When I decided to write again, I wanted to make sure that I could do something different. Be more positive on the industry and try to socialise with as many people as possible. The way I decided to do this was put out tweets asking for independent wrestlers and talents to contact me for an interview.
I’m happy to say that the first person I managed to talk to is a fantastic talent, Italian manager and backstage agent. His name is Silvio Saccomanno (@coordinatorcaos on twitter), and he has a lot to share.
FT – First, tell me about yourself, your history in the business and what you’re currently doing?
SB – I began in 2013 as a promotor for ASCA Wrestling in Italy, I was the backstage agent and the head writer for the shows; I recently moved to Scotland, where I started training at Source Wrestling School. I am the backstage agent and the head writer for Mayhem Wrestling, and I also work as a manager for Paxxo/Luca De’Pazzi in several Italian promotions.
FT – What are your current thoughts of the wrestling industry, both the main and independent scene?
SB – It is a great moment for mainstream wrestling, with more and more chances for the athletes to be seen by a huge TV audience worldwide, thanks to the new on-demand and streaming platforms. Just look at AEW with the TNT Deal, forced NXT to be televised as well; also notice how much NJPW is growing in audience in the States and in the Western World in general. This growth in availability for mainstream wrestling and the increase in “major” promotions, has had the effect of having many established “indy” names being signed up from the bigger company; this allowed the talents who were growing in the shadows of those people to fill the gap in the Main Event spots and try to establish themselves as the new “indy” sensations, making the wrestling scene so organic and always fresh.
FT – How did you get into the business?
SB – In Italy, I met two guys who planned to start a promotion. The idea was to invest the money we spent in going around Europe to watch wrestling (between the 3 of us we never skipped a 16 Gold Carat) and try to build an “indy” scene in Italy. We discussed and planned for long then, in the December of 2013, we – as ASCA – ran our first show, an 8 men Tournament won by Tommy End (now known as Aleister Black )
FT – What does being a backstage agent consist of?
SB – In a major, a backstage agent is the person who assists the talent in setting up their matches, making sure that the story that creative has set up is adhered to; in smaller promotions, a backstage agent still assists the less experienced talent in setting up their matches making sure that the show doesn’t exceed the set timings or does not run to short; he/she also keeps up communication between the backstage area and the ring and makes sure that all the segments that are scheduled to take place backstage (promos, interviews…) happen.
FT – What are your aspirations in the industry?
SB – To make a living off it. To become known in the UK as well as in Italy, and hopefully to have a chance to be noticed and work, either as a manager or as a backstage agent (or, who knows, as both). One of the Main Goal is to try to get a notice from NXT:UK and use that as a trampoline to actually being able to make Pro Wrestling a Full-Time Gig.
FT – If you could work for any company in the world who would that be?
SB – Of course the WWE, and AEW – the two guiding lights in the business right now. I would also love to go to Japan and work for NJPW, as their style of wrestling is the one I personally prefer.
FT – If you could have one dream opponent/match who would it be against?
SB – I have always been a huge Chris Jericho fan, so – if I really had to pick a dream match – I’d love to have it with him, also because I am sure that he’d be able to make even someone like me, with no in-ring experience whatsoever, look like a million dollars.
FT – What do you think of the women’s scene in Professional wrestling?
SB – I am a huge supporter of women’s wrestling. Very often women in wrestling focus a lot in telling a story or working their gimmick in the ring rather than focussing on spot-based matches. Since before I became active in the wrestling world, I have been following promotions like Shimmer or Stardom: Cheerleader Melissa and Saraya Knight Feud is still one of my favourites ever.
FT – With the recent controversy around certain wrestlers being involved in the #metoo movement, has this impacted on how people see wrestlers in general?
SB – Sure. It opened many people’s eyes, showing them how dirty and disgusting part of this world can be. I’m afraid, however, that it may have obscured the fact that it still is a world in which there are a lot of great people, many more than the abusers. My hope is that what came out may make the wrestling world safer for anyone approaching the business and that all the suffering that we became aware of may cause a true, deep cleansing of the whole wrestling world, with no steps back.
FT – If there is anything you’d like to promote then please do it here?
SB – You can follow me on Twitter @CoordinatorChaos, on Instagram @silviosaccomanno; on Facebook, follow the Mayhem Wrestling page and Luca de’ Pazzi / Paxxo to find out where we will pop up next.
For my first interview, I couldn’t have picked a better person to talk to. Getting interviews and discussions can be really hard to do, but Silvio was the first person in my DM’s, so I’d like to thank him for this time.
If you get an opportunity or time then please check out all his social media pages. If this is something you’d like more of then please let me know, give it a like and share.
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