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Lance Storm is one of the most recognizable stars in Professional Wrestling and over his long illustrious career has accomplished great things. Whether it be working for the big three promotions WWE, WCW and ECW or training the stars of the future at his wrestling training Academy, Canadian Native and Stu Hart trained Lance Storm will be remembered as one of the Canadian Greats. While working for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) Lance Storm developed in to the legend we know today but it wasn’t all plane sailing. ECW has gone through many things and all though it isn’t the promotion we once new, there a re a lot of talking points as a result. This interview is primarily ECW orientated although WWE and WCW are also discussed. So sit back on a steel chair, drink some beer with The Sandman and read this blood soaked account of ECW from Lance Storm’s perspective. And yes there were unpaid checks!

First of all its a pleasure to conduct an interview with such a wrestling legend but we’ll cut right to the chase how did you first become involved with ECW, Extreme Championship Wrestling?

I was working in Japan with WAR and was interested in getting some exposure in the US. Chris Jericho had been working with ECW and saying good things about it so I asked him for Paul Heyman’s number and I called him.

Did you have any preconceptions of the company and if so how did they change once you got there?

I didn’t really have too much of an opinion before I got there. Chris Jericho said he liked it, other than that I hadn’t heard much.

Did you originally work full time for ECW or was it between other commitments?

For the first 10 month to a year I worked between Japan dates, but eventually made a deal with Paul Heyman to make ECW my full time gig.

How did everyone treat you when you first arrived, was it a case of find a space and sit down or did they hold more respect for you since you were relatively accomplished in Japan, Smokey Mountain Wrestling and were trained by Stu Hart?

They were very welcoming. I knew a few guys already which helped but the ECW Locker room was on of the friendliest ever, a lot more laid back than WWE but a lot less chaotic than WCW.

I believe your first match was against Balls Mahoney at ECW Crossing the line 97, what are some of your memories of that match and did the crowd give you a hard time? ECW fans could be quite harsh on new comers.

The crowd was fairly rough, which was the norm. Thankfully a small group of guys had seen me work in Smokey Mountain Wrestling so they accepted me, which made it easier. Just never botch a move.

Speaking of the crowd how did they differ from crowds you have worked before?

It was a great crowd. They were tough on you when they had the chance, but also very loyal and rowdy. They respected hard work, and for that I respected them.

Is there any matches you had that stand out from that mid ECW 97 period?

I had a single match match with Shane Douglas at “Born to be Wired” and another with Chris Candido at “As good as it gets” that I really loved. I was getting over by losing, which is classic Paul Heyman.

In late 97 you formed a successful tag team with Chris Candido (RIP) how did this come about?

Chris Candido was a big supporter of mine, and he likely suggested it. I’m not sure why we were put together but it was a lot of fun. I think if we would have been given more of a chance we could have been an awesome team.

Was Tammy Sytch already Chris Candido’s Valet at the time or was she brought in for the tag team?

Francine actually managed our team. She always joked that she was my first (Valet) and that you always remember your first. Tammy Sytch was brought in at the tail end to facilitate our split.

Just a month or so after the tag team formed you both won the tag titles in a 3 way tag match against Furnas & Lafon and Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney. what are some of your memories of this match?

That match was a lot of fun, and our winning was a big surprise to me. Three way tags are tough and everyone thought this match went very well.

What would you say was Chris Candido and your’s greatest tag match?

This is so tough because so few of them were regular tag matches. We spent so much of our tag team run feuding.I remember more of our feud than out tag match’s although above was a lot of fun, Balls Mahoney is a lot better at working than he’s given credit for.

There were quite a few up and downs after that and it sparked quite a feud. What was Chris Candido like to work with as an opponent and had you ever worked before ECW?

Chris Candido and I worked against each other a ton in Smokey Mountain Wrestling and loved every minute of it, so working again in ECW was fantastic. He was always a pleasure to be in the ring with.

Was Chris Candido always a good friend to you, anything you’d like to say to remember him?

Chris and I drifted apart for a while, but always considered him a friend. Chris had a genuine love for the wrestling business like no one else. It was definitely what he was meant to do. It is such a shame that he left us so soon in such unfortunate and out of the blue circumstances. He could have brought great knowledge to TNA wrestling and it’s youngsters.

How did Dawn Marie get involved in the mix?

Dawn was just brought in as a one night foil for Tammy. Tammy Sytch had just left WWF/WWE and was with us full time and they wanted some one for her to beat up in her full-time debut. That night went so well, I asked Paul Heyman to keep her around.

What was with the corny name, “Tammy Lynn Bytch”?

Again with Dawn only planned on being the one night foil, the spoofing of her name seemed logical. She was to spoof Tammy and then get beat up and be gone.

What was it like having Dawn Marie as your Valet? do you like having a valet adding that extra edge to a wrestling match?

Dawn was an excellent Valet and I loved working with her. She added so much to that together we were so much more than what we were apart. Not putting us back together in WWE was a huge mistake in my opinion.

Who decided to form the Impact Players with Justin Credible and Jason?

This was Paul Heyman’s idea. Justin Credible and I had been asking to work together (as opponents) for a while and after we had a 3 way dance with Tommy Dreamer Paul saw something in us as a team.

Did you enjoy working in a stable?

I didn’t consider it a Stable. We were basically a tag team and like all wrestling I loved every minute of it.

Is it true that in late 2000 you helped to book ECW events, If so how did that come your way?

I’m not sure the exact year but after the arena match when Dawn Marie debuted, Paul Heyman started listening to my creative input. At some point, I’m not sure when I was officially helping him book. There was a run where Tommy Dreamer, Raven, Paul Heyman and I booked TV. Raven and I were a great booking Duo, which surprised both of us.

Was it something you wanted and enjoyed doing?

Yes, very much so. I’ve always liked the creative end of the business, and I loved booking.

Do you feel you should of won the world title around the time Justin Credible did or has it never really bothered you?

It never bothered me at all. We were in the midst of a tag title run, when I started talking with WCW. Justin moved on to the Heavy Weight title at that time because of me leaving.

What would you say was your best match in ECW both wrestling wise and career movement wise?

I’d likely pick the ECW Anarchy Rules PPV match with Jerry Lynn.

After ECW Hardcore Heaven 2000 you announced you were leaving for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), was it a situation that you felt ECW was going under and you needed to secure a deal elsewhere or was it just best for your character to move on at that time?

That was a large part of it yes. ECW’s future was in question and I had a family to feed. I needed career security and the WCW offer was a good one.

Did you ever get the feeling ECW was a sinking ship, being a high profile talent did you ever speak to Paul Heyman about it?

I didn’t’ see it as a sinking ship so much as just knew that there was trouble. Paul obviously knew more about the business end of the company than I did so I didn’t’ see what voicing my thoughts would have brought to the table. Paul was pretty open with everyone near the end, so it’s not like the company issues were a big secret.

How did Paul Heyman treat you personally during your ECW run?

Paul was awesome to work for and he treated me wonderfully. Working for Paul was the favorite part of my career.

Ever any unpaid checks?

I did not receive my last paycheck with the company, but that was the only one I missed.

Was there ever a change of morale in ECW nearing its end?

There was a greater level of concern nearer the end but moral was always pretty high. We all loved working there, guys were just worried about the financial future.

Although in WCW at the time how did you feel seeing Paul Heyman on Raw when he made the jump, I’m sure you had lots of very hurt friends?

It was a sad time, but I’ve seen a lot of companies close there doors. I was hoping Paul could have saved it, but I wasn’t very surprised when he couldn’t

I’m sure you were excited to hear about ECW One Night Stand and Hardcore Homecoming, was it ever an option to work Shane Douglas’s show or were you tied to WWE?

At the time I was still with WWE backstage so it was never an option.

Which show did you personally support most or did they both have their respectful place?

ECW One Night Stand was obviously where my loyalties were, but I still hoped Hardcore Homecoming was a success because many of the old guys were working it.

Before the WWE show went ahead did you think they would have done ECW justice or were you apprehensive?

I had my concerns, but I spoke with Paul Heyman throughout it’s development, so I knew it was looking good. Once I knew Paul was the creative direction I knew it would be done right.

Well the show turned out to be a big success, there were a few negatives but it was amazing the way it was done. What was it like being back in front of those fans, if they were the same fans?

It was a lot of fun. The ECW crowd is always amazing and that night was better than usual.

What are your opinions of the show, did it do ECW proud?

I feel that it did, yes. I think it was authentic and lived up completely.

I’m sure you must of heard about the Blue Meanie, JBL incident. What are your views on this and do you have any other information about it?

I know less than you likely do, and would rather leave it at that.

well that pretty much does it for us, thanks so much for doing this interview. I’d like you all to visit Storm’s website www.stormwrestling.com, there’s some great Q&A’s on there as well as information on Lance Storm’s pro-wrestling school, Storm Wrestling Academy. Just before we go though we’d like to play the classic word association, just make a quick comment on the following.

Paul Heyman – Creative Genius

Justin Credible – Due for a come back

Chris Candido – One of a Kind, and sorely missed

Hardcore wrestling – misused and misunderstood

ECW Arena – A place like no other

Dawn Marie – The Greatest Valet going

Vince McMahon – Marketing Genius

Tommy Dreamer – One of the true good guys.

thanks again and goodbye

You’re more than welcome.

Lance Storm is currently in Semi-Retirement and spends most of his time training the stars of the future at his Storm Wrestling Academy. From time to time he takes independent bookings and is still on great terms with WWE and Vince McMahon. He also pens a column for Fighting Spirit magazine in the UK and does regular commentaries on Stormwrestling.com