 The Mark |
 Flipper |
of WrestlingMark.com January 4, 2006
The Mark: What made you decide to get into the wrestling business and how did you go about getting into it?
Dan Tanaka: Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to do something in wrestling. I was fascinated with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Andre The Giant, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Owen Hart, and such. I wanted to be just like them. Complications in my back don't allow me to be a wrestler. There are only a few other options from there to work in when it comes the ring action. You can be either a referee or a manager. Originally I wanted to be a manager, but things took a different turn.
My start came from working for Extreme Wrestling Federation, which was based in Clinton, MA at the Saint John's Gym. The guys had a few ideas for me, either be the commissioner or a translator for Tiger Kahn. Well, one night of being the commissioner on bad sound equipment…didn't work I guess. So that was scrapped and I ended up doing odd jobs around the shows like music or helping the ring announcer get information together. So that was my little start.
Flipper: As you enter your 5th year in the business, have you seen a difference in the importance of good refereeing vs when you began?
Dan Tanaka: I most definitely do. A referee should know what he's doing, especially when it comes to the biggest matches of the night.
The Mark: Where did you get your training?
Dan Tanaka: I started off with a seminar of sorts before a Northeast Championship Wrestling event. That was the same day of my start as a referee. I then went to Squared Circle Academy, which at the time was just T.J. Richter. TJ Richter moved to NWA-New England WrestlePlex after a while and I followed with. After a while I briefly went to train not too far away from home with Maverick Wild for manager training. Due to some conflicts my training with him was brief. He closed the facility for the winter season, as heat was hard to come by in the building. I eventually went to Slamtech Wrestling University with Bob Evans. I'm glad I made the choice!
The Mark: How do you feel training for a referee differs from the training of a wrestler?
Dan Tanaka: A lot less abuse on your body is the most noticeable difference. Pretty much while they practice wrestling, I will practice being a referee. Anyone does anything wrong, they are told so. The one time I would the exact same thing as the wrestlers is warm up routines. IE: Push-ups, sit-ups, and squats etc. I haven't done much of what the wrestlers do.
The Mark: What's your favorite type of match to officiate?
Dan Tanaka: I like standard singles matches taking place with two wrestlers (one on one) in a hot feud. There's just nothing else like it.
Flipper: You have done the bulk of your work in NECW the past couple of years. Given that you work with these folks on a regular basis has there ever been a time when you have worked a match and just thought "Oh no! This guy (girl) is just not getting it!"?
Dan Tanaka: Yeah, I don't even recall their names. It happened a long time ago in another promotion, and I haven't seen them since so…it's hard to remember. Thankfully no one got hurt.
The Mark: Have you ever officiated a match where you thought one or both of the wrestlers were in danger of hurting each other, and how have you dealt with it the ring?
Dan Tanaka: Yes, the only thing I can really do is watch out for anything, listen and communicate. Sometimes it's just the environment that creates the danger. Like a rainy day on an outdoor event…that'll do it!
Flipper: What separates a good promoter from a well, Crappy one?
Dan Tanaka: Some promoters idea of “promoting” is posting press releases on message boards, and then do little or not one lick of posting fliers around the town of the event, or sending that press release to the local newspapers. Why wouldn't you? You got your money invested into a wrestling product, why not advertise and get those fans packing in? Fewer fans show up, less revenue, less pay or no pay for the people working. Some might say, “Well it's not like you Indy guys get paid much anyway”. True, but it doesn't mean it has to be that way. That's not a good promoter. Good promoters send press releases to the newspapers and other publications, as well as posting fliers around the town before thinking of posting on the fan boards. It gets me thrilled when I'm working an event and I see the hall packed in when before there wasn't that many. And while it wasn't much, there was more pay. That's not to say I'm all about money and paydays, but it is still an important issue, and what makes a good promoter. There are other ideas, but they're escaping me for now.
Flipper: The "call for the bell”. I have only noticed three referees in the past few years.You.Rich Bass. And Rob Tuttle, who know how important it is to end a match with a bang. Explain what the signal to the bellman means for the match.
Dan Tanaka: It pretty much signifies the start or stop/end the match. The fans know what the signal means. They'll either be thrilled or angered depending on what happened. Pretty much it just means “ring the bell, this match is starting” or “ring the bell, this match is over” or “this match is stopping”. If the bell rings without me calling for it, typically it means the time limit has run up.
Flipper: The best refs are virtually invisible during 60% of the match. I have watched hundreds of matches and still don't know how you do that. How?
Dan Tanaka: I just try to stay out of the way, unless I absolutely need to get in on something. I try not to block the view of the action from the camera. I didn't ever think much of cameras earlier on in my time, but picked up on it and then stopped. Sometimes it's hard to help though…sometimes you get stuck.
The Mark: We all know the referee is there to control the mayhem in the ring, 10 counts, 5 counts pins call for bell but tell us what responsibilities lie on the shoulders of the referee, i.e. safety etc.
Dan Tanaka: I always watch out for injuries. If I know a guy has a previous injury and something happens in the match with them I'm always there to check on them. You have to watch out, keep your ears open for anything. Then of course after the match is over, check on the wrestlers. You can never really be sure how “ok” someone may be based on just looking at them. I ask them.
This past summer I was working an out door event. The fans were pretty tame but by the main event things were being thrown into the ring. Best thing to do in this situation is to remove whatever landed in the ring. Luckily, it was only a few things, and thanks to that I got a free glow stick, and a pin for the Uxbridge 4th of July celebration event, they both went in my pocket. One time while working for WFA, some fans were throwing tacos into the ring and one slightly hit me. That fan got kicked out. So I've been lucky with the safety bit.
The hardest part is keeping track of time, when there isn't anyone around to help keep time for you. That's the other bit, communicating, and passing messages.
Flipper: You see a lot of new kids. Anyone really showing major potential?
Dan Tanaka: Yes, I'd have to say Joe Chece, Clip O' Reilly (who is real new), Bryce Andrews, and B.K. Jordan.
Flipper: Have you thought about working outside NE?
Dan Tanaka: Yep, and I almost did last year. A major snowstorm caused some problems with their ring truck, and they had no other way of getting another ring. So my trip to NJ got cancelled, and the promoter and his business partner broke off their partnership. No worries, I am in semi talks with other people. I can't say much until things are official, but they are in the regions of southern states, and southwest states. We'll have to wait and see what happens. The time to work outside of New England will come, but I'm in no rush.
The Mark: Backstage politics have always been a part of wrestling, have you ever been a victim of it?
Dan Tanaka: Yeah, a few times but nothing that big of a deal. I don't let it get to me too much. The only things I need to focus on are getting regular work, doing a job well done, and improving. Thankfully, these politics are outside of the promotions I work for.
The Mark: You've refereed for quite a few independent promotions, what have been some of your favorite place to work and why?
Dan Tanaka: I have enjoyed NECW for its atmosphere, and the Iron 8. I enjoy WFA for its intense action, and rabid fans, NCW just because it's NCW. EPW is looking very bright for the year 2006. The event in Plainfield, CT had an excellent attendance. I can't wait to see this evolve.
Flipper: Is there a promotion you would never work for again and why?
Dan Tanaka: Anything like the first one I worked in, doing the odd jobs. The reason is because poor productions, and the fact that half or so of the wrestlers were not trained, or only went to a few classes and figured they knew everything. They were all nice guys, I don't hate them…but that's just not for me to work with. Some of the guys were trained, and continued training though. Some of those guys are known by most: Chris Venom, Tim Kilgore, K.L. Murphy, and Ruy Batello.
As for the other promotions I no longer work for, I'm open to working for them again, so never say never.
Flipper: We have lost a lot of good people the past few years. What are your thoughts on the premature departures of folks like Chris Candido and Eddie Guerrero
Dan Tanaka: Although I did not know Chris Candido, his passing bothered me. I had worked with him once, refereeing his match with his brother Johnny. I was a bit nervous at first. I learned that I sometimes need to not listen to things what I hear and just experience things for my self. Chris was pleasant, and a friendly guy. It's too bad he had to have his match earlier, and then leave right after.
Eddie Guerrero's death was a shocker. I thought it was some kind of joke. It's tragic. His winning battle with demons, and drug addictions is a real inspiration for those battling lesser or equal troubles. The world in general needs more people like that to help others keep their faith.
The Mark: New England lost one of it's brightest stars in Danny Quirk, could you give us your thoughts?
Dan Tanaka: Not knowing Dan Quirk personally it's not easy for me to comment on who he was. I worked with him once at NWA New England in Lowell, MA that he and the Captain became Co-JR Heavyweight Champion. He was a nice guy, but I only had a short conversation with him about the shirts he was selling.
I got the news the night it happened from Instant Messages and a phone call. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare and upset me. I read the messages that the fans, and fellow people of the wrestling business were posting. I just wish I had a better chance of knowing Dan Quirk personally, but the messages posted gave me some ideas. Some of my friends were close friends with him, and they are more than just saddened by his death, they are angered.
What this whole thing teaches us though is that trained or not, you can still get into these deadly accidents regardless of the move. It could have happened to anyone. This also raises the awareness of the danger of wrestling under the influence. Just to clarify, it wasn't Dan Quirk wrestling under the influence. It was the other guy who is well known for taking part in that sort of activity.
Flipper: Scenario: YOU are wrestling. Who do you want to ref YOUR match?
Dan Tanaka: It would have to be Rich Bass or Todd “Fat Pants”.
The Mark: What has been your favorite match to date to ref?
Dan Tanaka: Well I have a few it's hard to pick one. Bob Evans vs. Tim Kilgore in a belt on a pole match, Michael Sain vs. Maverick Wild for the NECW Heavyweight Championship, Johnny Idol vs. Steve King in a kiss my foot match, Brian Fury vs. Eddie Edwards in WFA. I also can't leave out Paul Lombardi vs. Alex Chamberlain in Ringside Wrestling when Rich Bass was trying to help Lombardi win, and then I disposed of Rich and took over the job.
The Mark: What has been your least favorite?
Dan Tanaka: Hard to pick a least favorite. If it was that bad, usually I forget about it. Sorry, I can't remember!
The Mark: Name association: tell us what comes to mind about the following people.
The Mark: Bob Evans-
Dan Tanaka: He is one of the best trainers in New England. If you want to get trained, he is the guy you want to train with. If you feel stuck somewhere, Bob can help you rise to the next level.
Flipper: Sheldon Goldberg-
Dan Tanaka: Great guy to work for,
and sometimes over generous when he doesn't have to be.
The Mark: Steve Bradley-
Dan Tanaka: Revolutionized wrestling
in New England.
Flipper: Rich Bass-
Dan Tanaka: Cool dude, and awesome
referee when he's not helping others win. LOL.
The Mark: Rob Tuttle-
Dan Tanaka:
Nice guy, who I haven't worked with in a couple of years, but I see
him around from time to time. I'm glad he's doing well.
Flipper: Steve Weiner-
Dan Tanaka: Nortock! Just kidding…
Steven is a good guy with his heart in the right place. It's good to
see him get his chance at being a wrestler, like he wants to do.
The Mark: Todd "Fat
Pants" Sinclair-
Dan Tanaka: Probably the best referee
in New England. I'm glad for all his recent success.
Flipper: Chris Venom-
Dan Tanaka: Great guy and talent.
I'm glad to have known him since I started. His encouragements are one
of the reasons I'm around where I am right now.
The Mark: Paul Lombardi-
Dan Tanaka: Great in the ring, and
I believe good things are coming his way in the future. Some of those
good things are already coming to pass.
Flipper: Alex Crowley-
Dan Tanaka: One of the more underrated
managers in the region.
The Mark: Any final
thoughts?
Dan Tanaka: Well I guess what I
can do here is comment on wrestlingmark.com. This site is run by a couple
of good guys, who have the potential for a great product for other fellow
wrestling fans to discuss wrestling and give feedback on recent events.
It's great to see them wanting and trying to improve their product,
and I hope to see them do it.
The Mark: Shameless
plug time. Where can we find on the web?
Dan Tanaka: http://www.dantanaka.com
The Mark: How can
fans contact you?
Dan Tanaka: dan@dantanaka.com