“The Essential” Eric Cooper
Interview by Jamie Dobson aka Springfield
Originally from New Jersey now residing in the Champions Gate section of Orlando, Florida
Born February 3rd, 1983
6’0” 205 lbs.
Has a Lovely girlfriend
What made you decide on a wrestling career?
As cliché as it sounds I was always a fan and thought I could do it. One day I saw an advertisement on the internet and decided to give it a shot and here I am.
How many years have you been at it?
I am entering my 9th year of actively being a professional wrestling
What’s the story of how your ring name came to be?
I wish I had a cool story behind it but Eric Cooper is actually my real name. One of my early trainers thought Cooper was a good name that people could either a.) Make fun of, or b.) Get behind chanting “Coop! Coop! Coop!” As far as my nickname of “The Essential”; all credit goes to Jude MacKenzie for the nickname as he thought of the nickname and it kind of just stuck and worked out for me.
What is your finisher – how did you come up with it or who inspired it?
I originally used the spinebuster because Arn Anderson was one of my favorite wrestlers. I also use the Double Underhooked powerbomb because of my liking of Jushin Thunder Liger.
Are there any colors of gear you refuse to wear?
I’ll wear anything… The uglier the color the more people remember
Over the years is there any gear you wish you had left in the closet?
I’ve always had a liking for everything I wear. I get a lot of flak for wearing my Cooper baggy shorts but I’ve always liked them but I think they’ll stay in the closet for a while.
What is your most memorable in ring moment?
Getting a chance to stand inside the ring barricades on World Wrestling Entertainment Monday Night Raw on July 18, 2005. Granted I was only a security guard. It was still a surreal moment. My other most memorable moment was getting a chance to wrestle The “New Age Punisher” B-Boy inside of the world famous ECW Arena.
Do you have a Funniest moment?
I’ve had a lot of funny moments in wrestling and way too many to list.
Any interesting tattoo stories you would like to share?
Not really interesting except the skull on my left arm was the first ever Wrestling T-Shirt I had made for myself.
Is there one thing on your personal side you want your fans to know?
I’m just a big a douche bag as everyone thinks.
What has been your most memorable or worst fan interaction?
My most memorable is always despite how big of an idiot in the ring I can be is when a little child comes up and either asks for an autograph or high five and says “good job tonight.” As far as worst, well it is memorable in my mind but people may disagree, is on two occasions: 1) One time in Pennsylvania a fan pushed me at ringside I then proceeded to shove him back three rows just by mushing him in the face.. 2) A fan jumped the barricade one day back in the Pro Wrestling Eklipse days so that fat f*ck tasted a nice big loogie directly from my mouth. What is our lesson people? You can scream and shout whatever you want, but stay sitting the f*ck down!
Who has been your toughest opponent to date and would you face him again?
Honestly I’ve faced a lot of tough opponents from Jay Lethal, B-Boy, Samoa Joe, Simon Sez, Azrieal, Biff, Highway men, etc… But honestly my two toughest opponents have been here in Florida. Not only does he bring the best out of me but he is one of the toughest motherf*ckers in all of wrestling, Bruce Santee. The other toughest opponent I’ve had is none other than my current tag team partner, Eddie Taurus. We beat each other’s asses for years and a mutual respect and bond, and being fellow Jersey natives, brought us together and formed The Uprising. And yes, I’d face them all again!
If you could go back in time – what message would you tell a younger version of you?
Don’t take things so personal
Is there a ritual you do before matches or a lucky charm you bring to the ring?
No lucky charms but usually I just sit in my chair and keep quiet and then head to the ring
Are there certain Indy Feds you would like to work with but haven’t had the opportunity?
Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerilla, Dragon Gate USA, EVOLVE and anything in Puerto Rico or over seas
Do you accept fan mail? Where should they address it?
e2thecoop@gmail.com holla at your boy
Who has been your biggest inspiration in life?
I have a lot of inspirations in my life and a lot of people I look up too. As far as wrestling related, I inspire to be like anyone who has come before me and just bust my ass and put on a good match and be the best I can possibly be.
Do you have suggestions to promote Indy wrestling or the business in general?
I could write a book on this but promoters realize this: THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ONLY GOD DAMN TOOL OF PROMOTING!! Does it help? Of course. Get some fliers made, go pass them out. Word of mouth pretty much and don’t hope people read your press release online. Hit the streets and pass out some god damn flyers. It’ll do wonders. Not every person reads the internet or Facebook.
If you had to do it all over – would you change anything?
Not really I’ve reached any goals I have set for myself and have a new set of goals I am going to try and reach
What effect has wrestling had on you and your life?
Well I can’t walk normal is for one. I wake up every morning with pain in my back, my legs, etc. I have had to miss many graduations, weddings, birthdays, funerals etc. all just to go out and wrestle. It’s not all the glitz and glamour people think it is. We all have real lives and we all make sacrifices to be out there and perform.
Do you prefer Heel or Face – Have you been mainly one or the other?
I’ve mainly been a heel. I have a liking to getting a room full of people to scream “I suck!” So I’d rather do that then have people cheering for me. Weird I know.
How often or how difficult is your training routine?
Well I’m a pretty lazy dude but I have dropped a lot of weight in the past year so I would say when I actually train it’s pretty vigorous and difficult.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Either being paid a hefty sum of money or retired on a tropical beach somewhere
Do you have a message to your peers?
Thanks for everything ladies and gentlemen whether you’re in the ring busting your asses, or behind that curtain running the machine we call an independent wrestling show. Thanks!
Do you have a message to upcoming new wrestlers?
SHUT THE F*CK UP AND LISTEN!! One of the first lessons I learned was always: MOUTHS SHUT, EARS OPEN!! Pay some dues, and earn your god damn spots. Don’t kiss ass to get somewhere it’s a lot more rewarding when hard work pays off in the end.
Is there one thing you want everyone to know or remember you for?
I call everyone buddy… And I’m the dude who pisses everyone off and then gets his ass kicked but keeps on ticking and kicking ass right back
~Special Thanks to Eric Cooper for taking the time to do this interview with me!~
