|
by Natsumi Kuroyama, October 19th, 1998 
Recently Puroresuringu Nikki Magazine reporter Natsumi Kuroyama was able
to sit down with international wrestling superstar Jason Storm. And in
a surprisingly frank and open discussion with the Australian grappler,
Natsumi was able to find out what's behind one of the hottest talents in
G-Pro today.NK: What is the one thing most people do not know about Jason Storm that you wish they did? JS: Hmmm... that's a good question. I'm pretty much the same person in private that I am when I'm in the ring. I'm competitive... determined... temperamental... and you certainly don't wanna be around me when I'm pissed-off! On the other hand, I'm told I have a pretty good sense of humor, and that's probably a side of me that the public never gets to see. I also hope that the public realizes that I'm not as egotistical in real life as I am when the spotlight is on me... at least, I hope not! NK: Your departure from the AEWF was somewhat... sudden. Will this happen again in other organizations? JS: I can't make any promises, but I will say this... as long as I feel like the management of the organizations that I'm wrestling for treat me with respect, they don't have t' worry about me leaving. As far as the AEWF was concerned... I was with that organization almost from the very beginning, but in the last few weeks that I was there, I was ashamed of what that once great federation had become. It wasn't an easy decision to make... but looking back now, I think it was the right decision. I've grown much more as a professional wrestler since I left the AEWF, and that growth wouldn't have happened if I had stayed. And I wanna put an end to the rumors that I quit the AEWF just because I lost the European Heavyweight Championship match... the situation was far more complicated than that, but I don't wanna bore you with all the details. NK: Who do you admire the most in G-Pro? Who do you despise the most? JS: I don't think there's anyone in G-Pro whom I can say I admire, but "respect" might be a better choice of words. While I don't like to admit it, I have t' say that I respect Frazer Fury for winning the Asia-Pacific Heavyweight Title. I still don't like him personally... but he did manage t' beat me fairly, if not exactly cleanly, in the Osaka Dome. As far as who I despise most, everyone knows that it's The Daimyo... Sho Satsuma, Agito Nakajima, Ms. Miki, and all of their low-life associates. I don't think I need to explain why. NK: Who do you respect the most in IEWA? Who do you despise the most? JS: There's nobody in the men's division of the IEWA who I can honestly say I respect. I don't mean to come off sounding like an arrogant bastard, but there's nobody who I don't think I'm capable of beating in the ring on any given day of the week! As far as who I despise the most... without a doubt, it's gotta be the "franchise" of the IEWA, John Steele! I currently hold the Intercontinental Championship belt he once wore, but I won't be satisfied until I expose him for the hypocrite that he is and drive him outta the IEWA. NK: What's the most underrated wrestling move in your personal arsenal? JS: The most underrated move... I guess I'd have t' say it's any move my opponent is least expecting me to use on him... because that's the attack he'll be most vulnerable to. There's no particular move in my "arsenal" that's more dangerous or damaging than any other... if used at the right opportunity. NK: How important are valets to your success in the ring? JS: Not at all... in fact, I prefer that they stay away from the ring during my matches, for their own safety. My valets are merely there for... well, decoration. They give the men in the audience something t' look at while their girlfriends... or wives... are throwing their panties to me. [Laughs] Let's face it, professional wrestling is as much about personalities and showmanship as it is about one-on-one competition in the ring... maybe less so in Japan than elsewhere, but it's still the truth. Besides, what harm is there in having a little eye-candy accompany me to and from my matches? NK: Do you find it easiest to wrestle against cruiserweights or competitors in your own weight class? JS: Actually, I find it easiest to wrestle against midgets and dwarves... my favorite sport back home in Australia is dwarf-tossing! [Laughing] But seriously, I tip the scales right now at about 254 pounds... 20 pounds heavier than when I first made my pro debut. I haven't wrestled many guys who were significantly lighter than me during my career, but I have wrestled quite a number of opponents who've had me outweighed by 30, 40, even 50 pounds or more... and I think that my overall record speaks for itself. Wrestling isn't just about having the weight advantage... it's also about having the advantage in skill, endurance, and attitude. NK: Does Frazer Fury deserve to be the G-Pro Heavyweight Champion? JS: Until he pulled his disappearing act, I would have said yes... but now I guess we'll have t' wait and see what kind of explanation he has to offer. I will tell you this... I definitely want a rematch with Fury... a chance t' even the score with him, even if there's no championship belt at stake! NK: What has wrestling in Japan taught you, if anything? JS: Hmmm... I'm gonna get serious for a moment here. If there's one thing I've come t' realize in the past couple of weeks, it's not t' underestimate the effect of the fans on your performance. It's an indescribable feeling to have thousands of fans behind you, cheering you on or chanting your name while you're competing in the ring. It's great motivation, and you can really draw strength from that. Of course, some men can draw strength from the boos and jeers of the fans, too... I guess the worst feeling a wrestler could have, is t' step into the ring, and get no reaction at all from the fans, positive or negative. NK: If you were lost on a desert island with only one other person, who would you most like that person to be? JS: Only one?!! How big is this island? And how long would we be stranded there? Do you seriously want me t' answer this question? [Thinking] Only one person, let's see... she'd have t' be attractive... look great in a bikini or thong... athletic... able t' take care of herself, and take care of my needs, too! Hmmm... I do have someone in mind, but I don't think she'd appreciate it if I revealed who she was at this time... so I guess I'll have t' take a pass on this question... sorry. 
 |