No Punches Pulled with Tony Burma

[Robert Lotti]

Welcome to another edition of the No Punches Pulled interview series. This edition we have a man whose been with NYWC since day 1 Tony Burma.

RL: Were you a wrestling fan growing up?
TB: Most definitely.

RL: When did you decide "I'm going to be a wrestler"?
TB: I knew I always wanted to do this ever since I can remember being at Nassau Coliseum. I must have been 3 or 4 years old. The main event was Hulk Hogan & Tito Santana vs. Randy Savage & Jesse Ventura. We had floor seats but everyone was standing in front of us. My dad put me up on his shoulders so I can see and from there on I was hooked and always wanted to get into the business.

RL: How did you discover Critical Mass Pro Wrestling school?
TB: I initially started training at the LIWF doghouse when I was 19 years old. That was a good place to start because they were a bit hard on you there. When they closed, I had to find find a place to train. My friend looked up Critical Mass, we went down there and the rest is history.

RL: What were your initial impressions of Curse & Mike Mayhem?
TB: I often refer to Curse as my uncle. Without him, there would be no NYWC. Ever since I walked in the door all I ever seen him do is give everyone the shirt off his back, and is probably the nicest guy in the wrestling business that you will ever meet.

Mayhem was very gifted in terms of being athletic and being able to do some amazing things in the ring. He was a fun guy to party with as well. However, I feel as though from a professional standpoint he was very selfish at times. He left us high and dry a the biggest show of the year. That also made me lose a ton of respect for him. Where ever he is right now, I hope he's in a good place and that life is being good to him.

RL: How tough was training?
TB: Training at the doghouse was no walk in the park as mentioned earlier but it was a great introduction into the business. I feel that starting there made me a tougher person. When I got to Critical Mass, they started getting me to do cool stuff that I never thought I'd get to do like springboards and things of that nature. Cardio is also part of the regiment at the NYWC academy. So it was challenging in different ways.

RL: What are your memories of your 1st ever match?
TB: I consider NYWC's 1st big show where my first match took place at the Deer Park Community Center. I was only with the company for about 4 months at the time. I had a preshow match with Southern Vinny Stylin' & Tusk in a 3 way match. I was so happy to be on in that capacity. When JD Lishus was not cleared to wrestle Vinny later in the night for the interstate title, they came to me to fill in. I remember being honored and nervous as hell. The match ended after I took a broomstick over the head. It split and shattered my back open. I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

RL: What are your memories of Diabolico?
TB: Met him once. Seemed like a nice guy.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Tyler Payne?
TB: Tyler was hard to read at first, but once we started hanging out we became very close friends. I was responsible for him meeting his wife and was honored to be in his wrestling party. He always had faith in me, praised my work and always put me over as a big part of the future of the company when I first started. I actually defeated him for the NYWC championship many years ago, only to have the decision reversed.

RL: What are your memories of King Nothing?
TB: Was always a nice guy. He disappeared not too long after arrived.

RL: What are your memories of Livewire Mike Mondo?
TB: He was the 1st guy I met where I said to myself "This guy is going to make it to the WWE" and he did. He is such a natural and probably worked harder for a WWE contract more than anyone else I know. Before he went down to Louisville for OVW, we became extremely close friends and had many great times painting the town red with him. I had the honor of wrestling one of my first matches against him and he was always willing to meet me down at the old Critical Mass garage in Hicksville on his free time to help me get better.

RL: What are your memories of Johnny Ova?
TB: He was a fantastic worker. I won my first match against him. Between guys like Ova, Chief Dudley, & Mondo in my first handful of matches. It helped me evolve at a faster rate. I was learning so much so quickly.

RL: What are your memories of Dan Barry?
TB: Barry is one funny guy. His sense of humor is very over the top and I can appreciate that. He did one hell of a documentary on Mikey Whipwreck as well. That was a pleasure to be a part of. I really would have liked to have a match against him, but it never happened.

RL: What are your memories of your feud with Southern Vinny Stylin'?
TB: Vinny is NYWC's Jay Leno. He tells bad jokes and has a face like a bicycle seat. Our feud was brutal. It consisted of strap matches and the first ever no ropes bunkhouse brawl...I think it delivered.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Dickie Rodz?
TB: Dickie was the face of the company when I came here. Sometimes it's weird that he's not here anymore. Although I haven't always agreed with his professional opinions, he is a knid hearted person and a good friend. I hope he is taking care of whatever it is that he need to be content in life.

RL: What are your memories of Mason Raige?
TB: One of the first times this monster got in the ring, he kicked me in the face so hard I thought my face shattered. Even before that happened, we bonded very quickly. He, Tyler, & myself hung out a lot until he moved to Louisville. Who could ever forget him putting BS Xpress & Crusher Doogan through the ramp in one of the greatest Psycho Circus moments in history.

RL: What are your memories of The Ratpack?
TB: Dan Dynasty was always a very nice kid. He hung up his boots too soon. I will always remember Oscar for many reasons. It ranges from farting on him during wrestling practice, to giving him a concussion at a Psycho Circus, to him not knowing what a boner is, to running naked laps around Ruby Tuesday's. I could literally go on all day with the Oscar stories.....Baxter Cross and myself actually came to NYWC together after the Doghouse shut down. We used to go down to Brooklyn 3-5 days a week to get our asses kicked. I made a bonehead move and really fucked up my friendship with him. I guess shit blike that happens in this business. Brett Matthews & Brian Myers are two young men that you knew were going to be special. I can honestly say it's been an honot watching these guys grow up and not only into men, but into WWE superstars. It's also an honor to be able to say that the BS Xpress was the team that took the gold away from them before they left for WWE. I'll never forget the 6 man tag match where they teamed wth Tommy Dreamer against myself, Nuke, & Michael Sain. After the match Mick Foley made the save. I think the 4 of them sharing the ring and celebrating was another stand out moment in NYWC history. The night we sent them off after they got their contracts was very emotional as well.

RL: What are your memories of teaming with Curse?
TB: My favorite match we had together was when we teamed up with Mega against Mayhem & The Ratpack. It was like an 8 on 3 handicap match or something crazy.

RL: What are your memories of Pat Buck?
TB: Pat is a talented old school worker. I was a very big fan of the No Highspots Needed gimmick he and Tyler had going.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Mike Tobin?
TB: At the 2004 Psycho Circus, he & I teamed up to take on Mayhem & Vinny Stylin'. It was a pretty good match if I reacall correctly. I blew out my knee when I did a dive. That part sucked. Tobin was always one of the nicest guys in the locker room and I miss him doing his Randy Savage promos.

RL: What are your memories of Ken Scampi?
TB: His constant vulgarity often entertained me.

RL: What are your memories of Tara Charisma?
TB: I recall one match in particular it was a 6 man tag. I went through a table at ringside. Later in the match, Tara got in my face and I clotheslined her and she fell onto the pieces of the broken table. It cut up her leg pretty bad.

RL: What are your memories of Foxy Foxxy & Damien Dragon?
TB: I remember having a match with Damien for the NYWC light heavyweight title early in his NYWC tenure.he seemed to be very high on my ability as he was very happy to invite me to work for JRW?

RL: What are your memories of Psycho Circus 2005?
TB: My 1st of many Psycho Circus matches. I was teaming with Nuke at the time who took 3 straight chair shots to the head from Dead Presidents. He was literally scalped in what was a gory sight to behold. I don't remember how many stitches he received exactly, but I'm pretty sure it was in the 100s. Scary shit.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Tommy Dreamer?
TB: Dreamer was somebody I looked up to since I was a huge mark for ECW. I very much enjoyed his style and what he did in the ring. So to get to work with him in a match was unreal. Tommy was in charge of hiring talent for WWE at the time. He called Mikey Whipwreck a few months later trying to land me a job with WWE. Even though nothing came of it, I will always be appreciative that I was even thought of. He came back to NYWC years later, he said some very positive things about me and how I stepped my game up. It really meant the world to me.

RL: What are your memories of Mike Spinelli?
TB: Spinelli is the kid brother I never had. I am so happy for him right now, because he has his life back. I often comapred BS Xpress to a tank and a porsche. We had great matches everytime we went out there and everyone was asking to have matches with us. Any time you can headline main events as a tag team on a regular basis, that's always a good sign of success. Beating Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins for the NYWC tag team title will always be a highlight in my career. We had such a strong and brotherly like bond and I think that really showed when we out there. The night Spinelli won the NYWC championship, it was just as good as me winning it. I was that happy for him.

RL: What are your memories of Raven?
TB: I think it was Spinelli's 3rd or 4th match and we wrestled Mikey & Raven in a tag match. We were both kind of nervous, but I remember Spinelli being much more nervous and I think some of the boys may have resnted him forgetting so much so quick. Raven is definitely a card, he has many great stories and is extremely funny and intelligent. I remember unintentionally zinging him with a Johnny Polo reference. He was not amused.

RL: What are your memories of Billy & Danny Angus.
TB: The Angus Brothers could have been an amazing tag team....Burning bridges and making stupid decisions cost them what could have been a promising career.

RL: What are your memories of Team 3D?
TB: They were very to themselves. I didn't really have much interaction with them.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Psycho Circus 2006?
TB: The year Mason Raige put BS Xpress through the ramp. Although we were on the wrong end of it, a moment like that you never forget. Spinelli had to leave the match early due to excessive bleeding. I though he was screwed for sure, but to my surprise and everyone else's I'm sure he came back out there to help me out in the match.

RL: What are your memories of Plazma?
TB: Plazma was fortunate enough to start learning his craft at an early age. I think he was 15 when I met him. I can honestly say I have never seen somebody move around so naturally in the ring. He's in shape, can wrestle with the best of them from a technical standpoint, and can take his game to the air as good as anyone. I had a WWE tryout with him in New Jersey several years back, he went on to get signed as we all know became Trent Baretta.

RL: What are your memories of Tony Nese?
TB: Nese is a freak of nature. He puts in a lot of time and dedication into training in the ring and in the gym. He truly is a premier athlete. I'm glad to see somebody put him on TV. I can count on one hand how many times I've seen him break a sweat ha ha.

RL: What are your memories of Jamie Van Lemer?
TB: Van Lemer was a nice kid. We had some very good matches. Glad to see he got his life together outside the ring and is happy.

RL: What are your memories of Jerry Lynn?
TB: Jerry is a great time and hopefully will be back in NYWC someday.

RL: What are your memories of Vitko?
TB: Vitko & I didn't like each other at first but then we realize how alike we were and before you knew it we were almost inseperable. Vitko is a true friend who was there for me at a tikme in my life when I was really hurting......I'll never forget that and will always be grateful for it.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Dead Presidents?
TB: Boogalou, Lo Rida, & myself all go back to the doghouse days in Brooklyn. I had lots of fun hard hitting matches with them at USA Pro Wrestling & NYWC.

RL: What are your memories of King Mega?
TB: Mega is a friend in every sense of the word. He introduced Ryan Rush and myself to Jim Kettner when he ran ECWA. We had a successful run there as a result, and I will forever be appreciative for that. Mega & I are also partners in crime outside of the ring as we frequent Las Vegas together often and we have had many great times together. He was a groomsmen on my wedding day as well.

RL: What are your memories of Bruno Marciano?
TB: Bruno was a solid technician and hopefully we haven't seen the last of him.

RL: What are your memories of Benny Martinez?
TB: I thought he was a real Dick when I first met him but wound up being an alright kid.

RL: What are your memories of Joey Matthews?
TB: Joey was very kind and respectful to me. One day it was hours before a show and there weren't many people in the building. He & I just hung out for a while and I got to pick his brain for a while. It was a very good learning experience.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of PWF-NJ which later became Jersey Rampage Wrestling?
TB: It was a good idea in theory....But then again so is communism. All kidding aside even though this promotion wasn't successful, it was always a good time. The locker room was very upbeat(Who could ever forget Bill Ding?). Even though things didn't work out, I am thankful to have had an opportunity to showcase my talents there. I think some porr management laed to it's downfall. I especially enjoyed the road trips to those shows with guys like Whipwreck, Ryder, & Hawkins.

RL: What are your memories of Mana?
TB: Mana is a hard hitting crazy man out there. He swings a chair like Prince Fielder swings a baseball bat.

RL: What are your memories of Nick Noshus?
TB: No good jabroni!

RL: What are your memories of USA Pro Wrestling?
TB: Paying my dues doing ring crew at 3AM with Nuke & Vinny Stylin'. Those shows went on forever.

RL: What are your memories of Psycho Circus 2007?
TB: All Psycho Circus matches are bloddy & brutal, but I feel this one was another level. I had brought a barbed wire 2x4 to the ring with me. I recall laying out Jamie Van Lemer with a keyboard shot that sounded like a gun went off. I remembber Tony Nese getting chokeslammed on a ladder by Mega. I can recall Jerry Lynn piledriving Dan Dynasty through a table. I was powerbombed through a table by Mega. It was just complete insanity. It was also the second year in a row Spinelli almost bled to death in the ring.

RL: What are your memories of Mikey Whipwreck?
TB: There was nothing like beating the shit out of your best friend, then going out for beers afterward.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Papadon?
TB: Papadon is someone I look up to immensely. He excels at everything he does. He is a phenomenal wrestler, yes but he is such a hard working driven individual outside of the ring as well. He is a great father and he has a successful career outside the ring. He is a master of his craft in the ring and deserves to be on TV making a shit load of money. I have known Papadon longer than I have known anybody in the NYWC locker room. Our roots go to the doghouse. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and I am glad to be able to call him my friend for over 10 years now.

RL: What are your memories of Fredrick of Hollywood?
TB: Fred has an incredible physique and natural charisma. Combine that with his solid in work and you have the makings of a future WWE superstar. Planet E was a fun time in my career. Fredrick & I had a natural chemistry as a tag team. Our match agains Stockade & Syther a few years ago is a personal favorite of mine.

RL: What are your memories of Alex Reynolds?
TB: Alex Reynolds is another one of our amazing talents in NYWC who should be signed to a major contract an performing on TV on a weekly basis. Alex came in as this respectful quiet kid and it has been an entertaining ride watching him evolve into this outspoken slop hunter. Beating him in Port Jefferson in December 2010 led to my second cup of coffee with the NYWC championship as the decision was reversed but it was an entertaining match regardless. Alex definitely has a tendency to bring out the best in me whether in a competitive match environment or sparring with each other in practice. Our road trips to WXW or ECWA were at times more like adventures. Many great times!

RL: What are your memories of Blake Morris & Mike Reed?
TB: Ryan Rush & I won our first tag team title against them.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Psycho Funkin' Circus?
TB: I think one could make the argument that this was the best circus match ever. The atmosphere was sick that night and getting to work with a legend like Terry Funk was amazing.

RL: What are your memories of Prince Nana?
TB: Nana & I got along very well. We share a lot of common interests.

RL: What are your memories of teaming with Ryan "The Adrenaline" Rush?
TB: Ryan is one of the straight up nicest people you will ever meet. I don't think many people thought we were going to be much at first, but I think that just fueled us even more to be the best. When I teamed with Spinelli, we had a very good run as a main event level tag team which I feel is a rarity in this business these days. It was an honor to take him under my wing as a rookie and show him the ropes. He was always respectful, willing to listen, and determined to improve. I consider Big Time Rush to be my most successful run in my career. We are the only 3 time NYWC tag team champions, we were in House Of Madness matches, Psycho Circus matches, & the only White Trash Bash in NYWC history. When he won the NYWC championship, I was very happy for him and it was also a pleasure to help groom into a champion. He has a very unique skill set for a guy his height. I believe he will come back from his injury stronger and better than ever.

RL: What are your memories of Eddie Guapo?
TB: Guapo is my eskimo brother with doghouse roots. I will always love hanging out wiith Guapo and I miss having him around. I will always be appreciative of him having faith in me and getting my foot in the door at WXW.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Appolyon?
TB: Men with his size that can move around like him are a rarity. He truly is a gifted performer and it was only a matter of time before the beast within him was awoken and he steamrolled through NYWC. He is a champion in every sense of the word.

RL: What are your memories of Stockade?
TB: Stockade has come so far since he walked in through the front door of the school. What you see is what you get with him. He is as intense and hard hitting as they come.

RL: What are your memories of Syther?
TB: Syther is a crazy and very funny individual. He was a very good performer as well. He has the ability to make anyone look good out there. He & I have beaten the hellout of each other on many occassions.

RL: What are your memories of Grim Reefer?
TB: Reefer is another guy I met at the doghouse in Brooklyn. He is pro wrestling's John McEnroe LOL. He has a very ungue style that is often imitated by other high flyers early in his career.

RL: What are your memories of Dirty Rednex?
TB: White Trash Bash at the very first Fusion event was one of the best matches of my career.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Psycho Circus 2010?
TB: Destroying Alex Reynolds' sweater vest with barbed wire. Dan Eckos hiding in a trash can. Killing Kieran with a keyboard. Tony Nese winning the NYWC title. The Rednex stealing the NYWC tag straps......It was a crazy nighty that would set the tone for the rest of the year.

RL: What are your memories of Celtic Saints?
TB: They were a very solid tag team. Our matches were always very hard hitting and physcial. The first ever House Of Madness came down to them and us. They won the straps from us that night, but Ryan & I felt like champions anyway because of all the respect and love that the fans gave us after the match. The BTR chants from the packed house were enough to give me goosebumps.

RL: What are your memories of Francis Kipland Stevens?
TB: I give Francis props because he can get crazy with the best of them out there. Between his epic Straight Outta Compton match with Papadon and his New Jack-esque dive through a table against Dickie Rodz, people should learn not to sleep on Francis.

RL: What are your memories of Quiet Storm?
TB: Storm is a wrestling machine. I met him back at the doghouse initially. He has always been very quiet and very respectful. His chops are ridiculous.

[Robert Lotti]

RL: What are your memories of Amazing Red & SAT?
TB: They were always nice to me and are capable of doing some amazing things in the air.

RL: What are your memories of All Money Is Legal?
TB: AMIL & I go back to the doghouse as well. It's always a pleasure to see them. They are very chill dudes and it's awesome to see them get some exposure overseas.

RL: What are your memories of Ref Andre?
TB: Andre was cool as shit. Very nice guy.

RL: What are your memories of J-Silva?
TB: Huge Pee Wee Herman mark.

RL: What are your memories of Tim Arson?
TB: Tim was always a very kind and respectful individual.

RL: What are your memories of Mr. Vendetta?
TB: Awesome guy to go out and party with. He's kicking ass in the world of mixed martial arts now.

RL: What are your memories of Jay Lethal?
TB: Jay does some amazing impersonations and is a hell of a wrestler.

RL: Word Association-Mikey Whipwreck
TB: Terry Funk

RL: Curse
TB: Uncle

RL: Shane
TB: Leader

RL: Crusher Doogan
TB: Malenko

RL: Ref Forge
TB: Friend

RL: NYWC Starlets
TB: Bad ass chicks

RL: Victoria Longtin
TB: Sweetie

RL: John Silver
TB: Future

RL: DJ Phat Pat
TB: Learning

RL: Kenny Royal
TB: Improving

RL: No Punches Pulled interview series
TB: Interesting

RL: Original NYWC superfan Arwen Guerra
TB: Neinhous

RL: Jac Sabboth
TB: Stiffer

RL: Frank Goodman
TB: Character

RL: FTW Wrestling
TB: Competition

RL: VPW
TB: Garbage

RL: ACE
TB: Quality

RL: Greg Stengel
TB: Grimace

RL: What are your thoughts on people who fake post on message boards?
TB: Losers

RL: What do you think of the NYWC message board?
TB: It is a good thing that there is a place for our fans to come and discuss all things NYWC.

RL: Do you think NYWC should have DVD distribution?
TB: Absolutely

RL: Compare wrestling at NYWC Sportatorium to wrestling at other venues.
TB: There is nothing like wrestling at the sportatorium. It is our home turf and the atmosphere is often electric. While it is exciting to wrestle in other venues and for other comapnies for that matter, in my 10+ years in this business, nothing compares to NYWC and especially an NYWC event at the sportatorium.

RL: Where do you see NYWC in 5 years?
TB: NYWC will still be one of the top independent promotions running. It would be nice to get some more exposure so we can take it to another level and reach a whole new audience.

RL: Is there anything you'd like to say to the fans?
TB: Thank you for supporting NYWC. Thank you for supporting me the last 10 years.

RL: And thank you for this great interview Tony.