_________________________________________________________________ Q U E S T I O N S F O R T H E P R O S: With Donnie B. _________________________________________________________________ [Interview conducted by Tony D. on May 29, 2000] TD: What's your real name, and what gimmicks have/do you use? DB: Donnie B., "Big '80's" TD: What height/weight are you? DB: Right now I'm comining in at about 6ft 200. TD: What wrestlers have you managed? DB: Pretty much everybody you can think of. Bundy, Brandi, Sheik, Snuka, Tito, Ax, 911, Doug Gilbert, Buddy Landel would be some bigger names and everyone on the indies, Ratchet, Reckless, Julio, Corino, Lance Diamond and lots more, too many to list. TD: What circuits do you currently work in? DB: Right now I'm pretty much sticking to three or four groups. Nwa Jersey, IWA in Reading, IWF in Jersey and my own company Big Buc Promotions. TD: What circuits have you work in? DB: Wow it may be eaiser to list those I havent worked in! I've worked in every promotion there is on the east coast just about. TD: What titles have your wrestlers held? DB: The first would have been the WWWA junior title won by Ratchet in june of 94 and since then regional titles from the NWA and lots of other smaller companies, Corino and Diamond held the NWA US titles for a bit and I managed Stevie (richards) when he was NWA 2000 champ. TD: When did you decide to get into wrestling? DB: In 1992 , probably around the spring. TD: And how did you get started? DB: Myself, Nova, and a friend of ours attended Iron MIke Sharpes Wrestling School in Bricktown NJ and Sharpe needed a ref for his school shows and asked me to do it so I did. After a while I became a manger and the rest is history. TD: Who has been the biggest influence on your career? DB: I would say two people, James E. Cornette (my mentor of sorts). He taught me about some booking and ways to work and the other would be Dennis Corrluzzo. Dennis taught me a lot about the business and how to promote. TD: What has been the greatest moment of your career? DB: There have been three actually 1. the night I first worked with james e. cornette (in totawa nj) 2. the night I was a cop on raw and 3. when i did the skit with Chyna on raw. TD: Who are/were you trained by? What kind of athletic background do you have before you became a wrestler? DB: I was trained by Iron Mike Sharpe. My background was just general fitness. I was in good shape and try to stay that way. TD: Who is your favorite wrestler to work with in the ring? DB: Either Tom Brandi or Rik Ratchet. We had great chemistry together. It always seemed to work good when we were together. TD: Any major enemies? If so, who, and why? DB: ? I really dont have any enemies that I know of so I would say none. TD: In which promotion are you the most over? DB: Probably NWA Jersey because we do most of our work locally. TD: Do you ever consider working in the WWF, WCW or in ECW if they are interested in your talent? DB: Of course I have. I think I just need the chance to show my skills on a national level to show people that male managers can have an impact on the sport. TD: If you had to pick WWF, WCW or ECW, where would you go? And why? DB: I would say ANY THAT WANT TO PAY ME! HA , no really any company would be cool with me. TD: Do you have a computer? If so, what do you think of the reporters and sheet writers on the internet? DB: Yes I have a computer and I think as long as the sheets check their facts and report fairly they are okay but when they report bogus info that can hurt someones career thats wrong. TD: Do you have a college degree or any other higher education? DB: Yes I have a Batchelors degree in Criminal Justice and a degree in Advertising and Marketing. TD: Any advice you'd give a wannabe wrestler? DB: yeah make sure you have something to fall back on. TD: Any final comments for the readers? DB: Just keep supporting the indies, they are the life blood of the business. That and dont eat any unwrapped food at halloween!