Wikipedia:WikiProject Professional wrestling/Outreach/Newsletter/Issue 008/Interview 2

Wikipedia-related

1. How did you first hear of Wikipedia, and why did you decide to become a Wikipedia editor?

A: I came across Wikipedia several years ago while researching a paper for high school. Although I couldn't actually source Wikipedia itself, it was able to direct me reliable sources on the subject I was researching. I sporadically came across Wikipedia after that via Google searches and eventually started to read articles. When I became a pro wrestling fan, Wikipedia was always the first entry when I went to find out more about a wrestler, so I bookmarked it. I eventually started editing and reverted some small amounts of vandalism in January of '07 before finally registering around the time of that year's Royal Rumble. Months later, I joined the Pro wrestling Wikiproject after not being aware of it's existence.

2. What are your best contributions to Wikipedia, and why?

A: I would say systematically going through the WWE and TNA wrestler articles and fixing the move links. Other than that, I don't do too much else besides reverting vandalism and avoiding redirects. I'm currently working on the 'Mania 23 article, I hope that will become my best contribution.

3. What is the origin(s) of your username?

A: My user name is that of a very obscure Star Wars character. He was the playable character in Star Wars: Episode 1, the Battle for Naboo for the N64. Ever since playing that game, I have consistently named main characters in RPGs "Gavyn" if I decide not to use the default name. I don't believe it breaks the rule of using no famous names as your username, as most regular Star Wars fans wouldn't even have a clue that the name comes from SW. I chose it because my usual screename, Cheesedude, was already taken on Wikipedia upon registering.

4. What other project(s) do you participate in on Wikipedia besides WP:PW?

A: None, though I do sporadically edit other articles, mostly those about video games, Star Wars and my favorite anime.

5. What do you like most about Wikipedia? What do you like least about Wikipedia?

A: I like being able to correct information that may be wrong and I actually enjoy edits that most others find tedious (such as avoiding redirects). I dislike vandalism, though I must admit that it occasionally makes me chuckle. There's a link on my user page to such an occurence.

Wrestling related

1. How did you begin watching professional wrestling?

A: I began watching wrestling the Friday before Cyber Sunday '06. My younger brother had been watching it for several months before that and he finally convinced me one Friday night to sit and watch SmackDown! with him. I did so out of sheer boredom at the time, but I actually enjoyed the show. I especially enjoyed King Booker's antics. After the show, I began researching wrestling and found Wikipedia again. I started watching Raw and ECW about two weeks later. A few months after that, I began to watch Impact as well. I missed the entire Attitude Era, and honestly wish I hadn't. I found the storylines entertaining and enjoyed the technical aspects of wrestling as well.

2. Who is your favorite wrestler, and why?

A: My favorite wrestler is Mr. Kennedy. I love his charisma and I love how he can get an entire arena to cheer him one minute, only to reverse it and cause them to boo him the next. I enjoy his ring work too. Other favorites include Edge, John Morrison, Santino Marella and most of the cruiserweight/X Division wrestlers.

3. If you were to enter pro wrestling, what would you choose your entrance theme to be?

A: That's a tough question. I'm not big on music at all, and honestly can't really give this question a fair answer. My favorite song would not fit a wrestling persona or my current life, so I'm not sure.

4. If you can be in a tag team with any professional wrestler, who would you choose?

A: Shark Boy. Just to play the straight man in the equation.

5. If you were in control of any of the major wrestling promotions (WWE/TNA/etc.), what would you change about them?

A: WWE: Crusierweights would be pushed massively and even main event some PPVs. PPVs would become single-branded again. ECW would be absorbed into Smackdown completely. Triple H would not be let near a world title for at least three more years and would never surpass Flair's record. Jericho would be a consistent Raw main eventer. HBK would get one last world title run. Matt Hardy would eventually rack up more US Title reigns as he feuded with Palumbo, Dysktra and Helms once he gets back. Matt and Jeff would simultaneously win world titles at a WrestleMania with Matt being in the main event. Edge would stay heel and eventually be transferred back to Raw. Cena would remain in the main event. As much as I hate him, the business exists to make money and Cena is the biggest draw right now. Batista would be de-pushed to main eventer jobber and Kane would take his place in the main event. Big Daddy V and Khali would be fired. TNA: Steiner would be fired. A huge roster cleanup would take place and Kurt Angle would not always have the world title. Chris Harris will receieve a main-event push and Dustin Rhodes would be fired.

Personal

1. What city/area do you currently live in?

A: A small rural town, in Pennsylvania.

2. What other language(s) do you speak besides English?

A: None, though I will be taking Spanish in College.

3. What are your interests?

A: Star Wars, pro wrestling, video games, anime.

4. What do you do in your spare time when you aren't editing Wikipedia/at work/at school/etc.?

A: Read, watch anime, play video games, work out when I actually feel like it. Talk to my girlfriend online.

5. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring with you?

A: A picture of my girlfriend, a pair of binoculars and a can of gasoline to start fires.

Community-asked questions

1. Which of the six Star Wars films do you like the best? (from ThinkBlue)

A: Good question. Overall, I have to say Return of the Jedi. I liked all of them, but each had their flaws, and I think RotJ had the least of them. Revenge of the Sith was a great movie, just for the special effects, but there were a lot of other things in there that I hated. Fun fact: I actually like Jar Jar Binks.

2. One person who likes Jar Jar Binks. Why do you like him? (from ThinkBlue)

A: I find him funny, rather than annoying. I never saw why everyone hates him so much.

3. What is your New Year's Resolution, and do you plan to stick with it? (from Nikki311)

A To lose weight, though that's my resolution every year.

4. How old are you?

A: 19

5. What do you think about people who think little of and look down on professional wrestling?

A. It can vary, depending on their attitude. Some people don't like pro wrestling, I get that. My girlfriend doesn't, and we still get along just fine. But when people insult you by saying "you know it's fake, right?" it really pisses me off. I get a bit offended. Yes, I know it's faked, it's staged and scripted. I'm not a freakin' idiot. I don't like being talked down to as though I'm five. I also hate people that stereotype it as "men in swimwear playfighting" and "just an excuse for guys to touch eachother" which sets off a some more alarms in my mind. I happen to enjoy because the storylines are entertaining and the divas are hot (my girlfriend is cool about that part, she's bisexual and it's not like I can act on impulse when it comes to the divas).

Any optional comments by the interviewee