Post by Emma on Apr 9, 2022 7:04:40 GMT -5
As a veteran of the industry finally hangs up his boots for good, his son is ready to assume his place.
Don Tirri, lovingly and sometimes not so lovingly known as “Old School Cool”, announced his retirement from the business this week.
The news came not long after Donny Mason achieved the number one spot on the This Is Awesome April 2022 Rankings with an 8-0 record.
The father-and-son duo had been making waves in the Level Up Wrestling Federation, where they upset Ahmya and Bert McLalroy to claim the Leve Up Multiplayer Gauntlets at Final Fantasy.
They would hold the titles for a few months before dropping them to the newly-christened team of Eli Goode and Brody Adams at EXP 22.
Now it’s a period of change for the Tirri family, with an established legend of the business stepping back to let a talented youth take his place.
TIA reporter Emma Langdon sat down with both wrestlers to get a sense of their outlook for the future.
Don Tirri
You've had an illustrious career in the business, why have you decided to hang up the boots?
“Two reasons. One: I wanted to retire on my own terms, not because I had to. I can still go, but law of diminishing returns is ramping up slowly but surely. And Two: Donny is on the cusp of breaking out big and I don't want to be there to hog the spotlight from him.”
Did getting your son involved in wrestling change your outlook on the business?
“It did. I stopped thinking in terms of "What I can GET out of it" and more in terms of "What I can GIVE to it". Donny was the spark that led me to accept the trainer position at Corvid Combat Academy. “
Will we be seeing "one more match" from "Old School Cool", or will the triple threat tag at the last Level Up EXP serve as your swan song?
“Never say never. I do intend to enjoy my retirement, let my old bones heal up and recuperate. But we wrestlers are a funny bunch. The drive to compete never really goes away. Who knows. When the right place, the right opponent and the right situation springs up, one more match might happen. But don't count on it and don't wait for it.”
Speaking of the tag match, what it like teaming with Donny in the ring and how special was it to have a reign as tag champions with your son?
“I can't really put it into words just how special it was. I have always been a loner, I never really enjoyed tag wrestling. Until Donny came around. The whole point was to help him develop and become a better wrestler. Having a tag title reign with him was in my opinion the perfect way to cap my career, and kickstart his.”
What do you consider to be the best achievements during your career?
“Honestly? Longevity. I don't have a single moment that I can look at and go "Yeah, that was pretty great". I've had success and championships, but those lose their lustre after time passes. So simply the fact I could go on such a high level for such an extended period is really the biggest and most important achievement of mine.”
Who have been some of your most memorable opponents/teammates?
There are more than a few of those, but the one that stands out the most is Luther Thunder. I first met him over a decade and a half ago, and we've shared more than a few employers. And our big war last year in Uprising over their top title was the stuff of legends. He and I are both not so different, yet worlds apart. I will always respect him and consider him my greatest rival. A sentiment he most likely doesn't share, but eh, when did I care what others thought.
Donny Mason
What's been the secret to your winning ways this month?
Good question. I'll tell you once I figure it out myself.
... Kidding aside, I dunno. I've just went out and applied all the lessons I've been taught and somehow it has worked out.
What would you consider to be your best win in this streak?
- I mean, Winning the TIA sponsorship rumble was the best thing to happen careerwise. Getting that kind of exposure does wonders for anyone in this business.
How did you get into wrestling, did your father inspire you?
The story there is a lot deeper than most know, but yes, basically. When he floated the idea, it just made sense.
Do you worry that you'll be in your father's shadow, or are you confident you can forge your own legacy?
Of course I am a bit worried. He casts a long shadow. But I do believe I can forge my own path. People will always bring him up, to which I can only respond by showing them in practice that I am not him. I'm bigger, stronger and faster. the version 2.0 so to say.
You've been fighting to make a name for yourself in APWO, and you've got a hardcore title match coming up against Ash Cameron, what are your thoughts on that match?
- Well I haven't done any hardcore wrestling until this point so it will be an interesting experience. I know Ash is no joke, so it will be a tough match no matter how it goes. All I can do is my best and hope it is enough. I'm on a roll though, so I gotta ride that momentum into victory lane.
Don Tirri, lovingly and sometimes not so lovingly known as “Old School Cool”, announced his retirement from the business this week.
The news came not long after Donny Mason achieved the number one spot on the This Is Awesome April 2022 Rankings with an 8-0 record.
The father-and-son duo had been making waves in the Level Up Wrestling Federation, where they upset Ahmya and Bert McLalroy to claim the Leve Up Multiplayer Gauntlets at Final Fantasy.
They would hold the titles for a few months before dropping them to the newly-christened team of Eli Goode and Brody Adams at EXP 22.
Now it’s a period of change for the Tirri family, with an established legend of the business stepping back to let a talented youth take his place.
TIA reporter Emma Langdon sat down with both wrestlers to get a sense of their outlook for the future.
Don Tirri
You've had an illustrious career in the business, why have you decided to hang up the boots?
“Two reasons. One: I wanted to retire on my own terms, not because I had to. I can still go, but law of diminishing returns is ramping up slowly but surely. And Two: Donny is on the cusp of breaking out big and I don't want to be there to hog the spotlight from him.”
Did getting your son involved in wrestling change your outlook on the business?
“It did. I stopped thinking in terms of "What I can GET out of it" and more in terms of "What I can GIVE to it". Donny was the spark that led me to accept the trainer position at Corvid Combat Academy. “
Will we be seeing "one more match" from "Old School Cool", or will the triple threat tag at the last Level Up EXP serve as your swan song?
“Never say never. I do intend to enjoy my retirement, let my old bones heal up and recuperate. But we wrestlers are a funny bunch. The drive to compete never really goes away. Who knows. When the right place, the right opponent and the right situation springs up, one more match might happen. But don't count on it and don't wait for it.”
Speaking of the tag match, what it like teaming with Donny in the ring and how special was it to have a reign as tag champions with your son?
“I can't really put it into words just how special it was. I have always been a loner, I never really enjoyed tag wrestling. Until Donny came around. The whole point was to help him develop and become a better wrestler. Having a tag title reign with him was in my opinion the perfect way to cap my career, and kickstart his.”
What do you consider to be the best achievements during your career?
“Honestly? Longevity. I don't have a single moment that I can look at and go "Yeah, that was pretty great". I've had success and championships, but those lose their lustre after time passes. So simply the fact I could go on such a high level for such an extended period is really the biggest and most important achievement of mine.”
Who have been some of your most memorable opponents/teammates?
There are more than a few of those, but the one that stands out the most is Luther Thunder. I first met him over a decade and a half ago, and we've shared more than a few employers. And our big war last year in Uprising over their top title was the stuff of legends. He and I are both not so different, yet worlds apart. I will always respect him and consider him my greatest rival. A sentiment he most likely doesn't share, but eh, when did I care what others thought.
Donny Mason
What's been the secret to your winning ways this month?
Good question. I'll tell you once I figure it out myself.
... Kidding aside, I dunno. I've just went out and applied all the lessons I've been taught and somehow it has worked out.
What would you consider to be your best win in this streak?
- I mean, Winning the TIA sponsorship rumble was the best thing to happen careerwise. Getting that kind of exposure does wonders for anyone in this business.
How did you get into wrestling, did your father inspire you?
The story there is a lot deeper than most know, but yes, basically. When he floated the idea, it just made sense.
Do you worry that you'll be in your father's shadow, or are you confident you can forge your own legacy?
Of course I am a bit worried. He casts a long shadow. But I do believe I can forge my own path. People will always bring him up, to which I can only respond by showing them in practice that I am not him. I'm bigger, stronger and faster. the version 2.0 so to say.
You've been fighting to make a name for yourself in APWO, and you've got a hardcore title match coming up against Ash Cameron, what are your thoughts on that match?
- Well I haven't done any hardcore wrestling until this point so it will be an interesting experience. I know Ash is no joke, so it will be a tough match no matter how it goes. All I can do is my best and hope it is enough. I'm on a roll though, so I gotta ride that momentum into victory lane.