Here’s my exclusive interview with Derrick Gamble
Kwame Shakir: How did you become a wrestling fan?
Derrick Gamble: I owe it all to my Grandfather. When I was a kid he used to always watch wrestling every time I was at his house. This was during the 90's when the Monday Night Wars between WWF and WCW had just begun. My Grandfather would order every pay per view that both companies put on, so I was very lucky to have seen such great action at that time. I used to be able to stay up late on those Sundays, which were school nights, only because I got good grades in school.
KS: On a pretty hot Monday night in July 1998 at the young age of 12, I remember flipping through the channels and seeing absolutely nothing that interested me until I stopped to watch a match on an episode of Nitro and upon watching that match, I was absolutely blown away by what I was seeing because this wrestling thing was clearly unlike anything I’ve ever seen prior to that because there were on-screen characters, promos, builds, feuds, and storylines. The match was a very memorable match, but what made that match memorable for me was the ending of that match and I immediately fell in love with wrestling
KS: What made you decide to come up with Rap N’ Wrestle Podcast?
DG: Just like everyone, I was stuck at home during quarantine due to the unfortunate rise of Covid numbers. I feel like quarantine forced everyone to stop and think for a second. I was working on another podcast and I felt like I needed to evolve and work on something that was a true reflection of myself. I used to work at a radio station where we would interview unsigned music artists that were trying to get their big break. I wanted to bring that back to light and help artists with my platform however I could. During that time I was also watching a lot of battle rap, since we were all looking for ways to pass the time. I noticed that there are alot of wrestling references in the sport of battle rap. Then I put 2 and 2 together and made a platform that showed the connections between rap and hip hop. Now my platform is used for that purpose as well as showcasing talent in both worlds.
KS: What is your take about the current landscape of modern day wrestling?
DG: I am actually excited with the current landscape of modern day wrestling. Of course I believe that there are many things that can change but overall I am enjoying wrestling. The independent scene creates such an excitement for wrestling that may not be seen on a larger scale. I live on the east coast in New Jersey and we are really spoiled when it comes to wrestling. We have great companies out here that have featured a lot of the signed stars that people see on television today. It's always great to see the rise of an independent talent and them getting signed to a major company. Also I like the variety that is out there for wrestling fans today. If I don't like a product I can literally tune into something else until I find what suits me. I am also loving the representation of Black wrestlers in the sport of wrestling. I love seeing things like Rich Swann being Impact World Champion, Bianca Belair winning the Royal Rumble and Kofimania taking off. For those kids out there who look like me, it shows them that they too can reach their dreams and nothing tops that.
KS: What are things you like and don’t like about the current landscape of modern day wrestling?
DG: I like that so many of the independent talents are receiving opportunities to perform on live television. I also like that there is so much variety when it comes to the type of wrestling you see. I also love how the women are featured and can show that they are just as good or better than their male counterparts. When it comes to dislikes, I'll start with the stories. I wish there was better creativity in writing. This is not to say that all companies don't have good creativity but, I wish that more emphasis was put on story writing. I also wish that the top wrestling companies would put more into their younger talent so that they can build stars. I love the nostalgic feel of a part timer coming back for an appearance but I hate when spots are lost to talent who have been working hard 24/7.
KS: What are your top 5 favorite wrestlers ever?
DG: In no particular order: Shawn Michaels, The Rock, AJ Styles, Eddie Guerrero and Cactus Jack.
KS: My top 5 favorite wrestlers are 1) Booker T 2) Jazz 3) Kofi Kingston 4) Eddie Guerrero 5) Sting
KS: What are your top 5 favorite wrestler themes ever?
DG: 5- Shawn Michaels 4- Stone Cold 3- Razor Ramon 2- nWo Black and White 1- D-Generation X
KS: My Top 5 Favorite Wrestler Themes Are 1) NWO Wolfpac 2) The Rock (2003 Hollywood Heel Theme) 3) Eddie Guerrero (2005 Heel Theme) 4) Booker T 5) Basic Thugganomics
KS: What is your happiest moment as a black wrestling fan?
DG: It has to be Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Title. We have had Black Champions in the past but it was special seeing Kofi finally getting the shot he deserved on the grandest stage of them all. I feel like every black wrestling fan and performer felt like it was a win for us all. After 11 years of being a great talent, he finally achieved his dream. Once again it goes back to how representation matters. Now that little kid that watched Kofi can see that their dreams can also come true.
KS: I agree KofiMania and seeing Kofi finally reaching The Top Of The WWE Mountain at WM35 after being passed over for so many WWE Championship opportunities for 11 years definitely put a smile on my face as well.
KS: What are your top 5 favorite wrestling matches?
DG: 5- Cody Rhodes vs. Joey Janela (Wrestlepro)
4- Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar (Wrestlemania 19)
3- Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada (Dominion)
2- Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker (Wrestlemania 25)
1- Triple H vs. The Rock (Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title, Summerslam 1998)
KS: My Personal Top 5 Favorite Wrestling Matches are 1) Mr. Grim vs Fred Yehi at The Inaugural Pan-African World Diaspora World Championship Tournament 2019 2) Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at WM25 3) Cody vs Dustin Rhodes at AEW Double Or Nothing 2019 4) AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe vs Christopher Daniels for The X-Division Title at TNA Unbreakable 2005 5) Omega vs Okada IV in NJPW 2018
KS: In your view, what wrestling match would you call “The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever?”
DG: This is a tough one because you would think that my favorite match would be the greatest wrestling match ever. But I think the greatest wrestling match ever would be Eddie Guerrero vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at No Way Out 2004. The story was great and the match was a straight clinic.
KS: For me personally, a match that I would call “The Greatest Match Ever” is Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at WM25. These two legends gave it everything they had from Taker nearly killing himself with the dive that hit the cameraman including kicking out of two Sweet Chin Musics to Shawn kicking out of not only Taker’s signature chokeslam and Last Ride, but also his iconic finisher: The Tombstone Piledriver. The storytelling, chemistry, psychology, and emotions in this match was absolutely Off The Chain!!! This is definitely one of those matches that deserves the moniker of “Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” I would call this match the best match of Taker and Shawn’s legendary careers.
KS: What is your favorite men’s and women’s wrestling match as a black wrestling fan?
DG: Womens: Women's Title Six-Pack Challenge at Wrestlemania 33 when Naomi became the Smackdown Women's Champion. I was so happy to see Naomi get the recognition that she deserves on such a big stage.
Mens: Kofi Kingston Vs, Daniel Bryan at Wrestlemania 35 when Kofi won the WWE Title. One of the biggest matches in Black Wrestling History.
KS: What’s your favorite live wrestling experience you’ve ever had?
DG: Wrestlemania 29 Undertaker vs CM Punk. The crowd was nuts! I have never felt another experience like that in my life.
By Kwame Shakir
