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Bull Pain speaks...loudly
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Bull Pain has over twenty years of ring wars and the scars and bloodshed to prove that he has been here, there and everywhere in between. Pain got his start in wrestling as a young Rick Gantner, martial arts enthusiast and amateur boxer who had his life changed forever after seeing an AWA show that included the likes of The Crusher and "Superstar" Billy Graham. Gantner would quickly become Bull Pain while working in the Global Wrestling Federation and would be forever solidified during a run with Ian Rottens I.W.A. hardcore wrestling federation. At an imposing 6'1" and 265 pounds, Pain would intimidate most men but not Examiner.com reporter Jerry Wiseman. Bull talked with me about his career, his future and what the future of wrestling holds.
Q. You are considered one of the bad asses in the business do you wear that title proudly?
A. I personally feel like I am a nice guy. I also feel that I have gotten a bad rap about this bad ass thing. A lot of people think I am a shooter or that I like to stretch young guys for fun, that is so absolutely false! Yes, I can rough your up and yes I will kick your ass if I have to protect myself but will I go out there and intentionally hurt someone without them knowing why? Hell no! First of all that is disrespectful and secondly to me that is being a bitch! If he is trusting me and I hurt him without his knowledge then that is cowardly. You aren't tough if you hide behind a move and hurt the guy intentionally. You are a panty waist bitch! This business is about respect and if you are just a guy who hurts someone for fun, then to me you definitely don't have my respect.
Q. Ian Rotten has ceased running the I.W.A. one of your favorite places to work and wrestle for, how do you feel about that and do you see Ian coming back?
A. I.W.A. was a real ground breaker for many guys. It helped jump start a lot of careers and yes it was definitely on the edge of wrestling and crazy. I have made a lot of my best friends in the business through the I.W.A. and owe that company many thanks for a place to work and show off my talents and hopefully entertain good fans. Will Ian Rotten ever return? I am not sure, he is going through many hard times right now and I wish him well and hope him and his family will be ok. God Bless.
Q. What was it like to be in the ring with Bruiser Brody?
A. It was like trying to grab onto a tornado and see if you could survive. This man was so brutal and strong he juiced me in the head with a tennis shoe one time. All I can say is thank God I survived!
Q. Who would you consider some of your favorite people to get in the ring with?
A. Now that I look back I see many faces and lots of good guys but there were always a few who really stood out in my career as good guys to work. I like working Curt Hennig, Shawn Michaels and Marty Janetty, Scott Hall, Greg Gagne, Ray Stevens, Roger Kirby, Savio Vega, Sam Houston, Ricky Morton, Greg Valentine, Tracy Smothers, Necro Butcher, Cpl. Robinson, Too Tough Tony, Bobby Duncum Jr. Mike Enos...I know I am forgetting a few and I am sorry but I have taken way too many chair shots over the years.
Q. You have worked in a lot of territories and in Japan, what would you consider your most enjoyable run?
A. My most enjoyable run was definitely in Puerto Rico when I was half of the Texas Hangmen, we were one top, had the straps and just had a great year and a half run. Hell, we were even rated in the PWI Magazine about the Road Warriors which to me was totally incredible.
Q. What would Bull Pain's wildest road story be?
A. I hate to do this to you but I have seen so much and have been on the road for so many years that I have tons of great road stories. So, if you read some of my blogs you will see what I mean.
Q. Who would be the best and worst promoters you have worked for?
A. Joe Pedicino and Bonnie Blackstone were great to me. Also Grizzly Smith, Skandor Akbar, Greg Gagne...the worst is a terribly long line. A few of them would be Christopher Love or Bert Prentice, USWA, WCW, like I said, the list is long and distinguished.
Q. Where does Bull Pain want to be in five years?
A. Unfortunately we all have to retire someday and I think my body is telling me it is getting very close. I don't want to be one of those guys that the people in the audience say, "man this guy is way too old and can't do a thing out there." As long as I am able to give the people what they want and I feel I can still compete with the guys in the business, I will be there. But in five years I would think I would be done and have to hang up my boots.
Q. You stated that you think Triple H will be the one to start a new era for wrestling, now that Shane is leaving the WWE, do you think that gives Triple H even more of an advantage to take the business in a new direction?
A. Well, I think in a few years this will happen because by then Paul will be tired of working every night and his body, like all of ours, tells us when it's time to be behind the scenes and not always in front of the curtain. I think that he knows what the business needs and I think that he might actually try and take it back to where it is more of a sporting event than a carnival. Cross your fingers!
Q. What would you like to be remembered for more in the annals of wrestling?
A. My biggest desire is to be known as a guy who could work with anyone and have a good match. A guy who didn't take any crap but could work his ass off when he needed to. Also a guy that cared about the business and who always tried to show respect and also teach it. I want to be known as a guy who could woo the crowd and freak them out and even maybe scare the crap out of them. Hell, just to be remembered would be good. You know they say even bad press is good press because at least they are talking about you.
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