The Official Site Of Journalist Patrick Hickey Jr

Shark Boy Interview

Home
David Wright Interview
2005 New York Islanders Prospect Camp Coverage
2006-07 New York Islanders Coverage
2007-2008 New York Islanders Coverage
2007 New York Mets Coverage
David Mack Interview
Harley Race Interview
Diamond Dallas Page Interview
Shark Boy Interview
Dana Snyder Interview
JJ Kennedy Interview
Adam Pascal Interview
Miles Corwin Interview
Cliff Floyd Interview
Joe Smith Interview
Buck O'Neil Interview
Buck O'Neil Tribute
Jim Palmer Interview
Sid Fernandez Interview
Alay Soler Interview
Brian Bannister Interview
Warner Fusselle Interview
Lance Williams Interview
2006 Brooklyn Cyclones Coverage
2007 Brooklyn Cyclones Coverage
2008 Brooklyn Cyclones Coverage
Jiggs McDonald Feature
Jiggs McDonald Interview
Matt Costa Interview
Zach Parise Interview
Martin Brodeur Interview
Joe Pignatano & Danny McDevitt Interview
Omar Minaya Interview
Ralph Branca Interview
Don Newcombe Interview
Moises Alou Interview
Paul LoDuca Interview
Lee Mazzilli Interview
Edgar Alfonzo Interview
Isiah Thomas Sexual Harassment Case Coverage
Bruno Gervais Interview
Brendan Shanahan Interview
Ruslan Fedotenko Interview
Joshua Prager Interview
Sugar Shane Mosley Interview
Harlem Globetrotters Feature
Peter Prucha Interview
Brandon Dubinsky Interview
Blair Betts Interview
Ross Bernstein The Hockey Code Interview
Ross Bernstein The Baseball Code Q & A
Bob Probert Interview
Fighting in the NHL Feature
Tim Haines Interview
Mike Schmidt & Zach Lutz on Same Page
Ryan Church Feature
Angel Pagan Feature
Daniel Murphy Q & A
Eddie Kunz Interview
Carl Erskine Intervew
Nick Fotiu Q & A
Chris Higgins Q & A
Ridin' With the Brooklyn Aces
Ron Duguay Interview
Uncommon Courtesy Review
Comedy Outside and Inside Caroline's
CI Community Speaks Out Against Chemical Dependency Center
Editorials
Movie Reviews
Broadway Reviews
Book Reviews
DVD Reviews
Music Reviews
Video Game Reviews
TheDriveForFive.com
NetsNotes.com
Dem Brooklyn Bums
Aces Over Brooklyn

Shark Boy Bites His Way To The Top

 

By Patrick Hickey Jr

sharkboy.jpg
Shark Boy is a huge fan favorite in TNA

While achieving success in any field is a long and uphill battle, becoming a star in the ranks of professional wrestling is truly a daunting task.

 

For every Hulk Hogan and The Rock out there, there are thousands more that never make it out of the bingo halls and gymnasiums, in the quest towards professional wrestling superstardom.

 

Every once in a while, however, a wrestler defies the odds; coming out of the independent federations and carves himself a niche in the industry that is truly his own.

 

For almost three years, Dean Roll, better known to wrestling fans around the world as “Shark Boy,” has been a cult-favorite in the Orlando, Florida-based wrestling promotion, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling  (TNA). His signature “Jaws” themed music, coupled with his signature “Shark Fin” hand gesture and highflying moves have made him a household name.

 

Prior to wrestling in TNA, Roll had spent most of his career in independent promotions all over the country, honing his wrestling skills, before eventually competing in WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).

 

“I just never give up, no matter what.  So many people told me I'd never make it along the way and I used it as motivation to work harder. When I signed with WCW in 1999, it was a dream come true.  It felt like all of my hard work had been validated.  I had the opportunity to wrestle regularly on national television for the very first time, as part of the ‘WCW Saturday Night’ program on WTBS.  My biggest complaint is that it didn't last long enough,” said Roll, who was the Co-Editor-In-Chief of his high school newspaper and believes he would have become a journalist, if he hadn’t made it in the ranks of professional wrestling.

sharkboy2.jpg
Shark Boy credits the fans for his success in the ring

“By early 2000, I was out of a job again.  It wasn't until 2003 that WWE gave me a look. Once again, I felt like I had accomplished a dream when I stepped into their ring for the first time.  I only worked a half a dozen shows with the WWE, but the experience was incredible.  I signed with TNA a short time later.”

 

Looking back, Roll has nothing but positive things to say about his time in both the WCW and WWE. While he couldn’t be happier wrestling in TNA right now, Roll still enjoys wrestling on the independent scene for the simple fact that he loves to interact with his fans, to whom he feels he owes so much of his success.

 

“Each has its advantages.  At independent shows, it's a lot easier to get close to the fans, which I really enjoy,” said Roll. “When I'm working in front of the cameras at TNA, it's like stepping into a dream world or something.  It really is a larger than life experience.  I enjoy that, but still get a great feeling working independent shows as well.” 

 

If being a full-time wrestler wasn’t enough, Roll also runs his own wrestling school, aptly named, “Shark Tank,” located at the HWA Arena in Evendale, Ohio. Taking a page out of the way he performs in the ring, Roll works extremely hard training young aspiring professional wrestlers.

 

“There are so many schools out there with incompetent instructors who are just looking to take somebody's money,” said Roll. “With Shark Tank, I do my very best to help each and every student improve their abilities and get more than their money's worth.  I also put my connections to use and help provide new wrestlers with employment, the best I can.  My students come away with a solid foundation to build on and while I provide as much help as I can, they are in control of their own destinies.  I never ask for a percentage of anything my students earn, after they leave my class.”

 

While being a professional wrestler and trainer takes up the majority of his time, Roll believes among all else, his most important job is being a good husband and father.

 

“Being away from my family is the single hardest thing about being a professional wrestler,” said Roll. “My family will always come first.  I devote a lot of attention to wrestling, but everything I make goes toward my children's future, in one way or another.”

 

While the money Roll is making in professional wrestling will, without a doubt, help in the future success of his children, the example of following his dreams and working hard to accomplish them will ultimately mean more to his children than any check he receives for his exploits in the ring.

To comment on this article, E-mail Mr. Hickey @PatrickHickeyJr@yahoo.com