Post by Celgress on Jan 6, 2012 18:48:51 GMT -5
TNA rising with Abyss
By Scott Fishman
Miami Herald Writer
The monster Abyss is more than just a purveyor of carnage.
Behind the tattered clothes and mask is Chris Parks, a well-spoken Total Nonstop Action wrestler who has grown with the company for nearly a decade.
The veteran fielded questions during a media conference call leading to the TNA Genesis pay-per-view 8 p.m. [EST] Sunday, Jan. 8 at Universal Studios Orlando.
“The character has been around for 10 years since the beginning of TNA, so it has gone through a lot of phases,” Parks said. “I’ve been really proud to see the character grow like it has. In 2012, I’d like to see the continuance of the character maturing, different aspects of the character coming out that perhaps we’ve never seen. Just to see the character mature would be the goal for 2012.”
Through the years, the near 7-footer has worked with some of the top names in the business. He hopes to revisit a rivalry with one of them in the near future.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with a lot of people, but I would say one that jumps out in my head is to be with Jeff Hardy again,” Parks said. “I thought we had some fantastic matches, when he was with us back in 2005. I’d like to rekindle that a little bit. There is so much great talent and up-and-comers like Gunner and Crimson, as for the younger guys who I would like to work with and have programs with.”
Parks has seen Hardy turn his life around, making the most of an opportunity to prove the naysayers wrong.
“I think Jeff Hardy getting a second chance in TNA and the wrestling business is a great thing,” Parks said. “People make mistakes, and Jeff made a big mistake. I feel in my heart, since I have been around him the past few months that he is a different person, and he has changed in a lot of ways he does things. I feel in life, not just in wrestling, that people deserve a second chance as long as they work hard for that second chance.
“I think he has done that, heads and tails. I’m very proud of him. I’ve known him since 2005 when he started with TNA, and I appreciate everything he has done for the wrestling business. I feel he has overcome a lot of hurdles. As far as him getting a title shot on Sunday [against Bobby Roode], I think I’m not the only one rooting for him. There are a lot of people rooting for him. I think he is a great comeback story for the wrestling business.
With an influx of new talent coming into TNA each week, Parks has to keep his character interesting. In doing this, the big man has turned to some of the industry’s great minds.
“I have over the years taken a lot of inspiration from Mick Foley and some other folks in the business,” Parks said. “As far as people I look up to, having Hulk [Hogan] there, who I’ve learned a lot from in the past couple of years. Not so much the wrestling part of it, but the mind part of it is where he is someone I have gone to, as well as Eric [Bischoff]. It’s a good support system there. I’ve gone to Vince [Russo]. Vince has given me a lot of good insight to different things to keep the character fresh.”
Whether its barbed wire matches or falls count anywhere, the TNA mainstay has been in his share of violent battles. His latest will be against Bully Ray at Genesis in his specialty, the Monster’s Ball. These collisions haven’t been short on risks, which Parks says he is still willing to take
“I’m really proud of what the character has accomplished over the last decade, and a staple of the character has been hardcore wrestling,” Parks said. “I really am proud that I can wrestle with the best of them, but do hardcore with the best of them. This Monster’s Ball at Genesis against Bully Ray I think is a match I know as a fan I would want to see. Bully Ray has a reputation of being a really tough guy and a guy who can match up with anybody.
“Over the years I have too. As far as the risks, you can’t go into a match like that worrying about the risks. I’ve always said that it’s not if you’re going to get hurt, but how bad you are going to get hurt. It’s a match that involves risks.
“The Monster’s Ball has been a staple of that. I think in the wrestling industry it is seen as the premiere match of hardcore wrestling. So you can’t go into it with that attitude. You have to go into it with both feet in, 150 percent. I know Bully and I are going to do that on Sunday. It should be a fantastic matchup between two tough guys.”
The new research regarding concussions and head injuries in physical activities such as pro wrestling have changed the way athletes approach their respective games. Abyss is no different.
“It’s an issue that is at the forefront right now,” Parks said. “That issue wasn’t an issue five years ago when I did Monster’s Ball with Sabu or Rhino or Raven. Those issues weren’t at the forefront, so you didn’t worry as much from a perception standpoint — where people are almost insulted by a chair shot to the head now when they see it.
“On the other hand, when you do a Monster’s Ball, either you’re in or out. In a Monster’s Ball, you have to be all in. As far as the issue, it no doubt influences the way you put things together. You have to be smart and do creative, impactful things to avoid those risks. You can definitely do that. It has changed the way hardcore wrestling has evolved. It has changed the way the hardcore wrestlers put matches together because of that issue.”
Parks is proud of his body of work, paved with blood and sacrifice. He is also appreciative of how Abyss has been able to mature to more than a one-dimensional wave of destruction.
“The character went from a non-talking character to a character who [talks] for himself,” Parks said. “Now you see the splitting from Immortal, and I think I need to be the wrestler who thinks for himself. Throughout my career I’ve always been influenced, all the way back to Goldy Locks in Nashville to Jim Mitchell to Dr. Stevie and so forth, now with Immortal. Being with those guys and working with Hulk, Bully Ray, [Scott] Steiner, guys who have been very successful in this business for a very long time.
“Those guys, they know how to draw out the character. Bully Ray knows how to pull stuff out of people...That’s when you are in there with someone really good when they can pull it out of you sometimes when, perhaps, you don’t have it. It has been an honor to work with them all. I’ve learned a lot from them, as well as had some very competitive matches with them.”
TNA has also evolved, expanding its reach to Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and now India. Abyss was part of the first set of tapings of Ring Ka King, the company’s new India based promotion.
“I was privileged to be part of the beginning of it,” Parks said. “We were there from December 16-23. We basically did three months of television in four days. The atmosphere was incredible. That’s the one word I can use to describe it. It was absolutely incredible. TNA is really on to something big there. The shows had 3,000 people there every day, and they were the most in to it fans.
“Without insulting anyone, they were non-smart. They believed in everything that we were doing. Endemol, which is a partner on this with TNA, has really put their best foot forward. The set looks fantastic. I really think TNA is on to something really big over there. It’s going to be huge with the population over there. The support of Edemol and how the whole thing has been laid out by Jeff Jarrett, I just think it’s going to be a big success all the way around for everybody.”
Parks, who has a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University and a marketing background, also contributed in a non-wrestling capacity in India.
“I’ve always said, since the day I got into the business, that someday when it’s over, I would like to be behind the scenes and continue on my career, whether it’s an agent, producing, writing and so forth,” Parks said. “I had the opportunity and privilege on this Ring Ka King Tour of India to really further that. Not only with wrestling, but as an agent on something, producing some things. It was a great learning experience for me all the way around. In my mind, when I am done with wresting at five, six, seven years, whatever it is, I would definitely like to continue on in that capacity.”
The TNA Wrestling star is looking forward to the company’s continual growth.
“The support from Spike TV and social networking, there are a lot of things that are going to help us grow in 2012,” Parks said. “I think the commitment the company has shown with our public relations department and our marketing department with Mike Weber, we are getting the word out. That is the biggest thing is getting the word out on what we do Thursday nights on Spike. With the pay-per-view growth, I think it has to be a full commitment, and I think it has been. It’s going to take everybody from the top to the bottom to get this thing to where we want it to be.”
The one thing that won’t be growing is Abyss’ four front teeth Rob Van Dam knocked out during a match last year.
“I think in a weird way it’s an upgrade, getting your teeth knocked out,” Parks said. “It does add a little bit to the look. I was proud of that moment. It was an unfortunate thing that happened. It was an accident, obviously, but getting them knocked out, it would take a canon to keep me down. I’m going to get back up and I did, I finished [the match]. I think it adds to the look.”
• Abyss battles Bully Ray in a Monster’s Ball match at the TNA Genesis PPV at 8 p.m. [EST] Sunday, Jan. 8 at Universal Studios Orlando.
Also, Bobby Roode defends the TNA title against Jeff Hardy. Mickie James challenges TNA Knockout champ Gail Kim.
For the TNA tag team titles, champions Matt Morgan and Crimson defend against Samoa Joe and Magnus.
James Storm and Kurt Angle will be in singles action, and Rob Van Dam will battle Gunner.
The Pope D'Angelo Dinero squares off against Devon. Austin Aries takes on Kid Kash, Jesse Sorensen and Zema Ion for X Division championship.
• TNA’s IMPACT Wrestling airs 9 p.m. [EST] Thursdays on Spike TV.
• Follow Abyss on Twitter @therealabyss.
• Follow me on Twitter @smfishman, (http://twitter.com/#!/smFISHMAN), where I post links and information. Opinions expressed reflect no other entity. I can also be found tweeting incessantly during wrestling shows weekly.
Source:
www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/06/2576158_p3/tna-rising-with-abyss.html
By Scott Fishman
Miami Herald Writer
The monster Abyss is more than just a purveyor of carnage.
Behind the tattered clothes and mask is Chris Parks, a well-spoken Total Nonstop Action wrestler who has grown with the company for nearly a decade.
The veteran fielded questions during a media conference call leading to the TNA Genesis pay-per-view 8 p.m. [EST] Sunday, Jan. 8 at Universal Studios Orlando.
“The character has been around for 10 years since the beginning of TNA, so it has gone through a lot of phases,” Parks said. “I’ve been really proud to see the character grow like it has. In 2012, I’d like to see the continuance of the character maturing, different aspects of the character coming out that perhaps we’ve never seen. Just to see the character mature would be the goal for 2012.”
Through the years, the near 7-footer has worked with some of the top names in the business. He hopes to revisit a rivalry with one of them in the near future.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with a lot of people, but I would say one that jumps out in my head is to be with Jeff Hardy again,” Parks said. “I thought we had some fantastic matches, when he was with us back in 2005. I’d like to rekindle that a little bit. There is so much great talent and up-and-comers like Gunner and Crimson, as for the younger guys who I would like to work with and have programs with.”
Parks has seen Hardy turn his life around, making the most of an opportunity to prove the naysayers wrong.
“I think Jeff Hardy getting a second chance in TNA and the wrestling business is a great thing,” Parks said. “People make mistakes, and Jeff made a big mistake. I feel in my heart, since I have been around him the past few months that he is a different person, and he has changed in a lot of ways he does things. I feel in life, not just in wrestling, that people deserve a second chance as long as they work hard for that second chance.
“I think he has done that, heads and tails. I’m very proud of him. I’ve known him since 2005 when he started with TNA, and I appreciate everything he has done for the wrestling business. I feel he has overcome a lot of hurdles. As far as him getting a title shot on Sunday [against Bobby Roode], I think I’m not the only one rooting for him. There are a lot of people rooting for him. I think he is a great comeback story for the wrestling business.
With an influx of new talent coming into TNA each week, Parks has to keep his character interesting. In doing this, the big man has turned to some of the industry’s great minds.
“I have over the years taken a lot of inspiration from Mick Foley and some other folks in the business,” Parks said. “As far as people I look up to, having Hulk [Hogan] there, who I’ve learned a lot from in the past couple of years. Not so much the wrestling part of it, but the mind part of it is where he is someone I have gone to, as well as Eric [Bischoff]. It’s a good support system there. I’ve gone to Vince [Russo]. Vince has given me a lot of good insight to different things to keep the character fresh.”
Whether its barbed wire matches or falls count anywhere, the TNA mainstay has been in his share of violent battles. His latest will be against Bully Ray at Genesis in his specialty, the Monster’s Ball. These collisions haven’t been short on risks, which Parks says he is still willing to take
“I’m really proud of what the character has accomplished over the last decade, and a staple of the character has been hardcore wrestling,” Parks said. “I really am proud that I can wrestle with the best of them, but do hardcore with the best of them. This Monster’s Ball at Genesis against Bully Ray I think is a match I know as a fan I would want to see. Bully Ray has a reputation of being a really tough guy and a guy who can match up with anybody.
“Over the years I have too. As far as the risks, you can’t go into a match like that worrying about the risks. I’ve always said that it’s not if you’re going to get hurt, but how bad you are going to get hurt. It’s a match that involves risks.
“The Monster’s Ball has been a staple of that. I think in the wrestling industry it is seen as the premiere match of hardcore wrestling. So you can’t go into it with that attitude. You have to go into it with both feet in, 150 percent. I know Bully and I are going to do that on Sunday. It should be a fantastic matchup between two tough guys.”
The new research regarding concussions and head injuries in physical activities such as pro wrestling have changed the way athletes approach their respective games. Abyss is no different.
“It’s an issue that is at the forefront right now,” Parks said. “That issue wasn’t an issue five years ago when I did Monster’s Ball with Sabu or Rhino or Raven. Those issues weren’t at the forefront, so you didn’t worry as much from a perception standpoint — where people are almost insulted by a chair shot to the head now when they see it.
“On the other hand, when you do a Monster’s Ball, either you’re in or out. In a Monster’s Ball, you have to be all in. As far as the issue, it no doubt influences the way you put things together. You have to be smart and do creative, impactful things to avoid those risks. You can definitely do that. It has changed the way hardcore wrestling has evolved. It has changed the way the hardcore wrestlers put matches together because of that issue.”
Parks is proud of his body of work, paved with blood and sacrifice. He is also appreciative of how Abyss has been able to mature to more than a one-dimensional wave of destruction.
“The character went from a non-talking character to a character who [talks] for himself,” Parks said. “Now you see the splitting from Immortal, and I think I need to be the wrestler who thinks for himself. Throughout my career I’ve always been influenced, all the way back to Goldy Locks in Nashville to Jim Mitchell to Dr. Stevie and so forth, now with Immortal. Being with those guys and working with Hulk, Bully Ray, [Scott] Steiner, guys who have been very successful in this business for a very long time.
“Those guys, they know how to draw out the character. Bully Ray knows how to pull stuff out of people...That’s when you are in there with someone really good when they can pull it out of you sometimes when, perhaps, you don’t have it. It has been an honor to work with them all. I’ve learned a lot from them, as well as had some very competitive matches with them.”
TNA has also evolved, expanding its reach to Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and now India. Abyss was part of the first set of tapings of Ring Ka King, the company’s new India based promotion.
“I was privileged to be part of the beginning of it,” Parks said. “We were there from December 16-23. We basically did three months of television in four days. The atmosphere was incredible. That’s the one word I can use to describe it. It was absolutely incredible. TNA is really on to something big there. The shows had 3,000 people there every day, and they were the most in to it fans.
“Without insulting anyone, they were non-smart. They believed in everything that we were doing. Endemol, which is a partner on this with TNA, has really put their best foot forward. The set looks fantastic. I really think TNA is on to something really big over there. It’s going to be huge with the population over there. The support of Edemol and how the whole thing has been laid out by Jeff Jarrett, I just think it’s going to be a big success all the way around for everybody.”
Parks, who has a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University and a marketing background, also contributed in a non-wrestling capacity in India.
“I’ve always said, since the day I got into the business, that someday when it’s over, I would like to be behind the scenes and continue on my career, whether it’s an agent, producing, writing and so forth,” Parks said. “I had the opportunity and privilege on this Ring Ka King Tour of India to really further that. Not only with wrestling, but as an agent on something, producing some things. It was a great learning experience for me all the way around. In my mind, when I am done with wresting at five, six, seven years, whatever it is, I would definitely like to continue on in that capacity.”
The TNA Wrestling star is looking forward to the company’s continual growth.
“The support from Spike TV and social networking, there are a lot of things that are going to help us grow in 2012,” Parks said. “I think the commitment the company has shown with our public relations department and our marketing department with Mike Weber, we are getting the word out. That is the biggest thing is getting the word out on what we do Thursday nights on Spike. With the pay-per-view growth, I think it has to be a full commitment, and I think it has been. It’s going to take everybody from the top to the bottom to get this thing to where we want it to be.”
The one thing that won’t be growing is Abyss’ four front teeth Rob Van Dam knocked out during a match last year.
“I think in a weird way it’s an upgrade, getting your teeth knocked out,” Parks said. “It does add a little bit to the look. I was proud of that moment. It was an unfortunate thing that happened. It was an accident, obviously, but getting them knocked out, it would take a canon to keep me down. I’m going to get back up and I did, I finished [the match]. I think it adds to the look.”
• Abyss battles Bully Ray in a Monster’s Ball match at the TNA Genesis PPV at 8 p.m. [EST] Sunday, Jan. 8 at Universal Studios Orlando.
Also, Bobby Roode defends the TNA title against Jeff Hardy. Mickie James challenges TNA Knockout champ Gail Kim.
For the TNA tag team titles, champions Matt Morgan and Crimson defend against Samoa Joe and Magnus.
James Storm and Kurt Angle will be in singles action, and Rob Van Dam will battle Gunner.
The Pope D'Angelo Dinero squares off against Devon. Austin Aries takes on Kid Kash, Jesse Sorensen and Zema Ion for X Division championship.
• TNA’s IMPACT Wrestling airs 9 p.m. [EST] Thursdays on Spike TV.
• Follow Abyss on Twitter @therealabyss.
• Follow me on Twitter @smfishman, (http://twitter.com/#!/smFISHMAN), where I post links and information. Opinions expressed reflect no other entity. I can also be found tweeting incessantly during wrestling shows weekly.
Source:
www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/06/2576158_p3/tna-rising-with-abyss.html
