“Lovin” Nic Lovin is an interesting fella. He isn’t the biggest guy, self admittedly he isn’t the hardest worker. But what is it about him that is so interesting and intriguing? In this interview with Nick, we talk about his motivation to get into wrestling, his thoughts on the wrestling scene, the role of King on the underground, and more.
Jay Cal: At what age did you decide you wanted to be a pro-wrestler?
Nick Lovin: I believe I was 9 or 10. I was in the fifth grade I think and the whole angle with DDP and Jay Leno. I don’t know why Jay Leno would be involved with inspiring my career, but that is the first time I remember thinking “I want to be involved in this”
JC: Was your family supportive of this decision?
NL: I wouldn’t say they are against the idea, but they certainly wouldn’t be
2012 Rumble In Oceanside Winner
considered “supportive”. My mom has been to two matches in my career and she lives less than 5 miles from the SCP venue. They are often curious about what is new, but they wouldn’t go out of their way to show support, is all.
JC: How long have you been wrestling?
NL: I began wrestling training in the first week of January, 2009. I had my first match in front of an audience on October 10, 2009.
JC: What were the qualifications you looked for in a wrestling school?
NL: I did a lot of research with some internet fans over at SomethingAwful.com and got a lot of information about what to look for. There wasn’t a whole lot in the way of wrestling schools in San Diego, but I was lucky to find SCP Wrestling School had knowledgeable trainers and an actual ring. I’ve heard a million horror stories about some so-called wrestling schools without rings or much knowledge about how the business actually works, so I was weary.
JC: What was the inspiration for the character Nick Lovin?
NL: When I was first given the monicker Nick Lovin (FUN FACT: by one Johnny Yuma) I didn’t think I would use the name or gimmick for very long at all. I wasn’t a big fan of the gimmick and didn’t have many creative ideas to let the character shine. I wasn’t truly comfortable with the gimmick and didn’t have much inspiration until I became a heel. Then I had a lot more in the way of creativity and influence to draw from. I am basically ‘too big for my britches’ and am pretty sure every girl wants to kiss me.
JC: Could you beat El Diablo Jr.?
NL: The showdown from across the country. The match everyone wants to see. The west (best) coast’s Nick Lovin vs The west (best) Virginia’s Diablo Jr. You know, what he lacks in good looks, he makes up for in size and strength. Who else could go toe to toe with the unimaginable talents of Diablo Jr but myself? Whether it’s in California, or if Mountain State Wrestling has the gumption to fly out a star of my caliber, I will go the distance and perhaps eek out a win vs Diablo Jr.
JC: Who was your favorite opponent thus far?
NL: There are three opponents that instantly stick out to me for different reasons. Adam Pearce took the time to make sure I understood every nuance of the match we were to have. I was lucky enough to be able to wrestle him and he made sure I got a lesson from my experience. His dedication to timing and psychology is unmatched in my opinion and experience. B-Boy is the person who I have had my favorite match with. January of 2012 we squared off and had what I would consider my toughest match to date. Socal Crazy is the third man on my mind when you ask this question. I have had countless hours in the ring with him (I can’t count very well) and our shorthand is better than I have with a lot of other opponents. We have some decent ideas together and I look forward to working with him whenever I can.
JC: Two promotions you regularly work are SoCal Pro and the AWA Shows, how would you compare a SoCal Pro crowd vs. an AWA Crowd?
NL: A SoCal Pro audience is there to see a wrestling show. The audience is much younger than the AWA crowd, who is clearly there for the most part to drink. We get some dedicated fans who will come check out the SCP talent at the AWA show, though. I have a lot of fun at the AWA show because you can be a bit more adult, and my character thrives on vulgarities.
JC: Elaborate about your neck injury during the match with SoCal Crazy? I witnessed it live; it looked terrifying, even seeing you after the show, you looked in trouble. You bounced back quite quickly.
NL: I took a tombstone piledriver late in the main event match that night. I instantly felt the impact and felt burning radiating down my left shoulder/neck. As I was being pinned, I checked the dexterity of my fingers and toes and told the referee Everett Scott that I had spiked. Tommy Wilson assisted me to the back and I laid down and had a lot of the guys backstage asking me questions about the experience. That night, I had tickets to see The Dark Knight Rises, so the next day I went to the hospital. Took some X-rays and MRI’s and they said I was lucky enough to have only a sprain in my neck and that perhaps I should “find something else to do as a hobby”. Three months later I was back in the ring and I really haven’t let the experience intimidate me in matches since.
JC: How did you become King of the Underground, elaborate on your experience with Jeff Katz and how did the project come to involve you?
NL: I received a tweet from Sparky Ballard asking if I would be available on certain dates. After much correspondence, I learned more about what the project was. I was told I got the part because they watched my promo on Youtube on Nick Madrid. Jeff Katz was very knowledgeable about what he wanted to do for this project and I had a great time learning my craft in this new medium. I grew a lot more comfortable talking in front of not just one, but three cameras and a lighting unit at once. I one day hope to again be able to have an experience on par with that project, as it was a ton of fun.
JC: Portraying King, has it been positive or negative for your career? Was the pay good?
NL: I wouldn’t necessarily say playing the role of King in and of itself has affected my career. I would rather say the experience I got from the opportunity greatly increased some aspects of what I can bring to my time enjoying this business. I got more positive critique and feedback about my speaking in those days of shooting than I have previous. I considered the pay an added bonus to a seldom seen opportunity.
JC: When you’re out on the Street what do you get recognized more as, Nick Lovin, King, or the guy who got slammed by Eric Watts in Hollywood?
NL: I tend to recognize the fan before the fan recognizes me. If I am noticed on the street, chances are it is because I was an insufferable asshole throughout high school.
JC: What’s the deal with the Trash Cast?
NL: Since I started listening to “LoveLine” in fifth grade, I’ve had an affinity for talk radio. I’ve since started listening primarily to shows like ‘The Ron & Fez Show’ and ‘The Opie & Anthony Show’. I heard Eddie Randle was looking to start a podcast. Then I noticed him and Ryan Kidd were putting on these two hour long (at the time live) shows and learning how to do it as they went along. It must have been when Eddie Randle happened to ask a technical question about his equipment, or I just am a fame-whore and will spill my guts anywhere (like here!) and begged him for a spot. When I first heard about the project, I thought it would be short lived. However, Randle and Kidd have gotten consistently better at putting on a show over the thirty episodes so far. Be sure to check out what is new at www.thetrashcast.com .
JC: What are your goals for 2013?
NL: I’ve always disliked long-term goals. I guess I have an addict’s mentality of going day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Some of my short term goals right in front of my face are go to the gym tonight, eat a filling nutritious meal; small manageable things I know are leading me toward my most ideal image/lifestyle. Just to earnestly answer the question…lets say…in 2013 I would like to wrestle out-of-state and get a broader perspective of what’s going on around the country in wrestling.
JC: What are your thoughts on Wrestling in Southern California today versus 5 years ago?
NL:I think there are a lot more opportunities for hard working individuals. I’m not a hard working individual, so I wouldn’t know.
JC: Thanks for your time for this interview, any parting words for SoCal fans?
NL: You hear it time and time again, without you guys we wouldn’t get to do what we do. Thank you for your continued support.