Ahead of the launch of House of Pain:Evolution this Sunday we spoke to promoter Harvey Dale – here – and also to Paul “Stixx” Grint, owner and Head Trainer of Nottingham wrestling school House of Pain.
Hi Paul, how’s things?
Never better thank you. I’m enjoying life and looking forward to the next few weeks.
Could you introduce yourself to our readers.
Of course. I’m originally from London and moved to Nottingham in 2004. I’ve been a professional wrestler for the past 12 years and I have got to the fortunate place in my life in the past four years where wrestling, performing and teaching, is now my full time job.
I live with my beautiful girlfriend Laura and, if you talk to people who know me even a little, you’ll probably find I may well be the happiest man alive. 😉
When did you first get started in wrestling and what was it that made you want to become a wrestler?
I just always watched it growing up, like most. When I catch up with people i knew from my childhood, they always say “I knew youd become a wrestler. You said you wanted to and you went out and did it. Well done.”
So I started training in London in 2001 at the Capital City wrestling school under Alex Shane and Dino Scarlo.
When i started training, as cheesy as it sounds, i felt like I’d found what i was put on this earth to do.
Who were your favourite wrestlers growing up?
I’ve got them in two categories. When I was really young, it was the classics like Legion of Doom, Ultimate Warrior and Texas Tornado.
But when getting a little older and learning more about what goes intonthe business, I really liked watching the technicians like Ted Dibiase, Curt Hennig and Bret Hart.
Can you tell us a bit about when you first started House of Pain and what made you decide to launch a wrestling school?
Firstly, I never wanted to be a teacher. Mainly because the thought had never crossed my mind. When i moved to Nottingham in 2004, I started helping at the Norton British Wrestling (NBW) school, run out of the Notts County football ground because my girlfriend at the time trained there. When the teacher left, I was offered the position.
At the time it was once a week (every Sunday), over the years, location and name changes, we now have 10 classes a week, our own full time facility which includes a gym and exercise classes.
I could not be prouder of what I’ve created.
What is it that makes House of Pain stand out from other wrestling schools?
There arent that many schools in the UK that can offer the kind of facilities and service that we offer here.
Through my years as a teacher, I’ve learned the right way to teacher people in different ways so that everyone ends up unique.
I think it’s the morale of the students and the care and pride i take in my role that makes the school stand out the most.
What do you think it is that makes a good wrestler?
The best thing about wrestling is its like the circus or a variety show. If one thing isnt to your taste, then the next thing will be. So many different sizes, styles, personalities, its impossible to pin point what makes a good one.
One thing i will say is very important though is confidence.
For anyone interested in joining the school, what can you offer them and what do they need to get the most out of it?
I run the school like it’s half wrestling school, half wrestling social club. In alot of cases, wrestling fans dont have alot of other people around for them to share their love of wrestling. When you walk into this place, you’re suddenly surrounded by like minded people who just love wrestling. I think that is a very important aspect.
Aside from that, wrestling helps with confidence, team work, balance, weight loss, co-ordination. So many things that can help with in every day life.
This Sunday sees the launch of House of Pain: Evolution, a new wrestling promotion, It must be exciting to branching out into running a promotion?
I dont actually have a hand in running the promotion. I made my choice a long time ago that if I wanted to be a promoter, I would have to give all of my time to it to do it properly and I can’t do that as the school is my number one priority. When Harvey Dale came to me and asked if he could use the name and run shows as an extension of the brand, I was all for it. It will give the students who perform on my student shows a next level to aim for.
What can people expect from the show on Sunday?
There’s some of the best wrestlers from all over the country on the show. For my money, its the best roster of any UK promotion, so it promises to be a fantastic show.
Which matches are you particularly looking forward to?
Being from my school originally, I cant wait to see Battle Squad:Awesome, Joseph Conners and Max Angelus step up and show that they deserve to be in there with the cream of the crop.
What are your hopes going forward with the promotion?
I hope it continues to thrive and grow as a company and gives the UK wrestling fans shows they can be proud of and enjoy.
Finally, why should Nottingham get down to the Britannia this Sunday?
Because its going to be a fantastic, entertaining show where they’ll see some of the best local wrestlers step up and compete against some of the best in the world.
Interview by Darren Patterson
House of Pain:Evolution takes place at the Britannia Hotel on Sunday 14 July – visit www.houseofpainevolutionwrestling.com for more
