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An interview with Randall Sykes
Monday October 28th 2002. Remember that date. Mark it down on your calendar, store it in your computer, If you have to write it down on a piece of paper and stick it in your pocket. Why, you ask? Well because it was the day PCW may have made the smartest decision of their life. On that day PCW signed the talented, yet green rookie Randall Sykes. I had the time recently to sit down with Randall for an exclusive interview. I must say the young man was all class.
First off Randall. I suppose a welcome to PCW is in order.
Thank you very much Eugene. But maybe it should be me thanking PCW for the chance to compete in this great federation.
What made you decide to come to PCW? I mean there are literally hundreds of wrestling federations out there.
The truth is I kind of stumbled across PCW. I have alot of friends who have done many house cards across the states and they were telling me how this federation in Portland was re-opening and how respected it was and such just a few years ago. I managed to find some background on PCW and read all of it's rich history. I knew right then I had to be a part of PCW one way or the other.
One way or the other. What do you mean by that?
Basically I wanted to be in PCW. If I had to start by tearing rings down and prove how dedicated I was, then I would of done it. That's how important getting into PCW meant to me. I know there is a thousand federations from coast to coast but for some unknown reason something was making wanna be here in PCW. No other federation was good enough.
You graduated from York University in Toronto. You got your training at Grapple Warfare in Toronto as well.
Yes I did graduate from York University as a nutrition specialist. I've always been big on training and keeping healthy so it was the perfect fit and I knew exactly what I wanted to accomplish since my first year of high school. I figured that career choice along with me wanting to be a wrestler [pause] Well the two would go hand in hand. I don't know if they have yet. [laughs] But I'm thinking were going to find out shortly. [laughs]
Indeed. You seem to know what you want in your life. What is your biggest dream in wrestling?
Well, that's easy [laughs] No ... uh ... really, I just want to be the best I can be which hopefully is enough to wrap a world title around my waist. Getting signed to a national wrestling federation is a big goal as well but I'm not naive. I know I have alot of experience to gather. I know I have a long, hard and painful road in front of me to reach that goal but I'm 100 percent committed. The way I see it, if I get to step into a wrestling ring, then I'm luckier then all the millions out there who dream of doing this business. Everything I do after that moment, well, it's a perk.
You're a rookie. In fact you have never even been in a legit federation before PCW.
This is true ... in a way. I have wrestled in front of an audience before. During my training we would sometimes compete in local High Schools in the area to raise money for charities and what not. But indeed this will be my actual first federation. A federation I guess you could call home.
You mentioned going to the "big feds". With that being said, is the reason you joined PCW was because you know it's a baby sister of one of the biggest federations out there, I-Slash?
Honestly, no. In fact I never even knew of that until I looked over my contract and it said I had the possibility of being called up to I-Slash in the future. I was like 'WOW!' you know?! I-Slash is without a doubt one of the most exciting federations out there ...
[Interrupts]
No matter what SOME people out there think ...
[laughs] Exactly. I've been a big fan of wrestling. I guess you could call me a "smart". I knew the dirt and I never really understood why I/W didn't get the respect it deserved. But to be called up by I-Slash, in my opinion one of the most exciting federations, if not the in the world ... President Nelson has brought new energy to I/W and it would be radical to be apart of that. But right now I'm content with staying in PCW and learning the ropes. I'm jacked about going against some great talent such as Jake Arcola, Chad Allen and the others.
You call your finisher the "Syke-Out". How did you come up with the name?
Well actually my good friend of mine came up with the name. I wrestled for a small charity and I picked up the guy for what you call a vertebreaker. But while I had him up i decided to add on to it a bit and spun before hitting it. After the match my bud was amazed. He was like, "Man! That totally psyched me out! I never knew you were gonna do that!" After that little comment and not to mention the impact of the move, I decided I would use it as my finisher and call it the "Syke-Out".
What is your ultimate goal to accomplish in PCW?
Just like everyone else, it's to be the best. To have that Northwest Heavyweight Championship around my waist and showing that I do have what it takes to be a leader and a champion. But more then that... I have to do it the 'right way'. Meaning I won't take any short-cuts. I won't bend the rules and I will not cheat to win. I think the taste will be that much sweeter when I do wrap that belt around my waist.
Randall, it has been a pleasure. I wish you nothing but the best of luck here in PCW and your career.
Thank you very much Eugene. I'm sure we'll be talking again in the future. Hopefully the next time we do I will have proven my worth and hopefully have a piece of gold around this waist.
[Posted 10.29.2002]
By Eugene Curtis
