Wikipedia:WikiProject Professional wrestling/Outreach/Newsletter/Issue 006/Interview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Issue VI - December 23, 2007

Interviewee: TJ Spyke


Wikipedia-related

1. How did you first hear of Wikipedia, and why did you decide to become a Wikipedia editor?
A: I had heard the name mentioned, but the first time I really heard about it was in February 2006 when founder Jimbo Wales was being interviewed on CNN due to controversy regarding false info being adding to the Wikipedia article on a CNN news anchor. I wanted to help make sure articles on stuff I liked was correct, so I registered.
2. What are your best contributions to Wikipedia, and why?
A: Probably wrestling article, especially PPV articles. Before I decided to clean them all up in early 2006 they were a complete mess, disorganized, and not very helpful to anyone.
3. What is the origin(s) of your username?
A: It's a username I've been using online for over 5 years. "TJ" are the initials of my first and middle name, and "Spyke" just seemed cool when I started using it.
4. What other project(s) do you participate in on Wikipedia besides WP:PW?
A: I edit video game articles and technically am a member of the video game project, but can't stand the project page itself or the people there. The only time I visit the project talk page is if there's a dispute I'm involved in.
5. What do you like most about Wikipedia? What do you hate most about Wikipedia?
A: I love being able to fix information that is wrong (something most sites don't allow, so you have to put up with their mistakes). I've also gotten some information here first that I might not have known about (like when that member of N Sync admitted to being gay). What I hate is when some members join up in numbers to make sure their wrong info stays in articles. I tend to just ignore Dragon Ball Z articles altogether now because the DBZ Wikiproject makes sure they can ignore the rules by having articles at their Japanese names rather than their official English names (i.e. they want Muten Roshi rather than Master Roshi and Kuririn rather than Krillin).

Wrestling related

1. How did you begin watching professional wrestling?
A: I don't know, I remember watching wrestling when I was as young as 4. It was hard in the mid-90s though since I didn't have cable for a few years, so the only wrestling access I got was renting the VHS tapes and occasionally watching RAW when my neighbor was at bingo.
2. Who is your favorite wrestler, and why?
A: Among active wrestlers: either Edge, Mr. Kennedy or Kurt Angle. I've been a fan of Edge for a few years, but when he turned heel I started enjoying him even more. I've been a fan of Kennedy since he debuted as Mr. Anderson on Velocity, he is just so talented in the ring and his mic skills were already top-notch. Angle is easy to understand. He's one of the best wrestlers of all time, he's great on the mic and he always gives his best (even when it's not good for his own health).
3. If you were to enter pro wrestling, what would you choose your entrance theme to be?
A: Either Sting's old WCW theme (the dark one he used when he started his Crow gimmick) or "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" from Green Day.
4. If you were in control of any of the major wrestling promotions (WWE/TNA/etc.), what would you change about them?
A: WWE. Scrap the brand split all together. Next I would merge the 3 world titles together, merged the 2 tag team titles together, and merge the IC/US titles together. ECW would be made all hardcore rules, either old school ECW hardcore or at least the old WWE Hardcore Title types (now this wussy ECW Rules type) and have it mostly be wrestlers than can take advantage of it. Although there would be no brand specific wrestlers, SmackDown would be mostly cruiserweight wrestling (including Mysterio moved back there) and mid-card wrestling and RAW would be mostly tag team and womens wrestling with the world champion on all 3. I would also make Howard Finkel ring announcer for all PPV matches (and SNME matches).
5. What has been your favorite wrestling match/event of all-time?
A: To be honest, I don't know. I've never really thought about it.

Personal

1. What city/area do you currently live in?
A: Rochester, New York (halfway between Buffalo and Syracuse).
2. What other language(s) do you speak besides English?
A: None
3. What are your interests?
A: Wrestling, video games, animation (especially The Simpsons), Star Trek (TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT. I don't really care for TOS that much and have never seen TAS).
4. What do you do in your spare time when you aren't editing Wikipedia/at work/at school/etc.?
A: Usually watch TV or DVDs.
5. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring with you?
A: I will assume I can't get any electricity and have to bring stuff I already own: porn magazine (if I currently had a girlfriend or wife, I would choose her instead), spare set of clothes, notebook & pencil. If I had electricity, I would choose my TV, DVD player, and one of my DVDs (like The Simpsons Season 6).

Any optional comments by the interviewee