(laughs).

SplatterTribe: When did you actually start wrestling on a paid, professional level, basis?

Creed: When I was in college. My freshman year of college. I would drive down to Georgia and wrestle for UCW for a guy named Rob Adonis. That's who trained me. So for a couple of months during the summer I worked with them. Then I went to Greenville, South Carolina to go to college and I'd drive down (Georgia) every other Saturday and wrestled with them. You know, working, putting the ring up and everything, being the new kid. Then, I found some people in South Carolina that helped me finish my training and they helped get me out there and get some bookings on my own. Then I pretty much, on the weekends, while I was in college, just traveled around the southeast wrestling...A lot of gas money spent (laughs).
 

SplatterTribe: So what was the first moment that you truly realized wrestling was the path you wanted to travel on?

Creed: Well, I mean, I've just always wanted to do it. There's never really been a question like, If I was going to. I've never been able to think of a time where I didn't know I wanted to be a professional wrestler.
 

Creed: I realized that I was either going to do terribly and have that be my one shot on pay-per-view, and everyone would see that and that's how I would be remembered, or I'd knock it out and get the contract. Luckily, I did well and they offered me a contract, so things worked out. It was pretty much a do or die situation at that point. As you know, first of all we were in my hometown. All of my friends were there. There was tons of people in the arena. There was tons of people watching all over the world. I don't think I've ever really been more nervous to do something in my life.

SplatterTribe: I know your first story line kind of got scrapped after that appearance because of those involved in the story line with you Ron Killings, Pac Man Jones, were soon gone from the company for one reason or another,  was that a nerve wrecking time as well? And what was going on at that time?
 

Creed: I was finishing up school. Yeah, that's one of the awesome things about TNA, they really care about their wrestlers and everybody, for that matter. You know, I got my contract in October of that year and I was going to be done in May, the following year with school. So rather than put me on a full time schedule and have me miss tons of class all the time, they let me sign and then had me on a much smaller schedule. So I wouldn't miss class and finish up and get both of my degrees. Right after I got done is when they finally brought me up to the full time schedules. They didn't rush me or anything. They let me finish everything I wanted to do. They felt the same way I did about school. You know, it's very important I get finished and everything like that. So there was no discrepancies on my end, I was just happy they were letting me finish up what I was doing.

SplatterTribe: So, with the guys you've wrestled with so far, who's had the most painful move?

Creed: There's been some painful things I've been through, you know, but I would have to say the Destroyer. The Canadian Destroyer is probably the most painful.

SplatterTribe: What matches have you felt the most afterwards?
 

Creed: I would have to say that pay-per-view match at Bound For Glory. You couldn't really tell in the match because it was near the end but I busted my eyelid open on the concrete and I could see through it. There was blood all over my face. As soon as I got to the back, I got Novocain shots in my eyelid, got that sewn up and then got to go to school.

SplatterTribe: Welcome to the big leagues?

Creed: Yeah, I go to the gym and then just play X-box the rest of the day.

SplatterTribe: OK, as far as 1 on 1 matches, can you defeat every member of the Main Event Mafia?

Creed: Of course. There's no question. Line'm up, I'll knock'm down.

SplatterTribe: So what kind of music do you get into?

Creed: I really listen to everything, but at the moment I'm stuck on this Kirk Wallen song called 'Round Trip'. The whole cd is called 'Round Trip', after the song. I'm stuck on that and (laughs) this Babyface song called, 'It's Not A Crime'. Yeah, once I hear a song I haven't heard in a while or hear stuff that attracts my ear, I have this thing where I just listen to it incessantly until I can't stand it anymore.

SplatterTribe: If you could have anybody record an intro for you, who would you get?

Creed: Well, James Brown. He would have to do it. Well, I mean, he aint going to do it, but 'Living In America' is like a dream song.

SplatterTribe: How exactly did you come up with your gimmick? I know you had it prior to TNA.

Creed: Yeah, well, the guys that I was training with in Georgia, there were maybe 3 of us in the class that the trainers thought were doing an exceptional job in training. They got all in a room and gave us a pep talk or whatever and give us each a box. They were all randomized, but we later found out that in each box was gear that they used to wear in the 80's. Mine, you know, luck of the draw, happened to be, Red, White & Blue and you know, the cape that you see. I've upgraded the gear and what not, but the cape is still something I've kept as a memento. I think it was made in '82, I think. I got it from my trainer. I know it looks kind of ratty, but that's why I keep it around, it's got that vintage and that history. I like having it with me.

SplatterTribe: So it was just a matter of chance?

Creed: Yeah, pretty much (laughs)

SplatterTribe: Not from being a life long fanatic of the Rocky movie, huh?

Creed: No, I wish I could say it was, but it was really random. It just happened to work out well.

SplatterTribe: Has that been your lone gimmick?

Creed: That was pretty much the start. I was Awesome Austin Creed.

SplatterTribe: Outside of yourself, who do you think is the most underrated wrestler in TNA?

Creed: I don't know. Let me think on that.....I'd probably have to go with Jimmy Rave. He's an incredible wrestler and if you ever get the chance to see any of his stuff from the independents, like Ring Of Honor and stuff like that, he's really, really talented. I'd definitely recommend watching some of that stuff.

SplatterTribe: Who would you like to see in TNA?

Creed: Sal Rinauro. He's an independent wrestler from Georgia. He's one of those guys that I rode the roads with all up and down the southeast. He taught me a lot of stuff. I have him to thank for a lot of the things I've got going on today. He is currently in Ring Of Honor, but I'd love to have him at TNA. He is an awesome wrestler and a great guy.

SplatterTribe: So tell us why we should watch TNA Wrestling.

Creed: Cause TNA is Total Nonstop Action. It's the greatest wrestling on the face of the planet. You're not gonna see it anywhere else. We've got the six-sided ring and it's a lot better than watching wrestling in a four sided ring, because the action come from not four, but six directions. And because I'm there.

SplatterTribe: Tell us why we should rent the Destination X pay-per-view.

Creed: Because (laughs), there's going to be the Ultimate X match. If you don't know what that is, there's four cables hanging above the ring and you have to climb across them and unhinge the X-Division Title that's hanging in the middle. The cables are probably 10 above the ring and it's a very, very unique and innovative kind of match. I've personally never been in one, but everybody else involved has been. So I'm not gonna lie. I'm kind of nervous about it because I've seen the things that can go on in it. It's possibly one of the most dangerous matches that TNA has got.

SplatterTribe: Can you leave that match Champion?

Creed: Of course.

SplatterTribe: So what can we expect in Shepherdsville when it will be Lethal Consequences Vs Beer Money for the TNA Tag Titles?

Creed: In Shepherdsville at the Paroquet Springs Conference Center Friday, March 13 and everybody can get tickets at Ticketmaster.com. And I want everybody to know that we have a little secret in store for Jacqueline (Beer Money manager). They like to play this 3 on 2 game. So we got a little surprise for her coming up, so you have to come out and see what it is!