Heading into this Sunday’s Beyond Wrestling doubleheader in Providence, RI, one of the biggest matches of the day is the team of NXT regulars Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, taking on Beyond standouts EYFBO – Angel Ortiz and Mike Draztik. Over the past year, Beyond crowds have seen EYFBO tear it up monthly as part of Team Pazuzu, and recently they had an insane TFT4 final with Da Hit Squad. This month, they get a chance to really solidify their name against two international talents, and PWP had the chance to connect and chat with EYFBO heading into their main event match this Sunday in Providence.
Tim: How did EYFBO come along? When did the two of you meet; was it within the business, or before you got into wrestling?
Ortiz: Well Draztik and I knew each other from when we were teenagers. We both separately started going to wrestling school. We randomly bump into each other about 3 years into our training and he was in need of the job at the time and I was able to help him. Being co-workers and seeing each other every day, our friendship grew, and we began to joke around about starting a tag team. We were both like “why not? Lets give it a shot!”. The rest is history.
Tim: Were you big wrestling fans growing up? Any names from your childhood that had a big influence on you becoming wrestlers, or who have had an influence on your style?
Ortiz: I didn’t really become a wrestling fan untill my early teens. My influences in wrestling and what made me want to be a wrestling fan was watching Tapes from Japan, mexico and the indies. Wrestlers like Da Hit Squad (Monsta Mack and Danny Maff), Low Ki, Homicide, Amazing Red, SAT, Brian XL, Quiet Storm, Christopher Daniels, Colt Cabana…and many more are what i base my style off of. I also really got into world of sport and the European style of wrestling.
Tim: Speaking from my experience, my first Beyond Wrestling event was in May 2015, when on a card with Samoa Joe and a War Games match, EYFBO and Da Hit Squad absolutely stole the show. You guys recently had another battle with them in November, in the Tournament ForTomorrow 4 Tag Finals, after which you shared a moment of respect in the ring. What’s the experience been like working with those two, and what have you learned from them?
Ortiz: Its a dream come true. Like i said before they were what influenced me to want to do this. They are like wrestling dads to us. The experience those two men have, and the fact that they share it with the younger guys like us is something to be treasured. Not only that but also the fact that they are wrestling us like they would 10 years ago shows how much respect they have for us. Its a blessing to step into the ring and learn from those two on what not to do and how to do business. I cant wait to pass it down to the next generation.
Tim: Last month, Team Pazuzu fell to Darius Carter’s Crusade For Change, albeit via some nefarious tactics. However, since TFT4, we’ve seen Chris Dickinson reform his alliance with Sami Callihan, and Pinkie Sanchez go rogue (or crazy) against Da Hit Squad, Low Ki and Homicide. Any concerns that Team Pazuzu may not be as focused collectively as in the past in Beyond Wrestling?
We have lost a lil’ focus, Darius and the Crusade took advantage of that. But unlike the Crusade, Pazuzu is a brotherhood. Sometimes family fight, or have different things going on. But you best believe when we need each other we will be there for one another. Crusades actions will have some heavy consequences.
Tim: Speaking of Pinkie Sanchez, he had some choice words regarding the Crusade in an interview with PWP a couple months back, saying there was no comparison between the two factions, and that Team Pazuzu would “bitch slap them back to reality”. Now that the conflict has made its way into the Beyond ring, what will it take to settle the score against CFC?
At this point its a fight. I say you let the ref take a break and we settle this street fight style. No rules!
Tim: This month, you’re in another main event spot, this time facing Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano. Any thoughts on this matchup, and is there any added pressure facing two names who have so recently been garnering worldwide exposure with NXT?
Pressure, not at all. More like excited! We have an opportunity to showcase our talent to a larger audience. To be in the ring with some of the best talent at the moment is a learning experience in it self. If anything i hope they are ready to go to the limit with the sucklings this Sunday!
Tim: A few standard general questions: Favorite match of your career? Favorite opponents?
Favorite match so far would have to be a tie between Da Hit Squad match you mention earlier or our match with LAX at Jersey all pro last year.
Favorite opponents would have to be Da hoodz, M1nute Men, Super Smash Bros and Da Hit Squad!
Tim: Any teams or opponents you haven’t competed against that you’re hoping to see in the future? Dream opponents, if you will?
At the moment it would have to be The Briscoe brothers, Young Bucks, Motor City Machine Guns, and The Wolves, just to name a few. Honestly we wanna wrestle everyone possible. I would love to look back one day and say I wrestled everyone that mattered during our run.
Tim: Favorite match or wrestling moment in general, either growing up or that you’ve seen since entering the business?
Ortiz: One of my favorite matches of all time would have to be AJ Styles and Low Ki at Zero 1. If you YouTube it you’ll find it.
Tim: Beyond Wrestling returns to Providence this Sunday at Aurora Providence. Beyond already has a deep Providence following, but for any fans who may be unfamiliar with Beyond and EYFBO, what comments do you have for them heading into Sunday?
Come Sunday ready to learn why we call ourselves Entertaining Your F***ing Balls Off!
While State Of The Art is sold out, limited tickets still remain for By Popular Demand at the link below! Join us this Sunday in Providence!
http://lookmanofans.com/store/live-event-tickets/by-popular-demand/
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