Dirk doing a little bit of filming.
Huskie: Wrestling fans welcome back to Wrestle Ohio. Today I am joined by “American Idol” Dirk Extreme. Dirk how are you doing today? Thanks for joining us yet again here at Wrestle Ohio.
Extreme: Great to be back here at Wrestle Ohio Huskie.
Huskie: Let’s step out of the ring for a couple of minutes. When you’re not in the ring kicking butt, what are you doing?
Extreme: I’ve always kept myself busy. For 20 years I did the construction gig while also working in radio and TV. Back in 2008 I started filming events on my own under the RCW Entertainment banner. Now, I’m trying to get that off the ground and make that my full time career. I’m currently filming/editing for several wrestling companies such as RCW (of course), ASW, Remix Pro, IWA East Coast, & Bizarro. Also filming MMA, Weddings, Dance Recitals, Variety TV Shows. We are getting our name out there and things are picking up. Just filmed a Music Video not too long ago as well which was really fun.
Huskie: How did you become the American Idol?
Extreme: Funny story. When I started RCW, I wanted characters and I wanted things to be fresh and current with what was going on in the world. In 2002-2003, American Idol was just getting steam and you could tell it was going to be a hit. Randy “The King” Allen use to do a gimmick called “The Karaoke King” which he later dropped for a “Super Pimp” type of gimmick. I wasn’t a fan of the “Super Pimp”. Randy just came on board with RCW and I wanted him to update “The Karaoke King” to “The American Idol”. He didn’t want it, (but he did go back to just “The King” moniker). Shortly thereafter, we started training guys and I kept looking for the right guy for this gimmick. Nobody wanted it….”it was too embarrassing”, “couldn’t do that in public”, etc. Finally at the end of 2005, I was sick of being a heel and decided I needed more of a gimmick. I love singing and loved the gimmick so it was a natural fit. I wanted a challenge and came up with a way to do it as a face, which many said couldn’t be done. I thing it all worked out pretty good.
Huskie: What is your current entrance music? And why did you choose it?
Extreme: Current entrance music is a British band called The Rogue Traders and the song is “Voodoo Child”. No it’s not a version of Hendrix’s Voodoo Child. It’s Pop Music. It’s on the Doctor Who episode “Sound of Drums” where the Master takes over the world and suddenly this music hits, and they are dancing and tapping feet while everyone is getting destroyed. The song was on Old Navy commercials in 2006 (laughs).
Huskie: How long have you been in the wrestling business?
Extreme: Going on 20 years. In February of 1994, I attended the old AWA Worldwide Wrestling Academy……….I lasted for a total of 1 week. I wasn’t ready. I had never been away from home. I had no vehicle. Minnesota in February is horrid. Not to mention, I wasn’t ready mentally or physically. I got in better shape and got my head on straight and heard about Al Snow’s Bodyslammer’s Gym in Lima, OH. I talked to Al on the phone and made arrangements to join his school in the summer of 1995. I then learned that Al would be training us in the evenings while D’Lo Brown trained us in the mornings. I respected both from watching Smokey Mountain Wrestling at the time. I went and had the time of my life.
Huskie: What made you want to become a professional wrestler?
Extreme with Jimmy Malloy in a headlock.
Extreme: Sports never caught my fancy. I never could take a liking to any of it. I didn’t mind playing sports but watching didn’t interest me. I remember when I was 3 years old, my dad called me and my brother in from the garage and wanted us to watch the TV. It was Georgia Championship Wresting and Gordon Solie was calling the action as The Wild Samoans were just annihilating 2 guys with wooden chairs. I was in love. Then as time went on along came “Rowdy” Roddy Piper who not only did commentary with Solie but got involved. The way he talked just glued me to it. This was before the WWF and Hulkamania era!
Huskie: You trained with Al Snow. What was it like training with him?
Extreme: Al is great! Al lets you know in the beginning that he doesn’t have time for BS. If you paid your money, he made sure you got the training. Most trainers from the past use to take guy’s money and then do everything to make them quit. Al believed that if he took your money that you should get your training. Al as you can imagine is also very humorous. He knows when to be serious and when it’s time not to be. I respect him immensely.
Huskie: How long did you train before you had your first match?
Extreme: We started in July of 1995. We trained twice a day. We lived at the Gym in rooms that overlooked the ring. Morning training was like 10am-1pm and evening was 6pm-9pm I believe. We did that 5 days a week for 3 months. I had my first match on September 2nd, 1995 for Bobby Blaze’s promotion in Ashland, KY. I was still training at the time but they felt I was ready.
Huskie: Your first match was against D-Lo Brown and you picked up the win in that match. Can you tell us a little bit more about how that match went?
Extreme: I faced my trainer, D-Lo Brown. I was nervous as could be. There is a GREAT story that goes with this match. I had pulled my groin muscle a week before this match. I was also selling tickets to the match to friends and family as Ashland wasn’t that bad of a drive for them. I got to the building a little later that I anticipated as I was out collecting money to give to Bobby Blaze. This time gave everyone a chance to concoct an evil plan (laughs). I knew D Lo was going over. He was my trainer of course. I also knew Doink The Clown was going to throw a bucket of confetti on D-Lo and that I was going to roll him up. What I didn’t know is was that there would be a 3 count and I would walk out with my hands held high. I didn’t know what just happened. The referee cussed at me all the way to the back about holding D-Lo down. D-Lo comes in the back throwing chairs and cursing at me saying he was ashamed to have trained me and that I’d never work again. Keep in mind this is my FIRST match so I don’t want to rock the boat. I apologize for an hour! At intermission he calls me a superstar and forces me to go out and sign autographs. I remember signing autographs for the first time fighting back tears (laughs). I came back up and went in the restroom and just hid for a bit. Bobby Blaze comes in and I ask him about the ref. He tells me the ref is a mark. I walk out of the restroom bummed beyond belief and the ref is there cussing at me again. The ref’s name was Kenny and Kenny was probably in his late 60s at the time. I had enough and went off on the ref and suddenly the locker room erupted in laughter. D-Lo came over and hugged me and said “Welcome to the Business”. Even though I was miserable for nearly 2 hours, I cannot tell you how much that meant to me. That was special and I’ve debated hard about telling that story for many reasons. But you read stories from everyone nowadays. The Austin/McMahon Podcast for example……nothing is sacred anymore. That night would go down as one of the worst nights and best nights of my life. It was a night that I was formally accepted to a brotherhood that I had dreamed about my whole life.
Extreme & his wife, Stacey with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.
Huskie: Do you feel that you were ready to be in the ring? And what was going through your mind when you found out that you were wrestling a guy of D-Lo’s caliber in your first match?
Extreme: Good thing was that D’Lo was one of my trainers, so I was at ease with that. Then again, if you’ve been hit by D’Lo Brown in any capacity, you may wanna second guess that (laughs). I felt honored. We were opening the show. My entire family and friends showed up. It was a special night but there was a point in the match when D’Lo gives me a leg drop off the top. He knocks me out cold for a second. I got up and my brain was screaming “are you sure you wanna do this!” I gathered my wits and got the “very surprising” win.
Huskie: What motivates you to get in the ring?
Extreme: After being in it this long, I go through bouts of thinking I’m about done. Then, I’ll go somewhere and people will recognize me and want to chat wrestling. It’s a hard thing to give up. To sit on the sidelines when you are still able to do it is a tough decision. But that decision eventually has to be made. I’m in better shape now than when I was 20. It’s an ego thing and it’s an adrenaline thing.
Huskie: People prepare for matches in many different ways. Dirk, how do you prepare for a match?
Extreme: Honestly, with promoting RCW shows, running the locker room, filming others shows……anyone can tell you that I have little time to prepare. I’m usually nervous as can be (still this many years later) because I’m doing so many different things. If I have time, you’ll see me doing some yoga (DDP plug), push-ups, squats.
Huskie: Who are your influences in wrestling?
Extreme: Roddy Piper of course always had the talking down, Bret Hart and Curt Hennig’s wrestling abilities. Vince McMahon, Gordon Solie, Bobby Heenan, Ole Anderson, Al Snow, Stan Hansen, Ric Flair……the list goes on.
Huskie: What is your favorite match of all time?
Extreme: Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith Summerslam 1992 was a perfect match in my opinion and one that I’ll never forget. The drama and rollercoaster ride of that match was something unparalleled at that time.
Huskie: What is your favorite match that you have been involved in?
Extreme in a brutal battle with wrestling legend Ivan Koloff.
Extreme: That one is hard. For years I built up me facing my trainer Al Snow in my head and finally in 2010 I did it. We had a 30 minute match that I will never forget. But I don’t know if I have that one match. Trik Nasty and I have had some good ones that spanned 3 promotions. Tank Runyon and I had a couple that I could just feel the magic in. I really liked the one he and I did at RCW’s Spring Awakening. The crowd was eating it up. It was great match that saw a double mic-check on Tank and Vance Desmond. The Ivan Koloff matches were very memorable.
Huskie: What is the craziest match that you have ever seen? What is the craziest match that you have been involved in?
Extreme: Craziest Match seen may have been the Bloody Battle Royal at JCW this year (laughs). To be eliminated you had to bleed….A lot of the 90s Japan Hardcore stuff is super crazy. Nothing will ever top Mick Foley and Undertaker’s Hell in a Cell for me though as far as crazy that draws you in and never lets you forget. As far as me……stupid crazy was probably a Halloween Costume Battle Royal that RCW did early on. Randy Allen in a Goldberg mask still makes me laugh. I’ve been hit with crazy things, pumpkins (twice), basketballs. Trying to think of the craziest match. I did a match for IWA in Chillicothe probably in 2008 or 2009 where I faced “The Black Superman” Onyx in a FANS BRING WEAPONS MATCH. That one was fun. Usually with Onyx I’m getting thrown around. This time, I had weapons to use so I had fun. We fought all over the Backstage, up into the balcony. One of my favorite matches now that I think of it.
Huskie: What is the funniest thing you have seen happen in the ring?
Extreme: I had a match in IWA one time. There was a very attractive woman who we met on a previous show. This woman sends a message over to me that she is wearing something special just for me tonight. As I’m going out to the ring, I find out pretty quickly that she isn’t wearing any undergarments. I tell my opponent this. I’ll leave him nameless in all of this (laughs). I tell him and he goes to the outside and falls down next to her and he is trying to look up her dress. I’ve never fought back laughter so much in my life.
Huskie: Who are some of your favorite and least favorite people to work with?
Extreme: I’ve had some good matches and bad matches with a lot of people. Good far outweigh the bad. Some people you have an instant chemistry with while others you don’t. I wrestled Lanny Poffo in ASW back in 2010. Lanny was excellent and gave me the best compliment that I have ever received in this business which does wonders for your confidence. I’ve also had matches that I thought were hard to get through with others that make you question yourself. It’s not in my DNA to tear others down.
Huskie: Who is the toughest opponent you have faced in your career?
Extreme: Judas Thorn and Onyx are the two strongest guys I’ve been in the ring with. I might throw Chad Cruise in there too as Chad is very strong for his size. Judas and Onyx though can throw you from one side of the ring to the other and not break a sweat. Judas might be a little more sadistic than Onyx. Judas once knocked part of my back tooth off while I was working a match with him in training.
I remember we had 2 guys there to watch who were just getting ready to start their training. Judas blasts me with a forearm to the jaw in the corner and gives me a powerbomb. As I’m upside down, I see the part of my tooth hit the mat. Match ends. I pick it up and show the trainees. I see the wheels in their heads start turning and wondering if this is for them (laughs).
Extreme setting up Levi Connors for the Mic Check.
Huskie: Who is the best all-around wrestler that you have been in the ring with?
Extreme: Don’t know if I can narrow it down to one. Trik Nasty was always so well rounded in the ring. He could bring out the best in me and make me take risks that I normally wouldn’t take. Tank could always pull off being a great heel or face. I’ve wrestled Chance Prophet a couple of times and felt that chemistry that you don’t feel with too many people. Vance Desmond and I wrestled once and it was that same feeling.
Huskie: You mentioned D-Lo Brown, Al Snow, Lanny Poffo and Ivan Koloff. What other former or current WWE/WCW/TNA or ROH stars have you worked with?
Extreme: Sharkboy, Honky Tonk Man, Bushwhacker Luke, Pat Tanaka, Jillian Hall, Tracey Smothers, Ryan Howe. Plus I’ve got to do stuff in the ring with Jimmy Hart, Shockmaster (Tugboat), Jimmy Valiant, Paul Bearer, Nikita Koloff, Barry Darsow, Brad Rheingans. I’m sure I’m forgetting some. It’s late and my mind is not working (laughs).
Huskie: What is it like working with guys of that caliber? And did they give you any advice?
Extreme: It’s such a test for me personally. I put so much pressure on myself. Last thing you want to do is disappoint the guys that made you love this business. Al Snow has always given me great advice. Lanny Poffo, Paul Bearer, Jimmy Hart, Honk Tonk Man were all great at sharing knowledge.
Huskie: What is it like being on the road traveling from show to show?
Extreme: It can get a little tiring. A couple of months ago I took the cage to JCW whose show didn’t start until 1:40am in the morning which saw me getting home at 7:30am. It’s not for everyone. It seems like I’m constantly driving somewhere for wrestling or filming. But when you talk to someone like Al Snow who drives to your show from Louisville, KY, after just getting home from Florida the night before and is flying out that night to go to Nashville and then Michigan the next night, I can’t complain. It helps to have someone to travel with. I got different people for different places that keep me entertained. Nothing worse than riding with someone who just plays on their phone and won’t talk to you while you are driving. You won’t ride with me very long if you do that.
Huskie: If you could wrestle anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Extreme: WWE at Wrestlemania if I had my choice. I do think “The American Idol” would be a huge hit in Japan though.
Huskie: What are your thoughts on Indy wrestling in Ohio?
Extreme: Every time I think it’s getting better, it gets worse. Maybe it’s me growing old and grumpy. There are good promotions. Then a new one starts up around the block that says they are better. Some argue competition is good for all. I can agree with that to an extent if the competition is of good quality. But I’ve seen some come in and just make me sick because I know someone will go to one of those shows and see their first match and be turned off forever. Every promoter gets bent out of shape at one time or another over a RIVAL promotion. It’s been that way since the dawn of time and I got news for people…..it’s not just wrestling it’s everywhere…..Dance Studios, Construction Companies, Photography…..everyone feels they have their turf and a right to it. I can see it from both sides.
Dirk locked up with his opponent.
Huskie: How does the Indy scene now compare to when you started?
Extreme: I first went to training in 1994. Came back and finished in 1995. In 1995 Indy wrestling was NOT thriving. The smaller promotions at the time were ECW, Smokey Mountain, and USWA. Bobby Blaze ran a good outfit out of Ashland, KY where I was lucky enough to get some work but there wasn’t a whole lot out there. I got a few matches in Indiana for Mike Sample’s Circle City Wrestling and the occasional Bodyslammer’s GWF shows in Lima. It hadn’t hit that 90’s boom yet.
Huskie: How does the Ohio scene compare to other states that you have worked in?
Extreme: Ohio is no different. It’s the same everywhere. PA seems to have a little more ill will between promotions. I think the ECW movement inspired a lot of promotions there. Too many probably.
Huskie: In your opinion what could make the Indy scene better?
Extreme: Everyone would have to work together for it to truly be better. I think if it was almost like the Territories. Let’s say Ohio had one BIG PROMOTION that had good exposure. That one promotion then had all the other smaller promotions underneath it. The best talent from the smaller ones goes to the bigger. Bigger promotion works with the other bigger promotions that run the other states in the country and build wrestlers. Sounds familiar I know. I think where they go wrong with this in history is the bigger promotions try to take too much away from the smaller promotions. Everyone gets greedy and robs the smaller guys and gives nothing back while signing up too many smaller promotions while not handling the big promotion the way it should be done either. Then it all falls apart. If that could be fixed, the BIG PROMOTIONS could be to every state what a franchise sports team is and the smaller ones would benefit but you can’t have too many.
Huskie: Has anyone ever tried to fight you just because you are a wrestler?
Extreme: I’ve had 2 people that wanted to fight me recently (laughs). You have to know how far to push and when to pull back.
Huskie: What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome in your career?
Extreme: I was never an athletic guy. I’ve never had an athletic build. I’m more athletic at 39 than I ever have been in my life. I love doing boot camp classes and running. My conditioning is great right now but I feel like if I could have had the muscular build in my youth than I could have possibly went somewhere with that. I’ve always overcome that with mic skills. I can grab a mic and have no idea what I’m going to say but make it work and make it entertaining.
Extreme in a bull rope match with Corey Mason.
Huskie: What are the highest and lowest points in your career?
Extreme: Highest was wrestling Al Snow and probably getting to work with Roddy Piper who was my childhood idol in the Zombie vs. Wrestlers movie. Wrestling made that happen for me. It’s like knocking things off your life bucket list. Lowest was probably breaking my leg in the ring in 2010. Let’s you know time is creeping up on you. Seeing guys like Heavy Metal, Tank Runyon, Vance Desmond, Trik Nasty, all leave because of injuries. Every year, I question it all and get down on it and then I get sucked back into the sick machine that feeds your ego.
Huskie: You have been around awhile and you have had a pretty nice career. What else would you like to accomplish?
Extreme: I just want to make a difference in Indy Wrestling. I feel like I have to an extent but I can do so much more behind the scenes. Also, I would love to work for WWE in any capacity just to knock that off the list too.
Huskie: Back at Full Circle X you announced that at Full Circle XI that you would be retiring from in ring competition. But you are still in there competing. What happened in that year between those two events that made you change your mind?
Extreme: Well, I was ready to retire but Loony stole the company and forced me to wrestle and recently FIRED me. When I get control back I plan on stepping away. That time is approaching. I’m sure I’ll still be seen from time to time after that when someone hangs the carrot in front of me and tempts me to step back in but I’m hitting that 20 year mark and that’s as far as I want to push it……….I think.
Huskie: How much longer do you think you can keep getting in the ring?
Extreme: See above (laughs). I guess you never know though. You may see me pulling off my first moonsault at 50.
Huskie: All these years of training, traveling and a ton of matches. What kind of toll does all that wear and tear have on your body?
Extreme: I have some ankle problems. Knee issues that creep up. Back is always sore and I usually have whiplash.
Huskie: How do you want to be remembered?
Extreme: Respected and entertaining.
Huskie: What companies do you currently work for?
Extreme: RCW, ASW, XWE, IWA EAST COAST, REMIX PRO, & BIZARRO occasionally.
Huskie: RCW is considered one of the top companies in all of Ohio. In your opinion what makes them an elite company?
Extreme punishing Bryan Cross in a cage match.
Extreme: Longevity and respect. I don’t take crap and let things go on that shouldn’t. If there is a problem you address it. You treat people well and you make sure that everyone you have on the card had a reason to be on the card. Give people purpose and they will give you loyalty.
Huskie: Why should a promoter book you?
Extreme: Because I can make your crowd love me or want to kill me. I will shake every hand in the locker room and thank everyone from the hotdog guy to the ring crew because I’ve been in every position.
Huskie: What does it mean to be a promotions champion?
Extreme: It means they respect you and have faith in you. You should take that with some pride.
Huskie: Is there anything that you would like to say to the promoters who have given you a chance in your career?
Extreme: Bobby Blaze gave me my first show and I still see him from time to time and I can tell you he’s a great guy. Gary Damron in ASW has put faith into me on several occasions and I am very thankful for that. Adam and the guys at Remix done great things with me in the past that will live on in my memory until the day I die. Corey Mason and XWE always have a great spot for me which is very flattering. Everyone from Bull Miller to Mike Samples to Wayne at Bodyslammer’s has played a part in who I am today and I thank them all whether they remember it or not.
Huskie: Do you have any advice for those who are looking to get into the wrestling business?
Extreme: Think long and hard. If you just want to look like a big shot in front of your friends….do us a favor and stay home. If you have a low threshold for pain……stay home. If you can’t take a critique….stay home. If you can’t put on deodorant…..stay home. If your girlfriend won’t let you help with the ring….stay home. Hard work = Respect. Respect = Acceptance.
Huskie: Since we are on the topic of advice. You are one of the guys who have branded themselves and you have done that by having Dirk Extreme merchandise. How important is it to have merchandise and create a brand for yourself?
Extreme: If you want to survive in Indy Wrestling you have to market yourself. Otherwise, you are just some dude in tights. It’s like MMA. Might be a great fight but half the time I remember the fight but not the guys in it. Now if that guys brands himself (say ICEMAN Chuck Liddell) then I remember that. It’s catchy. It’s a way for extra revenue and people to buy into you.
Huskie: What is the best advice that you have received in your career?
Extreme: We brought Nikita Koloff in for a Festival Show. He was on the outside of the ring during my match. I wasn’t that happy with my match and afterwards I told him I was sorry for stinking up the ring. He told me that what I do brings joy to so many people with not only the in ring wrestling but promoting. He had a way of saying it that showed me the bigger picture that really made me feel good about it. Yeah sometimes you are going to have a match you are not happy with but you are touching a lot of people who are not even thinking about that dynamic of the match.
Other than that, the best advice was from Al Snow when he said “that’s why you pop your hips and tuck your head!” after landing on my head……..
Extreme & Ace Gigalo battling up on a hill.
Huskie: Do you have anything that you would like to say to your fans?
Extreme: Thanks to each and every person who has cared to enough to watch me. I hope I have entertained you and took your mind away for a bit.
Huskie: How can fans follow you online?
Extreme: I’m on Facebook under Dirk Cunningham. You can also follow RCW at Facebook.com/rcwonline.
Huskie: Dirk it’s been great catching up with you again but unfortunately our time has run out. I want to thank you again for joining us here at Wrestle Ohio.
Extreme: Thank you. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to get back with you. Always a pleasure!
Huskie: Alright wrestling fans be sure to get out to a show near you and watch the American Idol sing and wrestler. I promise you will be very entertained until next time you have been Hanging with Huskie.
A special thanks goes out to RixPixx and Jimmy Hunt Photography for some of the pics in this interview.