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PWI Interviews Michael "MP3" Priest; "Post-Modern Day Marvel"
Topic Started: Nov 12 2010, 04:32 PM (254 Views)
~MP3~
The Modern Day Marvel

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POST-MODERN DAY MARVEL: Former wrestling sweetheart Michael "MP3" Priest does some file-sharing with us.
by Kelly Howell

November is a murky month, made all the worse by the gloomy, grey weather Long Island offered me. Stuck in traffic, I flipped on my iPod in the middle of a yawn, proving my in-flight nap never granted me the relief I needed. All of a sudden, my car became Nassau Coliseum six years ago, and I flashed back to seeing a young, dark-haired boy conquer his greatest ambition, and win the World Championship.

That's right, In Flames' "Reflect The Storm" kicked in, and memories of Michael "MP3" Priest's underdog achievement were as crisp as if it were yesterday. Which was good, as it might help me interview the man himself, over half a decade since then. I was 25 at the time I witnessed that "crowning glory", while MP3 was on the verge of 19, positioning himself as one of the youngest World Champions to ever find, let alone reach, that elite plateau. Now that I'm a thirty year old, my priorities have shifted from bars and sporting events to caring for my children and paying the mortgage. But, like they say, once a mark always a mark. I couldn't deny my enthusiasm to meet the famous wrestler, many years hence.

However, although his 4-year stint in the Wrestling Aspiration Federation had propelled him to such heights he became quite the household name, the only semblance of his wrestling career these days is the collection of videos now found on sites such as YouTube.

A known recluse in his post-wrestling years, MP3 only showed up occasionally, like a flower growing through a cement sidewalk, to make appearances. Though some question his loyalty to pro-wrestling, he continued to maintain a low-profile.

Until today.

I passed a number of houses and stores in eastern Long Island, searching for an address. Once I pulled in and shut the car, I unfolded my phone against my ear and I let him know I'd arrived. He sounded meek on the phone, and buzzed me through the iron gate.

Priest greeted me at the door of his 4 bedroom home, donning a simple t-shirt and shorts. I was moderately surprised to see that he only dwarfed me by maybe 2 or 3 inches, as despite being a relatively tall woman, most wrestlers I interview cast a clear shadow. I'd seen him only on-screen, but where in stature he probably was only taller thanthe likes of Bryan Danielson, in build he was still on par with a heavyweight, despite not wrestling in over 2 years.

After the cordial hellos, he ushered me into his home, and jogged off to take care of something. "Don't want my dog to come running out at you, let me take care of that", he said with a nervous laugh. "I was just about to order a pizza. What do you like on your's"?

I ended up gazing at his decor and furniture. His living room spanned what seemed to be 2 rooms, and featured a black microfiber couch and over 60-inch wide-screen. There were occasional homages to his young career in pictures and mementos, but it seemed he mostly kept art and paintings on display. Once he came back to the room he'd left me in, Priest ran through his hair and fell into the couch. "I gave a call to the place, they should have a pie here in 15. Soda's on the table".

It seemed he was ready to start the interview, and so it began.


PWI: Thanks for your time today MP3, and letting us in your home. This the first time you've had an interview here?

MP3: Yeah, for sure. Plenty of media outlets these days want to throw your information up there for the world to see and, well, abuse... but I have faith you'll respect my space.

PWI: Well, here's the first question then. What have you been busy with these days? Plenty of people would love to know.

MP3: (scoffs) It's enough to fill a novel, but I'll give you the Cliff notes. I've had eventful past few years ever since I tossed my wrestling boots back in the closet. I've actually been trying out music lately. Don't know if you know, but I basically trans-mutated my pro wrestling outlet into a musical one, and played a number of club shows, with my band, aSPECTRUM. It's nothing serious at this point, but who knows, things happen. We just had a great, as of now unknown British musician come on stage with us to cover me on acoustic for a soft cover of "Terrible Lie", her name's Carina Round. I was star struck for once. (laughs)

PWI: Yes, we heard. Let me ask you this... do you enjoy playing songs just as much or perhaps more than wrestling? Where does that rank with you?

MP3: It's a case where the seasons totally changed, and I felt like I needed to get out of the same routine. Whatever I do, it's about artistic expression. Unfortunately, wrestling has kinda stepped away from that. These days, the industry feels more like McDonald's instead of a quality restaurant.

PWI: So are you switching gears for good, and turning to music and away from wrestling?

MP3: The thing is I have a lot of people who remember me from those days, and admire my wrestling career. It's hard to ignore that. Ultimately though, I do what's right for me. I honestly don't know if I'll wrestle again. It seems unlikely, but you know the mantra every wrestler on hiatus chants - never say never.

PWI: Let's go back to 2004, and your days in the WAF. What comes to mind when you look back on that time?

MP3: I felt like a fish looking out of the bowl, seeing all these people, magnified through the glass, watching my every move. One minute I was skipping school to watch wrestling events and chow down on junk food with friends, and it literally was like the next week or so, I'm on one. All eyes on me. To be honest, it was daunting, but I adapted, and just did what came naturally. That's all I'm capable of, really, and it turned out what I poured out on the canvas was not only relatable, but marketable. My whole first year there was me running on instincts and passion... I guess I impressed important people.

PWI: I think what really stood out about you back then was your age in comparison to your skill and responsibility. With most matches, people expect to see pre-prepared spots and a mediocre finish, but with you it seemed more like spontaneous improv.

MP3: Yeah... I've been told that. I won't be one to say that pro wrestling is legit competition, because it's not 1980, but really the truth is that it was real in my mind, still. I felt like I was propelled into a storybook, despite realizing it was an act. If you're not feeling - not believing in what you're doing - people will notice.

PWI: What changed when you were tapped to go over two huge heavyweights - LeXXtreme and Crusher - to become the WAF Champ?

MP3: I don't know if it was a matter of something changing... maybe it was more of a subtle evolution in my endurance. Got used to everyone taking pictures of you when you're on an hour sleep and just got off a plane, got used to taking bumps constantly and not letting the pain stop you... you know, to be the poster-boy, as some had said I was for the WAF, it was just being confident and comfortable in your own skin. You have to be able to say 'this is who I am, and I deserve this'.

PWI: I don't mean to go all nostalgic on you Michael, but a lot happened when the WAF winded down and crashed. You guys were nearly a global conglomerate, excluding places such as China. Why, where did all the funding go?

MP3: Well... I wasn't pushing the buttons. That isn't to say that I didn't know what was happening at corporate, though. Lionel Maxwell lost a few bidding wars to Gene Martin, mostly due to his fluency in 'legalese'. It was really when Martin began acquiring shares and aspects of the production that Mr. Maxwell felt he needed to close things down before it became a black hole for him. Martin gave Xero the title after technically winning no match, and let things go out of control. Once Xero took the WAF title to defend at PCW, Maxwell disenfranchised it's worth, and folded his own creation. Xero was sub-sequentially sued, but I don't think anything came of that.

PWI: Bringing up PCW, a lot of shots were fired from both feds during that time period, and you even spoke out time to time, defending the WAF. How did you feel about them then, and did that ever change?

MP3: (sighs) You live in a bubble, when you're so entrenched in that work. It's like being racist, but forgetting we're all human, in a way. I've left John Waylon some scathing messages, and he has in return, but that was a few years ago. So yes, that's changed for sure. I think the big picture is that we were passionate about this business, and wanted to be respected for the work we put into it. Later down the line I ended up doing some appearances for those guys, but even though it didn't really work out, things ended amicably. I'm glad for that. He probably wouldn't have called me about a spot at their reunion show if I'd kicked dirt on their name after all that, but that's sanity prevailing.

PWI: Hmm... you looking at this sheet here? (laughs) I was going to bring that up.. but you did, so I hope my boss doesn't pay you now. Anyway, let's talk about that. Did you take Mr. Waylon up on that invite, by the way?

MP3: Yeah, um... in a way yes, but in the way you're asking me, i.e. will you be in tights wrestling someone there, the answer is that I declined. I'm at a different place in my life now, and I don't feel the need to retrace steps. On the flip-side, I have a number of friends I'm looking forward to meeting there, and I'm quite interested to see how it all goes. I'll be in attendance, but don't expect to see me on the other side of the screen.

PWI: So... no more active wrestling, but you're on stage with guitars and mics now. Would you call this a career change?

MP3: Probably. In some ways, sure, but there are elements where what I used to do with wrestling still flows through the same way in my art and music.

PWI: I would be re-missed to get this in print, and I'd get plenty of flack if I didn't, so here comes a personal question. A lot of people followed your career, and even idolized you, thus your lifestyle is very interesting to them, so don't blame me - they want to know. Are you living alone? Anyone special in your life?

MP3: Well, before I answer that, the truth is that part of what has turned me off to wrestling is being idolized. I never wanted to be idolized - I just wanted to be a catalyst for human expression. There's a fine line between admiration and worship, and I know I sort of breached it incidentally sometimes. As for my personal life, I ultimately live by myself. Sometimes I have friends lodge in here time to time; we work on projects, things like that. Lord knows there's enough space.

PWI: And...?

MP3: And, yeah, I'm with someone. The girl who's served as the drummer for my little band during the few shows we've done, her name's Emily, she's really been a help to orient me with the club scene. We see eye-to-eye on a lot.

PWI: Gossipy. Thanks for sharing that, we appreciate it. Is she an "Modern Day Marvel" fan?

MP3: Well, I'll just say this: I'm 24, and she's a little younger, so being a girl and with the fed I was in not around post-'07, it's been a matter of tapes, and learning. The thing is, she sees it like I do... it's like 'yeah, so you beat people up and won shiny belts, that's special... but, why don't you be known for building things rather than destroying them'. I'd rather build character with what I do than carry the same angry-face mask and just muscle people. I don't know how much soul there is in that anymore.

PWI: Is it fair to say that you're second-guessing your claim to fame?

MP3: No, I don't think that's fair to say. I've just matured. I see it through a different lens now. It's like, say, the Power Rangers. When I was maybe 9 or 10, I fucking loved the Power Rangers. Now that I'm 24, I can watch that show and laugh at how retarded some of it was. I mean, a floating head in a tube, a robot that says "Aye yay yay", and teenagers in colorful spandex summoning dinosaur powers, and turning into mecha-giants. That's, well, let's just say it takes a special kind of brain to come up with that. Do I think that it's pathetic, and lose sight of WHY I liked it though? No way. That kid I was is a part of me. I'm just higher up on the mountain, so I have a different, broader view.

PWI: That's a good point, I guess. So, tell me this though... if you still appreciate the wrestling business, what do you think about the "Never Say Never" card, and event overall?

MP3: It's honestly, exciting. It's a great opportunity to enjoy an evening with something new. I was definitely going to buy and watch the thing in HD at home, but I kinda feel too related to it all to deal with the tape delay, and be reclusive. I know a few guys who are working the show and they're really all not only talented but quality people. Believe it or not, Hatework and I have been friends for a number of years now, so it will be great to see him invoke his demonic persona again. I'm a big white-contact fan (laughs). I'm looking forward to seeing Hatework, Outlaw, Ayster, Quint; a lot of those guys, I'm a fan of.

PWI: Alright then, Mike. You've been very gracious and open today, and we really do appreciate it. Before we let you go, one last question... if you could, would you do a reunion of the WAF as well?

MP3: (pauses.) ...I really love what we did there. It was me, LeXXtreme, Crusher, and Xero mainly, and we churned out some epic stuff. And it almost brings me to tears to say, but, I wouldn't want to. The way I see it, our last show was "Resurrection", it was a reunion, really a comeback show. We weren't saying goodbye, we were saying 'this will live on forever'. It wasn't about one last run; it was about living for today, not reminiscing, or trying to compare. And it's an apropos title, because in my heart and mind, our talents, and our efforts, graduated that snapshot in time and branched out into new places. We're still those guys; we have the same character. We're just in other areas. I'd rather see those guys again on a different plane, doing something new, than lug out that old karma. It was glorious, but we're bound to time. We all have to spiral out, and keep on going.

PWI: Thanks for your time, MP3. Best of luck in your new efforts, and hope we see you in the ring one more time, even if it is selfish of us.

MP3: Hey, it's only honest (laughs). Thanks.
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~MP3~
The Modern Day Marvel

With only minutes until the start of "Never Say Never", the PPV pre-show takes a break from reviewing the card, as the video feed fades in to inside the back of a limousine. Viewers witness their first sight of MP3 in nearly 3 years, in addition to his guest for the evening - an as of yet unknown young lady - as they sit beside one another in rather luxurious accommodations. Priest, fixed in a sharp-looking black suit and light-green tie, has his hand held to his ear, apparently on a cell phone. Notably, he is oblivious to the daunted gaze on his guest's face as she stares at a mob of rabid wrestling fans outside the window.

MP3: Exactly. I promise, this is a one-in-a-million deviation for me. It's been ages since either company was even mentioned; I have to at least lend some support. (inaudible response) Yeah. Uh-huh. 8 o'clock, pay-per-view. Yep. I'll be happy to pass that along. Alright. I--

While MP3 had been busy chatting, his guest's overwhelmed complexion stuck on her like a frozen computer screen as she beheld the hundreds of fans, and by now it had caught the former wrestler's eye.

MP3: Right. Get you an Ayster t-shirt, okay. Look, I gotta go. No, I don't have anything stupid planned, I just have to go now. Uh-huh. Okay. Bye.

The phone snapped closed like a clam in his hand, and MP3 looked down in silence for a moment, as the limo entered the private parking facility.

MP3: ...You okay?

His young guest blinked a few times to snap out of the stare she'd been lost in, and removed her headphones. She flashed a quick smile, but her uneasy eyes sent him a different vibe. She was perturbed by something, and he read it like a road sign.

MP3: So there's a bunch of people. I know you're not used to that, but it's not a big deal. It'll be fine.

Brushing her long dark hair from her face, it was clear that she hadn't hidden her anxiety well. He'd been wrong about why exactly she had a sinking feeling in her stomach, but in the least, she felt comfort in the fact that he'd noticed her uneasiness. Par - perhaps birdie - for the course, as it were.

Girl: No, it's not that... I mean, yeah it's true, but it's not the people, I've played to crowds before. It's why they're here.

Priest let out a single laugh, albeit an uneasy one.

MP3: They're just fans, Emily. They just...

Emily: Yeah, they just want to see a damn blood bath! Okay... maybe not a blood bath Michael, but they're here for violence. Brutality, even. (MP3 tries to retort but she stops him) Look at them, I'm not stupid, they're not the same fans you're used to. This is different from the tapes you showed me, these guys are hardcore, they want destruction! I don't know if that's good for either of us! All I'm saying is...

From looking down, she tilts her head to look directly into his eyes.

Emily: All I'm saying is I thought this was something you'd put behind you.

Wrestling's "Modern Day Marvel" glares back at her, motionless and wordless. That single sentence made him resent his wrestling fame, revolted at his own hubris for threatening to usurp his life with his new girlfriend.

It had been a long time since he considered even being associated with the business again, despite his previously high profile and successful career. With this relationship developing into much more than a mere casual connection, and his musical pursuits beginning to catch on in a number of clubs, Priest's last intention was to topple what had been built during his time away. What he was doing now was intricate and delicate, and took time and labor to produce. To become the larger-than-life MP3 that the world wanted to see came at too heavy a cost.

From a deep sigh he takes her hand.

MP3: ...It is behind me. All of this. The egos, the fighting... everything is. Look, you matter to me more than all of it. I'm just here to close a chapter in my life, and pay my respects. And I need you here to help me through it. Okay?

Satisfied, she smiles and nods approvingly, and presses a kiss on his lips, impressed and enamored with her boyfriend's wisdom and ability to change.

Emily: Okay.

MP3: Who knows, you might even have a good time tonight. I hear you kids like cotton candy, I bet they'll have some.

Emily: Shut up!

She slaps his arm playfully, and takes his hand - fingers intertwined - as the escort comes to a stop. The chauffeur kills the engine and steps out of the car to let them out. Gladly for MP3's date, there is no wild mob greeting them as they step out. But alas, for "The Soul That Burns", there waits an eager PCW backstage interviewer, ready and able to pounce on his public appearance.

Jimmy-Jeff Wright: MP3, MP3.. May I please have a w...

His reporting assault is derailed by the emergence of the stunning young brunette, rising to every inch of five-foot six and contouring her navy blue dress rather nicely. She appears quite young, a trait amplified by her petite build and colorful bracelets, the latter merging trendy style with elegance uniquely.

MP3: Uh, you seem confused... allow me to introduce my girlfriend, Emily Southbrook. We're... just here for the show.

Jimmy-Jeff Wright: What's going on tonight? Why did you decide to come to PCW's reunion show? Is it unfinished business?

MP3: Well no, wait a second now. If you're expecting me to go into promo-mode, that's not why I'm here. I'm here to show my support and wish PCW the best, per Mr. Waylon's invitation.

Jimmy-Jeff Wright: Any chance you'll make a return to the ring?

MP3: Dressed like this? Heh, no. Tonight's not about me, it's about PCW. I'm glad to see the red tape fell through and I hope it all goes well, but these days I'm just a fan. I'm not here to get involved in the show, or to fight. I just want to have a good time and say thanks to my fans, and wrestling fans as a whole. Now if you'll excuse us, I'm off to buy her some cotton candy.

MP3 guides his girlfriend by the hand into the building, as the interviewer watches, half puzzled by Priest's reserved attitude, and
half ogling his significant other's backside as she walks into the building.
Edited by MP3, Nov 30 2010, 03:13 AM.
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"Wrestling is an art form. I don't worry about those who don't get it; I worry about satisfying those who do." - Paul Heyman