RWF SPOTLIGHT: HEY HO - IT'S MAMBO!

Photo by Rob Brazier/Head Drop

As an avid follower of Riptide and the British independent scene in general, I see many wrestlers who are accepted, respected, and loved by the fans  - but to me chief amongst them right now is one Chuck Mambo.

It has been an incredible year so far for Mambo appearing in promotions all around the country.
In Progress he made his Super Strong Style 16 debut and put on an incredible match with Zack Sabre Jr., then subsequently went on to win the Progress World Cup defeating Adam Brooks in the final.
In Riptide Chuck was able to win the inaugural Riptide Rumble and gain entry into the upcoming Brighton Championship Tournament - although his spot will be on the line when he meets Eddie Dennis at International Waters.

Outside of the ring he, along with TK Cooper, started a new YouTube series called "TK & Mambo - Escaping the Midcard" which chronicles their attempts to achieve main event status.
Don't miss Spike Trivet's small part too!
Not content with just a smash hit web-show though, Mambo also recorded a football-related track called simply "England Song" with friend and collaborator Jim Lee and Hot Tag Media Works' Matt Attard. Move over Baddiel & Skinner I say!

It was an honour to speak with Chuck recently to find out more about the man behind the beach balls and bandanas. One thing I love about this interview is that you can imagine him responding exactly the way he does, in his own unique (and awesome) style - so without further ado - let's get epic my dudes!

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RWF: As one of the fastest-rising stars of the British Wrestling scene over the past few years many people will be familiar with your work, but how would you describe yourself and your style to someone new to the world of wrestling?

D'ya know! This is one of the questions I get, that I never know how to answer!
I think one of my strengths is my versatility! I can do some pretty darn funny (if ya ask me anyways) comedy matches in the right setting!
I really enjoy traditional old school British grappling, and increasingly this year I’m becoming more firey and my matches descend into battering each other haha!
I enjoy high flying wrestling, but I dunno that I could rightly call myself a high flyer - sort of an untalented, uncoordinated man-child giving it his best shot with a lotta heart and a spoonful of charisma I guess haha!

RWF: What made you decide to become a wrestler, and what was the first step you took on that path?

My first step was to train at Pro Evo in Gloucester who are a great company, but I couldn't make it regularly and I guess just didn't have the focus as a kid. Later at uni I saw a 'Defend Indy' sticker on a toilet wall in Shoreditch and took to my new friend “the internet” which led me to finding out about Progress Wrestling. They had a five day a week training school close to where I lived so I got to train HEAPS and a few weeks after that I realised Progress were as Progress are - and I turned out to be training at ya know, one of the best wrestling schools/companies in the world! Which was crazy lucky and fun!

There was a really sick thing Donovan Dijak wrote a while back, just like a status on social media of some sort about how we do it and we give it everything for no other reason than we totally love it and it's the only thing that feels right (I hope that was what he was saying anyway because if not I've been misquoting him heaps! Sorry Donovan!).
Anyways! That kinda, when I read that I was like YEAH! That's it! It wasn't really like a crystallising moment its just always been the dream.

RWF: You are of course a massive fan favourite down here on the South Coast. Is there anything in particular that you look forward to about appearing in Riptide or performing in front of the Brighton crowd?

I look forward to all of Riptide!
The day out at the beach! The car ride with the boyz! The free vegan hot-dogs and beers! The AWESOME atmosphere backstage! And then the fans are just an absolute treat!
They get so excited about like EVERYTHING ! One time I was rasslin' TK there and from across the ring he was like “why are they popping, we haven't even locked up yet!?”
They really seem like they’re purely there for a good time and to enjoy wrestling without worrying about being the smartest or the funniest or anything like that - it makes for the best of atmospheres to wrestle in man! WELL IN RIPTIDERS!

RWF: What are your ambitions and objectives going forward, whether it be in the near or distant future?

Well! My immediate future the goal is the Progress World Title on Sunday.
Then to beat Eddie - which on a personal level it's always a dream when we get to wrestle each other - to maintain my place in the Riptide title tournament.  Then to win that title and defend it against all comers!
Oh that's another thing I really look forward to about riptide! They always book such sick talent! every match is always a wicked time!
Then after that I  just wanna make my living wrestling around and having fun! I'd like to see the world too! If anyone anywhere wants to book me, gimme a shout! I'm game! I'd love to go see Japan too!

RWF: If you could give one piece of advice - whether it be to aspiring wrestlers, people in the industry already, or even the fans – what would you say?

Daah I dunno what my opinions worth, but P.M.A. is a really fucking decent approach to life! Enjoy it all and shoot ya best shot!
Don't just worry about the wrestling - focus on how sick all the people around you are! I've made the best friends in wrestling man, and actually that's been really helpful for my career too.
Regardless of that its been such a AWESOME addition to my life! So uuhh...be nice, give it the beans and enjoy the ride I guess! P.M.A.!!!

RIPTIDE RAPIDS - 10 QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS

Favourite word/s?
Tennis Ball

Photo by Rob Brazier/Head Drop

A food you wouldn't eat if someone paid you?
Any meat, or human poo

If you could trade places with someone/something for a day - who or what would it be?
The mighty Blue Whale

Most annoying habit?
Biting people

Last film you watched all the way through?
Paddington Bear 2

Something that scares you?
1800's ghost children

Hardcore match weapon of choice?
Watermelon

TV Show you'd like to make a cameo in?
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Favourite city or town in the World?
So far! Um...maybe Philadelphia, maybe Zagreb, Maybe Brighton to be fair!! Every time we’re down it's a dang BLAST!

First person that comes to mind when you think 'underrated'?
Haskins, but that's because of the shirts, I think its fair to say everyone realises he's the absolute business! Actually the most underrated rassler...hmm...well TK (Cooper) and I are still trying to 'Escape the Midcard' so I guess TK! And Ashmore!

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Photo by Rob Brazier/Head Drop

You can find Chuck on Twitter @ChuckMambo and of course wrestling at all the best promotions around the country!
If you're interested in checking out "Escaping the Midcard" - follow the link here: https://bit.ly/2K9wkjh
To watch the music video for "England Song" click here: https://bit.ly/2tuGErv
And if you're looking for some sweet Mambo merchandise then make sure to head here: https://t.co/tfogTtkvO0

Photography taken, produced and owned by Rob Brazier at Head Drop - used with permission. Rob & Head Drop can be found on Twitter @RobBrazierPhoto