Interview: Nova

IGN catches up with the ECW superstar coming off a big win on Pay Per View!

May 16, 2000

In the last year, Mike Bucci’s “Super Nova” persona has gone from a comic book character to a more serious and focused performer. Both his name (now simply “Nova”) and his image have been tightened, and his team with Chris Chetti is becoming one of the top acts in ECW. Just last Sunday they bested DA Baldies and the team of Roadkill & Danny Doring in a three-way-dance, a result which has to make them top contenders for the vacant tag team titles.

IGN’s Blake Norton caught up with Nova at the E3 video games convention over the weekend for a chat about his recent success in ECW and what the future holds for the talented young star.

Norton: Hey Mike, how are you doing?

Nova: Hey man, I really like your new site. I read it all the time.

Norton: Thanks! How long are you here for?

Nova: Today and tomorrow.

Norton: I hear you’re wrestling Chris Chetti?

Nova: No, I was taking on Corino. I beat him for the Acclaim Hardcore belt! (a fictional title for the show) (laughs)

Norton: I didn’t know there was going to be a ring here! And there’s lots of FMW stuff here…

Nova: It’s awesome, dude. It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever been to.

Norton: How’s everything going in ECW?

Nova: I have no complaints. I’ve been here a few years. I’ve had a few obstacles to overcome where things were going downhill a bit. Ever since I got with Chetti it’s been all good. And I hear that this Sunday we have a chance at being tag belts. We’ll see where that goes. (Note: At Hardcore Heaven, the titles didn’t go on the line, but they scored a major victory in a three-way dance)

Norton: That’s great – so you’re sticking with tag for now?

Nova: Yes. Because I haven’t won the titles. When I win the titles, I’ll think about going singles.

Norton: Going for a singles title?

Nova: Yeah. I’d like to meet Jerry Lynn and Rob Van Dam. I’ve had good solid matches against Mikey, Chris Candido and Lance Storm too.

Norton: There’s a lot of people coming in and going out of ECW right now, is that a good thing or a bad thing for you?

Nova: Change is always good. Anyone who doesn’t want to be in ECW doesn’t have to be there. Nobody’s forced to be there.

Norton: What do you think of the Tazz situation?

Nova: I love Tazz. Tazz is the most professional man I’ve ever met. It’s cool that he was able to do that for ECW. It’s great. Everybody won in the situation. The WWF won, ECW won.

Norton: What do you think of Mike Awesome jumping to WCW?

Nova: I think Mike did what was best for Mike. That’s the best way I can put it. Whatever. I’m a firm believer in the old school way of doing business, and I think he should have done business with the heavyweight belt on the way out, but I don’t know his situation so I can’t really comment really.

Norton: What about you? Do you have aspirations for the WWF or WCW?

Nova: Maybe some day. I’m here for the next three years on contract. I haven’t gotten out of ECW what I’ve put into it yet. I want to win the tag titles.

Norton: Hypothetically, if your current team broke up, would you go singles or who would you team with someone else?

Nova: If Chetti and I broke up… There’s nobody in ECW who would work as well with me as Chetti. Maybe Kid Kash a little bit. But after this, I’m done with tag teams. Blue Meanie was the best partner I ever had in terms of entertainment, but Chetti is the guy in terms of ring work and everything else. When Chetti and I are done, I’m done with tag teams.

Norton: You a video game fan?

Nova: Yeah, I’m ecstatic to be here!

Norton: I was checking out that WWF Royal Rumble game earlier…

Nova: Yeah, it’s pretty good! I played that, I played everything!

Norton: Thanks for the chat. We’ll catch you later on I’m sure.

Nova: Later man.