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nterview with Luis “The Punisher” Martinez
By Joseph Feeney III
Name: Luis Martinez
Height: 6”6
Weight: 274 lbs
Experience: 12 years
Promotions worked for: Monster Factory Pro Wrestling, WXW, ECPW, and other promotions
Career Highlights: Current Monster Factory Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, former Monster Factory Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champion
Today I was able to speak to the current Monster Factory Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Luis “The Punisher” Martinez. Luis is definitely a star in the making. He’s got the size, he’s got the presence, he’s got the moves, and he’s got the charisma. He is currently the top dog at the Monster Factory, and he is talking to several of the bigger promotions about testing his skills there as well. On Saturday September 20th, he defends his championship against “The Wrestling Machine” Billy Damiana. Damiana has quite the past, full of wrestling accolades, and he has made a lot of noise since debuting for the Monster Factory in July. He defeated Rhett Titus last month, and now he has earned himself a title shot. Martinez remains confident, and it should be a hell of a battle.
JF: So Luis, I always start this off easy. Were you a wrestling fan growing up?
LM: Yes I was. I grew up in Puerto Rico and at the time all the kids in the neighborhood were fans. We would brag about our favorite stars.
JF: Growing up in Puerto Rico, who were your favorites? Were they the stars on the island, or were you a WWF/WWE or WCW fan at the time?
LM: We didn't get much WCW. I was a WWF fan for the most part, but I would watch any wrestling that was on. On the island I think everyone was an automatic Carlos Colon fan from birth. I was a big Hogan and Warrior fan, until the Undertaker came on to the scene.
JF: So you were raised on a lot of the more violent style of some of the PR promotions. Do you remember any matches in particular that have always stuck with you?
LM: Not really. I mainly watched WWF and most of my memories are from those programs. For instance I remember when the Undertaker stuck the Warrior inside of a casket and locked it shut and Warrior couldn't breathe. I never forgot that.
JF: So how did you first get into the ring? Was training to be a wrestler something that was always on your mind?
LM: Not always. I was into martial arts when I was younger. I actually even won two national championships in New York in fighting. I also played football, basketball and baseball but I ended up moving from New York to Florida, and I kind of gave everything up. I ended up moving back to Jersey and an old buddy of mine said “let's do this wrestling thing.” I had no clue of how to do it. I asked him how the hell do we get into this and he said we got to go to school and I said where are the schools? He searched some and came across the Monster Factory and he showed me all the guys that graduated and I said alright let's do it. It's funny because we always joked about being wrestlers but never really thought we would ever do it. Twelve years later, here I am.
JF: Just to step back for a second, what forms of martial arts and fighting were you trained in?
LM: I trained in various forms but my thing was a traditional Japanese martial art called Go Ju Ryu, which means “hard soft style.” It's basically a balanced form of fighting where you equally use your arms, hands, feet, and legs.
JF: So, what were your first impressions of The Monster Factory?
LM: I went in not knowing what to expect, so when I saw a room with two rings and a bathroom I was like okay, this looks like some serious shit. I remember showing up to try out and then speaking to Larry Sharpe. He told me the price of tuition and I responded that I didn't have all the money yet. So he asked me how could I tell him that I'm serious about what I'm doing if I haven't even saved up the money for it? I felt so stupid but the next week I did what I had to do and I showed up with the full tuition. After that, it was all pain from there!
JF: So you're a Monster Factory guy through and through! How do you feel about the current group of guys over there? Does anyone really stand out to you?
LM: I damn sure am! Man, the future looks good for the Monster Factory and for wrestling in general. I was at the school last night and I left saying to myself man, I love this! It's awesome when everyone is trying hard, trying to learn and really wanting it. There is so much potential at that school, and it’s been inspiring me to work harder than I ever have. There are a few over the top standouts that come to mind, like Mike Spanos. I'm really high on that kid. He's gonna be a huge star. Billy Damiana stands out as well, just to name a couple. Those guys are like sponges just absorbing as much knowledge as they can, while at the same time trying to help others with what they are experienced and skilled in.
JF: Yes, the future does indeed look bright all around. With ROH on PPV, Triple A USA starting to tape, and Jarrett's GFW on the horizon, there will be a lot of promoters looking for talent. Do any other those names pop out to you as far as a place you'd want to work?
LM: Of course. I mean I have my foot in the door with ROH, at the moment. I'm actually heading down a little later to train with their boys, but all those promotions are options. It's all a matter of timing and fitting in. Companies like those and even Monster Factory Pro Wrestling are places where you know you're going to be working with the top, elite talent. If that's not what you want then you don't belong. I'm at a point now where I only want to surround myself with top talent so I can prove that I belong with the best.
JF: Yes I have been very impressed as far as what I've seen at Monster Factory Pro Wrestling. You guys put on a great show, it's family friendly, it's interactive. It's just very refreshing. Coming up for the Monster Factory is Monster Factory on Roku. Are you excited for that and what do you feel it will help add to the overall Monster Factory legacy and presentation?
LM: I am definitely excited. That is the type of thing that adds to the Monster Factory legacy. You know, its evolving. Things like that gives us the opportunity to showcase our skills to a wider, broader audience. At the moment the Monster Factory, we all work together to make our product superior. That's something that the owner Dan Cage is very adamant about. We don't want to just produce another show. We want a professional quality top notch program where a friend can tune in and say wow, this is what I have been looking for!
JF: So in your years at the Monster Factory, working Indies, etc. who would you say is the most naturally talented guy you've ever seen?
LM: Wow that's a hard one. But I’d have to say, QT Marshall. He just makes things look so simple. There's a few guys that just have it, you know. His name just comes to mind right away.
JF: You are a former Monster Factory Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champion. Was your time in a tag team something you enjoyed? Do you prefer being out there on your own?
LM: I enjoy being able to do both. Brolly (from the Legion of Anarchy) and I are legit boys. So that makes it easier and fun because of that relationship we have. But I also like proving myself as a standalone competitor. I think of myself as someone that can go with anyone in the business but can also dominate the tag team division.
JF: So, if you had to name a few favorites of yours, from the current wrestling scene, whether that be the nationally televised products, international, Indies etc. who would you name?
LM: To watch? On the indies I enjoy QT Marshall, Mike Reed, Bandito Jr., Mike Spanos, Jay Lethal, and of course my boy Brolly. There are more but I'll be here all day. As far as major stars at the moment, I would say the guys that comprised The Shield, Bray Wyatt, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton. Like I said just to name a few…I love wrestling and I am still very much a fan. So I watch it as much as I can.
JF: If you had the opportunity to wrestle in the main event this Saturday at Madison Square Garden, in front of a sold out crowd, and you could pick your opponent...who would you pick?
LM: The Undertaker, without question. He's the reason why I got into this business. We would steal the show for sure!
JF: Since you brought him up, I'll ask you Jim Ross' favorite question: what did you think of WWE ending the steak at WrestleMania, with Undertaker's loss to Brock Lesnar?
LM: Oh man! As a fan, I hated it so much! But then I looked at the big picture. If anyone is going to end it why wouldn’t it be the guy that's practically unbeatable? Now if someone beats Lesnar, imagine how huge that's gonna be. Hell I want a shot at Lesnar! But when it happened, a tear may have come out. I remember Brolly and a few of my other friends texting me if I was ok. I wasn't!
JF: Yeah I have a friend who was very upset! They really got us on that one!
So where does Luis "The Punisher" Martinez see himself in 5 years? 10 years?
LM: I see myself causing anarchy somewhere baby! In five year, I’ll be a bigger and better star. In ten years, I’ll be cementing some type of legacy and not just in my wrestling career but in my life.
JF: And I believe that you will! Finally, coming up at the Monster Factory on September 20th, you defend your Monster Factory Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship against "The Wrestling Machine" Billy Damiana. Damiana is coming off an impressive victory over Rhett Titus, and is the picture of confidence. How do you feel about this match, and do you have anything you'd like to say to Billy Damiana?
LM: I'm excited for him. He's a good kid with a bright future. His time in this business will come, it’s just not coming on the 20th at Monster Factory Pro Wrestling. While impressive, he's not going to surprise me. This battle tested Punisher isn't the champion by luck. His style is good but the major difference is, I have no specific style. I can grapple, I can fly and I can straight up fight. I heard him talking about preparing for this match. The only thing he should be preparing for is punishment! I like the kid…but I like being champion more!
JF: Excellent! Well good luck in the future Luis, not that you need it, and thank you very much for your time!
LM: Follow the Legion! Join the Anarchy!
