_________________________________________________________________ Q U E S T I O N S F O R T H E P R O S: With Johnny Kashmere _________________________________________________________________ [Interview conducted by Tony D. on December 6, 2000] TD: What's your real name, and what gimmicks have/do you use? JK: Johnny Kashmere is actually my real name, even though most people dont believe me. My gimmick is a member of a boy band/tag team known as the BackSeat Boyz. Myself, along with my partner Trent Acid and our manager "Big 80s" Donnie B make up the BackSeat Boyz. TD: What height/weight are you? JK: 6 foot, 195 right now TD: What circuits do you currently wrestle in? JK: I mostly wrestle in the NorthEast indies, but we have just accepted bookings in early 2001 in Pittsburgh, Ohio, and some other places TBA. TD: What circuits have you wrestled in? JK: NorthEast mostly, but I have also wrestled in CT, WV, and GA. TD: What titles have you held? JK: CZW, ECWA, EWF, NCW, Outlaws of Wrestling Tag Titles. Outlaws of Wrestling CruiserWeight Title TD: When did you decide to become a wrestler? JK: I always knew i wanted to do it. When I was three years old, my grandmother and aunts used to watch wrestling every Saturday night so I had no choice but to watch. Within a few months, i was a huge fan and knew i wanted to do it one day. TD: And how did you get started? JK: Dennis Coraluzzo introduced me to the Pitbulls at an NWA Jersey show in Blackwood, NJ. I began training at the Pitbulls gym in South Philly a few weeks later. The Pits were really great guys and great trainers, they taught me alot about respect and paying dues. TD: Who has been the biggest influence on your career? JK: In the beginning, The Pitbulls definitely influenced me alot, and their lessons are still instilled in me. Lately, i have really been learning alot from Donnie B. Donnie truly is a master of his craft and everytime i'm out there with him i pick up something new. TD: What has been the greatest moment of your career? JK: Not really sure, i enjoy every time i wrestle. TD: Who are/were you trained by? What kind of athletic background do you have before you became a wrestler? JK: Well, as i said, the Pits were my primary trainers, but along the way MANY people have helped me a great deal. Guys like Mike Kehner, Trent Acid, Nick Berk, Billy Reil, James Proper, Reckless Youth, and Frank Cody. TD: Who is your favorite wrestler to work with in the ring? JK: I have a few. Ric Blade, Nick Berk, Bad Crew, and my partner Trent Acid are always great to work with. Also guys like WifeBeater, Nick Gage, Nick Mondo and White Lotus are fun to work. TD: Any major enemies? If so, who, and why? JK: No TD: In which promotion are you the most over? JK: It depends on the crowd really. CZW has a very smart crowd so they look at your work more than anything, whereas EWF is a semi-smart crowd that still wants to see the gimmick. Hard to say, me and Trent have both audiences firmly behind us. TD: Do you ever consider working in the WWF, WCW or ECW if they are interested in your talent? JK: Of course. Right now, I am enjoying myself a great deal on the indy scene...paying dues and getting my name out there as much as possible. But when opportunity knocks, I'll be ready. TD: If you had to pick WWF, WCW or ECW, where would you go and why? JK: Another hard question. Anywhere that would pay me to do what I love would work for me. TD: Do you have a computer? If so, what do you think of the reporters and sheet writers on the internet? JK: I do have a computer and i try not to get caught up in the message boards and dirt sheets too much. I have no problem with anyone in particular, but i feel that some of the stuff that happens behind the scenes (on the indies especially) gets taken WAY too seriously. It is still supposed to be fun right? TD: Do you have a college degree or any other higher education? JK: I am in college currently working towards my Bachelors in Psychology. TD: Any advice you'd give a wannabe wrestler? JK: Get trained and be very picky about where you train. Who trains you is almost as important as your ablility when you are breaking in. TD: Any final comments for the readers? JK: Check out my site at www.johnnykashmere.com. Also, www.backseatboyz.com will be up and running shortly so check that out as well.