Interview with Flex Armstrong (Jason Barrett); pro wrestler and MMA fighter
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 10/12/13
Big Time Wrestling, an independent professional wrestling organization based in Massachusetts, will be putting on a show tonight at Bristol Eastern High School in Bristol, CT. Kevin Nash, Mickie James and Tito Santana will be appearing during the event (more information is available at http://www.big-time-wrestling.com/store/events/101213-bristol-ct/).
Among the highlights will be a match between defending champion Flex Armstrong and challenger Slyck Wagner Brown. Barrett also fights in MMA bouts under his real name, which is Jason Barrett.
Barrett is officially 2-0 as an amateur, and has fought in the Global Fight League and King of the Cage. He states that he went 4-0 in a King of the Cage tournament. We caught up with Barrett and asked him some questions for the site.
Nutmegmma: What prompted your interest in pro wrestling?
Barrett: Always have been a huge fan growing up. I used to have matches as a kid in my living room.
Nutmegmma: When and why did you decide to pursue a career in it?
Barrett: I always entertained the idea, but after strong encouragement from former wrestler "Superstar" Richard Byrne, I decided to give it a shot.
Nutmegmma: Have you wrestled with other organizations?
Barrett: I casted for WWE Tough Enough in 2011 before leaving for personal reasons before filming.
Nutmegmma: How many professional matches have you participated in?
Barrett: Lost count.
Nutmegmma: Where did you train as a wrestler?
Barrett: Malden at Superstar Pro Wrestling, trained by Tony Roy.
Nutmegmma: Do you have a high school or college wrestling record?
Barrett: I did not. I trained to box through high school.
Nutmegmma: Who are your professional influences in the wrestling world?
Barrett: Nobody current. I tend to emulate or try to pick up things from wrestlers of the past; Bret Hart, Dynamite Kid, Chris Benoit.
Nutmegmma: Do you have any goals in pro wrestling?
Barrett: Yes, be memorable at whatever stage, level or venue, to have people leave and remember that they saw me.
Nutmegmma: Any advice for people considering a career in wrestling?
Barrett: Stay in school and get a well-paying desk job.
Nutmegmma: Any comments for detractors of the sport?
Barrett: I always do. Until you get in a pro wrestling ring in front of true wrestling fans with a true professional wrestler, you have no idea just how real this is.
Nutmegmma: Do you have any details regarding your body building background?
Barrett: Bodybuilding is and always will be a mainstay in my lifestyle at some level. I've competed and won awards at top NPC bodybuilding shows and I'd say there's a very good chance I'll be stepping onstage in the future.
Nutmegmma: What do you do for work apart from wrestling?
Barrett: Personal Training Director at IM Modern Fitness in Nashua, New Hampshire.
Nutmegmma: Do you any particular goals in MMA?
Barrett: I fight MMA when I have downtime in wrestling. It's effortless for me. I've been knocking people out outside of the cage for years; doing it inside the cage just means I have to worry about getting a shiny new pair of bracelets.
Nutmegmma: Is there anyone in particular you would like to fight?
Barrett: I would love to fight Dave Bautista. I've challenged him openly, publicly and every way imaginable just to have him shy away. He's a joke and a disgrace and I'd love to take his head off in an MMA cage (editor's note: we don't condone this response and would welcome a rebuttal from Mr. Bautista).
Nutmegmma: I saw your 1:48 KO (see link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xesWfHrgziM). Which martial arts styles are you trained in? Do you hold any particular ranks?
Barrett: I'm just a superior athlete, plain and simple. I don't train MMA, I'm just a very dangerous person. So when I get in the cage, how bad my opponent gets hurt all depends on what type of mood I am in.
