Damien Demento
PART 1: WRESTLING:

How did you get your start in pro wrestling?
WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz. He taught me more than just wrestling.

What made you want to pursue wrestling?
Oh let's see... girls, money, fame. Did I mention money, and girls, and fame? Actually none of that. I wanted more than anything to be a Pro Football player. That was my dream. You see, there's no "real" competition in Pro wrestling. The "Boss" thinks to himself "I'm gonna make this guy the champ." It's a show, period. I was a very small part of it.

Who were your inspirations in wrestling?
King Curtis. I recall as a young kid watching wrestling on a black and white TV and see this crazy guy King Curtis. I thought to myself "is he for real?"

Who came up with the Damien Demento "persona"?
Vince and Pat Patterson. I think it was a "rib."















How did you end up wrestling for the WWF?
The Bushwhackers helped forward a tape of me to them. What is interesting about the tape is that it didn't showcase me wrestling. I recorded myself doing an interview. I figured it was more important to talk than show a bunch of fancy bumps.

What was it like working for Vince?
I made great money. I traveled the World. I was on TV. How cool is that?

Who did you find easiest and/or most difficult to work with while in the WWF?
The best I worked with: Tito Santana, Bob Backland, Curt Henning. I wish had worked with Bret Hart.

Fondest memory of working in the WWF?
Nothing to do with me; Vince taking the show to the middle east for our troops. I would've been honored to go. That takes balls. For that I'm proud to have worked for the WWF.






















Any backstage stories you'd like to share about the WWF?
I was traveling with Bam Bam Bigilow in Ohio. After working we stopped off at a store to pick up a few "sodas." Not realizing that some of the fans where in there too, Bam Bam calls out to me "hey PHIL, what kind of soda you wanna get?" The fans start laughing that he called me Phil. So I yelled back "hey SCOTT, get me the cold ones." The fans continued to laugh. So much for Kay Fabe. Scott was a real good guy.

Where is the outer reaches of your mind? Whose idea was it to bill you from there?
As Mondo Kleen I billed myself as "From Mans Deepest Fears." I think the "office" played off of that a little.

What is your favorite wrestling match as a fan?
I never really was a fan, that's probably why I left so quickly. But a friend told me this wrestling story. Bruno Sammartino had a match against a heel who spent the entire time beating Bruno's injured leg which was in a cast. Bruno managed to win. Afterwards, during an interview, he said he knew his opponent would go after the leg in a cast, so he took a chance and put the cast on his good leg, saving his injured one. I thought that was awesome.

Why did you leave the WWF?
I felt they never took advantage of me. I lost interest when there was little interest.

Did you wrestle after your WWF departure? If so where?
A little East Coast Independent league work.

Any possibility of wrestling again?
My knees and back say "no."

What was it like wrestling the Undertaker?
It was RAW's first main event, I wanted to try something different, he just wanted to do the "wake from the dead" thing. It turned out to be a nothing match. But hey, I can say I was in RAW's first main event. That and two bucks will get me on the subway. And maybe, if some day, a kid out there claims to be my child and it's proven by DNA testing, maybe, just maybe, he can proudly stand up and say "...proven to be my dad in a Court of Law, Damian Demento is my father." That thought makes my eyes well up. Sorry, I'm a sensitive Demento.

Do you feel there is/was a problem with steroids in wrestling?
Steroids are not the problem. It's like blaming a car for DWI, or a gun for a murder. Or George Bush for just about everything. Hmmmm... now I'm wondering if you'll post that?
























PART 2: ART

Who is your biggest inspiration as an artist?
My Mom could draw. Painter Francis Bacon, Director Tim Burton I'm certain as a child watching movies, and TV, they too had an influence. They're probably many influences that have no relevance with art.

When did you begin creating art?
I recall drawing as a child.

Where do you make your art? Do you have a studio space?
At college I had a studio. Wow, it was nice. But I can draw anywhere, a hotel room when I traveled, dressing rooms on film or TV projects, anywhere. No matter the space you can always find room.

What is your favorite medium to work in? Why?
Outside the normal stuff, I've used things such as: home fiberglass insulation, women's nail polish, tin foil, tooth picks, hot glue gun.

Are you a fan of the painter Lucian Freud? (he's one of my favorites)
When looking at his work in a book store, I make sure nobody peers over my shoulder. If somebody's looking at me who is not familiar with his "topics," they may think I'm a little weird. I shouldn't care, but being a little weird, I am.

Who are some of your favorite painters?
I look at everything.

What inspires you to create your "terrifying" sculptures?
They were inspired by Bacon's screaming Cardinals.

When did you start making your video blogs on YOUTUBE? They rule!
I'm running out of space where I live to store more paintings and such. So Youtube is just another canvas with unlimited space.

Is your work available for purchase? Is it in any galleries?
Everybody who sees my work says I should sell it, but nobody makes an offer. You know, a lot of people say I should sell my stuff, but nobody offers. As for galleries, it's easy to become famous after you're famous. It'll happen then, after I become famous. And some day I will.

Well, I think wrestilng and Art fans just got a great look into the life and times of Damien Demento!  Thanks for your time!
No problem.


To contact and/or view Damien Demento's Video Blogs click below:
Icons of the Ring.com bring you an exclusive interview with one of the WWE's strangest individuals: Damien Demento!

Long time fans will remember Damien Demento from his days with the WWF in the 1990's.  We caught up with him about his thoughts on main eventing the first RAW against the Undertaker, steroids in wrestling, getting a "soda" with Bam Bam Bigelow, and much more!  Nowadays Damien is an accomplished Artist.  We divided this interview into 2 parts.  Part 1 is about wrestling and Part 2 is about art....Both equally as entertaining!! GET READING!