Abyss Talks Working with Hulk Hogan, Staying Loyal to TNA Since 2002, the Origins of the “Abyss” Name and More

February 4, 2017

TNA star Abyss recently spoke with The Post and below are some highlights:

Most memorable storyline:

“I would have to say the most memorable one I’ve done is the one I did with Hulk Hogan back in 2010, ’11 and ’12. The guy is, needless to say, a legend. So to do that angle and that storyline with him was really incredible.”

Working for TNA since 2002:

“I would like to think that I’m a very loyal person. I’ve always been loyal to the company; they’ve been very loyal back to me. So I think the reason I’ve never left is that I’ve always felt like it was home to me. I always felt like I had a good role, good position within the company. I’ve been a feature wrestler there for over a decade, and now I’m actually behind the scenes doing some producing and some of the writing.”

Origin of “Abyss” name:

“A mentor of mine came up with it — Dirty Dutch Mantel — an old time wrestler. When I went to Puerto Rico, he gave me the name. When I first heard it I thought, ‘I don’t know if I like it,’ but it certainly grew on me fast. It was the best career change I ever made going from Prince Justice to Abyss.”

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.