Editor's note: Demonic, who is now known simply as Damian, (along with tag partner Tweek) currently wrestles for the NAWF and USA Championship Wrestling. This interview was conducted last year...

Pinfalls: How did the name 'Damian Demonic' originate?

Double D : I honestly don't recall how I came up with the name. I know that I got the name a while back, and it just kinda stuck. It's not the greatest name in the world, and it's "too satanic" if you know what I mean. But I have always liked the name Damian, it always seemed to fit me better. And the Demonic part just got added as a last second thing.

Pinfalls : You and Tweek started as singles and now you're a team ... which do you prefer?

Double D : Tag Team. They are easier to do, and there is a lot more that can be done with four guys instead of two. I like wrestling single from now and then, it keeps me on my toes. But nothing compares to a good tag match, so hopefully I will be able to stick with Tweek for a while.

Pinfalls : You've only been in the business now for a little more than one year ... but if you could select one moment that stands out thus far as the highlight of your career, what would it be?

Double D : I don't think there is just one. Getting on television in the NAWF was a big step, and now we're in the main event on a regular basis. Our feud with Brandon Blaze and Ryan Rouge is getting us noticed as a top tag team in the Midwest. My short feud with Tweek was fun, and I learned a lot from it. I also think quitting PCW was a wise choice, as I was going no where there.

Pinfalls : You've worked for several different Indies ... how would you describe the differences between these orgnaizations?

Double D : Actually, I have only worked for PCW Central and NAWF. And between them, there is a world of difference. PCW was made of the horror stories you hear from the older guys. For nine months straight, I had to travel three hours there, put up the ring, wrestle, take the ring back down, and then drive three hours home for no pay what-so-ever. The talent was pretty dry, as most were older guys, and only wrestled a slow pace. The cards were made at the last second, so you never know what was going on. The NAWF is so well organized. Everything is usually on track. The talent there is very good too, so I have to challenge myself to get over.

Pinfalls : If you could select one opponent to face, who would it be?

Double D : The Rock. Two reasons. If I was fighting him, I would be at the top of the WWF making a lot of money. Plus, he tends not to have very many bad matches, so he would make me look a lot better than I probably am. As in a dream match, I would want to face Hulk Hogan, just so I could say I did. Not too many people can, as he only wrestled on big shows.

Pinfalls : How was it performing at the Chicago ComiCon this past summer?

Double D : Very little good and mostly bad. We got there on a Thursday, set the ring up, then had free time to walk around and look at stuff, or hang out in the hotel. You couldn't really go anywhere, or you would have to pay 11 bucks everytime you moved your car out of the parking garage. We ran two shows a day. The first was from 12-2 and the second was from 3-5. After the first two days, my body was just killing me. Everything started to go downhill after that. And to make matters worse, PCW Chicago was at the show. And here's a straight up shoot. I do not see how these guys are so over. I watched their matches, and they were awful. No story, no highspots, nothing. Just a bunch of guys who looked like shit. Me and Tweek wrestled the first match of the first show. When we got back behind the curtain, Steve Stone pulled us aside and asked us if that was our first match. A complete insult, as we took it as such. I don't think he has room to talk, as everyone of his matches looked like a backyarder put them together. And in a battle royal on the second day, he stiffed me twice, once in the mouth, and the second time in the nuts. I'm pretty sure he meant to do it. It took a lot of restrain not to get in a fight. And the rest of the guys were complete assholes, ignoring all the other boys, acting like they were top shit. So a big "f*** you" goes out to all of them. The last two days drug on and this is where I hurt my tailbone from a top rope legdrop. The crowd sucked ass, wouldn't pop for anything. Its because they read too many damn comics, and are so used to people being decapitated by a Cybertron light sword that they expected nothing less. We left on a Sunday. This is after 7 matches in 3 days. I was never more excited to not be wrestling in my life. So for the most part, it was a terrible time, outside a few moments with the boys. Did I mention we didn't get paid for any of it?

Pinfalls : How does it feel being a part of a TV taping?

Double D : So much better than wrestling for a PCW Central show. There was no motivation there. If you messed up, so what. There was only 25 people there that noticed. In the NAWF, a f*** up means you would hurt their television show. Being able to tell people you are on t.v. also helps the recognition. Now if I could only get a tape from Eric Freedom, I would be set. But he is as slow at getting me a tape as he is wrestling. Haha, I love Eric, he is great.

Pinfalls : What is your current views on backyarders?

Double D : Too many of them take themselves way too serious for something that doesn't really matter. 99% of backyarders are just that, backyarders, and that's where they will always stay. Backyard wrestling, for the most part, is terrible. I think its funny when a kid gets launched off a 15 foot platform through a flaming table or when they light there own dick on fire to get a pop. If he gets injured, its his own damn fault. The parents shouldn't be blamed, cause there is no way to stop it. So they should just watch over and make sure nothing goes wrong. It's the ones who try to be professionals without being trained that I hate. You haven't payed any dues, so you have no right to use that word. Just keep a low profile, don't kill yourself, and have fun. If you are seventeen, get your ass trained and quit being stupid. Its time to move on to see if you have what it takes.

Pinfalls : In retrospect, how do you view your days of doing backyard? If you could go back, is there anything you would change?

Double D : At the time it was really fun. We didn't do backyard WRESTLING. We just beat the shit out of each other for people's enjoyment. We never classified ourselves as pro, we never even hinted at it. We did all the extreme stuff, lighttubes, thumbtacks, barbedwire, fire. It was just a way to get people talking, and off the high school football kliq. I think it has left us with a bad name, but in a good way. Parents are actually scared of us, and think we are a danger to their kids. We are heels in Westville, no doubt about it. We take no shit from activist parents, and some people around here look up to us for that. No one else in this area had the balls to challenge the police, the parents, the school. Me and Tweek did it all, and you know what? We f***ing won too.

Pinfalls: How has the fan reaction to "Damian Demonic" been thus far?

Double D: Its been pretty good actually. In PCW me and Tweek got over huge. But thats just because we were younger guys, which PCW didn't have a lot of. We did the new style, so that set us apart from the rest. In NAWF, its a lot more difficult to get over. They have so many young, built guys that you really have to bust your ass to amount to anything. But the reaction to the character itself, I dunno. I think most of the younger people are scared of me. Except the 9-12 year old girls, they hit on me non-stop. But I think they find me a little intimidating, or maybe as just an asshole.

Pinfalls : What is your current theme music and why?

Double D : We use "Disposable Teens" by Marilyn Manson. I think it suits me and Tweek well, in character and in real life. Plus it has one hell of a beat to it.

Pinfalls : Who were your inspirations?

Double D : Oh Christ. So many. Early in life, I was a huge Demolition mark. But most of all I loved ECW. I loved everything about it. It was fun to watch, great moves, and most of the matches were great. Something in the wrestling business died when ECW failed. So almost every ECW wrestler gave me something to study, good and bad. I am a mark for Tajiri, Mikey Whipwreck, and Rob Van Dam.

Pinfalls : So far, if you could clasify the weirdest thing you've seen in wrestling, what would it be?

Double D : I don't know about weird. But its strange how all the things you hear about wrestling come true. The assholes, the egos, the terrible conditions, and the politics. Its all true.

Pinfalls : What is the one question that fans pose most often?

Double D : Is wrestling fake and does it hurt. Which is incredibly stupid to ask to a wrestler. It is the most real thing I have ever done, and I have never felt the pain that wrestling causes. Another popular one is "do you make a lot of money?" People need to understand that not everything is like the WWF

Pinfalls : Who would you clasify as the best worker you've faced and the worst?

Double D : There's so many. Brandon Blaze and Ryan Rouge are fun to work, and both are great talents. Me and Tweek know each other so well, so we always have fun out there together. Eric Freedom has a great mind for wrestling. The worst is Solo and Chuckie Smooth. I don't care what kind of reputation the guy has, the two times I wrestled Chuckie, he sucked. He only looks out for himself, and doesn't care about the match over all, just so long as he is in the spotlight. He will mess up other people's spots on purpose so he can look good. I think he is in it for the fame and the girls, which doesn't really come with independent wrestling. As for Solo Smooth. He was high, or at least I hope he was, the first night I wrestled him because he was incoherent in the ring. The second day I stiffed him a couple times on purpose, cause he was fucking things up, and it was all do to the drugs. I have no sympathy for someone like that.

Pinfalls: Which do you enjoy being more ... a face or heel?

Double D : I like doing both. Being a face, you can do more high flying shit. But I love to piss people off. And being a heel, they pay me to do just that. I am happy being a heel as of now, cause me and Tweek get over well doing it.

Pinfalls : Who do you enjoy watching today and how do you feel about the current direction of the mainstream wrestling product?

Double D : I like watching Rob Van Dam, The Rock, The Dudleys, Tajiri, and Kurt Angle. But that's because that is all that's on television anymore. The WWF has some good matches now and then. They seem to always resort back to the same old thing. I wish they could think of something new. But I still will tune in and take a look before complaining, unlike some people.

Pinfalls : After your rookie year in the business, is there anything you would like to change?

Double D : I wouldn't change anything. Everything I have done has helped me improve. Even the Comic Con, or working for free, or anything else. It all has given me a story that not too many people can tell. It has been a roller coaster year, and I learned a lot.

Pinfalls : How far behind is the Indepenent scene from catching up? As in, the XWF has been poised as a serious contender for becoming the next Number Two promotion

Double D : I highly doubt that the XWF will become anything big. Their style is way too old school. They are living in the past, trying to create the new WCW. But the bad part is they are worse than WCW when they went out of business. The independent scene ranges from really good to down right awful. I don't think the independent scene will ever catch up with the WWF. There just isn't enough fans of indy wrestling. But if you can find a good indy show, it is often better than the WWF, at least the wrestling aspect. The production is usually shifty, but on an indy budget, most do a good job.

Pinfalls : Name three independent stars (excluding yourself) who most of the country hasn't heard about, but soon will:

Double D : Um, I dunno. Its really hard to tell who is going to get a big break. The guys who often should don't, and those who suck get the break. So there isn't one particular name that I could say. I hope Tweek Phoenix, cause that means I would be right there too.

Pinfalls : Is the independent wrestling lifestyle worth all the effort? The travel, the bumps, the wages, etc.?

Double D : It's worth it most of the time. If nothing comes of it, I can at least say I was there. There is no money what-so-ever in indy wrestling. You often loose money with all the travel. I see it as an expensive hobby, soon to advance into a full time job. Its kinda like college, you gotta spend some time to get the good job. I got to a point where I wanted to quit a while back, when I was still working for PCW. But now everything is rolling smoothly, and it is getting more fun as the days go by. But the lifestyle is a lot tougher than most people know. Its hard to travel ten hours round trip for twenty bucks. But its something that has to be done, so I do it.

Pinfalls : If you weren't dedicated to the profession, what else might Damiam Demonic find employment from?

Double D : If I wasn't a wrestler, I would want to be a manager, a referee, a commentator, just as long as I was involved in wrestling. But if I had to pick a totally different profession, I would probably be taking college classes for some type of computer job, or maybe a musician. I really like computer, but it comes frustrating. I have always wanted to be in a band, but I can't sing worth a shit, and I have no idea how to play an instrument. But I'm sure I would have learned if I would have spent as much time on that as I have wrestling.

Pinfalls : What certifies a performer as being successful in this business? Money? Titles? Fan acceptance as either a face or heel?

Double D : Money and popularity. Titles don't really mean anything. They are all for show. Making it into the WWF is considered being successful. Actually, if you can make a living in wrestling, and not get hurt, then you have done better than 99% of the guys that get into it.

Pinfalls : Up to this point, who's been your toughest challenge?

Double D : I'd say myself, as corny as that sounds. Its really hard to keep your head straight with all the things going on in the business. There's a lot of "thinking" time when your driving so long in a car. A lot of questions come up, like why are you doing this? So, getting over myself and things like that has been hard. When your body tells you to stop, you have to keep going.

Pinfalls : What's your opinion on gimmick matches, such as the cage, barbed wire, etc.?

Double D : The classic gimmick matches, such as the cage and the ladder, them are fun to watch if done right. The barbedwire, thumbtacks, lighttubes, them are all well and good. It just seems to be done a little too much on some shows. I don't mind guys doing that. The fans like it. But its not wrestling. But gimmick matches are fun to do. I love tables. Anything that can get the fans more into a storyline, then more power to ya.

Pinfalls : In the past, you've used a variation of the swanton bomb as a finishing manuever. Do you prefer the high risk manuevers and ariel style over mat wrestling?

Double D : I was such an ECW mark, so I like the fast pace, high risk style. I would like to mix a little Japanese into my matches. But I am not much of a mat wrestler. I know a few unusual holds, but I doubt you will ever see me use them. I love to fly around. The only problem with that is I am a big guy at 6'2" and 225 pounds, not a lot of people can catch me when doing those moves. I like bumping though. Anything that most people wouldn't do, I want to. Just to prove that I can.

Pinfalls : The best tip of advice you've gotten in this business so far would be ..... ?

Double D : Don't blow your load in one match. There's no reason to do twenty big moves in one match. You can hold a crowd by doing less. I don't mean that two move than rest shit. I wrestle fast paced. But if you can do five different style planchas to the floor, don't do three of them in one match. It's a progressive business, you need to be able to impress people later on too, not just the first time they see you.

Pinfalls :You and your frequent tag team partner Tweek Phoenix have earned something of a reputation for inciting a strong reaction from the crowd. Does the Demonic one realize the importance of the people who plunk down their blue collar dollars?

Double D:Oh yeah. I understand that those people worked hard for their money. And they want a good show. And me and Tweek deliver all the time. I take every match like it's the most important in my career. But we are supposed to get them mad. That is our job. So we do it. If it takes getting in their face, or insulting them, or even spitting different liquids on them, we will do it. On a side note though, most of the fans are not too bright, so making them mad is not that hard.

Pinfalls :You've had over 40 matches in the past year, in addition to several televised appearances on NAWF programming. What does the year 2002 hold for Damian Demonic?

Double D: Well, NAWF is bringing back the tag titles, so we are aiming for our first title run. Plus, just getting my skills more improved and getting as much work as I can. Hopefully no more injuries, or adding on to the ones that I already have. I expect me and Tweek to be one of the hottest names on the Mid West circuit by this time next year. So the future is looking good as of now. But we will have to sit back and see.

Click here to visit Damian Demonic's web site.