by Daniel Johnson
Photo Courtesy of Alex Avgerinos
Interviewer’s Note: Alex Avgerinos is only 19 and is already a five year veteran of the professional wrestling industry. Avgerinos debuted in 2008 for High Velocity Wrestling (HVW) in North Carolina and since then has only continued to hone his craft. Since that time Avgerinos has worked for promotions across several states. Arguably the most notable promotion Avgerinos has worked for has been NWA Smoky Mountain where he got the chance to appear on NWA Smoky Mountain TV and wrestle Johnny Knieval for the NWA Southern Television Championship. Avgerinos has an official website, YouTube channel, Facebook and Twitter. This interview was completed on November 26, 2013. In this interview Avgerinos and I focus on his work for NWA Smoky Mountain.
Daniel Johnson: In a nutshell how would you describe yourself as a performer?
Alex Avgerinos: I have a lot to offer. Simple and possibly unsatisfying answer, but I’ve never truly gotten a chance to showcase my abilities to the fullest. A lot of people are stuck in this situation so I think that can be relatable.
Daniel Johnson: Where and when were you born and how long have you been wrestling?
Alex Avgerinos: Belleville New Jersey, September 6, 1994. Since I was 14. So five years.
Daniel Johnson: When did you first know you wanted to become a wrestler and who were some performers that first interested you? Also, did any of these performers later influence you as an in-ring performer?
Alex Avgerinos: Wow, since forever haha. Since I was five it’s been in my life. It was more of a chance type thing where I passed by a wrestling school and called the number to get info and then boom here we are. The Hardy Boyz, The Rock, Kane, HHH, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, John Cena were the ones I use to imitate. Of course except I don’t steal moves from them now haha.
Daniel Johnson: Where did you get trained as a wrestler and what did a day of training look like? Looking back on it was this the best way for you to get trained?
Alex Avgerinos: HVW House of Pain in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Bumps and trying out new moves. The very basics. Definitely not, Made for a bumpy road (pun intended) as far as being able to work with other wrestlers early on with me having lack of psychology teaching.
Daniel Johnson: You started training to be a wrestler when you were just 14. I’m curious, how difficult was it to balance wrestling, school and your personal life at such a young age?
Alex Avgerinos: Well all I thought about was wrestling. I just made everything about it. It didn’t get difficult until senior year when I had to juggle a job and worry about if I was going to graduate.
Daniel Johnson: What advice would you give to any prospective wrestlers interested in training at such a young age?
Alex Avgerinos: It has it’s pros and cons. When it comes down to it you need a reputable trainer. Don’t let anybody con you and tell you they can make you a pro wrestler.
Daniel Johnson: What was the first match you ever had in front of an audience and what memories do you have from it? What promotion was it for? Also, was the match you first wrestled in your first home promotion?
Alex Avgerinos: I wrestled my trainer. He had a alternate lucha gimmick. It’s crazy to think about it now haha. Everything went by so fast. It felt really good to go out there and do it for real. Yes, it was at my first home promotion.
Daniel Johnson: I first became aware of you through your matches at NWA Smoky Mountain. How did you first get involved with this promotion?
Alex Avgerinos: Right, well it was basically a connection of mine telling the booker to check me out.
Daniel Johnson: I don’t believe there is any actual connection aside from NWA Smoky Mountain running some of the same areas as the old Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) promotion, but I was curious if you had ever watched any of the old SMW promotion before wrestling for NWA Smoky Mountain? If so what are some memories from that promotion that stick out for you?
Alex Avgerinos: Jim Cornette. The Gangstas. I’ve seen some. Not too familiar with the product, but I understand the importance of what it was around my area during that time.
Daniel Johnson: You have had the chance to wrestle on NWA Smoky Mountain TV on multiple occasions. What are your thoughts of the show and what was the experience like of being on that kind of program?
Alex Avgerinos: It’s run very professionally. It’s a notch above a majority of the indie promotions around. I enjoyed working for them.
Daniel Johnson: Despite not working for NWA Smoky Mountain all that much you have already wrestled Johnny Knieval for the NWA Southern Television Championship. What are your memories of this match?
Alex Avgerinos: That I didn’t win.
Daniel Johnson: Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the last match you have had for NWA Smoky Mountain to date was the opener of the NWA Smoky Mountain House Party 2013. In that match you wrestled Jeff Connelly in a contenders ring match. What was the experience like of being the opener for a fairly major card?
Alex Avgerinos: Being the opener is always great. Fans would think opposite, but it’s actually the next best thing from the main event in my opinion. The crowd was great.
Daniel Johnson: As mentioned you wrestled in a contenders ring match. For fans who are unaware of what that is, how would you explain it?
Alex Avgerinos: Basically a way to get a shot at a title. I’m not going to lie I don’t know how it works exactly haha.
Daniel Johnson: Do you have any plans to wrestle for NWA Smoky Mountain in the near future?
Alex Avgerinos: As of now there isn’t any plans, but I would be down for it.
Daniel Johnson: Are there any NWA Smoky Mountain wrestlers that you have yet to work with that you would like to? If so then who?
Alex Avgerinos: Sure. Jason Kincaid, the champ of course.
Daniel Johnson: What is your single best memory from working for NWA Smoky Mountain?
Alex Avgerinos: The crowd at HP ’13.
Daniel Johnson: For readers who have yet to check out NWA Smoky Mountain what would you like to say to them that might influence them to give the company a chance?
Alex Avgerinos: If I wrestled for them then it must be good. Just kidding or am I? Haha it’s a great promotion. One of the few I check out regularly.
Daniel Johnson: I also wanted to ask some more questions about your general wrestling career. Do you consider any of the promotions you currently work for your home promotion? If so then what keeps to you going back to the promotion?
Alex Avgerinos: Well as of now Anarchy Wrestling (AW) in Cornelia, Georgia is starting to become that for me. It’s run similar to NWA Smoky Mountain. Professional.
Daniel Johnson: What do you consider your best match to date and what makes that match stand out?
Alex Avgerinos: As of now probably me versus Colt Cabana. I know I’ve had better which is contradicting the question, but the thing about that match that stands out above others is anyone I show it to they tell me they love it.
Daniel Johnson: What are some short term goals you have for the next year?
Alex Avgerinos: As far as wrestling, just diving back into it and really getting that part of my life rolling in the right direction. As far as short term. Overseas would be awesome. I’ve been in talks, but nothing official.
Daniel Johnson: I’ve had a chance to look at your website and saw that you recently had a new logo designed. How important do you think it is for a wrestler to have a logo in order to brand themselves?
Alex Avgerinos: Thanks, maybe not a logo. Logos are powerful though. I believe you need something that someone can go, “Oh, red and yellow, that’s Hulk Hogan,” or when you see the golden arches you know what that is without the name McDonald’s under it. It’s simple business, you need brand recognition.
Daniel Johnson: Speaking of your website, I also saw you had a link to an eBay auction you had for some of your used trunks, which sold for $122.50 after 11 bids. Were you surprised by how many bids there were and were you concerned at all some weirdo might buy them?
Alex Avgerinos: Haha no I pretend Scarlett Johansson bought them. A fan is a fan. I’m a weirdo so I’m actually totally comfortable with someone like me buying them.
Daniel Johnson: This is a random question I always like to try to ask some variation of. Young wrestlers often have ribs pulled on them. Have you ever had a rib pulled on you? If not do you have any other road stories you would be able to share?
Alex Avgerinos: Before I had wrestling boots I wore amateur wrestling shoes with kick pads, which is pretty rare on the indie scene. Anyways someone duck taped my shoes together and wrapped them all up in the tape. That’s it haha.
Daniel Johnson: I also like to ask five non-wrestling related questions just to bring a little uniqueness to the interview. Outside of wrestling, what television shows do you enjoy watching these days?
Alex Avgerinos: I stick with my regular programming of wrestling and animation (The Simpsons and Family Guy). Otherwise Workaholics and Key and Peele are some of my other favorites.
Daniel Johnson: What was your favorite movie that came out this year?
Alex Avgerinos: Hmm probably Prisoners. Although there is Anchorman 2, Out of the Furnace and American Hustle that come out in December that might take the cake for my movie of the year.
Daniel Johnson: What is your favorite food that you tried for the first time this year?
Alex Avgerinos: I’m not sure if I tried Chipotle last year or this year. Either way I could live off of Chipotle.
Daniel Johnson: What is your favorite song to come out this year?
Alex Avgerinos: Super tough question to ask me. I’ll say I really like Theophilus London’s song “Rio.”
Daniel Johnson: What is the last book you read and would you recommend it?
Alex Avgerinos: Actors Anonymous [by James Franco]. Of course.
Daniel Johnson: I had just a few more wrestling questions I wanted to ask. What do you think is the weirdest part of being a pro wrestler?
Alex Avgerinos: I think the ring attire we wear is the weirdest thing haha.
Daniel Johnson: Aside from yourself who is one wrestler 25 or younger that you think readers should know about?
Alex Avgerinos: Hmm. I wouldn’t know if they fit the age criteria, but I think people that take the time to read this far in a interview about me should check out Steven Walters or Adam Page. Good guys and wrestlers.
Daniel Johnson: Is there anything you would like to add?
Alex Avgerinos: Thanks for reaching out to me for an interview. Uh as far as people wanting to show their love to me via internet like me on the face place and follow me on the tweeter. Peace.
Check out Alex Avgerinos in action! The final minutes of Avgerinos’ match with Johnny Knieval for the NWA Southern Television Championship can be found here. Below Avgerinos takes on top independent star Colt Cabana in a singles match for the GOUGE promotion:
Categories: Wrestling Interviews
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