A monthly in depth look at the ECWA performers by Josh Martin
SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT
on
ANDREW RYKER
by Josh Martin |
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Andrew Ryker is one of the most popular and hard working
wrestlers on the ECWA roster. This young superstar came to the ECWA
looking to breakout and make a name for himself, and that he did. He
arrived with a lot of goals and objectives and one by one he has
accomplished them all. Within one year in the ECWA this young man has met
some of the best in the business. He has proven himself against Mike
Kruel, Low Ki, John Walters, Chase Del Monte, Alex Shelley and countless
others. He was a standout in the promotion's internationally acclaimed 9th
Annual Super 8 Tournament. He has also worked on occasion for the WWE when
they are in the area.
You can also read more on Andrew Ryker in PWI's, "Inside
Wrestling/The Wrestler" magazine, Vol. 4 2006, as they just interviewed
him for the introducing section which should hit the new stands on
12/13/05.
Ryker is well liked by the ECWA fans and his popularity
continues to grow. He is also well respected by his peers in the locker
room.
This goal setting star has a bright future ahead of him in the
wrestling business and we in the ECWA are glad to present him on our
roster. I had the opportunity to find out a little more about Andrew Ryker
recently. I hope you enjoy.
Ring Name? Andrew Ryker
Height? 6'
Weight? 205 lb.
Character hails from? Baltimore MD
Birthdate? (month & day) February 20th
Years Pro? 4
Trained by? GDan McDevitt and Jim Kettner
Where did you train? Bonebreakers of Maryland
Style of wrestling? It seems to be a toss up everytime I step into the ring. Sometimes I have
to stay on the mat a bit and other times I get to fly. Ideally, my style
would be anything that keeps me in control of the match and my opponent on
his toes. Unfortunately that isn't always the case, so it's important to
be able to adapt to you opponent's style.
I really believe that it is important to watching for mistakes in your
opponents offense, as that is the key to winning a match. I may not always
go for the glitz and glamour ... but I always go for the win ... at any
cost.
Favorite moves? Top rope clothesline, standing franeksteiner, T-bone
slam
Finishing moves? The Ryker Rewind, The Superkick and The 450 Splash
Notable ECWA feuds? My longest "feud" hs been with "The Shooter" Mike Kruel. Not only did he
ruin my chances at winning the ECWA Heavyweight Championship ... but he
did it by hitting me with a chair after I pinned him cleanly. And when we
wrestled, he definatley pushed me to my limits ... actually, way past
them.
Favorite ECWA opponents? My recent encounter with Chase DelMonte comes to mind. I had to really
change my gameplan when it came to offense. I usually draw my energy from
the crowd cheering and yelling, but this time they were cheering and
yelling for both of us. It was a split decision all the way until the end.
He was the better man that night, but I am certainly looking forward to a
rematch in the future.
How long have you been in wrestling? I began in May of 2001
What made you want to get into wrestling? Like most, I've been a fan my entire life. I think it started the first
time I jumped off of the coffee table with a flying elbow drop onto my
stuffed animals. I tell you what, there isn't a teddy bear out there that
I couldn't beat.
From there I got into the magazines, the toys, the videogames, making belts out of cardboard and foil, the pay-per-views and of course I watched every weekend. Saturday morning was wrestling time. And so was saturday afternoon ... and saturday night. And most of sunday. Actually all of sunday. And then there was the week. What was the question again?
When did you join the ECWA? I joined the ECWA in July of 2004
How did you joining the ECWA come about? My local promotion shut down and forced me to send out promo tapes.
Luckily, the ECWA was not only at the top of my list, but the promoter
liked what he saw. The goodtimes started right then and there.
What do you like about the ECWA? Everything. And I say that not because I think it is what people want to
hear. I can honestly say that I love everything about the ECWA. We are a
family ... for real.
What do you think about the ECWA fans? I absolutely adore them. Nowhere else makes me feel the way that they do
when I come out to do my thing. I appreciate that fact that they
appreciate what I do. I am out there not only to win for me, but to win
for them.
What have been your favorite ECWA moments? Hands down participating in the 2005 Super 8. It was an unbelievable honor
and privilege to be invited to compete in that tournament.
How did the Andrew Ryker character come about? No character here. What you see out there is me ... just turned up a
notch.
What is the Andrew Ryker character all about? Making the fans as happy as possible while at the same time showing them
that he is out there to win.
Your thoughts on the current state of the wrestling business? The ECWA is the best independent promotion out there. I am very lucky to
involved with such a professional and caring promotion. There are few
places like that out there in the entire country. And the ones that aren't
bring everyone down as a whole.
Favorite Food? Oatmeal ... really
Favorite music? Rock
Favorite band/artist? W.A.S.P., Pink Floyd, Greenday, Oasis, Tom Petty
Favorite color? Green
Favorite sports team? The Baltimore Ravens
Favorite athlete? Kyle Boller (just kidding)
Favorite wrestlers? Too many to name ... but let's try ... Christian,
Dean Malenko, Eddy Guerro, Christian, Shawn Michaels, Christian, Ted
Dibiase as The Million Dollar Man (Greatest gimmick ever by the way)
Favorite TV shows? 24, Smallville, CSI
Favorite movies? The Last of the Mohicans, Gladiator, The Lost Boys,
Snatch
Favorite actor? pass
Favorite actress? Charisma Carpenter
What sports do you like to watch? Football
What sports do you like to play? None really
What hobbies do you have? Cooking, playing videogames, training and
eating
What do you do in your spare time? See above ...
What kind of work outside wrestling to you do? I've been known to fix a
copier or two
Who have been your biggest inspirations? Anybody who said "...yes you
can."
What are your aspirations (professional & personal)? Professionally I want to work fulltime as a professional wrestler.
Personally ... well ... I just want to be the best person that I can be.
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