The Rap Sheet Spotlights Spencer Powers
1/18/2K5

This rap sheet interview is posted at the Rap Sheet Dossier at http://rap-sheet.tripod.com and a few other selected places.  The views expressed by Crimefighter and his guest do not necessarily reflect the views friends, associates, co-workers, organizations or any of the other six billion people on planet Earth.

After the last interview I did, this man couldn’t wait to get in front of the camera and have me interview him.  The worst place for you to be is between him and a camera, cause when he sees one he runs toward it and pays no attention to anything else.  He used to wear a mask as El Diablo Silverado, now he seems proud to have taken the hood off.

CF:  How does the Spotlight best represent Benton and Blackford counties in Illinois?

SSP:  *refuses to answer question*

CF:  Good answer, cause they were actually counties in Indiana. Mystery guest please sign in.

SSP:  I am a man who really needs no introduction, but since you asked...I'm the center of attention, the life of the party, the main attraction. I'm the man everyone pays to see, and the man everyone wants to be. I'm the Spotlight, Spencer Powers!

CF:  Now just fairly recently you've been wrestling unmasked, but a lot of people may not know how you got your start, how did you decide you wanted to get into the wrestling business?

SSP:  Funny story actually. Way back when NMW was actually known as the MWA, I got involved because they needed referees. I refereed for quite some time, and as I did I began attending training classes and eventually, I became a wrestler. And now here I am, the most talented wrestler in Central Illinois!

CF:  How did you find out there was a wrestling company starting out in Springfield?

SSP:  Well, a few friends of mine got involved...you may know them now as Scotty Cash and Guy Smith. They got me involved. I'm not too proud of having even known that Scotty Cash guy, but as you know, GS and I are still cool, and rolling together like we always should have been!

CF:  I know the wrestling insiders and fans in Chicago are real big on who trains whom, who were your original trainers?

SSP: I was originally trained by Justin Jones, Jarin Mcaffrey, and Rob Miller.

CF:  Could you recount your first appearance in the ring as a wrestler and how they decided to bill you?

SSP:  I debuted at the first ever NMW Royal Rumble (now referred to as Brawltoberfest). I was handed a mask, and told I was to assume the name El Diablo Silverado. I ran with it, thought things were running great. I was instantly popular, and I just wanted to make the fans happy. But do I wish I knew how wrong I was for doing that...

CF:  Why is that?

SSP:  What do you mean why? Those fans turned on me! They didn't care about me, they didn't show me the respect that I deserve! As soon as something "flashier" came along, they only cared about that!

CF:  Well, we're getting ahead of ourselves here...

SSP:  Hey you asked!

CF:  Anyway, keeping this in chronological order...when you entered the ring for the rumble, how did it go?

SSP:  Excellent...I mean, I was eliminated pretty quick...but that's beside the point. I was the best one there, and that's all that matters!

CF:  Now I only know of the times after MWA became NMW, but is it true during the theater/warehouse eras you lost almost every match or so?

SSP:  ...Yes...I was held back...

CF:  Held back as in put up against much tougher competition than you were ready for or what?

SSP:  No…just in general. They all thought I was a joke. That, and I was waaaaay too worried about pleasing people. So yeah, I was held back.

CF:  So after the fed changed its call letters things actually turned around and you got into contention for the Central IL title?

SSP:  Finally. And look what happened, I defeated Scotty Cash and became the new CI champ! A title I would still hold if it weren’t for a certain so and so...

CF:  Though it took a few attempts, but then again Cash used a lot of underhanded tactics to stall and hang on to the belt, including enlist the help of Guy Smith.

SSP:  Well, I suppose he did what he had to do to hang on to the belt. Understandable. Fact of the matter is no matter what he did, I still beat him!

CF:  You beat Cash in an epic ladder match, from there you hung on to the title for quite a while, but then you ran into Billy Morgan, fresh from ditching cousin Earl...

SSP:  Yep...that's what happened. I lost the title to Billy, but only because I was ganged up on by his goons. He just did what he had to do to win. But I'll tell you, I would have won that title right back if Eric Logan hadn't decided he was going to involve himself that night!

CF:  Okay, Logan ran out to attack Morgan's thugs after the match was over, but you shook hands...then the next month went at it in the AHMT, and lost in three minutes due to the blistering heat. A week later, tried to take the title back, Logan wasn't involved in that one, Morgan pulls an Eddie Guerrero to keep the belt. The next month it’s you and Logan for a title shot.

SSP:  Yeah...Logan ran in the night I lost and got himself involved. At first, I fell for his tricks, and thought he was a friend. But it soon became clear that he was trying to steal MY title from Morgan!

CF:  So after Morgan's boys cheated again, the management set up a triple threat ladder match.

SSP:  That's right. And I would have won that match too. I mean, I clearly had the advantage being in a similar scenario before. And I was the veteran of the match, more overall experience than both. But Logan got in my way!

CF:  But what I saw was Billy Morgan getting you to fight Logan instead of him and as a result of that strategy, hung on to his title.

SSP:  Whatever you want to think...I can see the truth. Logan was jealous of me, and he wanted to hold me back...

CF:  But if that's the case, why do you decide right after that ladder match, you form Tuff-N-Stuff and turn your attention to the wacko cult of RON?

SSP:  Well, let's put it this way. I saw an opportunity that I didn't have access to before. I realized that I could use Logan to obtain a title I had never held before...the Tag Team Championship!

CF:  Now it took three wins against the cult to take the belts in a First Blood match, and boy what a match it was...

SSP:  That's right, I made Steven Bishop bleed, and became the NMW Tag Team Champion!

CF:  Now you win the titles, and I was very happy cause I can't stand RON as it is, but a month or two later things changed as you started doing a lot longer victory dances, so long the shows didn't end until after midnight...

SSP:  Whoa whoa whoa, you're blaming me? One, I was not the reason the shows went long. 2. What's wrong with me doing long "victory dances"? I mean, I had to get some time in, with Logan hogging all the glory and everything...

CF:  Nothing wrong with a victory dance, but the kids have to go to bed at a reasonable hour.

SSP:  You're so funny...

CF:  Then it all came to a head in July, as you met your tag partner in round three of the second AHMT...

SSP:  And rightfully so, I won!  

CF:  You basically hung your feet on the ropes to pin him, and the crowd really did not like the way you won.  And I of course was hoping for a spectacular conclusion to that faceoff.

SSP:  You only saw that because you wanted Logan to win. You, nor the fans, could live with the fact that I am better than Logan, and that I had proven that by beating him!

CF:  I won't deny the fact that I picked Eric Logan to win back-to-back AHMTs, a gut feeling really, but of course most of my picks were wrong throughout the whole thing.  

SSP:  See, you, like the other fans, were bias against me...and wrongfully so!

CF:  Though I will state it was not out of favoritism, it was based on statistics and analysis of the bracketing, which is not an exact science.

SSP:  Uh huh...

CF:  Anyway, you fought Guy Smith in the finale, and the crowd was really torn, as they were turned off by you shouting them down, as much as they wanted to root against Guy Smith....

SSP:  That's because the fans are dumb. Plain and simple.

CF:  So after the victory, Eric Logan, despite losing comes out to do the right thing and present you the trophy and you blow him off...at this point the fans, including myself predicted you were about to split up and made it known we wanted you to stay together.

SSP:  Yeah...doing the right thing...if you say so. More like he was coming out to steal my spotlight! That was my time! I won, not him!  He had no right to be out there!

CF:  So the fans, including myself were thinking, oh no, one of the dominate teams in NMW ever are about to split up over petty popularity issues. In August, it appeared you were gonna continue the tag title run, but you decided to hop off the apron and hand the tag titles to Mister Mister on a silver platter.

SSP:   It wasn't about handing over the titles. I was sick and tired of Eric Logan getting in my way. I knew that I was destined for better things, and could not move on with him hogging all of the attention. So, when I saw Mr. Mister tearing him apart, I decided to let it continue, and I left.

CF:   But by the time of the split, looking at the records, you were slightly ahead of him in contention for the heavyweight title, had one title reign more than him...yet you claim he's in your way?

SSP:  Absolutely! He was holding me back, hogging all of the glory, stealing MY spotlight! And the fans were no help either...always cheering him and egging him on. Makes me sick...

CF:   But the fans were putting up shrines to El Diablo Silverado on the Internet, and Logan never acted like he was playing Dance Dance Revolution after a victory like you were.  So how was he hogging all the glory?

SSP:  He was too busy being cutesy with the fans, costing us matches, trying to make me lose my tag titles! Whenever I did something, like winning the AHMT, he was right there to take the credit...

CF:  Whoa whoa, apart from the debut match as a tag team, you both ran up a win streak string of matches without a loss from December all the way to August in tags and singles (apart from the faceoff in July).  

SSP:  And that's all thanks to me! Not him!

CF:  So shockingly you seemed to have formed an alliance with Billy Morgan in September, you interfere on his behalf, and he interferes on your behalf against Logan and Shard.  And it seemed you were about to be signed by PHD.

SSP:  Not an alliance. We just both knew what we had to do. I was never once even close to joining forces with Billy or PHD. It was more of a mutual respect for each other.

CF:  So soon after, you got some obsession with Logan's hair, and wanted to shave it off. Logan wanted to take your mask. Now it seemed to me losing the mask in your mind wouldn't be as much as him losing his hair.  

SSP:  I HATE his stupid hair! He flaunts it around like it's so cool, and the fans eat that up! I wanted to do something to embarrass him! I wanted to take his hair!

CF:  So in all honesty if you DID beat Logan and shave him, would you had unmasked yourself anyway?

SSP:  Maybe...but probably not. Mostly because that's what the fans wanted, and I am not about to give the fans what they want!

CF:  So how did you come up with the new name of Spencer Powers? Was there any influence to the name?

SSP:  New name? That IS my name. My REAL name.  No more hiding behind false names that were thrown on me. I am Spencer Powers! I am THE SPOTLIGHT!

CF:  You made your first appearance in the ring without the mask, at a GAW show, then the last NMW show you suddenly joined 4GQ.

SSP:  That's correct.

CF:  Now funny thing is, Guy Smith seems to be the Triple H of NMW, and as long as he's got the title belt, he considers himself the center of attention and the franchise.   If you are supposed to be the Spotlight, how are you gonna wrangle it from him being in his posse?

SSP:  Heh...don't worry about that.

CF:  Don't worry?

SSP:  Exactly.

CF:  Coming up in the next couple weeks, it's rumored you'll be doing something big in GAW, and you're in the big 10-man Survivor Series match in NMW. Thoughts about the opposition?

SSP:  I'm the Spotlight, baby! I'm on top no matter where I go! Something big may be brewing for me in GAW, but I wouldn't tell you about it. And as for the 10-Man tag match at NMW's New Years Resolution...all you need to know is that there is no way that 4GQ will lose this match.

CF:   Besides wrestling, what is Spencer Powers really into in his spare time?

SSP:  Well, I spend most of my spare time in the ring training. But aside from that, I play video games, read comics, that sort of thing.

CF:  What is the best comic book series going today?

SSP:  Uhhh...hmmm...well, I don't have much money for comics these days, but I do enjoy reading the Ultimate books...mostly Ultimate Spider-Man. I'm sure a lot of people would disagree with that, but when did you know me to care much about what other people think anyway?

CF:  Now you've mostly wrestled in NMW, you've done a few shows in GAW, have you wrestled anywhere else?

SSP:  No, not yet at least.  I have wrestled exclusively for NMW until this past year.

CF:  What are you future goals for 2005, and where do you see yourself in the wrestling business in three years?

SSP:  Goals for 2005...becoming the top man anywhere and everywhere I wrestle. I will make sure that I AM the main attraction. 2005 is the year of The Spotlight! As far as the next three years, well, same applies. I WILL be the top man from here on out!

CF:  Being that you are one of them, are there enough opportunities for cruiserweights and under in the wrestling business despite Vince McMahon's minimums of six feet, 225 pounds?

SSP:  Maybe not in the WWE, but defiantly on the Indy Scene. In my opinion, pro wrestling without diversity is boring. I don't want to see the same, dull, 300 pound, 6'5 guys...

CF:  Okay, I'm ready to go to my favorite part of the interview...name association.  Start off with Vince McMahon.

SSP:  Genius....maybe we'll go with Evil Genius. I can't always agree with him, but he is sorta the father of the business, in a way.

CF:  Eric Bischoff

SSP:  Ha!   Anyway, I can't say I hate seeing him, cause I rather enjoy his on air character in WWE...but yeah, my answer is Ha!

CF:  Jerry Jerrett, who started TNA.

SSP:  Hmmm...well, gotta give him credit for attempting to start a promotion to go up against WWE. We all know they need competition.

CF:  Shawn Michaels

SSP:  Ah, the showstoppa...always been a big fan of Michaels. One of my favorites. Excellent Worker.

CF:  Chris Benoit

SSP:  Another great wrestler to watch. He has a very unique style, and it's good to see him in a higher place on the WWE roster.

CF:  John Cena

SSP:  Entertaining as hell! I really dig him. I think he can really make it in the business.

CF:  Kane

SSP:  Blech....not a fan. Course, I'm not really into the big monster types much anyway. Unlike myself, he looked way better with a mask!

CF:  Triple H

SSP:  *sigh* Do I have to say? I can't deny that he's got talent, but man...so tired of looking at him....

CF:  Rey Mysterio Jr.

SSP:  Short! Ha! And he wears a stupid mask! Ha! And he's a little insane...surprised he isn't dead sometimes...

CF:  JUVENTUD GURRERA

SSP:  Oh...you mean the guy that stole my move? The ElDi Driver? (Although...I need to change that name...ElDi is soooo stupid!)

CF:  Taka Michinoku

SSP:  Uh huh...same deal with him! All trying to be me! But there's only one Spotlight!

CF:  Lucha Libre

SSP: Pssssshh...

CF:  The El Diablo persona HAD to be influenced by Lucha?

SSP:  Yeah...so. El Diablo was stupid. I'm The Spotlight!

CF:  WWE

SSP:  Their the top of the game right now.

CF:  Even with PPV buyrates on a big slide?

SSP:  Well, I didn't say they were great, now did I?

CF:  TNA

SSP:  Six-sided rings are...odd...

CF:  ROH

SSP:  Not really seen much from them...I couldn't give a fair opinion.

CF:  NMW

SSP:  What can I say...I've been with this company for 5 years now.  And soon, I will be heading it up...year of The Spotlight...year of The Spotlight...

CF:  GAW

SSP:  Again...even Great American Wrestling will see me shine this year!

CF:  3CW

SSP:  Well, I'll tell ya, I'm not sure of their status at the moment...but I do hope things get running for them again soon, because The Spotlight would definitely like to make himself known there as well!

CF:  AJ Styles

SSP:  Back on names again? Ok...Styles is very talented, while a bit too...I dunno...high spotty (as most of TNA is)...but solid.

CF:  "Alpha Male" Monty Brown

SSP:  Pssshhhh...he's no Alpha Male. I know the REAL Alpha Male!

CF:  Abyss

SSP:  Ha! He's has to wrestle the Mississippi Madman soon! Sucks for him!

CF:  Jeff Jerrett

SSP:  He's always been good in my book. Though may be slowing down a bit

CF:  Your favorite, Marty Jennetty

SSP:  Oh...funny guy huh? You think your funny? That doesn't deserve a response from me!

CF:  Mississippi Madman

SSP:  I could take him...I just got...surprised, that's all!

CF:  Eric Logan

SSP:  Don't even...I HATE that arrogant punk. It's not over between us...not yet! He will pay!

CF:  Michael Shard

SSP:  Ha! I made him tap! I'm the first person in NMW history to make Shard tap! I am the Master of the Abdominal Stretch!

CF:  Billy Morgan

SSP:  He's shown that he respects me, and that's good for him. I'd hate for him to find out what it's like for those who don't...

CF:  4GQ

SSP:  My ticket to the top, baby!

CF:  Mister Mister

SSP:  Those guys are alright...too bad Elite had to go and lose their Tag Titles.  Big mistake on his part.

CF:  He ended up the sole survivor in the triple threat tables match...actually wielding a heavy wooden ring barrier as a weapon.  Mr. Elite.

SSP:  Again...he made a mistake. He lost the Tag Titles for Mr. Mister.

CF:  Maximum Impact

SSP:  Wannabes...they are no Tuff N Stuff...and by that, I mean their no me!

CF:  Sigma Omega Beta

SSP:  Alcoholics who have no business in a ring.

CF:  Tuff-N-Stuff

SSP:  Stupid name that Logan came up with, but because of me was the best Tag Team in history. Hands down. Of course, I did all the work...

CF:  Then why is Scott Hall still wrestling?

SSP:  Beats me...I wouldn't hire the guy.

CF:  Sage Ramsey

SSP:  He seems to be getting a bit of a mean streak. I laughed pretty hard when I saw him shove that one cowboy kid up against a locker...but anyhow, he's got no chance of taking out team 4GQ this month!

CF:  Tricky Dick Moore

SSP:  He's the CI Champ...that should say it right there.

CF:  The lovely Rian Cruz

SSP:  Ha! Did you see me break her rib last month! I am the Master of the Abdominal Stretch! Twice proven!

CF:  RON

SSP:  Hmmmm...I really don't care. I mean, he seems to get a pretty intense following, but he's quite a bit wacked. I'll just stay away from all that...

CF:  The SignalBrat

SSP:  What? Pssshhh...is that the guy on the message boards who keeps stalking me? Tell him to get a life!

CF:  Lucky Dane

SSP:  Who?  Oh, the GAW Champ, yeah. Let's just say that I eat Lucky Charms for breakfast!

CF:  Irish Revolution

SSP:  GAW tag team champs, right? Maybe they can give Max. Impact a few beatings for me. Friggin punks...

CF:  Chip Conway

SSP:  Doesn't that guy wear a mask? Heh....I did that once. Mistake!

CF:  Austin Powers

SSP:  Man, you and your jokes. Just because that's my last name suddenly I get Austin jokes and Screech jokes. And the fans wonder why I hate them so much. You're all morons!

CF:  SSP's idols in training.

SSP:  My idol's in training, eh? Well, they've all got a long way to go until they reach Spotlight Status.

CF:  Greatest career match

SSP:  Oooh...that's tough, well...let's see, I was in them all, so yeah, all of them...but more specifically there are three. Ladder Match against Scotty Cash where I won the CI title. Tag match against the Gravediggers. And this years AHMT match against Guy Smith.

CF:  Favorite opponent

SSP:  It's always fun to hand Eric Logan his ass!

CF:  I assume it's your most hated opponent as well?

SSP:  Wow, good guess. You're a bright one. Although, not nearly bright enough to compete with The Spotlight!

CF:  Least favorite match of your career, besides any match with Logan.

SSP:  Rian Cruz.

CF:  Why is that?

SSP:  Does it really matter?!  Next topic please!

CF:  Anyone in particular you want to shoot at?

SSP:  How about my "good buddy" Eric Logan...Just want to make sure you know that it's not over. You have no idea what you have unleashed by removing my mask, and your time will come! Trust me!

CF:  Anyone in particular you've never wrestled that you would like to?

SSP:  No one in particular off the top of my head...but anyone that wants to can take a shot if they really want to. As long as they remember that I’m the Spotlight, and I win!

CF:   Okay we've been chatting for about...three hours, any final words from the Spotlight and shout outs or warnings to?

SSP:  Just remember...I'm the center of attention, the life of the party, the main attraction! I'm the man everyone pays to see, and the man everyone wishes they could be! I'm The Spotlight, and it's MY time to shine!

CF:  Just don't cause any blackouts...

SSP:  Yeah...ok...

As soon as that was said, there was a massive power failure in the building, and as cold as it was last night, it couldn’t had come at a worse time.  The door remains open though, for the next wrestler to enter the interview room and get quizzed on wrestling!