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Dexter Hardaway interview (3-26-06)

Posted: Mar 28th 2006 By: oklastaff

On March 18, Dexter Hardaway turned heads across the Oklahoma wrestling territories as he was called into the ring by TPW commissioner Kitty to answer for some comments he made on the TPW message board. After defeating TPW star Rancid in an impromptu match, Dexter then attempted to enter the TPW locker room, but was hauled out by Brian Lakewood and Oklahoma Old School Champion Rocco Valentino. Valentino read Dexter the riot act, telling him that, as far as he (Rocco) was concerned, Dexter needed to stay in the stands with the rest of the fans and had no place in his (Rocco?s) ring.

I had the chance to sit down with Dexter and ask some questions of him in an effort to clear up some of the actions and behaviours that have been coming from the SRPW star recently.

CM: On the IZW message board, you said that I (and other fans) didn?t know the whole story of why you chose to leave TPW and go back to SRPW in January. Would you care to share that information now?

DH: I was unhappy because I felt I was better deserving of wrestling more of the top talent at TPW and I wasn?t getting that. I may not be a WWE superstar but around this area I am one of the top stars.

CM: If you were upset with TPW and happy in SRPW, why not just stay over there? Why come on the TPW board and call out Rocco?

DH: Because I am getting close to the end of my career and I want something that I have never had before....... the chance to put Rocky Valentine in his place, show him up and shut him up!

CM: Did you shift your attention to Rancid because you weren?t getting the response you wanted from Rocco or was there another agenda in mind?

DH: I have nothing to prove to anyone, but yes I do have an agenda. I want Rocky Valentino to admit that I am on the "legend level"!

CM: What does the rest of the SRPW locker room think about your actions?

DH: I got reprimanded for doing what I did, but this is not between TPW and SRPW. It is between Rocco and myself!

CM: What do you think of the creation of the Oklahoma Old School Title?

DH: I think I should have that belt.

CM: It is no secret you and Rocco don?t like each other. Was it always that way in the Empire, in MCW, the begining of OPW? Where did the bad feeling start?

DH: The bad feelings started when Rob Biggins couldn?t separate real life from his Rocco Valentino character! Then he became so intent on letting everyone else know that Rocco was a legend, when in fact Rocco is not a legend.......he?s a JOKE! How about that time the WWE called and wanted a Valentino......little did they know they were getting the rotten end of the Valentinos. Well, we see where the real Valentino ended up and the other one is still sitting on his butt being a legend in his own mind! How about when Rocco got rid of several wrestlers in OPW just because they were getting better crowd responses then he was. "Oh, they got a better pop than the Legend, so I?m gonna fire them". Come on, Burnham. Give me something to work with. You wanna know the truth, ask the right questions. Grow some gumption and ask me what you really want know!

CM: Why do you think Rocco always gives you another chance when he doesn?t give other wrestlers so many chances?

DH: Because he knows I am the very best wrestler to never call myself a legend. Legend??? Does that mean he is on a list with other great Oklahoma legends like Bill Watts, Danny Hodge, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, etc. And not just wrestling legends; Roy Clark, John Smith, Bob Stoops, Tubby Smith, Dave Rader, Oral and Richard Roberts, the list goes on and on......and you mean to tell me that he considers himself on or at the top of that long list of Oklahoma legends? PLEASE!

CM: You are ranked towards the top in every poll in Oklahoma. You are on top, why bother with Rocco now that he is at the end of his career? Is it a respect thing?

DH: Call it a respect thing if you want. I call it taking a step towards ending the career of Rocco Valentino and getting rid of the biggest ego in okie wrestling! THAT?S A PROMISE! I?m done. This interview is over and so is Rocco?s career! (walks out and slams the door)