by Jason McCord & Mr. Hill
In this interview, Mr. Hill and Jason McCord take turns asking the questions about the man behind the mask in El Gaillenero. He will talk about why he got into wrestling, and will give opinions on certain SoCal indy wrestlers. He will also talk about his relationship with Revolution Pro.
Jason McCord: Thank you for taking the time for this interview Gaillenero. First off, I want to talk about how you got started in Revolution Pro?
El Gaillenero: I had been doing the backyard thing with Buddy George during the Summer of 1999, and we really got sick of the whole unorganized violence thing and it got really boring, really fast. We had been “wrestling” with this guy who happened to hook us up with his cousin, AWC, over at Rudos Entertainment (Revolution Pro) and Buddy and I decided to train with him after we had checked out the School of Hard Knocks and The Ultimate University.
McCord: What was the difference in the schools in your opinion?
Gaillenero: I didn’t personally check out The School of Hard Knocks, but Buddy did. It seemed fine to him, it was just a matter of distance. When we went to the Ultimate University, Rick Bassman was giving an orientation for everyone who was interested. I was really impressed with the place since it was the first time I had been anywhere like it. He ran down everything he had to offer and everything we had to put in, which included a large sum of money that we just didn’t have. Revolution Pro’s pricing plan seemed adequate for us and we just went from there.
McCord: Were you glad you made the choice you did?
Gaillenero: Well, I would have to say yes. I’ve been with Revolution Pro almost since it had started running shows and I am able to watch how it grows as a family AND a business rather than just a business. It’s more community friendly, I believe, and gives everyone a chance to shine.
McCord: That’s good. What was it like wrestling your first match? Who did you wrestle?
Gaillenero: It was about 5 months after I started training. We had run a show at a church in Yucaipa, and in the main event, we were to have a 10 man battle royal. We had been short a few people I guess, so I was told to be the first one eliminated. The crowd thing didn’t really get to me since I wasn’t accustomed to being nervous around audiences, so I just went in there and had some quick fun.
McCord: Who are some of your favorite opponents?
Gaillenero: I really love working with Excalibur because he’s really open minded. Rising Son is also fun as well because he has a really well thought out arsenal. Outside of Rev
Pro, I’ve wrestled people like Samoa Joe, B-Boy, and Nosawa, and those times were interesting because they had brought stuff to the ring that only they can.
Mr. Hill: What did you take from your experience in the backyards?
Gaillenero: I learned that once you go into the pros, never look back. I honestly beleive that nothing done in backyard will benefit you unless you start training. You will end up developing a lot of bad habits.
Mr. Hill: How did you come up with the gimmick of El Gaillenero?
Gaillenero: The gimmick was actual a brainchild of AWC. El Gaillenero is a song in Mexico that is played at weddings as a tradition, and it just developed into this comedy gimmick.
McCord: I notice as of late, you have dropped your comedy gimmick, no more dancing, and things of the such. Do you think you are being taken more seriously because of that?
Gaillenero: Yes, that had been the idea once we started the Spirit of the Revolution Tournament. I danced a little bit for the first two rounds, but totally dropped it when I wrestled Super Dragon. If I wanted to be taken serious in this tournament, I would have to be serious.
McCord: How did it feel to finally get to wrestle Super Dragon?
Gaillenero: I believe that that was my biggest match ever. I really thought long and hard on wanted I wanted to do in that match. I felt that if I was going to wrestle Super Dragon, then I would have to be ready for everything he has.
Mr. Hill: The infamous match with Logan X. Tell the story!
Gaillenero: There was nothing to that match really. He came in to work against me, and I went over. If he got mad at booking, then I’m sorry. It would have made no difference to me anyway that match went. I have nothing against Logan.
McCord: That was your very first win, wasn’t it?
Gaillenero: That was my first singles win, yes.
McCord: Who else do you have under your belt of victories?
Gaillenero: I beat Matt Sinister in a 3 on 1 handicapped match with Buddy George and Rising Son. I’ve also scored wins over Preston Scott, Rising Son, American Wild Child, Shogun, Mr. Excitement, and Excalibur.
Mr. Hill: Why did you want to get into wrestling?
Gaillenero: It’s always been the typical life imitating art idea. I watched it, and I liked it enough to get interested in becoming something that I watched all the time.
McCord: What opponents would you like to wrestle in the future?
Gaillenero: I really want to wrestle Pinoy Boy in singles, and definitely Jason Allgood. It’s only a matter of time.
McCord: Interesting, that brings me to another point. How do you feel about all the new comers to Revolution Pro, people such as King Faviano, Jason Allgood, and the Beautiful People?
Gaillenero: They only add to the revolution and make it a much better place with there presence. We are constantly bringing in guys to work with us. Some come back, some dont, and those who do come back really benefit us.
Mr. Hill: How did you come up with the gear?
Gaillenero: My pants are actually a pair of Halloween’s old pants he left when he worked for us. The shirt is some old thing AWC had lying around the office, but I switched
it to a sleeveless shirt because I was tired of rolling the sleeves up, and the mask is actually a Kane mask repainted with a bird on it.
Mr. Hill: I KNEW IT! What are your goals in the distant future?
Gaillenero: I plan on first having a major gimmick change and seeing where that will take me. I don’t really have my eye on WWF as a goal right now because I think that will make things harder for me, so I just want to go as far as I can while still having fun.
Mr. Hill: who are some of your wrestling heroes? Like, guys you try to take after, use the style of, etc.
Gaillenero: When I was younger, it was the Hogan’s and Macho Man’s. Then what got me into training were the RVD’s, and Shawn Michaels. Now that I have been introduced to the world of wrestling, I’m beginning to become more interested with japanese wrestlers like Tiger Mask 2, The Great Sasuke, Hayabusa, and Jushin Lyger.
Mr. Hill: Why tiger mask 2? Misawa was a wack tiger mask. Sayama is god!
Gaillenero: He is the only Tiger Mask I have ever seen work. I saw his match against Dynamite Kid in like 1985 and was blown away. I think Japan was ahead of their time by ten years when it comes to wrestling.
Mr. Hill: I’ve got some word association, Jason McCord
Gaillenero: Funny as hell referee, career was entirely too short. He could have had some great angles.
Mr. Hill: AWC
Gaillenero: He’s been all around Mexico and knows his shit when it comes to the basics. He’ll always remind you to keep things simple if you get out of place.
Mr. Hill: Mr Hill
Gaillenero: A great journalistic influence on the SoCal wrestling scene. He truely is the mouth of the south.
Mr. Hill: *cries*
McCord: Christopher Daniels
Gaillenero: I’ve only seen his work on tape, but I’m sure he deserves everything he has. I can’t wait to see him make it bigger.
Mr. Hill: The internet
Gaillenero: The internet works for and against everything and everyone. It can be your best friend or worst enemy
Mr. Hill: Rising Son
Gaillenero: Huge insane talent. Everyone needs to look past his size and take him for what he is.
Mr. Hill: Leroy
Gaillenero: Most over thing in XPW since Hot Dog vending was invented.
McCord: Any closing thoughts?
Gaillenero: Viva El Gallinero, Viva La Revolution!!!!!
