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 Jeremy Lopez is one of the top stars of the American independent scene, and also a former member of WCW's Power Plant. Recently, he has toured Japan extensively with Osaka Pro, both as himself and as Black Tigers. I had chance to interview Jeremy about his background in wrestling, time in Osaka Pro, and future plans. For more information about Jeremy, visit his official website at jeremylopez.net. Stuart: You've recently made your presence felt in Japan, but tell us a little about yourself, your background in wrestling leading up to your time with Osaka Pro. Lopez: Well, I'm 26-years-old. I've been wrestling for about six years, and my debut was in Tampa, FL, in 1997. After I graduated high school in 1996, I decided to chase a dream and go to Dean Malenko's School of Wrestling. I trained at Malenko's from 1996 to I believe early 1999 when it closed. My class included Chad Collyer, Tony Mamaluke, the Shane Twins, and Jet Jaguar. In 1999, I sent a tape to Chris Kanyon, which he liked, and he asked about the other guys on the tape (Jaguar, Mamaluke, and Jamie Noble). From there he set up a dark match at Bash at the Beach (myself and Mamaluke vs. Jet & Noble), which was one of the best matches of the night and of my career. We did the same the next night at Nitro. When we got backstage, Eric Bischoff said, "Welcome to WCW". We got released six months later or so, except for Mamaluke, who still had his job. Noble and I stayed in Atlanta hoping to get our spots back. Also, the day we received our WCW welcome I received an offer from BattlARTS in Japan, but of course they couldn't match WCW's money. After a few months of Noble and I working everywhere on the east coast, we got another chance for WCW Saturday Night. It worked out really well for Jamie, but I didn't have the luck he did. I started sending tapes out to Japan, but I didn't get any responses back, until one day I got a call on my answering machine saying, "I got you a gig in Japan". I was thinking somebody was playing a rib because he didn't leave a number to call back. So a few days went by and I got an email telling me to call a number. It turned out to be somebody that used to work at Inoki's office in L.A., who I talked to months before and I totally forgot about. He told me he wasn't working there anymore, but he still books people for Japan. It turns out he and Ebessan are really good friends, and Ebessan persuaded Delfin to bring an American over. So that's how it all started for me in Japan. Stuart: Who were your idols in wrestling when growing up? Lopez: My idols growing up... I had many, not just one I liked. The British Bulldogs, Ricky Steamboat, Randy Savage, Nikita Koloff, the Four Horseman, the Rock and Roll Express, Bret Hart/Hart Foundation. I guess I liked all the guys that worked. Once I saw Chris Benoit he turned out to be my favorite, even though that was years after. Stuart: You spent a lot of time training at the WCW Power Plant. What was your time there like, and what plans did WCW have for you? Lopez: Yeah, I spent my entire time in WCW stuck in the Power Plant with no way out. We were Eric Bischoff's project, so he wanted to keep us off TV until his idea was finalized, which had something to do with L.A., where we going to have our own TV show like Saved by the Bell. Well, that didn't work out. So we were basically training like crazy and killing our bodies to the point where we didn't want to go to work the next day, but we had to or else no more pay checks. Then Eric left, and I knew we were in big trouble. I told Jamie we needed to get on a Saturday Night TV taping quick or else we would be released soon. Well, that's what happened, I did one taping and a week later we get called into the office; in five minutes we were released, no questions asked. Stuart: Did you ever get chance to watch Japanese wrestling before first touring Osaka Pro? If so, which wrestlers and promotions made the biggest impression on you? Lopez: I have been watching Japanese wrestling since I was training at Malenko's. I would see a lot of New Japan, All Japan, and Michinoku Pro. As far wrestlers I liked; Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask, a young Shinjiro Otani, Great Muta, and Great Sasuke. I watched a lot of J Cups and Best of the Super Jr. tournaments. The gaijin I liked were Dean (Malenko), Eddie (Guerrero), and Chris (Benoit). Stuart: When you received the news that Osaka Pro wanted to book you, were you surprised? It is rare for a foreigner to be used regularly in Osaka Pro, and you were the first to really stay there over a long period of time. Lopez: Yeah, when I first heard the news I thought it was Michinoku Pro, because that's where Collyer was going on a regular basis. I had really never heard of Osaka Pro at the time, I believe because they never used gaijin and it never got any publicity in the States. The first time I went there it was for three months, I had no idea what was it going to be like or if I would even like it. But I was happy just to be going somewhere. Stuart: During your initial stay there in 2001, you were positioned as a young up-and-coming wrestler. What was the experience like the first time, and was it as daunting as wrestling in Japan is known to be? Lopez: The first time I was there I just did what they wanted me to. The dojo wasn't bad, but it was SO hot and humid, it was like baking in the oven. The worst thing was running outside in the streets and up hills. I hate running in the first place, but that was just brutal for me. It wasn't as daunting as people say it is. Maybe if I would have started in All Japan or New Japan it would have been, as they train totally different, but I will get to that later. Most Americans can't stay there for three months at a time, they can't take the food or the culture. I just blocked everything out and worry about wrestling. Stuart: What was your favorite match or experience during your first stay in Osaka? Lopez: My favorite match was probably against (Shusaku) Wada. He was really good and I thought he would big star in the future, but due to injury he is retired now. I guess the next one after that would be where I did farewell speech at Delfin Arena. I was supposed to leave in the next few days, but a typhoon came and I couldn't get to the airport. So I stayed another week. During this week was one of their biggest shows ever at that time. All the fans thought I was gone and the ovation I got was unreal when they announced my name. I wrestled (Kengo) Takai and it was really good match. Stuart: You returned home after the 8/26/01 Delfin Arena show, and resumed working the circuit in America. Did you feel that you had improved as a wrestler during your time in Japan? Lopez: It would be hard to say if I improved, as I'm really critical of my matches and don't like most of them. Some say I improved, but I think that's what people assume when you go to Japan, they automatically think that you're that much better when you come back. Stuart: 2003 would see a new era start for Osaka Pro, mainly after the big Osaka Castle Hall show in February. One of the most interesting storylines of early 2003 was the arrival of Black Tigers as Tigers Mask's nemesis. It was like Osaka Pro's own version of Tiger Mask vs. Black Tiger, and you were chosen to be the dark figure. Did you approach your second stay in Osaka differently, because of your new role as a heel? Lopez: For my second trip to Osaka, I was supposed to stay for six months. The first idea they had was the week after the Tenno-zan, I was going to show up at the arena demanding an entry into the tournament, but the joke was that Tenno-zan was over and I bought a one-way ticket to compete. They changed their mind on that, because it was taking a while for me to get my visa. My sponsor came up with the Black Tigers mask. They liked it and went with it. It took awhile for the fans to get into the character, but they did eventually. Stuart: A lot of wrestlers have problems working under masks (Chris Jericho as the short-lived Super Liger in 1997 springs to mind). Did you adjust well to the new costume and mask, or did it hamper your performances? Lopez: I liked working under mask, it gave me a character to do stuff with, instead of just being Jeremy Lopez. I didn't have problems with wearing the mask or breathing. I want to do it States, since I have the mask and outfit. Stuart: Your feud with Tigers Mask resulted in numerous singles matches. Because of Osaka Pro's shortage of TV in 2003, I didn't personally get to see much of it, but I saw clips of one of your bouts on the Yomiuri TV show, and it looked awesome. What was working with Osaka Pro's young ace prospect like, did you enjoy your program with him? Lopez: I loved working with Tigers, and they should have done a lot more with the program. I was hoping to work with him at almost every taping, but they didn't really have a clue how to push it. I made sure to make our first match was the best one on the show; why they didn't follow up is beyond me. That's one thing, there are a lot of politics in that company that you don't know about. But every time we worked each other we went balls to the walls. I'm happy to say he trusted me so much in the ring, that I am the only one he has ever done the Sasuke Special to. Stuart: In March, your Mascara Contra Mascara match with Tigers Mask drew a full house to Delfin Arena, because the feud had been built up so well. After about two and a half months under the mask, you were beaten and had to unveil your true character. What was the response to that like from the fans, and were you happy to unmask? Lopez: As far as as the Mascara Contra Mascara match goes... the feud was not built up as it should have been due to politics and other things. For example, why would you not have Black Tigers vs. Tigers Mask on the biggest ever show at Osaka Castle Hall in front of 8,000+ people? Instead, they bring in Azteca, who sucks, is not even an Osaka Pro wrestler, and who has nothing to do with my angle. Of course, I do the job in eight minutes and with his lazy cover, it only angered me more. Secondly, the day before our mask vs. mask match, we did a joint show with KAGEKI at Delfin Arena. Well, they say I am wrestling Cosmo*Soldier, who is even worse than Azteca. I try to find out what the finish is, but nobody would tell me, so Matsui the referee would keep ignoring me. I found out that Delfin wanted me take the pin, and I said, "NO WAY IN HELL I'M DOING THAT!". Cosmo*Soldier was two hours late on getting to the arena, so why would should I take the pin when tomorrow's the big match? It would take away from Tigers Mask and everything we did! That's how Delfin thinks, he's not very smart at all when it comes to angles or how to use gaijin. I told them the only way I would lose is if I could rip his mask off and get DQ'd. Well, that's what we did, thank goodness. The next day was my big match with Tigers Mask. It was packed and I couldn't breathe because there was no oxygen in the arena. We were both a little nervous, especially him, because he was trying the Sasuke Special for the first time, but we had the people, they loved it. Once he took my mask off, he went into a speech, saying, "We were best friends last time you were here". He had a great idea for us to be a tag team, and the people went nuts when we shook hands, but they had no clue I was staying heel. Everybody thought I was going to be a babyface, so I shook his hand, then gave him the Atlanta Driver, and everybody was shocked. I don't know if it was good idea to stay heel there, or if it would have been better to turn baby. I like giving the fans what they want. Stuart: Now as your true self again, you were still a heel as part of Kishiwada Gurentai. Eventually, after dissension, you left Gurentai and returned to the regular army briefly. This was in your final days with Osaka Pro, but how did that Jeremy Lopez differ from the Jeremy Lopez that first entered Osaka Pro in 2001? Lopez: Kishiwada Gurentai was a good thing. You had all the top heels in one group, but then it went down the tubes. I believe I should have been strong or stronger after the mask vs. mask match, but I was kept down. I don't think Delfin cares for Americans, so he just does whatever, without thinking. Another problem Osaka has is that a lot of other guys don't like taking the pin, so as you see it was always me taking the pin quickly, ala schoolboys, and what not. Soon, in almost every match, every fan knew it was me going to take the fall and that got boring. Once the fans know your losing, it's hard or nearly impossible to get any emotions out of them. Once I turned baby, I thought I was going to get a decent push. The idea was for me and Tigers Mask to tag, and that's when I brought back Black Tigers. That didn't last long, Black Tigers and Tigers Mask should a been hot a hot tag team, but no, they didn't build us up at all and fed us straight to Kishiwada Gurentai. I knew they were not going to job for us. So that pretty much ended anything after we lost to them. At this point, I am very frustrated with the company and Delfin the most. I just started doing crazy things just to get people to laugh or something. That's when this idea popped into my head, since karaoke is very big over there and that "Lose Yourself" song by Eminem was a big hit. I decided it would be cool to sing that song to the ring and that's what I did. It worked, and pretty soon everybody got into it. That's all I wanted to do for my last few weeks, was to entertain while I was there. I remember Black Buffalo said he was jealous because the fans were high tension during my entrance. I would sing not just in the aisle, but I would go up where people were sitting, it was great fun. Stuart: On 9/23/03, you had an entire show devoted to your farewell from Osaka Pro at Delfin Arena, and faced Tigers Mask one last time in the main event. It was a near-20 minute battle, with Tigers coming out on top, but a big goodbye from Osaka. Were you emotional at leaving Osaka after your long stint there, and do you miss wrestling there? Lopez: No, I was happy to get out. I was emotional the first time I was there, but this time was different, and with a lot of bullshit going on, I needed to go. I wanted to make sure to have one last battle with Tigers, since he is my favorite to work with, and he doesn't care who wins or loses like me. I couldn't have cared less about the outcome of the match, I just wanted a good match. I think the finish was the Delfin Special #2, which is a rolling German into a Tiger suplex. Do I miss wrestling there? No, not really, I just miss working with some of the guys. Stuart: How were you treated in Osaka Pro during your time there? Were the other wrestlers friendly to you, and did you become close friends with any of them? Lopez: I was treated fine. It wasn't the best money in world, but better than working the States. I'm close friends with a lot them. Ebessan and I took a vacation to Guam together. Goa and I had wars over who was the best K-1 fighter on the PS2. Tigers Mask... I hope one day he comes to the States, he can live in my room since I lived in his most of the time. Takai, he would love to eat at buffets here, they're a whole lot cheaper. Stuart: With Osaka behind you, you moved to the big leagues, being signed up by All Japan. Your first (and only to date) tour there was in October, and you were mostly placed in the junior division. What was your initial tour there like, and what matches stand out for you? Lopez: It's a lot different than Osaka. I was there for one month and stayed in their dojo. It was very, very hard training, nothing compared to Osaka. My body was used to highspot training, not 200+ push-ups and all kinds of training. After the three days, I started to piss blood, and that's when I thought I should go back to the States. But after Kaz (Hayashi) and I talked, he said, "Don't give up or you will lose your chance forever". So I decided to stay. I liked being on the road at different arenas everyday. It felt like I was in the big leagues and not in the minors anymore. As far as matches standing out, I dunno, I was never in a singles match. I am singles wrestler, tags and six mans are my least favorites to be in. Probably Budokan I won't forget. Stuart: Osaka Pro has a reputation for being one of the most charming promotions in the world. All Japan, meanwhile, is a more serious major promotion that has had some problems lately. With that in mind, were there differences backstage between the two promotions? Was All Japan a more tense environment than Osaka Pro, for example? Lopez: I think the internet and newspapers overblow the problems in All Japan. I don't know of any problems while I was there. They won't be going out of business any time soon. If they were, do you think they would bring so many gaijin over at a time? Some of those guys make really really good money. Why would they waste it on Americans if they were about to go under? I wasn't there long enough to see or hear of any politics going on, but I'm sure there are some. Stuart: There is one wrestler I have to ask about, because his popularity not only in Japan, but with western fans of Japanese wrestling, has exploded. Ebessan. No matter where he has wrestled this year, whether it be at home in Osaka Pro, in New Japan, or All Japan, he has made fans smile and laugh. You had chance to work regularly with him, and also to see him backstage. What are your thoughts on the "God of Laughter"? Lopez: He is the funniest wrestler ever, you can't get enough of him. I've seen a hundred matches of him and still laugh every time. He's really nice guy and has good heart, he helped me a lot to get in All Japan, and was the one that got the talks started. Obviously, Kaz helped too since he is one of my best friends. I took Ebessan backstage to WWE in Japan, and he was like a kid in candy store, as he is mark for the WWE. I even got him to give few DVDs of his matches to the (WWE) guys for the plane ride back. Matt Hardy said everybody watched it on the plane and was laughing. I know he wants just one match in WWE, then he would be happy, and so would I. Stuart: During your time at the WCW Power Plant, a young wrestler by the name of Bob Sapp was training there to become a pro wrestler. Sapp has of course gone on to become THE hottest entity in Japanese combat sports. What are your thoughts on "The Beast"? Lopez: I haven't talked to Sapp since the Power Plant. I wanted to hook up with him in Japan, but never got the chance. He is over like rover, I don't know how or why, but that's the Japanese for you, you can't always figure them out. Its Sapp Time in Japan, that's for sure. Stuart: Will you be returning to Japan any time soon, or basing yourself in America for the time being? What can we expect from Jeremy Lopez in the future? Lopez: I would love to go back to All Japan after the new year, but I haven't heard anything. A lot of times, they call you out of the blue or they tell you after the tour, and sometimes not. If I don't hear anything after a while I will try other places. I will see All Japan in Texas at the end of the month, so am hoping to hear some news. I'm living in Texas at the moment, so I just keep working the independent scene until I get a break. Hopefully WWE in the future.
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