Post by Kammy on Sept 2, 2011 18:30:07 GMT -5
Finally, the interview that everyone has been waiting for. This time on The Mind Behind, I sit down with the Icon, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels.
Who or what got you interested in the world of E-Feds?
I think a lot of people who have spent a good bit of time roleplaying know of a guy named Vince McMahon. Vince was the one who contacted me about roleplaying. I had no idea what it was, so I just jumped into things eager to learn the ways of this world.
Do you remember your first match/experience?
Not personally. I can't really recall remembering it myself, but it is in the NHBWO Archives that are found here on the forums. If you take a look there you will see that my first match was on October 2, 2003. I competed against Rey Mysterio for a chance to team up with Bill Goldberg, the best RPer I had seen at the time, later in the night. Well, I won the match, and I went into the tag match as Goldberg's partner. Goldberg and I came out with the victory over Triple H and Randy Orton. I'm pretty sure neither of those were the Triple H and Randy Orton we all know and love.
Considering most people here don't know, whatever happened to NHBWO?
NHBWO was killed by myself, Ryan Beyer, and Paul Heyman. You see, NHBWO was an off and on thing. We'd be running just fine, and Vince McMahon would up and leave us. It was like a father walking out on his family and leaving us all in disarray. Finally... we got sick of it. Beyer, Heyman, and myself took the roster of NHBWO, and SNME was created. To be honest, before Beyer or Heyman ever got involved with SNME, I ran a test show or two with a few guys on the roster. Sam, aka Chris Jericho of Sam X, was involved in those test shows. I believe he played Stone Cold Steve Austin. I think Hafiz, our beloved Randy Orton, was also involved in the test shows as Ric Flair, if I remember correctly. I wish I could find those test shows we did. It would be nice to have some recollection of how they went.
What is the driving force behind your role-plays and where do you come up with your ideas?
Emotions. Lyrics. Determination. Those three things are what really drive my roleplaying. You can take a look back at many of my old roleplays and find hints of lyrics from songs all in them. Lyrics always fed me ideas. If I had a song playing, and I really enjoyd the lyrics, I could relate it to Shawn Michaels' drive and determination to give the fans the greatest performance they could ask for night in and night out.
How did you come up with the idea to play "HBK" Shawn Michaels?
The Showstopper was always one of my favorite wrestlers. How could he not be? The guy is amazing in the ring. He could wrestle great matches with a bag of wet cement. And on the mic... he's also one of the greatest in my opinion. He always had the ability to fire me up and make me get behind him. Ever since I picked him when I started in NHBWO, I never found anyone better to be.
What other characters have you tried to roleplay as?
I have roleplayed with tons of different guys. Carlito, Kane, Taz, Jamie Noble, Rob Conway, Sting, Rhino, Sandman, MVP, Psycho Sid, Thomas Daniels, Emma Paramore. There are probably some others too, but I don't remember them if there are.
Could you ever see another fed possibly doing an invasion angle here in SNME?
It has been attempted before with NHBWO and someone mentioned "RWF" doing it also. But let's face it... no one can do what we do. The people that have come through this place love it. I mean, just look at how people flocked back to SNME in its latest reopneing. People love this place, and if any other fed thinks they can come in here and "invade"... just bring it.
What has been your most memorable feud?
That's a tough one to answer. I'm gonna have to say my feud with Triple H back in NHBWO is my most memorable. You talk about heat... that feud had legit heat. Vince McMahon was trying to find someone to defeat me and take the NHBWO World Heavyweight Championship off of me. Well, he thought he found someone. That someone was Triple H. And every week Triple H and I would try to outdo eachother. Our roleplays became better and better every week, and the hatred between myself, Triple H, and Vince McMahon grew more and more. In our final showdown at Battlemania, it was me who came out on top. I defeated Triple H. I overcame Vince McMahon's attempt to take the title away from me. Man... I can remember the tension being so thick. You could cut it with a knife. Good times. Today's feuds needs that kind of heat.
What are some things you really like about E-Wrestling?
I like the way it allows us to release our emotions. It is a way of channeling the way we feel into amazing pieces of work. Just look at the roleplays guys post every week. They pour their heart and souls into their work, and it is amazing to see. Another thing I love about it is being able to make superstars. We can take some unknown guy who comes in not knowing what he's doing... and now, look at him. He's the World Heavyweight Champion. Yes, I'm talking about Haffy. Seeing guys like him evolve into great writers and roleplayers is amazing. Just look at him. Shelton Benjamin. Anthony Ferraro. Johnny Magnum. Hell, Kurt Angle. All of these guys started roleplaying less than mediocre, and later in their careers, they proved to be some of the best.
What about things you dislike?
I hate the pay-off of putting so much work into booking and writing for guys to no-show. Yeah, I did it once. Wrestlefest II. But for the majority of my career I never missed a beat. I wish people would express more thanks for the work bookers and writers put in. That's all.
Do you prefer working as a heel, face, or neutral?
Face. I love being the guy the heels are trying to beat to a bloody pulp, but I just won't die. I'll give it my all, and I won't give up.
In a RP what do you mainly focus: Character Development, talking trash about your opponents, or deep detail? And why is that?
I would say character development and deep detail. Character development is the most important because it progresses your character. It tells the readers who the character is, what he has been through, and where he's going. It makes things interesting. Detail is another big focus because it is important to know what is going on and where it is happening. With details you can paint such beautiful images. Sometimes, just details is all someone needs to tell a story.
How do you keep up with your personal life and your E-fed life?
A lot of times my personal life has been the cause of results being late or whatever, but it happens. This isn't a job. This isn't the only thing going on in our lives. Roleplaying is a hobby. We do it becuase we love it. I try my best to get things done and up, but personal life comes first at times.
What is your motivation to continue churning out all of these roleplays?
I'm not really churning out roleplays every week, but I am churning out results. My motivation to keep churning results out is the people of SNME. I know how much it means to the guys that roleplay here, and I love giving them a platform. I love having a place to let them spill their guts in a make believe world of wrestling.
How do you like the Out Of Character atmosphere?
Ehh, we could use more of it, but I don't think it hurts us too bad. People enjoy the chat at the bottom of the site, and I think it allows us all to talk about whatever we want and enjoy the community here.
What is your favorite roleplay that you have written in your time with SNME?
In SNME? Hmm... I can't really say one roleplay is my favorite overall, but I would have to say a small series of roleplays were my favorite. I did a few roleplays for big matches against Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, and I think one more possible where dreams were involved. In those roleplays, I really went into the demons in Shawn's life and how behind scenes he was really struggling with demons such as addiction to pills and such. Those roleplays were some of my favorite work.
Can you see yourself becoming the World Heavyweight Champion once again?
I think I've got one left in me.
Have you ever not given someone a push because you did not like them outside of SNME?
Honestly? No. I feel like everyone has a chance for a push. But you can't just halfass things. If you want a push, you have to earn it. You have to want it.
If you could have one name from the past return to SNME full-time, who would you choose?
Kurt Angle. Chris Jericho. Batista. CM Punk. Sting. Can't name just one. If just one of those guys came back full-time, I would love it.
What has been your best and worst e-wrestling experiences?
Best... beating Vince McMahon. I felt like there was a lot of closure with my victory over him. It proved that after being under him for years in NHBWO, I finally surpassed him. I... was the better man.
Worst... being screwed out of my World Heavyweight Championship in NHBWO by Viscera and Teddy Long. I can't remember the full story behind it, but it was a huge screw job. I think it was in 2004 or 2005 if I remember right.
Have you set any goals for your character and if so, how close are you to having achieved them?
Not in particular. When I first started roleplaying I wanted to win the World Heavyweight Championship, and I ended up doing that. And when I left NHBWO. I wanted to run a successful federation, and I did.
How do you react to claims that SNME plays too many politics?
I think they are copouts to be honest. I think a lot of guys just can't handle losing.
Name your favorite top three comedic roleplayers from SNME.
The only real comedic character I can recall is Santino Marella. Other than that, no one comes to mind. Santino was hilarious. It was like he was channeling the real Santino Marella into his roleplays.
Is there anyone in particular that you would like to feud with in the future?
Justin Tyger. Alberto Del Rio.
Once college begins again soon, will you be getting extra help to keep SNME going?
Sure. Who's up for it?
Are there any Characters no longer active in SNME that you would have liked to feud with?
Sting. I always tried to get him to come back to do a program with me. I would also love a big feud with Raven.
Who do you feel had the best character in SNME history?
Raven.
Do you have any real heat with any roleplayers from the past or the present?
I don't really have heat with anyone anymore. If they have heat with me, that is another story. Roy Rowe maybe?
If you could meet any three roleplayers in person, who would you choose and why?
Justin Tyger.
Shelton Benjamin.
Bryan Danielson.
Who do you feel was the fastest rising star in SNME history?
Kurt Angle. Although, Ken Kennedy used to claim he was the fastest rising star in SNME at one time.
Who do you feel were the top 5 roleplayers from the past?
In no particular order: Sting, Raven, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, and how can I not name myself? Haha.
Who do you think the Top 5 roleplayers are currently and why?
-Anthony Ferraro: He's gone from jobber to main eventer. It is amazing to see his transformation.
-Randy Orton: FINALLY! After being in a slump and almost making it there, Orton finally did it. He finally stepped into the spotlight he deserved.
-Alberto Del Rio: He just plays Del Rio so damn well. And... DESTINY!
Justin Tyger: Because... he's Tyger!
Mason Moore: I feel like he has such a bright future ahead of him. He is in line for some amazing things.
Will we see Shawn Michaels compete again?
Never say never.
What do you hope to have accomplished by this time next year?
I hope we're still running strong. I also hope to have surprised a lot of people. Just stay tuned.
Do you see yourself closing SNME anytime soon?
Nope. I want to try my hardest to keep this place going as long as people want it here. As long as people will roleplay, I will continue on.
What would be your dream match and who would be in it?
Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels: The World's Most Epic Showdown... Again. I would actually roleplay this time.
If you were prepared to retire once and for all from the world of roleplaying, who would you wish to have as your opponent?
Wow. That's a tough one. So many guys come to mind. I mean, any of these guys would be fine with me. Justin Tyger. Shelton Benjamin. Randy Orton. Ken Kennedy. Alberto Del Rio.
Do you have any spoilers about any future storylines you'd like to share?
Shawn Michaels enters the Elimination Chamber at Highway 2 Hell and wins the World Heavyweight Championship!
Any last thoughts about any other roleplayers?
I'll go down the roster...
-James: Don't let me down. I got a lot of faith in you.
-Stone: I don't know who you truly are, but you're slowly showing it.
-Spears: Can I be serious for a moment? EFF PAPPRO! Lol. HONK! Huskers.
-Haffy: Keep up the amazing work, man. You're at the top of your career.
-Seth: You have shown such a hunger for greatness. You continue to amaze me.
-Oscar: You work your ass off with all of your characters. You're the man!
-Carlos: Where the fuck you at?
-Dante: I don't know who you are, but I can see you going places.
-Grobe: You've got it in you to do big things. Hang in there, man.
-Dan: I love what you have created with Mason Moore. He is one hell of a character, and he has big things in store for him. You're one heck of a guy. Love what I read of your book. Keep writing, man. You're an inspiration.
-Dakota: From jobber to main eventer. Amazing. You are going places.
-Bearded Dragon: Hmmm, let's see what is in store for you.
-Canadian Dragon: You got some potential.
-Esfan: You disappointed me in no-showing.
-Jeff Hardy: We got some work to do, but you can get better with hard work.
-Tim: You're annoying as shit sometimes, but you're a cool kid.
-KOMODO: Did I spell it right? Lol.
-Mankind: I love your love for punishment.
-Malcolm: Bright future.
-Roy: Told you so. Haha.
Johnny: Lead yourself.