Thank you to everyone who checked out last weeks interview with Nate stone. We’re back with Episode 8 of Class Wars (above) and another interview with one of the competitors in this weeks match, Dale Patricks. Dale's path to professional wrestling is an interesting one and it was a pleasure to talk to him.
KF: How did you first become a fan of professional wrestling?
DP: I first became a fan of pro wrestling when I was about 6 years old, watching old VHS tapes of The Undertaker, The Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, etc. I really wanted to be a wrestler after my dad passed away, the reason being is because my dad wasn't really big on wanting me to become one because he wanted me to have a college degree and a good paying job; totally understandable coming from the parents' point of view. This made me want to wrestle that much more and strive for it whether he liked it or not. That may come off bad on my part, but it's how I felt at the time. My father always was behind me 120% on anything I wanted to do, which in turn gave me inspiration in myself. So after he passed away I felt that it was either now or never.
KF: When did you start training at the School of Roc, and why did you decide to train there?
DP: After waiting a year to let the emotions of my father passing go away and the abuse I put on my body during that time, I was at a show with my best friend Tripp Cassidy and I was telling him my life story, which he didn't care to much to hear about. I mentioned that I really wanted to wrestle and he stopped me before I could finish my sentence and said “well Billy Roc is starting a new class here soon.” He gave me Billy's contact info and told me to watch Billy Roc's great matches with Mike Quackenbush, Jon Moxley, and others. Tripp said that Billy is the person to train with if you really want to be a pro wrestler. So in January in 2011 I Facebooked billy and asked him questions about the school and told him I was very interested in the school. Not a month later I was on my way to become what I set out doing when I was a kid.
KF: Although you have had the opportunity to shine in the ring, the focus of Class Wars has not been on you the past few weeks. What should we, the viewers, know about Dale Patricks that we have not had the chance to see?
DP: What the viewers watching should know about me is I went through tragedy and heartbreak. To prove to myself that I had what it takes to make it in this beautiful sport that is professional wrestling, I got into this sport for two things: make money and travel the world. What the viewers are going to see is a fresh young kid fresh out of the School Of Roc trying to make a name for himself but still learning what's right and wrong in pro wrestling.
KF: A lot of people seem to have a nickname of sorts in the SOR. Yours is “The Phoenix.” How did you get this nickname? Was it something you were given, or one you gave yourself?
DP: My nickname I was given in my dreams by my father. That might sound really out there, but once you feel like somebody you care so much about is in a better place you get some form of dream to let you know that they're OK and to stop worrying about them and move on with your life. Around the time The School of Roc was starting is when I stopped abusing my body and totally transformed everything about me: body shape, personality, the way I was going about day to day life changed, and that's when the dream happened. In the dream, my Dad made the dream seem like this transformation I went through resembled a certain Mythical Bird that would set itself aflame and out of it's ashes would rebirth a new Phoenix, kinda like a second chance at life and new beginnings.
KF: Your singles debut match was at the School of Roc winter showcase against Shawn Cook, one of Billy Roc’s rivals. You unfortunately did not pick up the win, but one could argue it was because Cook held your tights at the end when going for a pin. What did this match teach you, and are you looking for a match against Cook again?
DP: The match I had with Shawn Cook taught me three things. 1. Don't ever underestimate one of Billy Roc's legendary rivalries with a guy who cost Billy matches by doing similar cheap tactics to gain a victory. 2. I was fresh out the School and everything was centered around me winning, but I made mistakes and underestimated a cheater. That is what cost me the match. 3. I have learned from my mistakes and I think maybe just maybe it's time for a second chance at one Shawn Cook to get a little revenge for what he did back in December. So the answer is yes. I will definitely be looking for another match with him somewhere down the line.
KF: Luis Rojas, your opponent this week, got to choose between three five-minute rounds or one ten-minute time limit round due to winning a coin flip. He chose the three five-minute rounds option. Would you have done the same?
DP: Honestly it wouldn't have mattered to me what either one of us chose because I knew deep inside O was going to give it my all in what ever the stipulation was.
KF: Before the match got underway, we were informed that you were dedicating your performance in the School of Roc Cup tournament to your late father. How much did your father play a role in your development as a professional wrestler?
DP: My father played a big role in my development as a pro wrestler, He told me at one point in my life; “Don't ever give up on what you set out to do, give it your all even if it's that darn wrestling you want to do!” Haha, so yeah he was a big part in my development.
KF: Luis Rojas went over the line by mocking your late father. At the same time however, this mockery gave you the anger and adrenaline to come back and win the match. Do you think without that additional incentive you would have been able to overcome the severe amount of damage Rojas had done to your leg in the first round?
DP: This is one of those questions where I just can't answer because I honestly don't remember anything that happened after what he said about my father. The only thing I remember is after the match Luis is on the mat passed out from whatever I did to him and I was bent over having Billy telling me “everything's OK” and that I had won. Other than that, I couldn't tell you, sorry.
KF: You’re actually the first person I have interviewed from the show to have actually made it past the first round. You will either face Big Sue Jackson or Logan Williams in the second round (based on whomever wins on Episode 9). You and Sue were the last two men in the Schoo of Roc Summit match on Episode 5. Would you rather get a chance to face him to gain some revenge and get your victory back, or take on Williams?
DP: I would rather take on Williams because when we were training back in 2011 he established this arm bar that was making people tap left and right. I think the viewers would like to see me and Logan one-on-one, But, if it's Sue Jackson, then…….no comment.
KF: What goals do you have in professional wrestling overall?
DP: My goal in wrestling are simple: I want to travel the world going to different promotions making some money. The one thing I want to do before heading to either TNA or WWE is wrestle in Italy and gain a wonderful wrestling experience to tell my kids about when they are older.
KF: Dale, I want to thank you for granting me this interview. Before I let you go, please feel free to plug anything and everything you wish.
DP: If any of the viewers are looking to become a pro wrestler and are serious about it, contact Billy Roc either through Facebook or through email at billyroc@live.com. Go to my fan page on Facebook which is “The Phoenix” Dale Patricks and hit the like button. You can follow me on Twitter @DalePatricks. One last thing I would like to say is that I wouldn't where I'm at today if it wasn't for my wonderful fiance, the greatest friends in the world, and my late Father. Thank you for this interview.
I want to think Dale once again for joining us this week. I hope you learned more about him and will give him a follow on his pages. If you haven't watched the School of Roc: Class Wars episodes, you can find them all on their YouTube Page. You can also follow them on Twitter. Be sure to check their brand shiny new website as well.
We'll see you next week with a brand new episode and a brand new interview.
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