Mickey Rourke Says Wrestlers Should Receive Benefits

September 17, 2008

SLAM! Wrestling recently conducted an interview with Mickey Rourke, star of the upcoming feature “The Wrestler,” from director Darren Aronofsky. During the interview Rourke admits that he was not initially drawn to the picture by saying “I did not have an attraction to it, coming from a boxing background.” He then later revealed that a sit down conversation with former WWE talent Greg “The Hammer” Valentine inspired him to accept the job. Rourke said, “Greg “The Hammer” Valentine was this big, big guy in, maybe his early 60s, but he was still all tanned, and with all this long blonde hair…he spoke about wrestling with such enthusiasm, and such pride.”

Rourke and director Darren Aronofsky also speak at length about the issue of a high mortality rate within the pro wrestling industry and call for an intervention on behalf of the talent. “Absolutely, these (promotions) should be looked into,” Rourke said. “There’s no insurance, no pensions.”

You can read the entire interview at this link.

Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.

Nick attended New York University and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Drama.

Nick first entered the internet wrestling community back in 2004 when he became the co-host of The Voice of Wrestling Radio Show. From there, Nick made the transition from radio personality to editor when he began working with WrestleZone in 2008.

Nick is a member of two Off-Broadway theatre companies, Another Urban Riff, and the Drama Desk Award winning Godlight Theatre Company. Nick has appeared in over a dozen Off-Broadway plays since he moved to New York City, and has shot several short and feature length films. In 2010, he completed principle photography on a film titled "How to Score Your Life," which also features TNA Knockout ODB.

Inspiration in his life has come from many people including his family, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, and of course, Lassie.