An interview with Michael Youngblood

by Bobby Inman
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It’s no secret that I am a wrestling fan.  Now, I am not talking about “Sports Entertainment” but “Wrasslin’.  I was invited to do an expose of the Continental Championship Wrestling Fanfest in Dotahn, Alabama on May 12, 2018.  One of the wrestlers that had a match there was Michael Youngblood.   He impressed me with his ability that night.

Over the last couple of weeks, I talked with Youngblood via Facebook.  He has some upcoming plans and matches that speak about the intestinal fortitude and strength of his character as well as his ability as an athlete

I asked Youngblood if he would agree to an interview with me for the Quad Cities Daily, which he did.  Below are the questions that I asked him.     His answers will be in (Italics).

  1. Tell me about Michael Youngblood. Upbringing, Education, Family, etc.

 

“I was born on July 29, 1975 in Lorringburg, North Carolina.   I went to Scotland High School in North Carolina.  I also attended a private school where I began wrestling.  I did a Pro Match my junior year.  I lied about my age. 

 

 I was born into the Professional Wrestling Family or Business.  My Dad worked for Jim Crockett Promotion.  He did ticket sales, got sponsors and set up venues for wrestling shows. 

 

My Uncle ran a taxi service.  He would transport the wrestlers back and for from the event at no charge.  However, the wrestlers always took care of him with tips.  He told me one time; the Four Horsemen gave him a $500 tip. “

 

 

  1. How did you break into the sport of Professional Wrestling?

 

“I actually got started in the wrestling business when I was 3 years old.  My father took me to the matches.  I stayed backstage with the wrestlers, who watched me while my Dad worked.  I can remember sitting on Roddy Piper’s lap while he fed me a hot dog and a soda. 

 

If a wrestler had a match, another wrestler would watch me for a while.      I remember that Andre the Giant scared me.  Paul Jones calmed me down.  I also remember Blackjack Mulligan, Gary Hart and Ivan Koloff babysitting me. 

 

On July 26, 1993, I was headed to join the Marine Corps.  On the way to the Recruiter’s, I stopped by Ivan Koloff’s wrestling school.  He did not recognize me.  I asked if I could get into the ring.  He told me no until I signed a waiver which I did.  I told him that I wanted to be a Professional Wrestler. 

 

He sent 2 of his students into the ring and I beat both of them.  As I exited the ring, he told me that I “had it” to be a wrestler.  I then told him who I was and he remembered me.  He cut me a deal on the tuition costs to be a student. 

 

I went home that night and told me family that I wasn’t going to be a Marine but a Wrestler.  My Dad beat my butt with a belt.  I was 18 years old but he still did it.   Later that night while I was in my room, my Mother came in and told me to follow my heart. 

 

I began training at Koloff’s School.  After a year with Koloff, he told me I was ready.  He gave me my money back that I had paid him for tuition as well as a plane ticket.

 

  I went to New York to work for the WWF.  A guy there met me at the airport with a limo.  This was the first time I rode in a limo.  I met with Jerry Brisco, Pat Patterson, Sgt. Slaughter and Tony Garea.  They put me to work. 

 

I worked as a jobber for two years.  A jobber is someone who lets the bigger stars pin them or put them over.  I didn’t realize they were grooming me for a spot.  I had an idea of a Native American theme due to my ancestry.  However, I wrestled as Michael Vice.  I wore a leather coat and shades. 

 

I wrestled as Micheal Haywood (my real name) against Razor Roman (Scott hall) in his first match.  I wrestled the greats there.  Owen hart, Undertaker, Menon a Mission, Savio Vega, Bob Backlund.  I was in a tag match against the British Bulldog and Owen hart and my partner was Gillberg.  

 

I left the WWF and went to japan for a while before going to the Indies. 

 

In 2005through 2006, I went back to the WWE.  Rob Conway had some serious heat.  We actually had a fight in the locker room.  I remember Ricky Steamboat told him that he better watch it, he wasn’t just messing with anyone.  Conway was fired two weeks later. 

 

I was part of the Kurt Angle Invitational Matches.  I was the first person to wrestle Kurt in a ladder match.  We did it four days in a row before we did it on live TV.

 

Later on, I went to NXT, but it didn’t work out.  William Regal didn’t want to pay me what I needed even though Triple didn’t have a problem with it.  “

 

 

  1. During your career, you have spent time in the various Wrestling Territories.   Which was your favorite organization to work for?

 

“Greg Price at the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling”

 

  1. On July 27, 2018, you are leaving the Professional Wrestling World to start a career in MMA. Tell me about that.

 

“I just signed a contract with Stallings Minor Promotions (Gayle Stallings Minor) to fight Shannon “The Cannon” Ritch on October 6, 2018.  This will be on Pay Per View.  This is for the WKA-USA Organization & Diamond World Champion MMA

 

Shannon “The Cannon” Ritch

Shannon is an Eight Time World Champion and a formable Opponent.”

 

 

 

  1. Ric Flair has gone on record several times saying that his toughest opponent was Ricky “The Dragon Steamboat” and he really liked working with Sting. Let’s flip that to Michael Youngblood.  Who was your toughest opponent?      Who did you like working with the most?

 

“That’s a tough one.  I have wrestled so many people.  I would have to say that my two toughest opponents are Abdullah the Butcher and the Monster Pain. 

Abdullah the Butcher

 

  I was wrestling Abdullah the Butcher in Puerto Rico while working with Carlos Colon.  I have been wrestling the Monster pain recently.  We went to a time limit draw on June 2nd, 2018 in Dothan, Alabama.   We took it to each other. 

The Monster Pain

 

As far as my favorite person to work with, that would have to be Kid Kash.  I made a lot of money with Kash.  We were wrestling in front of 8,000 people at the time I am talking about.” 

 

  1. Recently C.M. Punk competed in his second UFC match, which he lost, giving him a record of 0-2. The next morning you posted a video calling out Punk.  Give me your thoughts behind this.

 

“I challenged C.M. Punk because of his comments about our President Donald Trump.  Don’t disrespect the United States of America as well as the President.

 

Furthermore, Punk has disrespected the business.  Basically he has pissed me of.  I will fight him anytime and anywhere.  To me, it’s personal with him.”

 

7.Your nickname is Thunderhorse. How did you get this nickname and who gave it to you?

 

Michael Youngblood and Dax Anthony

“It is because I like riding horses.  I break horses.  Years ago, I was trying to break this stubborn horse when it clouded up and began to thunder as a storm moved in.  The horse threw me and I was hurt.  While I was lying on the ground, the horse came over to me.  The horse sniffed and me and nudged me.  He knew I was hurt. 

 

My Brother yelled at me to come on home.  He called me ‘Thunderhorse’ and it just stuck.  I got off the ground and began walking away and the horse followed me.”

 

8.What is your favorite Venue to wrestling in?

 

“That would have to be the Charlotte Coliseum in North Carolina.  However, it is no longer there. “

 

 

  1. You are part of Continental Championship Wrestling. Can Continental Championship Wrestling survive in today’s market of Sports Entertainment?   Does it have the ‘staying power’ for lack of better term? 

 

“It can survive.  With the proper marketing and advertisement it has staying power.  It already has the talent there.  Wrestling is like a book.  The wrestlers tell a story.  Each match is like a chapter in the book.

 

It has good management that can carry it to a bigger and better organization. “

 

 

 

 

  1. On June 2nd, 2018, in Dothan, Alabama, The Monster Pain and you battled to a 20 minute draw. I was not there but have talked to several people that were.  One said it was the best match on the card that night.   Another said it was basically the “immovable object against the irresistible force”    Your thoughts on that match?

    Youngblood and the Monster Pain

 

“I am going to win.  Much respect to the Monster Pain, but he doesn’t have a chance.  The skill level is not there.  I can out wrestle him.  I think better under pressure. 

 

I will say this; he gave me a helluva match on June 2nd.  It is 20 minutes of just pure brutal battle.    However, on July 7th, I will leave Dothan as the Bullet Proof Champion.”

 

Youngblood and the Monster Pain

 

  1. I know that your wife and you are involved in several other projects. Tell me about them.

 

Tresa Haywood

“One of our favorite is the Veterans Freedom Program.  Her Dad served during the Korean War.  She has a unique history in her family.  She is related to Ulysses S. Grant, the General of the Union Forces during the Civil War.  She is also related to Elvis Presley.  Her maiden name is Presley. 

 

One thing I am proud of is my Brother is part of the Secret Service Protection Detail for President Donald Trump. “

 

 

 

  1. Tell me about Michael Youngblood the family man.

 

“When I come home, I cut off the business.  I change from Michael Youngblood to Michael Haywood.  Sometimes it is hard to cut off.  Tresa helps me cut it off.  We eat dinner, read or watch TV, just relax. 

Michael and Tresa

 

Tresa and I have been married for 9 years. 

 

I have 2 children.  Tresa has two children as well as four Grandbabies.”

 

Michael and Tresa

 

  1. As stated above, you are leaving the Wrestling World on July 27. Is this retirement or just a “leave of absence” from Wrestling?

 

“I will be stepping away for a little bit.  I have signed a contract for three MMA fights.  I have wanted to do this for a long time. 

 

I will come back to Professional Wrestling.  I love to compete.  I am an actual fighter.  I give it all in the Professional Wrestling Ring as well as I will when I step into the MMA. 

 

I will be donating three scholarships to three kids from the money earned on my MMA fights.  The money will go into a trust fund and when these three kids are old enough, it will pay for their college. “

 

 

  1. You opponent for your first MMA match is Shannon “the Cannon” Ritch who is an 8 time World Champion. How have you changed your training program from Wrestling to MMA for this upcoming match?

Yes I have.  I have really changed my Cardio.  I have had to up it.  I am working on dropping some fat so I can start putting on lean muscle.”

 

 

  1. What would you like to say to the Michael Youngblood fans out there today?

“I love my fans.  There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them.  I have spent 25 years in the business and if it wasn’t for the fans I would have made it.  They are the #1 reason that I am here.  I love being around the kids.  The kids always seem to be in awe of the face paint.  They are part of my extended family.”

 

Bonus Question:   This question was asked to Tresa.  What is it like being married to Michael Youngblood?

        “As the Wrestler, it is sometimes hard.  He is a character and after a match, sometimes it is a little hard to come out of the character.  It can be overwhelming at times. 

Tresa Haywood

           However I am his #1 supporter.  I am at every one of his matches.  I have been a part of his career since we have been together.  Sometimes the female fans act or wish he was single, but he is a good family man. 

           I am very proud of him and will stand behind him on whatever path he chooses.”

Tresa Haywood

    The following photos were taken of Michael Youngblood by this author in Dothan, Alabama on May 12, 2018 at the Continental Championship Wrestling Fanfest.

  Bobby Inman has retired twice from Law Enforcement after 21 years of Service.  He is a Consultant for Southern Heritage Gun & Pawn in Tuscumbia.   He has articles published in Law & Order Magazine, Police Marksman Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine as well as several published ebooks on Amazon, Kobo Writing, as well as Nook (Barnes & Noble).  He is owner of Poopiedog, an Animal Rescue Dachshund, who is his constant companion.   He is a Senior Investigative Reporter for the Quad Cities Daily

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