A conversation with Justin Rando

By Joshua Scarselli.

We caught up with our friend Justin Rando after the latest XWA event in Pittsfield, MA. Rando suffered an upset that saw him lose the XWA Championship without even being pinned. He may have been knocked down, but is he out? Continue reading to find out!

RRX: You train at the Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, which is a WWE ID center. How has that affected your training?

JR: I think not just because it is affiliated with WWE, but in general, my trainers Scott Reed and Mike Hollow have such a higher standard that they hold everyone to. It makes you hold your work to a higher standard. When most look at their work, if they get a few big pops for a couple of cool moves, they think they had a “great match.” When I look at my work, I look at things I could or need to improve on, or what I could have done differently. I’m always trying to improve or learn more because my work is a representation of their coaching. With that being said, I don’t shoot for it being “good enough.” It’s what do I need to work on and where can I improve. Since everything is being seen by the largest company in the world, are they seeing my growth, and do I listen, and am I coachable?

RRX: How is it being a local celebrity in Pittsfield?

JR: It’s actually pretty awesome.  I love it. Being asked to speak at schools or being booked for appearances at birthday parties, grand openings, or signings, my schedule is always full. Also, being places and having them come up to me and say, “Can you come say hi? My son, he’s a big fan and too nervous to come over and say hi.”  Probably at least a handful of times a week, I’m asked to sign something for a kid or take a picture with someone who’s going to show their husband they ran into me and they aren’t going to believe it. Which is odd because I do live here. I do go to grocery stores, restaurants, Walmart, or convenience stores. There’s a pretty good chance you’re going to see me.

I do have people come up to my table at restaurants and just want to say hi and tell me how great it is to have something their kids (and them) have something they look forward to going to together once every two months. I really feel the love from the fans for me and for XWA being here.  That’s another thing I’m grateful for: the fans here. And I personally love the fact that we were able to bring pro wrestling to Pittsfield six times a year.  Being attached to Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, a lot of these younger guys that come through XWA, Pittsfield has seen young talent that are now under contract with WWE.  

RRX: You are extremely busy these days. Can you tell us about some upcoming matches?

JR: I just finished up three days in Vermont for World of Hurt (WOH) and XWA in Pittsfield. Last one until September. We will be doing some First Fridays in Pittsfield. Also, Leominster, Massachusetts, on Saturday, May 16, for WOH. I’m really looking forward to it because that’s for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

RRX: How’s it going with your projects outside of the ring?

JR: I’m collaborating with a local beer company for a Rando Brew coming out in the summer. A few autograph signings, and a few other partnerships in the works that will have to do with some big events in Pittsfield I’ve been asked to be part of.  It could be a very exciting time for Pittsfield and wrestling this summer! 

RRX: How do you feel about the way you lost the XWA title?

JR: It’s wrestling; sometimes the odds are against you. In a triple threat match, the champion doesn’t have to be pinned for the title to change hands. Unfortunately that’s what happened. Mikey (Cheese) hit me with his big move which had me laid out. It’s a big move coming from a big guy like Mikey. To get it that late in the match, I’m not getting up right away. Unfortunately, The Music Man took those brass knuckles he’s been carrying around lately (that he tried to get me to use) and landed one right on Cheese’s jaw and you know the rest. 

RRX: You made a Facebook post about possibly having left your boots in the ring. Is that something you really considered?

JR: I’m 45 years old. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I’m doing things now that I never imagined I’d get to do (like my own beer, bottled with my picture and name on it, come on!). I don’t think it’s over yet. For a second, I was so upset with the way the match went.  I wasn’t even pinned, and I lost my title that I held for 606 days. For a split second, one little millisecond, I thought, what’s left? Then I said to myself, “This ain’t the end of it; I’m always going to be Pittsfield Champion.”

When I call it quits, it’s gonna be when it feels right, and Saturday didn’t feel right! 

RRX: What do you do now?

JR: What I always do. Get back up and win.