From Elizabeth, NJ
Born October 7th
5’ 7”, 177 lbs
Married with Children
What made you decide on a wrestling career?
For as long as I can remember I watched wrestling. When I was little and the teachers asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I always wanted to be a wrestler. I’m fulfilling a dream
How many years have you been at it?
July 2005 almost 6 years
What’s the story of how your ring name came to be?
In school they used to call me pretty boy. I was always one of those guys that liked to dress nice, new shoes and all… so they called me “G Money” My real name is Gustavo, so I said I’ll just be “Pretty Boy Gus Money”.
What is your finisher – how did you come up with it or who inspired it?
The money in the air frogsplash, because of Eddie Guerrero; He is my idol
What is and any story behind your entrance music?
Started as singles and wanted to do something unique. The first thing they hear is your music. I wanted a certain beat, a rhythm to catch on to anybody. It is an original; my buddy did it for me. When I used to watch wrestling, to me, I can tell if they are cool or not with the entrance music they came out too… I wanted to have that cool entrance music. As a Tag team, switched to Riot Makers by Tech 9 because FXE faction… Mike was cool with keeping my music since we could add his name and stuff.
Are there any colors of gear you refuse to wear?
No – I can wear whatever color. The only thing is pink wouldn’t go with Gus money; unless it was pink had gold trim or something.
Over the years is there any gear you wish you had left in the closet?
no
What is your most memorable in ring moment?
When I came back from my injury from a ladder match. I was a pretty bad injury. My comeback was my most memorable. People still remembered who I was and what happened. I had a very positive response.
Do you have a Funniest moment?
I was on the 2nd rope about to jump off, my foot slipped and I fell straight on my face. Was doing my yabo sabo elbow, it hurt, but after the fact and in the back it was very funny.
Is there one thing on your personal side you want your fans to know?
I can cook and cut hair
What has been your most memorable or worst fan interaction?
There is a fan at ASW. Anything he sees with a dollar sign on it he wants because of Gus Money. Necklace, Money hat, anything, he will ask his dad to buy it because it reminds him of me. They go to each ASW weekly show, and know who I am personally. Its weird having a fan like that because I never thought that would actually happen. When I wrestle I give it all with my heart and try to deliver it with my heart. It’s more for the people and to get a reaction from the people. That’s better than money – but not better than Gus money.
Any memorable road stories you would like to share?
A long time ago when Biff and I started, we were riding in the car with Roadblock Rick and Cory Conners. After a show in St. Augustine we stopped at KFC buffet. Roadblock is a really big guy, he just kept eating. One time he left his macaronis as he went to get more. So we grabbed the salt and pepper and poured it on everything, and in his drink. We just kept pouring and pouring. He came back, we were laughing. He was like I know you fkrs did something to my food. We are like no no. He tried it, said I don’t care, and he just kept eating it. We put it in drink and all! Biff and I did that to him and here we are new, couple months in, playing ribs on this vet.
Who has been your toughest opponent to date and would you face him again?
With Cruz and I tagging it is the Highway men, and yes, I’d do it again. As singles, Mike Cruz, we are always trying to one up each other.
If you could go back in time – what message would you tell a younger version of you?
I would definitely say I should have started earlier then when I started, and if I knew the obstacles, I would say it’s a long hard road to be successful, not easy.
Is there a ritual you do before matches or a lucky charm you bring to the ring?
Just got to make sure my hair is wet to get in my Gus Money mode. I never do that when I’m not wrestling, it’s always up. I only put it down to wrestle.
Are there certain Indy Feds you would like to work with but haven’t had the opportunity?
Oh of course, ROH, Dragongate, Chikara, Jersey All Pro, all National Wrestling Alliance’s. Anywhere where I haven’t been I want to go, even out of the country.
Do you accept fan mail? Where should they address it?
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Gus.Money07 or on my website http://www.gusmoney.com
Who has been your biggest inspiration in life?
Eddie Guerrero, everything that he went through, hit rock bottom. It’s very inspiring for him to come up and get everything back, it’s an incredible story plus I relate to him a lot. And we are both little guys, both Hispanic.
Who has your biggest feud been with?
As singles I had a big feud with Jason Sensation. We even did a cage match. As a tag, it’s the Highwaymen, hardcore match and we went all out.
Do you have suggestions to promote Indy wrestling or the business in general?
I think the indie wrestling you are seeing in Florida is better than what you see on television. I support the Indies, without the fans there wouldn’t be us.
If you had to do it all over – would you change anything?
No – the only thing is wishing to start earlier…
What wrestling training or school did you attend?
I first went to Steve Curran’s school of Hard Knox, then to FXE, occasionally the I Believe School.
What effect has wrestling had on you and your life?
Wrestling has consumed my life. You have to give it your all. You can’t half ass it. If you do you, you will not get success. I give it 100%. It changed my life, I know more people, I actually have fans; it’s an accomplishment.
Do you prefer Heel or Face – Have you been mainly one or the other?
I can do both, though I prefer baby face because I’m used to it. If I’m a bad guy, I’ll still get cheered regardless. No matter how mean, then I’m like a cool hero type, and still get cheered. Rather stick being the good guy. I feel bad for the face when I’m the heel, I bite, choke, and they are still cheering for me.
What is the wildest thing you have done out of character.. or in..?
As a bad guy I have bit guys on the head and stuff.
How often or how difficult is your training routine?
I go to the gym four days a week two hours a day or at least 1 at a minimum. I do in ring training at least once a week. Then I just do my training when wrestling. To me you can teach anyone the moves; it’s how you react in front of a live crowd. Gain experience instead of just going through moves in a warehouse.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully wrestling full time; to still support my family and call wrestling my job; Instead of having a job and wrestling part time.
Do you have a message to your peers?
I want to thank all my peers for all the support. Regardless, we are all in the same business, most are really out for themselves. I do have brothers in wrestling and they know who they are. Those who hate on Gus Money, oh well, I aint going nowhere, ya tu sabe.
Do you have a message to upcoming new wrestlers?
Yes, just because you’ve had a couple days or two three months in training doesn’t mean you are a real wrestler. It takes a lot of time, training, and the right people training you. Also dedication, it’s not easy. Just make sure you go through the right place to get trained. If you can’t take hits and complain, you shouldn’t be in the business.
Do you have a message to your fans?
Without the people you’re nobody. Thank you to all the fans that have accepted me, without you there is no wrestling or Gus Money. To all the fans, thank you for supporting me.
Is there one thing you want everyone to know or remember you for?
I want to be remembered for always entertaining you. I want people to remember my entertainment.
~Special thanks to Gus for taking the time to do this interview!~
