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Former WWE Superstar, Tyson Tomko, was the special guest on this past week's live edition (4/17/05) of Monday Night Mayhem, which can be heard in streaming audio every week (and live from 7-9PM ET every Monday night) exclusively on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network (www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.WrestlingMediaNetwork.com, www.ObsessedWithWrestling.com, www.Dory-Funk.com, & celebrating its 10th Anniversary, www.AudioWrestling.com -- your official home of "The Spring Break Incident" Video-On-Demand, featuring WWE Diva & the hottest member of this past season's edition of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars," Stacy Keibler). >p> The interview with "The Problem Solver" is now available to hear for FREE in Real Audio!

Here are some of the highlights from the interview provided by the show's senior correspondent, Mr. DFL.

The Big Mosh & Blade welcomed Tomko to the show for his first radio interview/public comments since agreeing to mutually part ways with World Wrestling Entertainment. The interview started off with Mosh mentioning that this must be an exciting time for Tyson -- that he now has the opportunity to showcase his skills that many of his critics did not think he had and were not able to display while being up north. Tyson made reference to his interview that he gave with WWE.com upon his release -- that he came to the WWE from being a bodyguard for Fred Durst & Limp Bizkit and has been with them for five years (between OVW & the WWE). Tomko mentioned that he does have plans to go to Japan and make the best of his wrestling career, and that he is thrilled to go over there and perform in front of a different audience. Tyson said that he is a big fan of the Japanese style & culture and made mention that he is a big fan of Bruiser Brody, who was a Japan Icon.

With regards to the topic of the WWE’s motto to say “Never say never," Blade & Mosh brought up some of the superstars from the past who are now coming back to the main roster (Charlie Haas, Brian Kendrick, Shannon Moore, Test, etc). Mosh asked Tyson for his thoughts on his former co-workers going from the WWE, to the indies, and back to the WWE. Tyson replied by mentioning that he has spoke to Charlie Haas on Monday night, and he wished nothing but the best of luck to him. Both him & Haas were with the company for approximately the same period of time, and both spent extensive time in Ohio Valley Wrestling. Tomko talked to Vince McMahon about his release, and Vince wished him "nothing but the best." When he does come back to the roster, "whether it be three months from or even three years from now," he wants to make a impact such as what Charlie Haas did last Monday night on RAW.

Switching gears, Mosh brought up the point of leaving the WWE, and if Tyson has any worries/concerns about not getting back there. And what about those "haters" out there as well? Tomko openly stated that he does not care about what his critics think about him, and that some of the things he reads on the internet "make him laugh." With regards to possibly never making it back t the "E," Tyson said that nobody (even in the WWE currently) can ever show what he/she can fully do with his/her abilities & talents, due to television time & other constraints. Tomko also believes, that either way, if he had not been used the wrong way, he still probably would have left and tried to refresh his character -- either by OVW, DSW, or what he is doing now by asking for his release and looking for more opportunities to broaden his career. Tyson said that "everyone needs to take a few steps back and try to develop a better package."

Blade asked Tomko if the WWE locker room has a lot of buzz about TNA's new deal with Spike TV and if he sees more superstars there possibly wishing to make the jump before the end of the year. Tyson openly admitted that "there is hardly no talk about TNA, that he has had no conversations with management there, and as of right now does not see himself working for them -- due to his agreement with heading over to Japan."

The Big Mosh asked Tomko what he has been doing (both mentally & physically) to get himself ready for the MXPW "Lords Of The Ring" Tournament this Saturday night, and what it's going to be like to "go home again." Tyson said that he has come off a long run with the WWE, and wanted to be able to choose the limited indy appearances he was going to do -- mainly because he "just wanted to have some time to himself." With regards to MXPW, he is scheduled to do an autograph session as of right now, but "you never know where I might be during the course of the evening." I guess MXPW stars, such as The Warlord, Chaz, & several others should watch out!

Tomko has been extremely impressed with his good friend, Christian Cage, and his reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Tyson mentioned to Blade & Mosh that he keeps in constant contact with “Captain Charisma," and that he is still one of his closest friends in the wrestling business. He is extremely happy for him and wishes him all of the best in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Tomko sees Christian as a huge asset to TNA, and that nothing but good things can come from their mutual relationship.

Ohio Valley Wrestling strongly influenced Tomko's career, as he spent several years in Louisville, KY developing his craft with Jim Cornette & Danny Davis. Tyson said that both gentlemen were "nothing but the greatest to him," and that "The Louisville Slugger" has a great mind for the business. Being in OVW really helped him, simply because he didn’t know anything about the business and it got him in "the right frame of mind to work in front of a larger audience and also on television." Tomko also added that both Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore & Rob Conway were there during his run there, and the two of them have not had the chance to show all of their potential, but hopefully will have the chance to in the future. The Big Mosh then brought up the rumor of Extreme Championship Wrestling taking over Ohio Valley Wrestling to Tyson. Curious to know his thoughts on the matter (and why he called that "foolish" if it happens), you have to listen in to find out wrestling fans!

The man who will be hitting the stage of the Canadian theatre this upcoming July, former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion (and one of Tomko's "arch enemies") was brought up as the next topic of discussion by Mosh & Blade. Tyson flat out loved working with the man who called himself "The Highlight Of The Night." When Christian suffered an injury, Jericho was the one whom he continued their storyline with -- by working house shows & Steel Cage matches with as well. The reasons for both him & Chris leaving the business are basically the same, and he wished to give nothing but great credit to Jericho for his "dedication, passion, & undying love for the business."

Coming off the most recent WWE shows overseas, Tyson said his favorite trip to Europe involved working a match with Chris Benoit. He recalled how intense the match was, how crazy the crowd got, and based on that match, he developed more of a respect for Benoit than he already had. "it was an honor to work with him." Tomko added that he also used to travel with Benoit regularly and work out with him. In fact, Chris is one of the main reasons why he is headed over to Japan, as "The Crippler" was absolutely amazing & very successful over there -- and he would like to try that himself. Tyson admits that he doesn’t know what Benoit's plans for the future are (in-ring competition/office job/road agent), but he can say this: Chris has always been there for him, and he also considers Benoit one of his closest friends.

Tomko is very intrigued for this Sunday night's WWE Backlash Pay-Per-View, especially The big Show/Kane match. Write down these predictions fans, as Tyson feels that Kane will down The Big Show, and he also hopes that Edge will capture the WWE Championship once again. With regards to the recent change in the fans starting to boo the babyfaces more (Cena at WrestleMania/Mysterio on the overseas tour), Tomko has seen this sort of thing happen before -- "this sort of thing always happens when the business is at a certain peak, so therefore it must be the thing to do." What are Tyson's thoughts of both RAW & SmackDown? Again, listen in and find out!

Mosh & Blade brought up the select group of hardcore fans that think that when a guy who has been with the WWE for a while wrestles on Heat or Velocity, that "they must suck" or cannot get over with the company. Tyson laid it out point blank, saying that if a fan believes that if a wrestler that works either program feels that particular way, then "they have absolutely no clue what it's like to step inside the squared circle, get in the trenches, and participate." Tomko went on to say that that working Heat or Velocity is essentially the same as working wither RAW or SmackDown. Tyson then told The Mayhem Crew that if anyone thinks different then he does about this, "he challenges him or her to a real wrestling match."

Tomko remembers vividly the night the WWE taped the RAW & SmackDown Eddie Guerrero tribute specials. He still misses "Latino Heat" to this day. At WrestleMania 22, he spent time with Vicki (Eddie's wife) & his daughters -- "it was amazing to be around them." When he found out the news of Eddie's passing he spent the entire morning with Eddie's closest friend, "The Rabid Wolverine" Chris Benoit, an experience which he called "surreal." Tyson has heard all of the nay-sayers talk about the use of Eddie's memory in WWE storylines since his death, and told Mosh & Blade that "anything that has to do with him more than likely has to go through Vicki," and that the WWE has done everything they could to help the Guerrero family in their time of need.

Regarding who he would like to work with overseas, Tyson said he would like to step in the ring with The Giant Bernard (A-Train), Matt Morgan, and the rest of the talent the orient has to offer.

In the closing moments of the interview with Mosh & Blade, Tomko kept things short & sweet in a message to his critics -- "those that consistently bash the business (and himself) have no clue what they are talking about, because they have never stepped foot inside of a wrestling ring in their lives." Tyson did wish to thank his true fans out there, as he knows that his trip to Japan will help him learn more about the business, and when he comes back, it will be "better than ever." He hopes his real fans enjoyed everything he ever did -- and looks forward to the return of "the haters" as well.

Plenty of other topics were covered in this fantastic 40-minute interview, including: Tomko's memories of working last year's ECW One Night Stand (and his takes on the return of ECW & if he would want to be a part of the return of "the extreme"), Randy Orton's WWE suspension, whether or not he sees Brock Lesnar ever coming back to World Wrestling Entertainment (and the chances of working with him in Japan right now), who he feels have a more hardcore following (wrestling fans or those of Limp Bizkit, whom Tomko used to bodyguard for), and his current thoughts on the WWE RAW brand & where he sees it going into the rest of 2006.

Wrestling fans, you can check out Tomko in his first huge independent show since leaving the WWE LIVE this Saturday night (April 29th) at MXPW's "Lords Of The Ring" Tournament in Boca Raton, FL. Log onto www.MXPW.net for more details on how you can be a part of the action!

Check out the rest of the 4/24 MNM, as former two-time WWE World Tag Team Champion, two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, & WWE Hall Of Famer, Tito Santana, joined the program (to promote this Saturday night's Connecticut Championship Wrestling "Elm City Showdown" event -- log onto www.CTChampionshipWrestling.com for more details on the night's card & how you can get tickets). In addition, former WWE announcer, Kevin Kelly, broke down the latest news in the "E" heading into this Sunday night's Backlash Pay-Per-View. April went out in style, and "Your Home Of Wrestling Radio" has officially started their "playoff editions."

Join The Big Mosh & Blade next Monday night (May 1st), as they will welcome TNA's newest star & former six-time WCW World Tag Team Champion and former WCW World Heavyweight Champion, "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner -- along with WWE legend Jake "The Snake" Roberts! While getting ready for quite possibly the most controversial edition of The Mayhem ever, start posting your questions/comments for them on the MNM Uberfun Message Board (located at www.MondayNightMayhem.com), e-mail them to MondayNightMayhem@hotmail.com, or post your thoughts on the MNM My Space (located at www.MySpace.com/MondayNightMayhem).
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