My Interview with Johnny Spade and Jamin Olivencia

In honor of tonight's historic event, I thought I'd re-post my interview with Johnny Spade and Jamin Olivencia.  Interestingly enough, Olivencia appeared on RAW shortly after this interview.  I've been saying it for several months, look for these two talented wrestlers in TNA at some point.

I, recently, sat down with the Ohio Valley Wrestling champion, Johnny Spade, as well as his opponent, Jamin Olivencia, at the Saturday Night Special on August 4th for an interview.  The two men will face off for the company's top prize, the OVW Heavyweight Championship.  Before I proceed, I would like to thank Johnny Spade and Jamin Olivencia for taking the time to share with me and the TNAsylum readers their thoughts on their upcoming title match.  I haven't a doubt that the main event at the SNS on August 4th at the Davis Arena will be one of the best matches in the history of OVW.  I am a huge fan of your work and I hope to see in TNA soon.

Johnny, let’s begin with you.  Last week on OVW TV #674, Jamin claimed that your victory at last month’s Saturday Night Special to win the OVW heavyweight title was tainted because TNA’s Abyss did all the work and you simply pinned Rob Terry for the win. How do you respond to those claims? 

Johnny Spade: “Abyss did his part, I did mine. I would have gone through all men to win the title. It definitely wouldn’t be the first time I pinned Rob Terry. Jamin's words are his opinion, and his opinion doesn’t mean a thing to me.”

Jamin Olivencia: “I can sit here and point fingers all day at Spade and claim how he had politically put himself in a position to be the last entry in the gauntlet match.  However, I won't. He is talented. He has all the components to be a champion. But...he isn't Jamin Olivencia and he isn't going to last as OVW Champion.” 

Jamin, during your contract signing last week, also on OVW TV #674, Johnny implied that you essentially faked an ankle injury so you can take some time off from wrestling to do some theater. What is that all about?

Olivencia: “My ankle was injured.  It just so happened to coincide with when I was about to head out to Los Angeles to do a project that I cannot contractually talk about. So Spade can call me a liar.  He can say whatever he wants. All I know is if he tries to take me out with his Superkick, he's going to be the one with the ankle injury.” 

Spade: “Jamin and I know the truth.  That’s irrelevant.  I will take him out like I did in our first meeting. The title belongs with a real OVW faithful, not some fly by night guy.  And I will hold onto my belt on August 4th.” 

Let’s discuss your title match at Saturday Night Special on August 4th.  Johnny, this match being your second title defense against Jamin, are you at all concerned that he looks much more focused than he did in your first match?  After all, he had just returned to action from a long hiatus, evidently doing theater, for your first meeting.

 
Spade: “I'd expect him to be. Every match I have with someone is their shot at the title. So I always get everyone’s A game. Every night I have to prepare, know the person getting their shot is going to be at their best. I have what everyone wants, and that’s the gold. So yeah, I know he'll be focused but I will be as well.  I am always focused.  That’s why I've been the man to beat for a while now.”

Olivencia: “My whole life I went up against people like Spade. Deep down, I do believe he knows I am focused and confident in my game. That scares people, especially since I am younger and more hungry than he will ever be at this point. Funny thing is, I'm just getting started.  I am more focused and have a lot more confidence.” 

Jamin, the reality is that you couldn't beat Johnny in your first meeting. How much of that do you suppose was the rust from being out of action for a while and how much of it was the fact that Johnny Spade might very well be better than you?
 

Olivencia: “When you're in OVW, every talent is a top talent. There's a reason why Spade is Champion. However, on August 4th, at Saturday Night Special, I am going to show everyone why Spade was then, and I am now. I have worked my entire career to become heavyweight champion. Nothing, not Spade, or anything else is going to stop Jamin Olivencia from becoming the greatest OVW heavyweight champion ever.”
 

Spade: “I am the now.  In six months alone I have held the tag team titles twice and the OVW title twice. I have toured with TNA, and I see that in my future soon. So being a then, nope.  I am the now. Welcome to my world Jamin!”

Speaking of TNA, Johnny, earlier this year, you wrestled at a couple of TNA house shows. We also know that Jamin received a tryout dark match on Impact at some point so it stands to reason that TNA have had their eye on you two. Do you get the sense that the wrestler who wins this match, could be the next TNA Gutcheck challenger?
 

Spade: “There is a right time and place for him and myself.  I don’t think this match will determine who goes first. I do know that you will probably be seeing an Olivencia and Spade match on national TV soon. Whomever we sign with will get a treat, that’s for sure.”

I find it interesting, Jamin, that prior to your first title match against Johnny, your relationship seemed much more congenial.  This time around, I sense a bit more animosity. Is their a particular reason for that? What has changed since the last time you faced each other?
 

Olivencia: “John and I are still friends but the spirit of competition is there.  I am not here to make friends. I am here to win a Championship.  Maybe last week we got a little too close, maybe tempers started to flare.  We both believe we are the top guys, and we're not here to be the world champion of friendships. If Spade wants to run his mouth off, then that's fine. But he's going to get stomped.”
 

Spade: “Jamin can believe what he wants.  Top guys, maybe. Top guy? Me.” 

Since becoming the developmental territory for TNA Johnny Spade has arguably been the most successful wrestler in OVW.  Jamin, could the animosity be due to Johnny’s status in the company or do you disagree with this assessment? Furthermore, how do you stop Johnny's momentum at SNS?
 

Olivencia: “He obviously has been the most successful guy here. He has what everyone wants and that's the OVW Heavyweight Championship. But here's the truth, Johnny Spade is running out of gas. His "momentum" is up. And unfortunately for him, Jamin Olivencia is going to take him down and take his Heavyweight Championship.”
 

Spade: “I don't know where he gets his facts from.  I haven’t slowed down at all.  As a matter of fact, I'm still on the rise...there is still more to come.” 

Johnny, your opponent continues to dismiss you as someone who's on the decline, someone past his prime.  He constantly points to the fact that he's younger than you and claims it’s part the of reason why he will defeat you. Why do you think he's taken this approach? Is it strategic, to get into your head?
 

Spade: “Why he says that, I don't know...bitter maybe. Strategy, maybe. I've held four major titles in one of America's biggest promotions in six months.  I wouldn’t say, and most wouldn’t say, that’s a decline. That’s on him I guess.”
 

Olivencia: “Spade took cheap shots this week and I said what I had to say. No disrespect, not if he wants to call me on personal matters, then I will dish it back and make it sting.”

Let's talk about what happened this week then. Jamin, things seemed to have gotten much more personal.  Johnny mentioned that you failed a drug test. Is he correct? Under which circumstances did you fail a drug test?
 

Olivencia: “I never said I failed a drug test. I'd like to see proof of that. If Johnny Spade wants to create stories and make up rumors to stir the pot, that's fine. I'm not going to sink to his level. However, when provoked, I will snap back and the truth hurts a lot more than his play story.” 

Johnny, it seems this week on OVW TV #675, you were the aggressor, particularly in bringing up Jamin’s failed drug test.  Jamin did retaliate with his accusations that you yourself have a history with drugs but tell me, what caused you to bring drugs into this knowing full well that your past could in fact be used against you?
 

Spade: “Jamin wasn’t around for my past but I was there for his. I brought it up because he throws fits about his title shots.  Well maybe he should look at himself as the reason that he hasn’t gotten his shots. Don’t blame me. And I was trying to be the bigger man last night.”
 

Olivencia: “Bigger man for what?? He said what he said and told me he meant it.  And that's fine. I meant what I said too. The bigger man in the end will be me, and there's nothing he can do about it. When he loses to me, I hope he can be the ‘bigger' man and shake my hand.”
 

Spade: “He can speak of me all he wants.  You bring my family into this, we have a problem. I've never been a junkie or an addict.  That’s insane.  But we were throwing jabs at each other and I felt he crossed a line.  Shit got real.  That’s for sure.  I did take it personally.”

Let’s talk a little about you, Jamin, bringing up Johnny’s family.  I realize that in the spirit of competition, things can get a bit testy but don't you think you crossed a line when you mentioned Johnny's deceased father. That seems a bit harsh, no?  And will you shake Johnny's hand if he defeats you?
 

Olivencia: “First of all, I will not lose.  So he will be shaking my hand.  And second, yes, I was harsh and a part of me feels bad.  It was the heat of the moment and he gave me what I probably deserved in fracturing my jaw.  Oh well, at least I took a cheap shot to his face.  Like a man.  He, on the other hand, waited until I was vulnerable and took advantage.  Good for him.  What a true champion.”

Since Jamin brought up the cheap shot, I think it's worth mentioning that this rivalry hadn't turned physical until, Johnny, you Superkicked Jamin this week.  I realize that he had crossed a line by bringing up your father but could the fact that you struck him first indicate that you are genuinely concerned about him at SNS? He could very well take your title away from you.
 

Spade: “...lol...come on. Really? I struck first because of what he said about my father.  It had absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming match.”

So you're not concerned at all?
 

Spade: “Take it how you will.  I am not a punk and if you cross the line, I will snap.  Hell most would in that case.  SNS is another day.  I have never or will ever be the "scared type".  I think Jamin or anyone who knows me will agree.  In essence, there’s no time for concern.  Only focus.  Concerns will just get in the way.”
 

Olivencia: “We played our mind games.  We got under each other’s skin.  Now it's time to see who can be clutch and take it home. The name is Jamin Olivencia.”

Well gentlemen, let's end it here.  It's clear that the two of you have some issues to settle in the ring and judging by our discussion today, there might be some to settle outside of the ring.  I have an enormous amount of respect for you both and although I think you're tremendously talented and currently, the top two wrestlers in the company, there can only be one champion.

Once again, I'd like to thank Johnny Spade and Jamin Olivencia for allowing me the opportunity to partake in this discussion.  It's an honor and a privilege.  Thank you.

Make sure you follow these two fine gentlemen at @RealJohnnySpade and @JaminOlivencia on Twitter.  In addition, you can watch them in action every Thursday on OVW TV at OVWrestling.com