MANA - WARRIOR'S WORDS
**Interview from Issue 14 of Westside Pro Wrestling Newsletter - October 2010**
Mana, the Polynesian Warrior has been wrestling throughout Australia and the United States for over 10 years, wrestling some of the businesses biggest names and breaking records. For the last three years Mana has made his home base here in Perth, Australia wrestling for various promotions and starting the Australian branch of New Horizon Pro Wrestling.
After taking part in brutal battles throughout his time in the US, the injuries have finally caught up to Mana and he will be making his last appearance in a wrestling ring at NHPW’s Final Chapter 2010. WPW’s Tez caught up with Mana to chat about his career both here and abroad, as well as what the future may hold for the warrior from New Zealand.
WPW: You initially got your foot in the door when you met former WWF/WCW star, The Barbarian at a Superstars of Wrestling show in late 2000. What advice did he give to you at the time?
Mana: Well really, it wasn’t a foot in the door because I was already in the process of moving to Allentown already. Talking to Barbs just reaffirmed it with his reassuring talk and attitude that The Wild Samoans is the best Training Centre In the world. You can go to other schools but unless you are there longer than six months and have people who are better than you to learn from, really you’re not trained fully.
We were lucky to have sessions with guys like Samu, Afa, Batista, Gangrel, Kidman, The Rock, King Kong Bundy, Umaga, Rikishi, Lo Ki, Homicide, Steve Corino, Teddy Hart, Jack Evans, APA, Taker, Kane and so many more take sessions with us. You cannot beat that and I do not regret for one day that I chose the WSTC (Wild Samoan Training Centre) as the school I graduated from. Barbarian told me that’s how I would feel after training there and he was right. When I did a show with him a few years later I reminded him that his talk helped me and he was cool enough to hang with me some more.
WPW: Making the trip to the States not long after being accepted to train at the Wild Samoans Training Academy in Pennsylvania, you became the fastest graduate of the school, beating former WCW/WWF star, Billy Kidman’s record. What did it mean to you, and were you surprised to be able to pick up all the required wrestling skills so quickly?
Mana: I was surprised the night I graduated because I thought I had more to learn, Afa said to me though teaching you the basics is easy - now is when you learn the business. I never put much thought into it till now because honestly you never can know or have learnt everything in this wild business. Didn’t mean much for me to beat Kidman - I was more honored I graduated and earned respect from Afa and my idol Headshrinker Samu.
WPW: Your record has now been broken by a man you originally trained here in Perth, the current WXW Champion, Mark Silva. Are you proud of one of your students breaking your record and what do think the future holds for Silva?
Mana: Not that it’s a difference, but Mark was pre-trained - I was a kid who was excited in first touching a ring canvas with no experience (laughs). Mark is custom built for WWE Television as it is today. Even at his size of 130kg of pure muscle he could dunk a basketball - that’s a natural athlete in any terms. Mark is a good friend of mine and I am proud he is living the best part of this dream of Wrestling and cannot wait to see him do well at RAW later on this month.
WPW: What was the experience like for you training under the former three time WWF Tag Team Champion, Afa the Wild Samoan and who were some of the other trainers at the school during that time?
Mana: Brutal man. I teach similar to what we do at WSTC but not as nasty… yet. We are building Towards it at the NHPW Slaughterhouse Training Centre but honest if I rushed all of it at the students here they would quit. It wasn’t a normal week if a new person didn’t show up and quit at our school, definitely people puking every week or fainting was a regular occurrence. I have a conscience I guess. Believe me there were some real monsters and natural athletes who couldn’t handle the training so I was just thankful I graduated and got my “I Survived” shirt from the best Training school in the World.
WPW: You had a couple of WXW Championship reigns throughout 2004, the first one after a win over future WWE star, Gene Snitsky. What did the reigns mean to the career of Mana?
Mana: To be honest, I knew Gene was going and they were grooming me to Spearhead WXW – also after an incident and altercation people were not happy at WXW. Gene was one of my best friends and he was all for it. Taking it from him in his prime made it sweet, but man we worked for it (laughs). Gene hits hard, I hit hard, Gene is a lot stronger, I am stubborn. Not a good mix but we got through it.
Funny story though because I did not tell the people I lived with at the time that I was winning it. I went home early without a key and was left in the porch to sleep on a freezing cold night …Perks of being a Champ huh? (laughs)
WPW: You worked a few shows with a bunch of the TNA roster, including Jeff Jarrett, for NWA Cyberspace. Did you receive any offers for a tryout with either the WWE or TNA?
Mana: Jarrett talked quite a few times with me at Cyberspace, especially after the matches with the TNA talent. I guess my shot at it was really dampened by the emergence of Umaga at around the same time. TNA were looking for originality and I immediately become a copy cat therefore rightfully so I was canned for opportunity.
WPW: What were some of your favourite promotions the work for during your time in the States and what was it like to work for CHIKARA?
Mana: Chikara was an experience and I am thankful to Mike for remaining friends with me even till now. I got to have matches that I enjoyed with Milano AT, Claudio Castagnoli, Quackenbush and a few others. Working with "Sweet & Sour" Larry Sweeney was the highlight – he broke my character many times in promos. He is a great guy and I have had some of my funniest best memories there with all these guys and people like Allison Danger, Chris Hero, Team Fist, Jigsaw, Shane Storm and so many of their great people on the roster.
WPW: Was it a hard decision for you to return to Perth after so many years building your career in the States. Do you have any regrets?
Mana: Yes and No… My mind at the time was spent, my body was showing signs of depletion and I was lost. I had no more fight left to be honest but my heart was the only thing stopping me from pulling the cord. I only regret I didn’t complete my list of dream matches. There are still three remaining but hey, everything else I did in my career has turned out perfectly and I would not swap my resume and experiences for anyone else. I didn’t listen, I did it my way and I walked away when I decided too. I was always coming back to Perth, just ended up being quicker than I thought.
WPW: In late 2007, you had a stint with EPW, even appearing at Re-Awakening VI. Did you enjoy your time in the promotion?
Mana: Yes very much so, it was as close to American style fed than anywhere I have worked for in Australia. Very professional, talent to burn, loyal fan base and a good family environment within the company. They have earned what they are doing now so I am happy for them. Unlike other feds here I am not worried about taking out or competing with EPW or anyone else – NHPW just wants to exist and perform for our fan base. Guys like Shane Haste, Bobby Marshall, Davis Storm and a few others have that "it" factor. I would not be surprised if they take the next step at all.
WPW: November 2007 saw the debut of NHPW in Perth. Former WWE stars, Rikishi, Gangrel and Independent star Mercedes Martinez being the name International talent along with the best of local talent from EPW. Did you ever think you would be promoting NHPW shows three years down the track?
Mana: My initial thing was NEVER to run NHPW here in Perth, All I ever wanted to do was book a couple of shows to say goodbye to friends and then hand over my numbers and contacts and get out of wrestling. This is the honest truth… Things didn’t work out and I now find myself doing this project and I’m actually really happy with how it’s going. I honestly felt I had done enough to finish a few years ago but as destiny has panned out here I am running New Horizon Pro Wrestling Australia.
WPW: In a recent edition of “Warrior’s Words” in Westside Pro Wrestling you counted down your top 10 list of opponents you have faced. What have been some of your favourite matches that you have competed in throughout your 10 year career?
Mana: Abyss will always run side by side in my mind… as well as Corino, Homicide and others I mentioned before. If you ask me my favorites in Australia, I have to say “Cannonball” Kris Taylor from SA, AZ Vegara was my first match here and was so cool to work with if not funny (laughs), Richter another one, KrackerJak and TNT. Working with my cousin Tapu was a blast as well - for something thrown together last minute I was just happy and honored to allow him to be the first
to pin me in WA as opposed to others who tried to book themselves to do it. I felt I made the right choice to someone who would appreciate it as opposed to someone who just wanted to brag about it when really they weren’t that good.
WPW: After spending years in both, do you see any similarities between the independent scenes of the US and Australia?
Mana: I will say that working with EPW was a stern reminder of a how good independent wrestling is here. EPW’s product while I was there matched up to any promotion I was lucky enough to work for in America. Dave has done an exceptional job and it’s the premier fed in WA. NHPW are just developing but I am happy with where we are at and to compete with some of the best is what will help my guys live their dreams to the best that I can help them experience. NHPW will be here for a long time now, we just work hard and show our skills against the best then obviously that’s going to help us become par with feds in America and keep things as close as possible to what is done in the states.
WPW: How is the recently opened NHPW Slaughterhouse Training School coming along and as head trainer, are there any potential future standouts coming through that you are excited about?
Mana: Yeah there are definitely a few that not only have the athletic ability and desire to be part of the wrestling business for years to come but they also want to do the extra work. With the school we are lucky enough to train four times a week (not including the extra nights some do) so I am thankful. Yeah as for prospects – the Australian Pro Wrestling scene will be meeting them soon. They have worked hard and soon will be vying for matches on the shows and pushing the roster for
spots.
WPW: A huge announcement was made by NHPW recently regarding 2011, involving a series of matches between NHPW and the biggest independent promotion in America, Ring of Honor. How did this come about?
Mana: It’s amazing what happens when you try things and the people you know… It’s mainly the work of myself and Colt Cabana who produced this. Colt was a wonderful addition to the NHPW roster and had a huge impact on our fed when he came for Global Conflict. I put it forward that his next visit will be Team ROH.
WPW: You are wrestling “possibly” your last ever match at Final Chapter on November 20. Taking on the man who succeeded you as Art of Fighting Champion, Tama Williams, and a man you know well from teaming as the Samoan Island Tribe in the States, Headshrinker Samu. When the final bell rings and the match is all said and done, what does the future hold for the Polynesian Warrior?
Mana: A Huge Beam and Coke after the match (laughs).
WPW: Thank you for taking the time to speak with WPW, Mana and we wish you good luck with the future.
Mana, the Polynesian Warrior has been wrestling throughout Australia and the United States for over 10 years, wrestling some of the businesses biggest names and breaking records. For the last three years Mana has made his home base here in Perth, Australia wrestling for various promotions and starting the Australian branch of New Horizon Pro Wrestling.
After taking part in brutal battles throughout his time in the US, the injuries have finally caught up to Mana and he will be making his last appearance in a wrestling ring at NHPW’s Final Chapter 2010. WPW’s Tez caught up with Mana to chat about his career both here and abroad, as well as what the future may hold for the warrior from New Zealand.
WPW: You initially got your foot in the door when you met former WWF/WCW star, The Barbarian at a Superstars of Wrestling show in late 2000. What advice did he give to you at the time?
Mana: Well really, it wasn’t a foot in the door because I was already in the process of moving to Allentown already. Talking to Barbs just reaffirmed it with his reassuring talk and attitude that The Wild Samoans is the best Training Centre In the world. You can go to other schools but unless you are there longer than six months and have people who are better than you to learn from, really you’re not trained fully.
We were lucky to have sessions with guys like Samu, Afa, Batista, Gangrel, Kidman, The Rock, King Kong Bundy, Umaga, Rikishi, Lo Ki, Homicide, Steve Corino, Teddy Hart, Jack Evans, APA, Taker, Kane and so many more take sessions with us. You cannot beat that and I do not regret for one day that I chose the WSTC (Wild Samoan Training Centre) as the school I graduated from. Barbarian told me that’s how I would feel after training there and he was right. When I did a show with him a few years later I reminded him that his talk helped me and he was cool enough to hang with me some more.
WPW: Making the trip to the States not long after being accepted to train at the Wild Samoans Training Academy in Pennsylvania, you became the fastest graduate of the school, beating former WCW/WWF star, Billy Kidman’s record. What did it mean to you, and were you surprised to be able to pick up all the required wrestling skills so quickly?
Mana: I was surprised the night I graduated because I thought I had more to learn, Afa said to me though teaching you the basics is easy - now is when you learn the business. I never put much thought into it till now because honestly you never can know or have learnt everything in this wild business. Didn’t mean much for me to beat Kidman - I was more honored I graduated and earned respect from Afa and my idol Headshrinker Samu.
WPW: Your record has now been broken by a man you originally trained here in Perth, the current WXW Champion, Mark Silva. Are you proud of one of your students breaking your record and what do think the future holds for Silva?
Mana: Not that it’s a difference, but Mark was pre-trained - I was a kid who was excited in first touching a ring canvas with no experience (laughs). Mark is custom built for WWE Television as it is today. Even at his size of 130kg of pure muscle he could dunk a basketball - that’s a natural athlete in any terms. Mark is a good friend of mine and I am proud he is living the best part of this dream of Wrestling and cannot wait to see him do well at RAW later on this month.
WPW: What was the experience like for you training under the former three time WWF Tag Team Champion, Afa the Wild Samoan and who were some of the other trainers at the school during that time?
Mana: Brutal man. I teach similar to what we do at WSTC but not as nasty… yet. We are building Towards it at the NHPW Slaughterhouse Training Centre but honest if I rushed all of it at the students here they would quit. It wasn’t a normal week if a new person didn’t show up and quit at our school, definitely people puking every week or fainting was a regular occurrence. I have a conscience I guess. Believe me there were some real monsters and natural athletes who couldn’t handle the training so I was just thankful I graduated and got my “I Survived” shirt from the best Training school in the World.
WPW: You had a couple of WXW Championship reigns throughout 2004, the first one after a win over future WWE star, Gene Snitsky. What did the reigns mean to the career of Mana?
Mana: To be honest, I knew Gene was going and they were grooming me to Spearhead WXW – also after an incident and altercation people were not happy at WXW. Gene was one of my best friends and he was all for it. Taking it from him in his prime made it sweet, but man we worked for it (laughs). Gene hits hard, I hit hard, Gene is a lot stronger, I am stubborn. Not a good mix but we got through it.
Funny story though because I did not tell the people I lived with at the time that I was winning it. I went home early without a key and was left in the porch to sleep on a freezing cold night …Perks of being a Champ huh? (laughs)
WPW: You worked a few shows with a bunch of the TNA roster, including Jeff Jarrett, for NWA Cyberspace. Did you receive any offers for a tryout with either the WWE or TNA?
Mana: Jarrett talked quite a few times with me at Cyberspace, especially after the matches with the TNA talent. I guess my shot at it was really dampened by the emergence of Umaga at around the same time. TNA were looking for originality and I immediately become a copy cat therefore rightfully so I was canned for opportunity.
WPW: What were some of your favourite promotions the work for during your time in the States and what was it like to work for CHIKARA?
Mana: Chikara was an experience and I am thankful to Mike for remaining friends with me even till now. I got to have matches that I enjoyed with Milano AT, Claudio Castagnoli, Quackenbush and a few others. Working with "Sweet & Sour" Larry Sweeney was the highlight – he broke my character many times in promos. He is a great guy and I have had some of my funniest best memories there with all these guys and people like Allison Danger, Chris Hero, Team Fist, Jigsaw, Shane Storm and so many of their great people on the roster.
WPW: Was it a hard decision for you to return to Perth after so many years building your career in the States. Do you have any regrets?
Mana: Yes and No… My mind at the time was spent, my body was showing signs of depletion and I was lost. I had no more fight left to be honest but my heart was the only thing stopping me from pulling the cord. I only regret I didn’t complete my list of dream matches. There are still three remaining but hey, everything else I did in my career has turned out perfectly and I would not swap my resume and experiences for anyone else. I didn’t listen, I did it my way and I walked away when I decided too. I was always coming back to Perth, just ended up being quicker than I thought.
WPW: In late 2007, you had a stint with EPW, even appearing at Re-Awakening VI. Did you enjoy your time in the promotion?
Mana: Yes very much so, it was as close to American style fed than anywhere I have worked for in Australia. Very professional, talent to burn, loyal fan base and a good family environment within the company. They have earned what they are doing now so I am happy for them. Unlike other feds here I am not worried about taking out or competing with EPW or anyone else – NHPW just wants to exist and perform for our fan base. Guys like Shane Haste, Bobby Marshall, Davis Storm and a few others have that "it" factor. I would not be surprised if they take the next step at all.
WPW: November 2007 saw the debut of NHPW in Perth. Former WWE stars, Rikishi, Gangrel and Independent star Mercedes Martinez being the name International talent along with the best of local talent from EPW. Did you ever think you would be promoting NHPW shows three years down the track?
Mana: My initial thing was NEVER to run NHPW here in Perth, All I ever wanted to do was book a couple of shows to say goodbye to friends and then hand over my numbers and contacts and get out of wrestling. This is the honest truth… Things didn’t work out and I now find myself doing this project and I’m actually really happy with how it’s going. I honestly felt I had done enough to finish a few years ago but as destiny has panned out here I am running New Horizon Pro Wrestling Australia.
WPW: In a recent edition of “Warrior’s Words” in Westside Pro Wrestling you counted down your top 10 list of opponents you have faced. What have been some of your favourite matches that you have competed in throughout your 10 year career?
Mana: Abyss will always run side by side in my mind… as well as Corino, Homicide and others I mentioned before. If you ask me my favorites in Australia, I have to say “Cannonball” Kris Taylor from SA, AZ Vegara was my first match here and was so cool to work with if not funny (laughs), Richter another one, KrackerJak and TNT. Working with my cousin Tapu was a blast as well - for something thrown together last minute I was just happy and honored to allow him to be the first
to pin me in WA as opposed to others who tried to book themselves to do it. I felt I made the right choice to someone who would appreciate it as opposed to someone who just wanted to brag about it when really they weren’t that good.
WPW: After spending years in both, do you see any similarities between the independent scenes of the US and Australia?
Mana: I will say that working with EPW was a stern reminder of a how good independent wrestling is here. EPW’s product while I was there matched up to any promotion I was lucky enough to work for in America. Dave has done an exceptional job and it’s the premier fed in WA. NHPW are just developing but I am happy with where we are at and to compete with some of the best is what will help my guys live their dreams to the best that I can help them experience. NHPW will be here for a long time now, we just work hard and show our skills against the best then obviously that’s going to help us become par with feds in America and keep things as close as possible to what is done in the states.
WPW: How is the recently opened NHPW Slaughterhouse Training School coming along and as head trainer, are there any potential future standouts coming through that you are excited about?
Mana: Yeah there are definitely a few that not only have the athletic ability and desire to be part of the wrestling business for years to come but they also want to do the extra work. With the school we are lucky enough to train four times a week (not including the extra nights some do) so I am thankful. Yeah as for prospects – the Australian Pro Wrestling scene will be meeting them soon. They have worked hard and soon will be vying for matches on the shows and pushing the roster for
spots.
WPW: A huge announcement was made by NHPW recently regarding 2011, involving a series of matches between NHPW and the biggest independent promotion in America, Ring of Honor. How did this come about?
Mana: It’s amazing what happens when you try things and the people you know… It’s mainly the work of myself and Colt Cabana who produced this. Colt was a wonderful addition to the NHPW roster and had a huge impact on our fed when he came for Global Conflict. I put it forward that his next visit will be Team ROH.
WPW: You are wrestling “possibly” your last ever match at Final Chapter on November 20. Taking on the man who succeeded you as Art of Fighting Champion, Tama Williams, and a man you know well from teaming as the Samoan Island Tribe in the States, Headshrinker Samu. When the final bell rings and the match is all said and done, what does the future hold for the Polynesian Warrior?
Mana: A Huge Beam and Coke after the match (laughs).
WPW: Thank you for taking the time to speak with WPW, Mana and we wish you good luck with the future.