No Punches Pulled with Francis Kipland Stevens

[Robert Lotti]

Welcome to another edition of the No Punches Pulled interview series. In this edition, it's Francis Kipland Stevens.

RL: Were you a wrestling fan growing up?
FKS: I started wathing when I was 7 and my first memories of wrestling are of Summerslam 1990.

RL: How old were you when you wanted to wrestle?
FKS: That came much later in life. When I was younger, I didn't know how you become a wrestler. When I got older, I never thought I was big enough or mentall ready. Right after I graduated from college is when I decided to pursue my dream.

RL: How did you discover the NYWC academy?
FKS: I was working at health & fitness expo at Hofstra university and NYWC had a booth there. They asked me to go to a show. I asked if they had a school, and from there I joined.

RL: What were your inital impressions of Mikey Whipwreck?
FKS: I was scared. I had tons of respect for Mikey before I joined and all I wanted was not to screw up around him or disrespect him in any way. I'm still looking to do right by him and always will.

RL: How hard was the training?
FKS: For me it was diffficult. I had trouble with everything and no one thought I would last. But I was not going to give up because this was my dream and I was giving wrestling everything I had.

RL: How did you come up with the name Francis Kipland Stevens?
FKS: My nickname is Kip. Everyone calls me Kip. So Kip had to be in it somewhere.

RL: What are you memories of your debut match that saw you teaming with Balls Mahoney against Blake Morris & Mike Reed?
FKS: I was extremely nervous. Not only was it my first match on a show, but teaming with Balls was surreal because I never dreamed I would have a match with him when I watched ECW. It was an experience that not many people get and I was very appreciative.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of teaming with Tony Nese against the Celtic Saints?
FKS: Fun match. Nese is an amazing athlete whose work ethic is great and he's who I aspire to be a wrestler.

RL: What are your memories of Vaughn Jackson?
FKS: Miss him. It's a shmae he got injured and I hope he returns.

RL: What are your memories of All Money Is Legal?
FKS: Aaaayyyooo. Cool guys and we had fun together. They have great taste in eye wear.

RL: I wish they would bring that eye wear back. What are your memories of Eddie Guapo?
FKS: I enjoyed teaming with him and would have liked it to go on longer. There was more I felt I could learn from him. But when we did team, he always had nice things to say and I respected his opinions.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of feuding with Papadon?
FKS: Loved wrestling him. Didn't like when he piledrove me on a chair. But Papadon is a great wrestler and I learned a lot wrestling him. I had to bring my best every time and we had some good matches. I loved the Straight Outta Compton fight and I thought it was the match that Francis really came to life. It still gets mentioned as a great fight.

RL: What are your memories of Syther?
FKS: Weird science. I wish I could understand him. He's a very underrated wrestler and could be successful in singles as he is in tag teams.

RL: What are your memories of John Silver?
FKS: Weezer & MmmBop. He helped me out in so many ways in training that I'm always in his debt.

RL: *singing* Weezer's "Beverly Hills" Nevermind. What are yout memories of the late Chris Kanyon?
FKS: He was really nice to me. Never had an ego and it was cool hearing WCW stories. Very sad when and how he passed.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memoreis of Big Time Rush?
FKS: Amazing team. Both guys in and out of the ring. Tony Burma is a funny dude and I'm glad I got to know him. Ryan Rush is a very close friend even though he owes me a home cooked meal.

RL: What are your memories of Wendell Oliver Wentworth?
FKS: My buddy. I hope he gets everything he wants out of wrestling.

RL: What are your memories of Violet?
FKS: I could write a book about Violet but I'll just say she's the most important person in my career. She likes to say it was destiny we met so I'll agree with her.

RL: What are your memories of wrestling "Platinum" Pat Buck in Port Jefferson?
FKS: One of my favorites. The first time I met him was that night and I was excited for the challenge. It was a super fun match and I was proud of what we did. He's also a great trainer and I'm always appreciative of any help he gives me.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Matias?
FKS: I know that more girls were watching my matches when I teamed with him. It's a shame he cut his hair, but he has tons of potential if he stays hungry.

RL: What are your memories of Stockade?
FKS: One of the hardest hitters in NYWC. I enjoyed our match at Sideshow 2010 and was proud that I could hang in a physical match with him. I was sore the next day though.

RL: What are your memories of Appolyon?
FKS: I liked him better as Joey Braggiol, but a sleeping giant may have been awoken.

RL: What are your memories of feuding with Dickie Rodz?
FKS: Very intense feud. I was proud that we put on 3 different singles matches and loved all 3. I hated when he put Violet through a table. He is a 3 time NYWC champion and I wanted to show that I can be in that league. The final street fight was extremely bloody, but it was the biggest win of my career.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Dirty Rednex/Wreckless & Wasted?
FKS: Kasin & Moore make a great team. They are both funny guys and it's a side I hope the fans see more of.

RL: What are your memories of Ref Andre?
FKS: I hate the Boston Red Sox and he loves them. I never held that against him though and he was a great referee.

RL: What are your memories of King Mega?
FKS: The most physically intimidating man I've ever wrestled. I was disappointed in myself after our match and I hope I can wrestle him again one day. I have tremendous respect for the King.

RL: What are your memories of Alex Reynolds?
FKS: We were both future endeavored on the same day. He is a natural in the ring and I really enjoyed our matches. I'm glad he's showing a sense of humor on Connected but he gives horrible wedding gifts.

RL: What are your memories of Chris Forza?
FKS: Solid wrestler and I'm glad he's in NYWC. I would love to wrestle him again and hopefully it will be for gold.

RL: What are your memories of Benny & Manny Martinez?
FKS: I miss Benny and doing bad Macho Man Randy Savage impressions for him. Manny has heart and hopefully will get a chance to show how good he is.

RL: What are your memories of Bruno Marciano?
FKS: Haw wipes. I wanted to wrestle him in a singles match. Very intense and I always like his old school approach to wrestling.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Quiet Storm?
FKS: Never wrestled him but we got along well because he likes the NY Yankees. I'm glad he got invited to Japan and I hope he stays as long as he wants.

RL: What are your memories of Josh Daniels?
FKS: Never wrestled him either but would hear his chops from the locker room. I loved the comedy act of him & Dan Eckos.

RL: What are your memories of Azrieal?
FKS: Very happy with our matches. He's a veteran on the independent wrestling scene and been to many places so to be in the ring with him was very cool to me. Double stomp from the top was vicious.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Matt Striker?
FKS: I really liked him until he turner on me at Brighter Side Of Hell. But then he ran to his ivory tower in Stamford, CT.

RL: What are your memories of Dan Eckos?
FKS: I had an awesome match with him for Norman Smiley's clinic that sadly no NYWC fan saw.

RL: What are your memories of Psycho Circus 2011?
FKS: An honor to be in that match. It's NYWC's Wrestlemania and to be in the main event was an experience that I can't describe. It makes me me work hard so I can do it again.

RL: Word Association-Mikey Whipwreck
FKS: Respect, hero

RL: Curse
FKS: Underrated funny.

RL: Crusher Doogan
FKS: Teacher. Owe him everything.

RL: Prince Charles
FKS: Bobby Heenan sparkling jackets.

RL: DJ Phat Pat
FKS: Misspelled fat. Skype.

RL: Kenny Royal
FKS: Horrible butler, better MC.

RL: Britney Savage
FKS: The sister I always wanted.

RL: Nickie Syx
FKS: Hard worker

RL: Rex Lawless
FKS: Madison Rayne

RL: What do you think of people who fake post on message boards?
FKS: Why bother?

RL: What are your thoughts on the NYWC message board?
FKS: I really like it. Great place for the fans to talk about NYWC.

RL: What are your thoughts on the NYWC fans?
FKS: I love our fans. Without them there's no NYWC?

RL: Would you like to work for other indies?
FKS: Of course. I have a crappy work schedule on Sundays so it's hard to take certain bookings. But once that gets worked out, I'm open to work anywhere that would have me provided it doesn't conflict with NYWC.

RL: Compare wrestling at the NYWC sportatroium to other venues NYWC runs in.
FKS: I love the sportatroium. Nothing beats wrestling at home. I also love Port Jefferson because I can visit my grandmotherbefore the show. No one is tougher than Grandma Kipland Stevens.

RL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
FKS: Still wrestling barring injury or death. Hopefully in 5 years, NYWC will be one of the biggest wrestling comapnies in the world and I hope I'm one of the reasons.

RL: Is there anyone you would like to wrestle that you have yet to?
FKS: Anyone in WWE because that means I made my dream a reality.

RL: Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans?
FKS: Iif you ever cheered me or said a kind word I truly appreciate it. If you ever booed me, that's OK because it makes me work harder. To everyone, trust me the best is yet to come.