Chris Hamrick is a name known worldwide. Chris has worked for many promotions including, Smokey Mountain, NWA, APW & the World Wrestling Federation, but Chris found his fame in ECW as part of a team called Hot Commodity. Chris Hamrick now works on the Indy wrestling circuit where he does all his best to give the fans a good match to see. This week I got chance to catch up with the sensation that is “The Highflying” Chris Hamrick.
Your first pro match was at 16 years old, but who trained you?
I basically trained myself. I stayed in the ring from sun up to sun down everyday. Ricky Morton taught me the psychology of the business.
Who was your first pro match against?
My first match was against a guy named Alvin Melton.
You have worked for a lot of promotions in your career, these ranges from NWA, PWF and Smokey Mountain. How was it working from Jim Cornette’s Smokey Mountain?
It was great working with Smokey Mountain, They had such awesome talent. Jim Cornette is a wrestling genius. It was also the first time I ever got to work New Jack.
What are your favourite memories from Smokey Mountain wrestling?
Just being able to say I was a small part of it.
You joined the WWF in 1994, and was basically a squash guy for the WWF Superstars, what was it like working for the WWF?
I loved it, even though, I am there getting my ass beat, I am on TV, I am getting paid, I get to hang out with the WWF superstars.
Did you walk away from the WWF with fond memories and if so what were those memories?
I guess my best memory was getting to hang out with Shawn Michaels and Owen Hart.
So far so good, you had competed in Smokey Mountain, which at that time was rated as one of the top 5 promotions in North America; you had also wrestled for the WWF. Then came ECW, what was it like getting a job there?
UNBELIEVEABLE. To work for such a great company was the best. Kid Kash got me the tryout, I owe everything to him.
What are your fondest memories of ECW?
I would have to say they all happened out of the ring. The BEST locker room anywhere on this planet. Everyone was there to help someone. When you made a friend in ECW, you made one for life. I feel I made so many friends there.
You teamed up with EZ Money & Julio Dinero, what was it like teaming up with these guys?
I just hate that ECW folded before Hot Commodity got to show the world, what they could do. I still team with Julio on the Indies some, and love it.
I have heard you weren’t keen on EZ Money, what happened or what did he do for you to dislike him?
He disrespected Kash in WCW. After all Kash did for the both of us, I just don’t understand him.
Which match in ECW would you describe as your best match?
Guilty As Charged with Nova
When ECW folded it must have been a real bad time for you, what were you feeling when the time came for ECW to close its doors for the last time?
I didn’t go to the last show, so it pretty well sucked.
Do you still keep in touch with the guys from ECW, and if so who do you catch up with the most?
New Jack, Steve Corino, Kid Kash, Nova, Julio Dinero, Joey Matthews, Christian York & Francine.
Did you know that ECW had a huge following in the UK?
No I didn’t know that, but I guess I do now.
ECW was show on Bravo TV, and the tapes of the PPVs are still released over here, obviously ECW never toured the UK, but do you have any desires to wrestle over here?
I will wrestle anywhere.
What do you say to any promoter that reads this interview, and who is interested in bringing you here to wrestle?
You can email me at hiflyinghamrick@aol.com. I have also hooked up with Kristi Myst. You can book the both of us at this email.
You now wrestle on the independent scene, which wrestler or wrestlers stand out to you as future stars?
Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere, The SATS, Matt Vandal and Mike Preston
In your career you have seen Smokey Mountain, ECW & WCW close their doors, do you see any promotion becoming the next number 2 in the future, and if so which companies do you think will be true contenders?
No clue what so ever
Have you had any enquiries from the WWF for you to go back?
I have had no contact with them at all.
What can we expect from Chris Hamrick in the next 12 months?
Just busting my ass and hopefully entertaining the fans.
Who would you say was your greatest opponent?
Kid Kash, he was my trainer and my good friend.
Well Chris I think its time we wrapped up this interview, just before you go, what advice would you give to anyone wanting to train to become a pro wrestler?
If you are going to do this, go to a school and be trained the right way
Chris on behalf of everyone here at TalkWrestlingOnline/Wrestling101 I want to wish you all the best in your future and hope to see you wrestling on TV again soon.
Aaron Spencer