Q&A: “Sick” Nick Mondo Updates Fans On ‘The Trade’

Combat Zone Wrestling icon “Sick” Nick Mondo is in the process of sending his film “The Trade” off to various film festivals and hopes to premier the film in 2016.

The film is bio-pic, taking the audience through a cinematic look at the toll deathmatch wrestling took on Mondo, the consequences of his unique fame, and his emotional struggle with being the influence of a new generation of deathmatch performers.

Wrestledelphia.com’s Mark Whited caught up with Mondo to get an update about the film and more:

Mark Whited: How long did it take for you and your team to produce the latest trailer (shown above)?

Nick Mondo: “Rather than a trailer, this is simply a music video segment that I had to re-edit for The Trade (due to music copyrights). I’d say two weeks were spent on the edit, though – sorting through all the old footage. This music video has been done for a while, but I was just waiting on a response regarding music permission.”

MW: Was there any piece of footage that was particularly difficult to look at and reflect on?

NM: “Not one piece, really. But the culmination of all the moments and memories does wear on me from time to time. I’m very glad to be so close to releasing my bio film, but I also am looking forward to moving on from all of the time I’ve spent reflecting on my past. I’m not a person who likes to spend much time looking back. Forward is where my focus is, usually.”

MW: How much thought was put into selecting the music for the trailer? Joy Division’s “Day of the Lords” complements it well. How did you find this track and why did you pick it?

NM: “A lot of thought was put in, actually. The music of Joy Division means so much to me. I’ve always felt close to their work. Singer Ian Curtis was really struggling as he wrote and sang the lyrics of Joy Division’s songs. He sadly ended up taking his life at age 23. That’s the same age I was when I retired from the business. I was never suicidal, but my self-destructive behavior was spiraling out of control at the end there. So, the words and the emotional undercurrents in Joy Division’s music have always resonated deeply with me. “Where will it end? Where will it end?!” Those words are repeated over and over in Day of the Lords. It’s a fitting question for a Nick Mondo montage, I’d say.

It was actually looking like I’d get permission to use that song (and 2 others from Joy Division) for The Trade, but I couldn’t quite pull it off. Instead, I am using music from a band called Creepoid (out of Philadelphia). I love their music too, though! I’m not disappointed at all. Creepoid is incredible, and I recommend checking them out.”

MW: Is there an estimate on when the film might be released? When might it be available in the U.S. market?

NM: “I have hope that deals will be underway by the end of this year. I’m working on a couple leads right now. I apologize that I can’t give a date. Basically, I’ll sell the film, and it will be up to the distributor to choose the release date. But I will of course keep everybody updated.”

MW: Zandig is back and he’s jumped right back into the ultraviolent spotlight. As a colleague of his, how do you feel about his return and embracing the deathmatch scene again?

NM: “I’m fine with John coming back, but I sincerely hope he doesn’t do too many bumps like the one at Tournament of Survival. Truth is, he could be incredibly over with fans if he just did a Ric Flair-type gimmick. Just come to the ring, cut crazy “Jeeezus!!” promos and scream about being the Ultraviolent Icon. Maybe he keeps trying to spray lighter fluid on things and light them on fire. Then clothesline anybody who comes near him! A madman; CZW commissioner. Tell me that wouldn’t be the best.”

MW: Joey Janela recently was part of , similar to yours at Tournament of Death. Did you speak to Janela before or after the match? What did you say to him? If you haven’t had a chance to speak with him, what would you have told him before going into such a dangerous situation?

NM: “I reached out to Joey before that event, actually. I didn’t know he was going to do the roof bump, but I had a nervous feeling that something was up. I just told him that he’s one of the few people who has a chance of doing things BEYOND that deathmatch tournament. So I said to be ready to say “no,” if he needed to. He really is fun to watch, and I hope he can continue on to a much bigger stage. The good thing is, he says he’s done with risky deathmatches. But I know his thumb was severely messed up in that match (requiring surgery). Hopefully it’s healing okay. Nerve/tendon damage can be very tricky.”

MW: Is there anything you want fans to know that I haven’t touched on?

NM: “Thank you for your patience, and your interest! I think you’ll be amazed at what we’ve pulled off with The Trade. The original score for the film (by Mimi Page) is finished, and available on iTunes.”

You can purchase the film’s original score on iTunes.