Your Questions answered by Fergal Devitt

gimmick

In the 2nd of what will hopefully be a long running series, I am delighted to say that Irelands own Fergal Devitt has agreed to do a Q&A with the forum. Fergal is one of Irelands biggest and most respected talents, currently working under the name Prince Devitt in New Japna Pro Wrestling (NJPW).



Please post your questions here. Any trolling will result in an immediate, no questions asked ban.

I also want to say thanks to the good folks who helped make this happen. You know who you are

Gerard.C

What are your memories of working with Jusin Liger?

Are you content to stay in Japan, or would you be interested in perhaps branching out into more American shows?

If you could wrestle anyone in the world, who would it be?

Bounty Hunter

well done agrain Gimmick.

What advice would you give to young Irishmen who would like to do what you have?

Can you see yourself going to wrestle stateside at some point? if you did who would you like to wrestle with (promotion or Wrestlers)?

What is your favourite match/fued from your own career thus far?

Cactus Colm

Bit of an obvious question maybe ... but as someone who wrestled under the Pegasus Kid name, what lessons (if any) has he learned from Chris Benoit's career and passing?

jaykhunter

Fantastic work, Gimmick. Really great stuff.

First of all, congratulations on all your success, especially in New Japan. It's fantastic to see Irish blood perform so well on such a grand stage.

Can you tell us of your experience training in the New Japan Dojo? Did it take long to be able to call moves in Japanese or do some speak English?

In July this past year, yourself and Ryusuke put on a stormer with The MotorCity Machine Guns to win the IWGP Jr. tag titles. What do you remember about the match?

Do you have any funny stories from when wrestlers (like Shelly, Sabin, Team 3D etc) come to NJPW to wrestle?

On average, how many dates do you wrestle per month? Do you get time to travel/go home to Ireland?

Best of luck with your career, Ireland's rooting for you!

Bounty Hunter

Hey Fergall how easy is it to get tickets for your matches in Japan? im going to head there at some point while in this part of the world.

if you get a chance to have a look at the ongoing draft on this board of all wrestlers all over the world from all eras (dont worry you will be picked soon im sure), do any rosters stand out to you? who would you like to be drafted by?

Bubs101

Considering you don't fit the 6ft 4" requirement for WWE's talent scouts do you think that Bryan Danielson could open some doors for smaller more technically gifted wrestlers if he can take full advantage of the current push they're giving him and is it demoralising knowing that you could be the best in your proffesion but still never make the big leagues because of your size

jaykhunter

I found this while online, it's somewhat old (a few years?) but I thought I'd post it so we don't ask the same exact q's so we get some new info on him.

Ten Questions With . . .Fergal Devitt

wrote:

1. What made you ever decide to get involved in professional wrestling?

Well, i was big into sports growing up, i played soccer and gealic football at a fairly high standard, but always had this passion to be a wrestler, when i turned 18 it was time to decide what i wanted to do, play soccer, gealic or try wrestling...... the rest is history.

2. What was your training regimine like? Who trained you? How did you go about finding them?

At the time, there was no pro wrestling schools in Ireland, i was reading up on schools in the UK, and i found NWA-UK HAMMERLOCK. I liked the style they portrayed, so off i went to the UK. The training there is second to none, very old school, drills, fitness, submission wrestling. Andre Baker is an amazing coach, both in the ring and in life, i owe a great deal to him, others that trained me where Johnny Moss and Jon Ryan.

3. What do you think of the current state of professional wrestling?

I only really want to comment on what i see around me, its not to bad, its been better, its been worse. Get on with it is what i say.

4. Who have been your favorite people to step into the ring with or against? Why?

Johnny Moss. Everything is so crisp, we like to work nice and solid and i think we compliment each other's styles. I have to say, i love wrestling everyone, each person is different, a new challenge. Also have to mention Carl o Rourke, Gonzo de Mondo,Paddy Morrow and Justin Bred. All great talents

5. What is the best thing about being a pro wrestler? What is the worst?

The best thing is by far the people you meet, the friends you make and the places you see.

The worst? ha, nothing really, i do miss my family when I'm traveling.

6. What wrestlers do you enjoy watching?

I like the old World of Sport stuff, Jon Ryan, Johnny Moss, i dont really watch to much stuff anymore.

7. What do you enjoy doing when you are not wrestling?

Godon't to the gym, i train 5-6 days a week and love every minute of it. I just like to relax at home with a cup of tea in front of the tele, nothing exciting.

8. What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Its a toss up between getting my Black Grade in I.B.F Submission Wrestling and winning the NWA British Commonwealth Championship.

9. If you had to do it all over again is there anything you would change?

Nothing, or maybe avoid the injuries i picked up, but its all part of the fun i suppose

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I take every day as it comes, i like to just sit back and see what happens... ill tell you in 5 years.

When using any of this information give proper credit to Cactusb and the Wrestling Clothesline at http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com

The Volt

I'd like to second that question about young aspiring Irish wrestlers.

waltersobchak

Jesus Fair play to you again Gimmick

My question would be how do you feel about SOS's success in WWE does that inspire/make you want to go all the way in Japan or make you maybe want to go to TNA/WWE/ROH? And how you feel about yourself and him opening the doors for Irish wrestlers in both Japan and the States?

starviewadams

Sound one Gimmick!

Q:Who were your wrestling heroes when you were growing up?

Q:Which promtion(WWE/TNA)would you prefer to work for in the future,and who from either roster would you like to wrestle most?

gimmick

Can you describe what your forst couple of days were like at the NJPW dojo? Are the horror stories true?

flahavaj

How does life in Japan compare with life in the Costa del Bray?

Which will happen first? An Irishman wins the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title or Wickla win the Leinster Football Title?

Fair play gimmick and others who organised this. Would like to wish fergal all the best as well, am very proud to see an Irishman doing us proud in New Japan, I'm reliably informed he's only the third foreign wrestler to graduate from the NJPW dojo after Benoit and 2 Cold Scorpio.:eek:

AndywK

If you were offered a contract by TNA/WWE would you take it?
Do you think that American companies dumb down wrestlers to much with gimmicks etc?

JP Liz V1

Where would you prefer to go? TNA, WWE or ROH

gimmick

Lads, there are 4 WWE/TNA Qs there already. I will only be asking one. Try and vary it up a bit please, and remember - wrestling does exist outside Northern America.

Jolt2007

While I've never been to Japan, I'd assume their culture is hugely different to in Ireland. Did you have much difficulty adjusting to that?

Recently there's been pictures floating around of Matt Bellamy & Liam Gallagher posing with your shirts, What's the story behind those and what other celebrities are fans of yours?

flahavaj

To follow on from Jolt's question about the culture in Japan, did you find the language barrier difficult to overcome, particularly when calling matches etc? Was it very difficult to communicate initially in the dressing room?

Which wrestlers in teh New Japan locker room would you be friendly with?

I'm always interested to know how much of an interest in wrestling as a "fan" do wrestlers take? Would you have been a big Puro fan before you started to wrestle with New Japan? Is there one particular Japanese dream match that you haven't had yet that you'd like to have one day?

How difficult is it for a young unknowwn gaijin wrestler to get over with Japanese fans to the extent that you now have in NJPW?

Gerard.C

Do you still follow the Irish Wrestling scene? If so, who do you think has the most potential to follow yourself to Japan, or SOS to America?

flahavaj

Gerard.C wrote: »

Do you still follow the Irish Wrestling scene? If so, who do you think has the most potential to follow yourself to Japan, or SOS to America?

In particular are the New Japan scouts aware of a prodigy called Conor Hurley? Show some tapes to Muta and Liger and get him signed up before Vince gets him. Money in the bank, baby.

Diabhal Beag

Has the Japanese wrestling scene changed a lot since the death of Misawa? If so how?

gimmick

On average, how many dates do you wrestle per month? Do you get time to travel/go home to Ireland?

When i first moved to japan i was living there, so i didn't have a whole lot of time to travel home, it was difficult at the beginning adjusting to the culture over there but it also helped me adapt fully to their way of living. We wrestle mostly in 'tours' which are normally about 2-3 weeks long traveling around all the cities in japan and preforming almost every night. Then we have a week or 2 to recover with maybe just 1 or 2 spot shows on these 'off' weeks and then we do it all again. Ive been lucky enough that i have moved up the 'ranks' and am now able to spend my off time at home in ireland so i travel home about 10 times a year now between tours to see family and friends

Who were your wrestling heroes when you were growing up?

I had a lot. Obvioulsy as a very young boy of 6-7 years old the Ultimate Warrior was the main man. But as i grew up i began to love Mr.Perfect, Rick Rude, Koko Beware, Shaun Micheals, Savio Vega. I used to like wrestlers that did something different but also had charisma.

Do you still follow the Irish Wrestling scene? If so, who do you think has the most potential to follow yourself to Japan, or SOS to America? What advice would you give to young Irishmen who would like to do what you have?

I still keep in touch with the boys at FFPW ( what was NWA ) and i try my best to keep tabs on what is going on. But as im sure most of you know, not a lot seems to be happening in the Irish scene right now and i think that is a shame. There are a lot of small pockets of talent spread about between to many promotions which are afraid to work together for what ever reason or not. I wish this was not the case, and people could over come their personal differences and somehow work together to make not only a better product for the fans of Irish wrestling but for the wrestlers themselves.

What are your memories of working with Jusin Liger?

I have worked Liger loads of times, and for the 5 years i have been in japan and sometimes sharing a house with the man i would say we have become somewhat good friends. I have learned so much from this man. He is a TRUE legend. Just by locking up with him you learn things, how he moves and positions himself, timing and footwork. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the way he has treated me. A true gent. A joker, a child at heart with the loudest laugh i have ever heard!!!

Are you content to stay in Japan, or would you be interested in perhaps branching out into more American promotions?

Content is not a word i would use. I love the position i have in New Japan. I have the freedom to go out and do as i please in the ring, i have been given many opportunities to prove myself in different ways and styles and feel that i am still learning and grown everyday. I have been approached in the past by various groups about a move to the US but for me the timing wasn't right.

If you could wrestle anyone in the world past or present, who would it be?

Dynamite Kid, one of the greatest . Shawn Michaels the GREATEST EVER. Or the likes of Randy Orton and John Cena, if your wrestling these guys your at the top!

What is your favourite match/fued from your own career thus far?

I am fond the stuff i done with Marufuji recently. Interesting just because it was NJPW vs Noah, but i always love a good scrap with Tiger Mask. I grew up watch the original Tiger Mask vs Dynamite Kid and every time i step in the ring with the current version i have to pinch myself to make sure its real. He makes me laugh too.

As someone who wrestled under the Pegasus Kid name, what lessons (if any) has he learned from Chris Benoit's career and passing?

Funnily enough i was never a huge fan of Benoit, and was quiet surprised when i was asked to pull on the mask as Pegasus Kid 2. Obviously it was an honor, but it wasn't something i was to keen on. As far as lessons go….

Can you tell us of your experience training in the New Japan Dojo? Can you describe what your first couple of days were like at the NJPW dojo? Are the horror stories true?

Let me tell you something about the Dojo, any horror stories you might have heard, multiply them by 10! The first few days were very surreal, even though i had been well prepared at the LA dojo at the time, the training was grueling. And it is done as a group, so there is no hiding or skipping out as everyone is watching and of course all eyes are on the new boy, especially as i has the first foreigner in years to pass trough. 1000 squats. 100's of box push ups, rope climbs, endless skipping. Submission wrestling. Its was and still is fairly intense, no joking around, no water breaks, no windows or fans. 40 dergees outside with 80% humidity. The whole idea is to push you to breaking point so you quit and walk away.

In July this past year, yourself and Ryusuke put on a stormer with The MotorCity Machine Guns to win the IWGP Jr. tag titles. What do you remember about the match?

We have had a few with the MCMG, so they have all kind of blended into my memory as one as regards what we did in the ring. But each one
was special for different reasons. The 1st one my parents were are ring side so that was nice to have them there. The 2nd one was the one we actually won the title in, i remember that one as being the most emotional as regard crowd reactions. When we finally got the win the place went bonkers. And the 3rd one i had a few of my mates from home over and after the match we all went out and had a good few pints

Do you have any funny stories from when wrestlers (like Shelly, Sabin, Team 3D etc) come to NJPW to wrestle?

ha, oh dear, i don't wanna get in any trouble here! I always get a good laugh when Kurt is around and he tells me of how he thinks he is the only person in the world that can take Lesner in a shoot, i can never tell if he i winding me up or not as he is such a kind and gentleman in person. Speaking of Lesnar, i once had an awkward moment with him in the locker room when i made a jibe at his farmers tan that he didn't take to kindly too! Some of the funniest stories i would have revolve around Chad Allegra, one of my best friends in and out of the business, he wrestles as Karl Anderson and is off his rocker 24-7. Myself Chad and Val Venis were sharing a cabin on a ferry boat across to the northern island of japan, Chad dropped one of the worst tasting farts i have ever smelt right on Vals head, the poor fellow nearly jumped over board dry heaving!!

Considering you don't fit the 6ft 4" requirement for WWE's talent scouts do you think that Bryan Danielson could open some doors for smaller more technically gifted wrestlers if he can take full advantage of the current push they're giving him? And is it demoralising knowing that you could be the best in your proffesion but still never make the "big" American leagues because of your size?

I honestly don't think size has anything to do with people not 'making' it in the 'big' american leagues. Looks and Tajiri or Jericho for instance. Huge success in WWE and both are under 6foot. Being technically gifted is great and is clearly a bonus, but if you lack the ability to connect with the crowd and emotionally draw them into your matches, no matter what size you are, you wont have a very long staying power.

How do you feel about SOS's success in WWE does that inspire/make you want to go all the way in Japan or make you maybe want to go to TNA/WWE/ROH? And how do you feel about yourself and him opening the doors for Irish wrestlers in both Japan and the States?

I couldn't be happier for Steve and his success in WWE, he has worked fantastically hard to get were he is now and deserves all the credit for it. As for me, i don't judge my own achievements on how well others are doing, i have chose my path along time ago, i will continue doing what makes me happy for as long as it remains, regardless of what other people are doing.

I'd assume the Japanese culture is hugely different to Ireland. Did you have much difficulty adjusting to that? How does life in Japan compare with life in the Costa del Bray? Did you find the language barrier difficult to overcome, particularly when calling matches etc? Was it very difficult to communicate initially in the dressing room?

Thankfully the language barrier was not as big an issue as many would imagine as most of the boys in NJPW have at least a little grasp of english.
Culture wise it was a big shock, the food at the beginning was for me the biggest problem. But i have grown to love most of the japanese dishes. Its a very healthy balanced diet with lots of fish and veg.
Getting around tokyo although daunting at first has actually become second nature and is more easy to navigate than dublin via public transport.

Which wrestlers in the New Japan locker room would you be friendly with?

Nakamura and I have many similar interest and have become very good friends. As well as some of the younger lads like Yoshi Hassi and Okada. I had also become close with Milano over the years before his retirement, but still keep in touch regularly. And on the road i would work out a lot with Jado and Gedo, 2 of the most genuine men in wrestling.

How much of an interest in wrestling as a "fan" do wrestlers take? Would you have been a big Puro fan before you started to wrestle with New Japan? Is there one particular Japanese dream match that you haven't had yet that you'd like to have one day?

I am a huge wrestling fan, but that being said, i find i difficult to find things i like. Im really more of a fan of the sport side of things and drawing people into a match with the story as opposed to what moves they are doing. When you say fan of Puro, before i came to japan, i suppose you could say i was a fan. But it was more in a studying capacity, since i was 16 i would collect as many tapes as possible, from all over the world, from all generations of time trying to learn how different people do different things and how some things work better than others in different regions.

How difficult is it for a young unknown gaijin wrestler to get over with Japanese fans to the extent that you now have in NJPW?

I guess it depends who you ask! But i find with the Japanese fans is that they pay very close attention to work rate and can tell when someone is really pushing themselves to the entertain them. I find they have a great respect for hard work, and when they see that they show their appreciation.

How easy is it to get tickets for your matches in Japan? im going to head there at some point while in this part of the world

I honestly don't know, i have never had to buy tickets. Lots of the buildings are sold out in advance, especially the stuff in Tokyo or the bigger shows.

Recently there's been pictures floating around of Matt Bellamy & Liam Gallagher posing with your shirts, What's the story behind those and what other celebrities are fans of yours?

Ha, many, they are just trying to look cool!

And Finally, which will happen first? An Irishman wins the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title or Wickla win the Leinster Football Title?

I have few friends that play for Wicklow, and i played for them myself at schools level ( Dublin too believe it or not) so i hope for their sake they lift the Leinster.

gimmick

Must say I enjoyed reading that.

Gerard.C

That was a very interesting read, he seems like a wicked sound lad

Bounty Hunter

Gerard.C wrote: »

That was a very interesting read, he seems like a wicked sound lad

gotta say another great interview (and good chice and flow of questions too) and i agree he sounds like a sound fellah. Think we could see him in the states at some point as his answer to who he would face if he could face anyone were all the US guys and he did say the timing wasnt right previously not that it wasnt what he wanted at all. However id say the timing still isnt right as i get the impression from reading that, that he is very happy where he is right now. He like the previous boards PW interviewee also took a good bit of time responding and there was real depth to the interview imo even if it was just stories like Val Venis's head getting farted on that stick out atm The last answer though really reinforces the fact that i think he is just a genuine lad imo referencing his own wicklow (and Dublin) minor past makes a guy off in the other side of the world (to you all) wrestling against some of the best in the buisiness so much more relatable imo.

and living in Taipei im sure he is right about Transport in Tokyo vs Dublin, its so much easier to get around here.

flahavaj

Brilliant read, he seems like a really sound and normal lad and very humble too. Great stuff. Enjoyed him insulting Lesnar's farmers tan.

waltersobchak

Fantastic read, what a great guy.. He definately went above and beyond with those answers..

Mr.Nice Guy

That experience in the dojo sounds hellish.

Brill interview. Seems a very down-to-earth guy.

gimmick

As BH has put this into the hot links topic, I shall unstick this.

Again, thanks for the questions and thats to Fergal Devitt for his time and thorough answers.

jaykhunter

A little OT but there's an interview with Devitt in this month's powerslam.

michael.etc...

jaykhunter wrote: »

A little OT but there's an interview with Devitt in this month's powerslam.

It's pretty damn good. Definitely worth reading.