Interview on Twitter for @thejoncutler from @JerommeGraham for the blog at http://theheartthrobhero.blogspot.ca
1. Did you grow up a wrestling fan?
What wrestlers did you admire before getting into the business?
That would be a loud and resounding
yes. I have a memory of watching Hulk
Hogan and also Mr. T preparing for Wrestlemania I. Growing up my older friend and cousin took
turns slamming me on the grass, in the basement, in the pool and gave me a big
stuffed animal as a tag partner…now that was fair. Funny, when I was older and bigger...that all
stopped.
Guys that I admired…well
usually I enjoyed watching the “good
guys” win. I really enjoyed Hulk Hogan,
Bret Hart, Ricky Steamboat, Macho Man, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes ,
Sting. As I got closer to when I started
wrestling it was the Rock, Chris Jericho, Undertaker and of course DX.
2. How did you get your start in
wrestling?
I had finished playing hockey and
rugby and I was looking for something to do other than just hitting the gym. A local promoter (Matt Evans) was running a
small promotion in the town I was living. After talking to him a couple of us
decided to take a shot at something we had always done as kids...and it kind of
just went from there. I guess I always
wanted to make it to the big stage, but I didn’t really start believing it
until a few years into wrestling when I was fortunate to be trained by Johnny
Devine.
Yeah, I got the deal back in 2008
with WWE. I was originally supposed to
have a tryout when they came to Canada
in 2007, but they cancelled that tour due to the Benoit incident. Then in 2008 they were in contact with me to
go to Toronto , Canada for a look. After being in the ring, during the day
before the RAW taping that night, they told me I would be working a match
against Paul Burchill and Katie Lea.
That match ended up not being a dark match but actually a segment on RAW
which was pretty cool. It was the next
day at the Smackdown taping that I was approached and offered the contract. You can see that match on my youtube
channel. www.youtube.com/joncutler
4. What led to your release?
Hmmm, that is a good question. It came as a surprise to me and many others
as I was doing well at the time. I was
flattered to have Dusty Rhodes giving me props for my promo work when in Florida , I mean that guy
knows how to cut a real good promo. So
with that going for me and receiving praises on my recent matches, I really was
caught by surprise. That is not to say I
didn’t have things to work on though but things were on the ‘up’ I thought.
I would say looking back one thing
I had against me was I was “too nice” is one thing I was told. I mean its one thing to make your opponents
look good but you have to be willing to take your own shots and let yourself
shine too, which is something I would do differently if I were given the
chance.
All in all I look back on it as a
great opportunity I had that not a lot of people can say they get the chance to
do. It was a great experience.
5. Surely, you've worked with and
have become friends with wrestlers that are working in both the WWE and TNA.
What's your take on the current wrestling scene?
Yes, a lot of the guys on
television right now I have worked with or who I am friends with. I can remember tagging with Shaemus when we
were in Florida . Now that is a tough guy and he deserves all
he is getting. Really nice...could count
on him to help you out if needed. David
Otunga as well has worked so hard and definitely deserves all he is getting. He was humble when he and I started in Florida and still is to
wrestling. Super good guy I am lucky to
call a friend...plus I can always say I had his first ever wrestling match,
lol.
6. Is there anyone you've wrestled
on the indies or in FCW that you think people should keep an eye on?
That is a good question...there are
a lot of talented guys out there both on the Indy scene and approaching the
next step. Byron Saxton and Abraham Washinton have always been favorite’s of
mine and I think they are very talented and creative. Bo and Duke Rotundo are also really great
guys, Duke obviously goes by a different alias right now. Tenille Tayla just got back down to FCW and I
would say you need to watch and see what she can do in the future as she is
very talented as well.
7. What was it like auditioning for
Tough Enough?
It was pretty interesting I will
say. I was in contact a lot with the
casting department before the show. I
know up to the final decisions being made my name was in the mix. From what they picked it was clear that
whoever outside of casting was making final decisions, my past experience with
WWE probably played as a negative for me.
Obviously they wanted someone with not a lot of experience or who was
already down a FCW. Either way it was
fun and it was good to know I was so close to being picked.
8. You worked as with Jessie
Godderz and Jonny Fairplay as the Hollywood
Love Guns in WFX. Could you see yourself on Big Brother or Survivor?
Lol, I would totally win Survivor,
I mean Jonny would have my back and who better to give me tips right?? Big Brother...bring it on, I could entertain and
kick as on that show as well...again having an inside source to give me tips
there with Jessie.
Honestly, I had a lot of fun as the
Hollywood Love Guns. The chemistry the three of us had was pretty
good and our backstage stuff I had a lot of fun with. Maybe it’s something my supporters should
email TNA or WWE and get them to take a look at, you think, lol?? You can see some of our stuff and our theme
song on my youtube channel as well. http://www.youtube.com/joncutler
9. How have you been keeping busy
post-wrestling?
Have I been keeping busy?? Well I will say I have less new pains, but
still the same nagging ones. You will
still find me training hard in the gym.
Just enjoying things and finding which path I want to take. I do miss the business of sports
entertainment and wrestling. The
camaraderie you have with each other is pretty unique. The fans are also quite something else and I
definitely miss that...probably the most out of it all. I was blessed to have so many dedicated and
awesome fans and followers out there who many still show their support for me
to this day. Maybe they deserve a return
one day?? I mean I never did use the word “retire” right...maybe everyone
should follow me on twitter http://www.twitter.com/thejoncutler
or my site http://www.joncutler.com
10. Tell us about Showtime
Supplements.
Showtime Sports Supplement is a
sponsor I currently have. Darryl and his
wife Yvette are two of the nicest people I know. They were very open with sponsoring me right
away, knowing my path was sports entertainment at the time and not
bodybuilding. I cannot say enough good
words about that company and anyone who has the opportunity to purchase
supplements from them or get health advice or even meet with them in
person...well I feel should take that opportunity. Here is their website http://www.showtimesupplements.com
11. Are you at all surprised by
your large fan base? What is it like knowing that so many people look up to you
and also that you're viewed as a sex symbol by male and female fans alike?
You know what, lol...I can try be
as sincere with you and say, YES...I was always blown away more and more by all
the people that have shown and still show their support for me. It’s something that I have always tried to
show my appreciation for...so that everyone knows how much it means to me. If that means spending an hour and more
replying to emails or messages...then I would do that. Trying to remember birthdays and really get
to know those who showed support for me.
It can be a daunting task with things like my website, Twitter and
Facebook, lol...but I try my best. I
mean the way I see it if a person sends me a message or email, that is time out
of their own day they are spending doing that...so why should my time be any
more important that I can’t reply to them?
That’s how I see it anyway.
Ok, lol...well first of all. I enjoy having youth look up to me, I try to
be a good role model and I have always enjoyed going around to schools and
places, giving talks to people and youth.
Now the second part quite honestly
made me laugh...sex symbol by male and female fans...lol. I guess I just don’t see myself that way,
though especially with the Hollywood Love Guns I could turn it up and sure make
you think I do. If that is how people
view me, then it’s flattering and surprising to me. Can’t say I see it as a bad thing, I mean if
it’s true then I got to say “Woohoo, I really am Prime Cut”, lol.
12. Personally, I feel like you
could have a big modelling career. Any chance of you pursuing more modelling
work? And knowing the readers, I have to ask, would you ever follow in the
footsteps of HBK and pose for Playgirl or do nude work?
I have had people make me think of
the modelling career, to be honest. But
I never really pursued it actively. Is
modelling in the cards...I guess I wouldn’t discount it if I were approached to
do it, I just never actively went looking.
Lol, HBK did his own thing and
paved quite the path. I don’t know that
I could ever go that route myself...and really who wants to see that? Lol.
Random Rapid Fire Questions. Basically
just the first thing that comes to mind.
1. You can't leave home without... “A good belt, hate trying to hold up my pants when they are too big.”
2. What wrestler past or present do
you wish you could've wrestled? “Chris
Jericho, Sting or Hulk Hogan I suppose”
3. Favourite superhero? “Superman of course”
4. If you could have one
superpower, what would it be? “I have always
wanted to fly, though x-ray vision seems pretty useful”
5. Boxers or briefs? “Take
the two and combine those together, got it? Lol”
6. Hidden talent? “Memorizing
lines from a movie”
7. Favourite breakfast food? “Not
lying, protein pancakes, if made right are really good honestly.”
8. Current cologne of choice? “Giorgio Armani Aqua Di Gio, like moths to a flame”
9. What would someone have to do to
impress you or get your attention? ”Lol, just be interesting, I don’t enjoy
small talk”
10. Favourite quote? “Everyone
man dies, not every man really lives...I know what you are thinking but
honestly that one has followed me since I first saw the movie.”
~Jon Cutler~
http://www.twitter.com/thejoncutler
http://www.youtube.com/joncutler
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prime-Cut-Jon-Cutler/9095054724
http://www.myspace.com/joncutler