SWE Spotlight: In Profile – SLTD Wrestling meets Steven Magners

As announced on SLTD Radio last Thursday, welcome to the first in our series of “SWE Spotlight” interviews! For those of you who might not be aware of the promotion, SWE runs shows around the north-east of Scotland in places like Dundee and Perth. As well as running their own training camp and creating their own stars, some WWE legends have also appeared for the promotion in the past including the likes of Tatanka and Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Today’s interview is the first of a few that I’ll be bringing to you over the next few weeks. Recently, I sat down and spoke with one half of the SWE Tag-Team “The Syndicate”, Steven Magners. He was great with his time and we spoke about a lot of things including WWE legends, what his goals are and who he’d love to work with in the future. Let’s get right down to it and see what Steven had to say!

Tell us a little bit about how you got started in wrestling and who your influences were when you started watching it?

My main influences, when I was younger were Catweazle and the Dynamite Kid. I loved the comedy of Catweazle and the undisputed ability of Dynamite. I must admit, I also used to go crazy for Big Daddy. “EASY! EASY! EASY!”

When did you decide that you wanted to be a wrestler?

At about 11 or 12 years old when I got taken to a wrestling show in Ayr and saw the Dynamite Kid live!

For anyone that hasn’t seen you wrestle, how would you describe your style?

Some people have described my style as lazy, but I’d call it efficient! I’ve never been one for flying around the ring, doing 100 moves an hour. I like to perform in a methodical, submissions based style.

Where are we most likely to see you wrestling?

I do the vast majority of my work with Scottish Wrestling Entertainment, based around Tayside.

Who would you say that you’ve learned the most from since you became a wrestler?

I couldn’t name only one person. Pro wrestling is something in which there are always new things to learn. You show me someone that says they know it all and I’ll show you a liar!

What are your memories of your first match?

Probably the same as most wrestlers. Everyone’s first match is usually terrible! That’s what I remember. Nerves, botches and unintended comedy!

What’s the one thing that frustrates you about the world of wrestling right now?

I detest seeing so called “promoters” put on sub-standard shows with “wrestlers” that are poorly trained, (if at all!) These companies do nothing but rip off wrestling fans and serve to tarnish the reputation of all the hard working promotions.

There are lots of good, strong wrestling companies in the UK right now. What do you put that down to?

I would say that it’s partially due to the level of training that is being offered across the UK. The quality of the genuine talent is greater now than it has been in years! Also not forgetting the great wrestling fans all over the country, without them, there would be no point in running shows.

What’s the best thing about wrestling for SWE and being a wrestler?

I love the family friendly atmosphere at SWE shows. And in my opinion, the best thing about being a wrestler, is knowing that the fans have enjoyed the show. It’s all about the fans.

When you started out wrestling in the SWE, what did you want to achieve and how far do you think you are on the road to being where you want to be?

I want to help establish a top quality product, so that the younger wrestlers have a platform to perform and really have the chance to shine. With the talent currently coming through Hartland Wrestling School, I feel that it won’t be too long before guys like me can start to take a back seat.

I’ve spoken to a couple of guys from SWE and they’ve said that you take a lot of the training for them. What do you enjoy most about doing that and does it make you feel good when you see the new guys get in the ring and show what they can do?

I’ve been coaching for a few years now and I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with the next generation of talent. I love seeing their commitment and hard work paying off. Some of the recent trainees are starting to break through within SWE, and others, like Martyn Stallyon, are now well travelled, experienced workers in their own right.

What’s it like to be backstage around wrestling legends like Ted DiBiase, Roddy Piper and Chavo Guerrero, and do they give you feedback/pointers about your matches when you’re back behind the curtain?

It can be very surreal being backstage on a show at any time, so having legends and Hall of Famers present certainly adds to it! I always treat the international talent with great respect, while also treating them as “one of the lads.” This is reciprocated by the legends and in turn, I get to learn a lot from them. Especially when it comes to ring psychology and storytelling. Almost anyone can put spots together, but the ability to tell a story, and getting the crowd to truly care about what you’re doing, is sadly, a dying art.

Of all the matches you’ve had in your career so far, which one stands out to you most and which one are you most proud of?

My favourite match has to be my tag team match from Hell for Lycra XIII in Dundee 2011. My tag partner Chaz Phoenix and I, faced Brian Tucker and WWE legend Tatanka.

Who’s been your favourite opponent to get in the ring with and why?

Again, I would say Tatanka, because having such a well known and well respected opponent actually willing to put you over in a match, was just amazing! He could’ve easily said, “No, we’ll do this…… and do that……” but he was a gentleman. One of the greatest honours available for any wrestler is someone that you have looked up to, giving you a helping hand. (Albeit in the form of a Tomahawk Chop!)

Is there anyone you haven’t had the chance to wrestle yet that you’d love to work with?

To be honest, with regards to Scottish talent, I would love to work a match with Lionheart. We are both from the same town, Cumnock, and been involved in wrestling for years, but our paths have never really crossed. As for the rest of the UK, I would say Tiny Irons or M.V.K, just to show fans that a body doesn’t make a wrestler.

Is there anything that you’ve done in wrestling that hasn’t worked out for one reason or another and that you’d do differently if you had the chance?

Everyone involved in wrestling has done something at one time or another that didn’t quite work out. Be it a gimmick, a spot, a rib that’s went too far, or accepting bookings when other commitments should have taken priority.

Has anyone ever given you a piece of advice that you’ve carried with you throughout your career?

My wife, Christine, has often told me, “If you get hurt, I’ll kill you!” So I always keep that in mind. After all, if it wasn’t for my family, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. I was also told years ago…… don’t ever take yourself too seriously, because, all you are is fully grown man, wearing spandex! There’s a few folk out there that would do well to remember this.

Let’s pretend for a second that I’m Vince McMahon. I call you up and say “I want to give you a match at WrestleMania against any wrestler in the world, from the recent past or present”. Who would you want to face on that stage and why?

If that call were to happen, I’d probably hang up the phone! I’m not a fan of the “McMahon Machine.” In saying that, I would have loved to have a triple threat match with Necro Butcher and Supreme. Not much chance of that in today’s PG era though!

And finally, have you got a message for all your fans?

Stay true and accept nothing less!

Well guys, that was our first SWE Spotlight interview with Steven Magners, one half of “The Syndicate” tag-team that wrestle in Scotland for SWE. Hopefully you guys enjoyed hearing what Steven had to say, especially when it comes to training wrestlers and what he hopes to achieve over the next few years! Steven’s also on twitter @stevenmagners. Give him a follow to keep up to date with where he’s wrestling next and for future appearances! To find out more about SWE, visit their official website at www.sweonline.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @swe_online.

Once again, I just wanna thank Steven for sparing some of his time to answer our questions! We really appreciate it and we’ll try to catch up with him again soon! Keep your eyes peeled for the next in our SWE Spotlight series right here next week!