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James Storm is one of those naturally likable people who, but naturally, confesses that he prefers playing a babyface to a heel. He is a thrill to talk to, and enthralls the media with stories from his career spanning well over a decade.
He answered some of my questions, during the weekly Impact Wrestling conference call. Here are some of the highlights.
Are you still in touch with Bobby Roode (Storm's Beer Money tag team partner)? What do you think of his success outside Impact Wrestling?
James Storm: I shoot him a text every now and then. It's not like we talk every day or even every week, you know.
I'll text him and say congratulations because that guy definitely has earned everything that he's got. He proved what he proved here, that he can get in the ring with anyone and I always say, if he can go on and make a living, which he's doing, the best to him and I wish him nothing but luck!
(In case you didn't know, Storm wrestled a couple of matches in NXT but turned down a full-time contract. We can only wish to see Storm back in WWE for a reunion with his partner in crime.)
Considering the fact that you pioneered the Last Call superkick, what's your opinion about tag teams like the Young Bucks who use the move multiple times in a match? Do you think it devalues the superkick?
James Storm: I think if they overdo it, it's up to them. They made money off it. Other people do it. That's fine.
When I'm in a match with someone, I only use it once. I always say, 'they can knock people down with theirs, but I knock people out'. I mean, you didn't see Shawn Michaels throwing 4, 5, 6 superkicks in a match.
Just one of those things. You know, Shawn protected it and I've been using it for fifteen years. Any time I'm in the ring, I try to protect it as well.
As part of DCC, you wrestled extensively with the Broken Hardyz. What did you think of their gimmick and what did you think of the program with the Broken Hardyz?
James Storm: Any time I can get in the ring with Matt and Jeff is a lot of fun, because they're so over it really doesn't matter what happens in the match. The crowd's going to be excited and have fun. Shows you how over the Hardyz are and have been for the last fifteen years.
I think we could have gotten more out of our DCC and Hardy angle, but you know it is what it is. No use crying about the past. But yeah, anytime I can get into the ring with those guys it's a blast because they're two of my favorite guys I like to wrestle with whether I was a good guy wrestling evil Matt or a bad guy wrestling Jeff Hardy. It's always fun.
Is there any young performer you look at and think, 'this is the next James Storm'?
James Storm: Hell no. Not at all. What's wrong with you, man? There'll never be another James Storm (laughs).
How was it wrestling in India and how different was it from wrestling in the United States?
James Storm: My whole experience in India was great. The fans, you can see them on TV. They were there, just having fun. The guys in the ring just ate it up. We didn't know what to expect walking out. We didn't know if they knew who we are but they did!
Only in India will you see about 7-800 to a 1000 people in the crowd chanting for a 'cowboy' (laughs).
