Just after his death defying performance at Revival I managed to catch up with “Solid Gold” Scott Parker. Scott has worked his way through the FWA with solid performances night after night and has lead to him being in contention for a future FWA title shot. I found out what he thought of how things were going for him in the UK Scene.

When did you decide to get involved in the wrestling business and how did your career start out?

I decided to get actively involved in summer of 1996 when I saw an advert in PowerSlam for the Hammerlock summer training camp. I couldn’t afford to go that year so I ended up going in summer 1997.

What was your time in NWA-UK like compared to your time now in the FWA?

I wasn't really with Hammerlock for that long, and was only just beginning so I basically went out and did the job each match as part of my learning. I didn’t get a huge amount of input to the matches, unlike now where I have reached the level where I get to participate in the storylines and angles.

Quite early in your career you received a serious back injury how did it happen and what was going through your mind during your 18 month lay off?

I was injured while doing my day job, lifting loads of boxes into a van. I spent all that time healing up and getting stronger and watching the UWA start and then fail. I was good friends with Mad Dog McPhie from the UWA and he would call me everyday to tell me how good things were and how he was getting on. I was very jealous - it helped motivate me to come back.

How did you come about the name and gimmick of "Solid Gold"?

It was as a result of my first ever match. I was supposed to make my debut in a Rumble. Jody Flash (now Fleisch) was unable to appear and so I had 10 minutes notice that I was going to be appearing in a tag match. I was told I was a face and I had to come up with a name. Solid Gold was the first thing that came into my head. I've just taken it from there, adding things like naming moves Gold Rush, Golden Shower and catchphrases like "Worth my weight in 'Solid Gold' and "24 carat beating" into the character.

You have been involved in so many matches and events for FWA which has been your favourite so far and why?

I think at the moment my favourite match would either be the match against Alex Shane at When Thunder Strikes as it was that match that helped raise me up to the next level, or the match against Steve Corino which I really enjoyed as it pushed on the Old School / New School feud. Then there was Revival; every moment of that was great, but the fans reaction when Alex Shane came out for our match was awesome!

At Revival you wrestled in one of the matches of the night against AlexShane, what was Revival like?

Like I just said, Revival was a great experience. Wrestling Eddie Guererro was a definite career highlight and the fact that TV cameras were there made it so much more of a special show. When I dive off that balcony onto Alex; I thought I'd killed myself or him.

Was Revival the biggest event you have been in, in your opinion and what are your thoughts on the current UK scene?

Without question, it was the biggest show I've done. It bodes well for the UK scene in general. There is far more co-operation now between promoters and lots of new wrestlers coming up through the ranks. However, there is a limit to how big it can get without that elusive TV deal for nationwide coverage.

What is the future looking like in FWA who do you think you will feud with next, do you think you will get a title shot you richly deserve in the near future?

Who can say what the future holds? Things change so quickly in this business but I certainly feel that I am in line for a shot at the title. Since Doug Williams beat me in the final, I have only lost twice and have beaten Steve Corino, Drew McDonald, Ulf Hermann, Justin Richards but have not been given one rematch. Now Flash Barker has the belt, let's hope he has the 'Golden Globes' to put it on the line against me. And I have not forgotten what Dino Scarlo has been up to recently. He'll get his when the time is right.

When you broke on to the scene 5 years ago did you think you would reach this level and what current goals do you set for yourself?

I had no idea what to expect. All I really wanted to do at first was to run the ropes and take a bump! That would have been enough for me. But now I have been around a while, I'd love to start working more often and further a field. I have always wanted to wrestle in the USA and that looks like it might be happening later in the year. Plus I think it is about time that Solid Gold had a nice shiny gold belt to complete the look.

What can we expect from Scott Parker in the future?

More of the same; only better.

Thanks for your time

No problem. Take it easy.

Click here to visit the Official website of Scott Parker

Adam Sibley