TNA's Gunner Says Randy Savage Was One Of His Main Influences, Talks TNA Debut & More

Birthdate: 06/06/1982 (age 32) Height: 6'2" Weight: 258 Ib He is a former TNA World Tag Team Champion with...

Gunner spoke with Main Event Madness for a new interview. Check out the highlights:

On his start into pro wrestling and being in the military: “I did 4 years in the Marine Corp from 2002-2006, I was a Machine Gunner, I was on top of the truck with the ring mount, with the .50 cal or whatever weapon I had and I did my time. I actually started wrestling in 2001 after I got out of high school and went into the Marine Corps in 2002 and I wrestled the whole time I was in the military unless I was deployed. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and would travel 13-15 hours round trip, sometimes more every weekend, to do local independent shows in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina, kinda all over, something I did while I was in the military.”

On his TNA debut: “You know, I started with them we did the security thing, me and Murphy with Immortal and backstage it was really cool, and I know that certain individuals, we all had the belief that when TNA started it was all about the younger talent, I know I’ve talked to fans and you get people’s input here and there, but they really wanted to see TNA flourish and thrive on that young talent. You had AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, James Storm, Bobby Roode, all these guys who started in Impact Wrestling were all the younger talent and they helped build the company into what it is now and I think it was one of those things where the younger talent was put on the backburner a little bit so to say, but now it’s picking back up a lot more. I do think there was a little animosity there, for me I looked at it as an opportunity, I was getting to work alongside Hogan and Flair and for me, it was a learning experience.”

On his biggest influences on his character: “A lot of the times and a lot of the things I do and wrestling’s about, I don’t wanna say stealing, but rehashing certain things and I’m a huge Macho Man fan, he’s always one of those guys I still watch, still study and to me, he was way ahead of his time, his aggression his promos and even as a babyface, he never changed his intensity. A lot of his stuff and growing up I watched Triple H, which was one of my favorites and I loved to watch him sell, whether it be in a match or in a promo and his reaction because he always got people really invested and I could sit here and name names all day of guys I really loved, but Macho Man was one I still really enjoy and love to watch and learn from.”

Gunner Speaks Out - Re-Signing With TNA, TNA's Future, More

The following are highlights of a recent Busted Open Radio interview with TNA star Gunner:

It has to be an exciting time for not just you, but for TNA as a whole because there has been a shift in how the talent is being used. Do you like how the talent is now being used in a different way? "Absolutely and you know that in pro wrestling, it's built around the younger guys. Initially, we're the ones that are gonna help take the company into the future. Kurt Angle and those guys won't be around forever so for me to finally get the opportunity to show what I can do, them believing in me and believing in other guys as well. I mean, we are the future of company and the future of the business, so you either get to carry the ball or you drop the ball and if you drop the ball you're obviously not going to be in that position so I'm very confident in my ability to carry that ball for TNA."

You mentioned that you wouldn't have re-signed if you weren't confident in the direction things are going. Is it safe to say that TNA is not going to drop the ball going forward? "I do agree, man. We can sit here and talk about all the computer, lawyers all day. But the fact is it's been around for 11 or 12 years now TNA. I've been with them since 2009 and I think since day 1 they've been the company that everybody talked bad about and talked about financial problems. But we're fine. We're continuing our ratings the way they have been and I'm confident in the company. Like I said, if I wasn't then I wouldn't have re-signed. I'm happy where I am. I'm happy with the company and where it stands."

There are a lot of people that are happy that Eric Young is now the champion because of how long he had been underutilized. Is Eric the right guy to be the TNA champion? "Sure. Yeah, and Eric Young is definitely a deserving individual. Personally, I love Eric to death. He's a great guy; he's worked his tail off since he's been in TNA. Not only that, but he does his own TV show now, so people know who he is and maybe they're tuning in because of that reason. A guy that people have always stood behind; I think is a great thing. It's good for storyline; it's good for the fans. The fans want to see something different. Usually, TNA has always been a company to give them something different from the six sided ring, to the X division and all these other X division matches. Storyline wise it just continues to be a great company with a great opportunity with Eric Young as the champion."

You had the feast or fired briefcase for a bit but didn't successfully cash it in. With Eric Young becoming champion, do you feel like you should be getting your shot at the belt soon? Do you agree that you should be a future champion? "I do agree. I'm not just saying that because you asked me the question. But I do agree because I've been around with TNA since 09. I feel like I've paid my dues when it comes to this company. They gave me the opportunity in Manchester and obviously James Storm screwed me out of that opportunity. But in the future, with the Bound for Glory series kicking off after Slammiversary in June, it's something I'm pretty sure I am going to be a part of. But in the future, I don't know about this year but eventually, being a world champion is my goal. It's always been my goal since I started wanting to become a wrestler when I was 5 or even started training in 2000. Whoever it is, Eric Young, or Magnus or anybody, I look forward to getting that opportunity once again."

Since James Storm has turned heel, most of the fans that were behind him have started to gravitate towards you; so kudos to you because you have really won the hearts of the TNA fans. "Yeah, I think so, and we can feel it. Even though I've been there for a while, it was real touchy when we did live events, especially when we did live events in Tennessee, but yeah they really have. And as much as I hate James for bashing my dad in the head with a beer bottle and doing what he has done to me, I respect him as a performer and as an entertainer; as a man, not so much. He knows what he is doing in the ring and he definitely has the people hating him right now with me being...