humble. I was thankful for him to see me work an have him notice me.

RL: What are your memories of Chris Forza?
BM: Another good guy who gave me one of my four matches at Fusion. He also played a vital role in the feud with Alex Reynolds and myself.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of John Silver?
BM: I remember him first coming to NYWC when he was like 14, or something like that, and I had just finished a round of "Shark Bait". I had a mouth full of my own blood and walked to the garbage can which then has me see his mother and I smiled at her not noticing that my teeth was, as well, full of blood. Needless to say she questioned John about wanting him to wrestle, but glad he stuck with it.

RL: What are your memories of Bandido Jr?
BM: Another good friend of mine in this wrestling business. Talented. Wrestled for his father on the occasional Sundays that he ran out of his bar and had amazing times doing that. Sharpened my skills to use other tactics due to the low ceilings but always had fun wrestling for him.

RL: What are your memories of Pinkie Sanchez?
BM: So much energy! He never runs out of it! He once challenged a group of kids to a dance off, who were already dancing in a McDonald's parkinglot, when we has stopped for food.

RL: What are your memories of Victor Cruz?
BM: Good friend of mine. Took him in the Naturally Fly Latinos and he learned some stuff while in the group. Now evolved into Ultimo Maya, let's see what this could bring to the table.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of the Russian Roulette match in ACE?
BM: Interesting concept that is something that you don't get to see at any other promotion. I had fun wrestling in that match.

RL: What are your memories of Neeno Capone & Envy?
BM: Crazy. I can't remember exactly what they did but it involved a ladder and the ceiling to them inverting it itno a shooting star. I'm not sure but t sure brought attention to the ACE tag team division.

RL: During your feud with The Uninvited in NYWC, were there any plans to reveal who was attacking them backstage preventing them from interfering in your matches?
BM: There were plans to bring some international talent and big names to who would be joining my side in a match that would conclude the entire series but unfortunately I had left wrestling all together before that even came about.

RL: What are your memories of DJ Phat Pat?
BM: Interesting and original gimmick. Had one match with myself tagging with him and he played his weight to his advantage.

RL: What are your memories of Pat Buck?
BM: Full of wisdom ande work ethic that exceeds many. I see and hear things about PWS and CAP that are looking up so good luck to him.

RL: What led to you leaving wrestling in early 2011?
BM: Frustration and I just needed space so I took a break. Sort of how Shawn Michaels losing his smile. I just wasn't happy and I figured this might be a good time to have a break.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What led to you returning to wrestling?
BM: Spyder had invited me to train in Brooklyn and I had agreed. Little did I know that the bug was just waiting to bite me, again. It then all just came back tto me like I never left. I couldn't stop after that.

RL: What are your memories of winning the FSW primero title?
BM: Shocking. Literally. I didn't expect it at all.

RL: What are your memories of Superstar Whiplash?
BM: I haven't gotten to know him that well but he seems creative. Definitely something out of the ordinary.

RL: What are your memories of Jason Nevins?
BM: I actually did get some training sessions in with Nevins. Good listener which is important in this business. Eventually could see his face in a few in a few promotions soon.

RL: What are your memories of Sydney Cloud?
BM: Interesting gimmick with the Australian accent and great mic skills. Just needs more ring workk and he can be a well rounded wrestler.

RL: Word Association-Mikey Whipwreck
BM: Trainer. Mentor. Friend.

RL: Shane
BM: Booker. NYWC

RL: Curse
BM: Stern. Brooklyn. NYWC

RL: Forge
BM: Old man. Referee. Chill

RL: Larry Legend
BM: Extravaganza!

RL: Joel Maximo
BM: Creative. Innnovative. Friend.

RL: Spyder
BM: Tag team partner. NFL. Friend. Tights.

RL: Crusher Doogan
BM: Old man. Bald. Great person. Dungeon Training. Friend.

RL: Mike Verna
BM: Young. Talented.

RL: Talon
BM: Bald. Beard. Talented

RL: What are your thoughts on those who fake post on message boards?
BM: Stop it, idiots.

RL: What are your thoughts on the NYWC message board?
BM:i I remember when it first started up. Technology has changed the business so much compared to when I first started. It gives the fans a voice that can be heard.

RL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
BM: Wrestling an an international level....often.

RL: Is there anyything you want to say to the fans?
BM: Honestly, thank you. Without any of you, none of this would be possible. Really. For more information, follow me on Twitter @1bennymartinez or Instagram at martinezthebenny.

RL: Thank you for this great interview.