The "Slick Diddy" Ric Converse Interview
I took the opportunity to speak candidly with the current AWA World Heavyweight and AWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Champion, "Slick Diddy" Ric Converse. The following is what is on the mind of your AWA World Champion.
--Randy "Randolph" Hedrick
INSIDERS: Well, first of all, congratulations champ. Eight years in the sport and you find yourself carrying the only true world heavyweight title. How does it feel?
CONVERSE: It feels absolutely wonderful man, this is truly an honor. I am almost speechless because I can't believe it has happened, I am the WORLD Heavyweight Champion of a legitimate Worldwide promotion...Unbelievable!!
INSIDERS: The hard work, the training, the physical regimen, all part of becoming Ric Converse. Is there anything else you would do different if you were to begin your wrestling career over today?
CONVERSE: The only thing I would do different is believe in myself more back then, because I didn't have as much confidence when I first started, I never would've thought that I could have came this far back then...But now that it's happened, it makes all the stuff from the past, the good and the bad, that much better.
INSIDERS: This past week has been a huge one for you. You reformed the Dynasty with Brad Attitude and Xsiris. You defeated the "fake" Dynasty in six-man action the same night. Four days later, you're on a jet to Indianapolis for your shot at Takao Omori. Has it sank in yet?
CONVERSE: Not until I got home from Indiana, opened up my bag, and that HUGE gold & silver AWA World Heavyweight Title belt was staring back at me. That's when it sunk in that I had lived out a childhood dream. And I could not be happier about re-forming the Dynasty with Brad Attitude and Xsiris, that was something I had worked on for the last year, just too bad that Brad Rainz didn't come through like he promised, 'cuz it would've been really aweosme. Xsiris has always been Dynasty since day one, so it's all good.
INSIDERS: As fate would have it, Ric Converse has just became an "overnight sensation" in the world of professional wrestling. What do you do to continue this streak and how do you remain on top now that you are finally there?
CONVERSE: By doing the same stuff that I've been doing, meaning practicing on a weekly basis like I have since day one, hittin' the gym hard, eating the right stuff to get the best response from my body, studying my matches, as well as other wrestlers' matches to keep learning, and carrying myself in a professional manner.
INSIDERS: Ric, you know the World Heavyweight Title carries with it the responsibility of traveling around the globe to defend it against all of the top talent out there. Any idea as to where you will be going first to represent the American Wrestling Association?
CONVERSE: I will be speaking with AWA President Dale Gagne in the next few days to get more information on my first title defense, and as soon as I find out, I will pass the info along.
INSIDERS: You've walked the road, sometimes alone sometimes with friends, you've traveled the highways, you've flown the friendly skies. Now you've reached the goal that everyone that ever laces up his ringboots dreams of attaining. How do you stay on top of the game now that you are the measuring stick which the world will use on every challenger out there?
CONVERSE: Again, by keeping the same regimen that I have for over 8 years...It's now up to the challengers worldwide to be ready, both physically and mentally, so they can hang with the AWA WORLD Heavyweight Champion, because I will be ready!
INSIDERS: We have spoken several times in the past about the strength and confidence which you draw from those around you, those who know you and what you're all about. How did these people, who were mostly 8-9 hours away in NC, help you in your match against Takao Omori?
CONVERSE: The people from home, fans and fellow wrestlers, were the ones who were responsible for me even getting to Indianapolis, Indiana on June 14th, because I know that all those matches that I've had since January 23rd, 1999 (my first match) were slowly preparing me for my time to shine, so i have to thank all my opponents who pushed me to the limit and had a place in building me up. And the fans have been MORE than generous to me over the years, it's a great feeling knowing that so many people have your back.
INSIDERS: What happens to the Mid Atlantic Title now?
CONVERSE: That is something that I will be discussing with CWF Mid-Atlantic Comissioner William Cross and the other powers that be tonight actually, so I'm not sure myself right now either...
INSIDERS: Once again, congratulations Ric. It's great to have the World Title making its home in the Mid Atlantic.
CONVERSE: Thank you for this interview, and I also wanna thank everyone who had a place in this happening, especially my trainer Ken Spence, because he helped teach me the true ART of professional wrestling and drilled it in my head that I will only be as good as I let myself be, meaning that I will only stand out with a positive attitude and busting my rear! I hope everyone enjoys this ride with me while it lasts, because "Slick Diddy" is runnin' the city...WOLRDWIDE!
Slick Ric Converse showing off both AWA World Heavyweight and AWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title straps.
STILL Hooking Up The Masses!
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