I’d first like to thank Mr. Jamin Olivencia for taking the time out of his busy schedule to grant us his first interview since being named Newcomer of the Year.
Here we go..
Jimmy Sick: What made you decide to get into the great sport of professional wrestling?
Jamin Olivencia: “I guess it all started when I was watching wrestling with my older brother when I was 4 years old. I knew that’s what i wanted to do and that never really changed. I suppose being a long time fan and knowing that wrestling was what I wanted to do, is why it came so naturally for me.”
JS: It does indeed look to come pretty natural to you! As a fan growing up, who were some of you favorites? Anyone that really “Inspired” you?
JO: “I inspire myself!”
JS: Ok, aside from you? (LOL)
JO: “I did grow up a big fan of guys like “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels and “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, but at the same time I didn’t want to be “just like them”. I always wanted to be something different than my favorites.. and well everybody else. I wanted to be original, a whole nother kind of wrestling character. I like to think I achieved that.”
JS: I’m right there with you. I think you definitely achieved that goal. Anyone that see’s Jamin Olivencia on a card, will walk away talking about you.
JO: “I appreciate that, man! It’s what I’m striving for. The people are why I do what I do, and to think I remain with them means a lot.”
JS: What are your memories of your first match?
JO: “It was against Cade Cassidy at Empire State Wrestling in 2003. I was 17 years old and honestly.. I don’t remember being nervous or anything. It just felt “right.” It was in front of a pretty good sized crowd for the time.. maybe around 600 people. I had a blast!”
JS: Do you think it was a good match?
JO: “It felt good. Smooth. I’m proud of the way it turned out for it being my first match.”
JS: Do you remember the first time you saw yourself wrestling on tv? How did that feel?
JO: “Definitely! It was WWE Sunday Night Heat in a tag match against Val Venis and Viscera. I remember watching it and thinking,.. wow I just made another step. It also felt right. Like it was meant to be. I can honestly say, I KNEW I’d see myself on tv one day – so it wasn’t exactly a huge surprise. LOL”
JS: What are some of your favorite OVW memories?
JO: “Working with Rudy Switchblade is a big one. I can’t say I have one specific memory that trumps all the rest, as my entire OVW career has been amazing. Working with Rudy though is always great. We have a good chemistry that comes across to the fans I believe, because we drew some huge interest in our matches. Drew some good houses when we wrestled also, which is always a plus. I’d also like to say it’s not really a memory, but being able to work with and learn from guys like Danny Davis, Al Snow and Rip Rogers was an experience I can’t even describe. These legends really helped to shape and mold me into the star I am today. I can’t thank them enough for that.”
JS: That basically answered what was to be my next question, about who were some people you learned from and that took you under their wing.
JO: “Yeah those guys definitely. I have a lot of respect for them all. They saw something special in me and to this day I still continue to grow because of them. I also wanted to say about the “Favorite memory or moment” question. I like to look at my entire career being a favorite moment, because it’s all about creating a new moment every time I step into the ring. It’s all about the memories the fans take away. It’s the people who concern me. They are why I do what I do, so in a way they helped shape and mold me as well.”
JS: Awesome answer! I would feel remiss if I didn’t ask you about your match with Sonjay Dutt at the AWE Night of the Legends pay per view in October. I was actually in attendance that night and thought that match stole show. I sincerely mean that! What did you think of the match?
JO: “I need to start by saying that Sonjay Dutt is simply a BEAST! That guy is a whole nother type of human being all together. He is really one of the best and I can’t say enough good things about the guy. He has as much respect for his work as I have for mine and a love for making wrestling moments, I think that’s why when we get together in the ring, we create greatness. And to us, that’s what we felt it really was.. GREAT.”
JS: Trust me.. you guys weren’t the only ones who thought that. It was a fantastic match and deserved to be voted match of the night. Which it was on many wrestling websites.
JO:”I appreciate that, man! Seriously. I heard that it was voted that and Im proud that people saw it that way. I think we proved to everyone that we could make greatness, even on a card with so much talent. I also believe that if we do indeed meet again in a ring somewhere, it would be even better.. or SICKER if you will, because I think that’s what it was.. SICK!”
JS: I like what you did there by including Sick.
JO:”LOL!”
JS: How did it feel when it was announced you were the 2012 PWInsider Newcomer of the Year?
JO:”Oh man! It felt like it was another step to greatness for my career. I can’t express how good it feels to know fans enjoy you THAT MUCH, ya know? Everything I’ve done in my career, was completely worth it! My hard work is paying off and honestly – I knew it would. Like i said before, this is what I wanted my entire life and nobody was going to keep me from it. Period. At the same time, I think this is the first of many “Of the Year” awards Jamin Olivencia is going to see in long distinguished career. I can see a few Wrestler of, Man of and especially ENTERTAINER of the Year awards in there, because I feel that’s what i do best. Entertain anyone who watches me perform.
JS: That could be said for your work inside the ring as well as outside of it. Tell some of our readers about your work in the world of entertainment.
JO: “I’ve done a little stunt work here and there, most notably in the Dukes of Hazzard movie. I also just finished up a run in a VERY successful run of the play “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity” at the Actor’s Theatre of Louisville. I played 3 characters (Billy Hartland, Old Glory and The Bad Guy) in the show and couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out. Everybody in the show was proud of how it turned out really. We had a blast doing it!”
JS: You guys should be proud of how it turned out. I heard it had some amazing reviews. Congratulations on that by the way.
JO: “Oh thanks, man! I sincerely appreciate that.”
JS: So what does the future hold for the Newcomer of the Year?
JO: “I have a lot of things in the works. I’ve honestly caught a lot of attention in professional wrestling and in the entertainment world. The future is looking VERY bright for Jamin Olivencia!”
JS: Nice! I think we’ve covered a lot in our interview today – I guess I’d like to close up by just asking, do you have a message for your fans out there?
JO: “I have but one thing to say.. KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT! YOUR EYES OPEN AND YOU WILL DEFINITELY SEE AND HEAR SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL FROM ME… JAMIN.. JAMIN… JAMIN OLIVENCIA!!!”
JS: Holy crap that was awesome personified. Thanks for a great interview Jamin.
JO: “No problem, man.. and it’s Mr. Olivencia to you. (LOL!)”
I for one really look forward to seeing even more from Mr. Olivencia after this interview.
This kid has some incredible talent, both inside the ring and out. His confidence in himself and his endless abilities, will make you believe he’s heading straight to the main event if you didn’t believe it before.
We here at JimmySick.com wish him nothing but the best and want to congratulate him on his much deserved award!