In honor of Zeuxis winning the cage match yesterday and keeping her mask, I though we would post the interview I did with her for issue five of Odessa Steps Magazine in 2015. (Still available in print or digitally. Look elsewhere on the site for more info. You can find her on Twitter at @ZeUxIsCmLl.
Cavenman and Sorcerer in Japan during Fantasticamania.
Following his trip to Japan for Fantasticamania, we were fortunate to conduct an email interview with friend of the magazine Hechicero about his experiences on the trip. Thanks to TKD for translation help.
Q: This was your first trip to Japan, correct?
A: Yes.
Q: Overall, how was the travel?
A: Tiring, above all the arrival, since we flew from Mexico to Tokyo and immediately took a bus, another plane, and another bus, in order to arrive at cities like Kochi and Kyoto, for a total of 21 hours of continuous travel. In Japan it was winter, and in the city of Osaka I experienced temperatures of -7 Celsius [ed: 19 °F] and with a lot of wind, an uncommon temperature in Mexico City.Q: How was the food?A Good, although on occasions I didn't know what it was that I was, because sometimes we didn't have a translator, and I would eat what looked most delicious in the photos. It even happened that I had ordered chicken and it turned out to be pork, or vice versa.
Q: You said on CMLL INFORMA that the arenas had rules about fire and you could not do your full entrance?
A: Effectively, in Japan, you can't use any type of effect that involves fire in public events in closed spaces.
Q: Did you get new gear for the trip? It looked like you have a new mask.
A: Not exactly new; I revisited the concept of a commemorative mask for the Día de Muertos that is celebrated in Mexico (November 2), including teeth and painted artwork. I only adapted this, the theme being: on one side of the mask I would use a Mexican design or symbol, and on the other side a Japanese design or symbol, and I added red-colored details to my gear.
Q: How were the crowds? Did they appear to know you and your moves?
A: Excellent; I dare to say that I was among those whom the Japanese crowds received best, and effectively they already were familiar with me; the crowds follow the CMLL Internet feeds a lot, so much so that at every show they asked me why I didn't use fire. As far as my moves go, effectively they knew some, especially "El Conjuro" (the spinning backbreaker), which they enjoyed most. Among my greatest satisfactions that Fantasticamania left me is that the crowds recognized me with applause each time that I surprised them with a hold, strike, or other move.
Q: You notably got to wrestle Jushin Liger? Was that your first meeting or had you ever wrestled him in mexico?
A: The matches that I had with him in Fantasticamania were the first.
Q: Were there any other big names you were especially eager against?
A: Yes, Tiger Mask. But I didn't get to face other NJPW icons that took part in Fantasticamania, such as Tanahashi, Okada, and Nakamura, and I hope to do that soon.
Q: Did you get any indication how your matches were viewed by NJPW?
A: In general, very good work from all the participants of the tour. NJPW as well as CMLL were very satisfied with the success.
Q: Did they talk about bringing you back, either for next year's tour or maybe sooner?
A: No, in that respect, both promotions are very reserved, but I trust that it will be soon.
We thank Hechicero for his time and wish him success on future trips to Japan.