Last summer, I took a gamble and attended my first Tri States Wrestling show in Chillicothe, MO (Sliced Bread Slam). Despite being something like ten miles from the location of a Tornado strike, it was an awesome show with great matches and a great staff. I even won an autographed chair that I still have in my basement! The behind the scenes crew included Macon, Missouri’s own Tyler Cox as ring announcer, who does a hell of a job at whatever show he’s at. Dressed to the nines with an impeccable suit and selling raffle tickets like a madman, Tyler was one of the front faces of TSW and somebody I enjoyed chatting with as I wrangled my son at shows. Tyler has gone into retirement, at least for time being, but I wanted to pick his brain about just what goes in to being a ring announcer.

I think a lot of fans are somewhat iffy on exactly what it takes to put on a Wrestling show, and I’d love to be able to highlight not only wrestlers, but everyone else involved if I can. Tyler was VERY generous with his time in allowing me an opportunity to speak with him today, and I always appreciate any chance I get to learn about professional wrestling. Without further ado, here are some questions I tossed his way about everything from Youth Soccer, Limp Bizkit and Stone Cold “What?” chants. Buckle your seatbelts folks, this one is fun.

Note: This interview was conducted electronically in January of 2024.

Any Images used are a combination of my photos from various shows, ones provided by Tyler, or fair use/public domain images.

For more Interviews I’ve done, click HERE

Would you like to introduce yourself to my readers?

“First of all I want to say thank you for this opportunity! This is my first official interview since I started in the industry. Honestly I’m still rather green around the gills when it comes to this hobby of mine. I call it a hobby because I do it strictly for fun and the experience! Outside the ring I’m a father of four, born and raised in Macon, MO. I get more fun out of seeing my kids go nuts at the shows than anything else!”

What got you into Professional Wrestling?

“I’ve been a wrestling fan my entire life, 90s kid so I got to live during the peak Monday Night Wars and late night ECW on TNN. My first live event I attended was a WWF house show at the Hearnes Center in Columbia headlined with Bret Hart vs Bam Bam Bigelow for the World Title. For a while I faded away from interest in wrestling as I found WWE becoming very stale then AEW came along and opened my eyes to a world of wrestling outside what they were offering. I’m probably a bigger wrestling fan now more than ever.”

What would you consider your favorite match of all time?

“The first one to come to mind is Rob Van Dam vs John Cena at ECW One Night Stand 2006. I’ve always been a huge RVD fan and the exact opposite in regards to Cena so to see “The Whole F’n Show” win the WWE Title at the Hammerstein Ballroom in front of a packed house of ECW fans who completely turned on Cena is a match I’ll never forget.”

How did you get the opportunity to be a ring announcer?

“Two guys came together to hold the first professional wrestling show in Macon in three decades, they needed an announcer and they knew I can talk to people since I’ve been in sales pretty much my whole career. First show was a little rough but I got the hang of it pretty quick. That night was the first night I ever stepped into a ring. I would never make it as a wrestler, I’m not a fan of taking bumps!”

Are you inspired by any legendary announcers of the past?

“There are so many but to name a few I’d definitely start with ECW Legend Joey Styles, TNA Legend Mike Tenay, WWF Legend Howard Finkel, Paul Heyman has to be included as well as Tony Schiavone.”

Who would you say is the best announcer in the biz right now?

“Definitely the Dapper Yapper Justin Roberts. When I attended Dynamite in KC a few months ago I paid close attention to his work.”

I always saw you at Tri States Wrestling shows, but where else did you work?

“Honestly I’ve only worked for TSW since they helped me get into the business, I have a loyalty to the company. Living as rural as I do, there aren’t many other opportunities to announce. I’ve been a part of Tri States since day one helping advertise, brainstorm ideas and just do whatever I can to help build the brand.”

What does the average fan not understand about being a ring announcer?

“If you pronounce a talent’s name wrong, expect to get roasted by them in the ring. You can’t take it personally, work to build that heel heat! I may have mispronounced once or twice on purpose for that reason…heels are heels, have fun with it!”

Do you have any tips / tricks for anyone trying to get into that particular side of the business?

“Be confident in yourself and be even more confident when you get in the ring. Prepare before the show, get the card, reach out to talent ahead of time to get their details early because being in the way and bothering the wrestlers backstage before a show is never ideal. Oh and make sure to wipe your shoes before stepping in the ring!”

What is a BIG mistake one can make trying to get in?

“Arrogance and entitlement. Always introduce yourself to the talent and people working the show. Shake hands and hype everyone up for an awesome night. Help where you can and stay out of the way when you need to. And always remember, you work for the promoter, take their advice and criticism and make yourself better every time you step in the ring.”

What was your favorite match you got to announce for?

“Hands down Franco Varga vs Warhorse for the TSW Title in St. Joe last year. I’ve gotten to announce Franco several times and probably my favorite wrestler to announce and I’ve been a fan of Warhorse since I discovered him challenging Cody Rhodes for the TNT Title open challenge during the lockdown. His energy blew me away. I had so much fun working that show overall. Runner up would be announcing “Nothin Neater” Derek Teter in our hometown. His match against Derek Stone was another fun one.”

What was your weirdest experience when being an announcer?

“I once worked with a talent that has a very prominent name in the industry both indie and somewhat mainstream. He was probably the most difficult person I’ve announced. He brought an indie belt he was holding from a somewhat major indie promotion, asked me to make no mention of the title before the show, then wore the belt to the ring for his match. The crowd has no idea it was from another promotion or what it even was. Honestly he was very unprofessional throughout the entire show before, during and after….”

Which is more annoying, people yelling “ONE FALL!” or Stone Cold “What?” chants?

“I’m a mark when I go to shows now, I’m always chanting and getting the crowd going if I’m a fan so I’m guilty of both! And the TWWWOOOOOO on a two count. But if I had to choose between the two I’d say the “WHAT” chants are more annoying.”

Your suit game is always on point, would you say presentation is important to ring announcing?

“Absolutely. It’s part of the gig. Wrestlers have their ring gear and so do announcers. Especially with title matches, the announcer has the responsibility of hyping the match and you can’t do that properly while looking like a slob. Truth be told when I’m home you’ll find me in sweatpants.”

What was your biggest moment of 2023?

“I was an assistant coach on my 7 and 5 year olds competitive soccer team last year and seeing the smiles on their faces when they scored a goal or when they posed with the medals would definitely be high on the list. Witnessing one of my favorites, Orange Cassidy win the International Title live at Dynamite last year was a great moment.”

Is there anything that will bring you out of retirement?

“Maybe at some point I’ll do an out of retirement tour but the way I see it, if Franco/Warhorse is my final match ever I’m perfectly happy with it. I never did it for the money, and with four kids it’s hard to have the time to drive a couple hours to work shows. I still follow TSW every step of the way and will be in attendance for their next show whether or not I work it.”

As a fan, are there any shows coming up that you’re excited for?

“Next one I’m excited for is this Saturday I’ll be going to AEW Collision in St. Louis. Obviously excited for Franco Varga vs Fuego del Sol headlining the next TSW show. I’m intrigued to see what Show-Me State Wrestling will bring to the table this year.”

Are there any recent movies, TV shows, albums etc. you have been digging that you want others to check out?

“This question will lead us down a rabbit hole we won’t ever get out of considering I’m a huge movie buff. I’ll talk about a few projects to appease the interview! The movie I’m probably most excited for in 2024 is Terrifier 3. The first two are some of the best and most gruesome slasher movies I’ve seen in a long time. A24’s Talk to Me was a brilliant horror film that came out recently. Sisu was another standout film of 2023 especially if you like the war genre. I’ll be impatiently awaiting the second seasons for The Last of Us and House of the Dragon. I can’t not mention Heels in a wrestling interview. It’s a great series that was canceled way too early.”

What is your favorite unpopular wrestling opinion?

“Roman Reigns has held his title for way too long and it has ruined the ability to shoot a lot of guys higher than where they are at. WWE has so many guys who would defend the title proudly and yet the goal is to have Reigns hold the title the longest ever and what does he wrestle? Maybe half a dozen times a year now?”

If you could kick absolutely anyone in the face, facing zero repercussions, who would it be?

“Goldberg. I think I’m one of a few who would answer that way! I loved Goldberg growing up during his reign with WCW but when he straight buried The Fiend by demanding he squash Wyatt after they had built him to be unbeatable really grinded my gears. Bray Wyatt was an amazing character and The Fiend and the Firefly Funhouse episode were about the only thing that kept me tuning into WWE at the time. That match started the ultimate downfall of that character…”

If you could travel back in time to witness any period in history, what would it be?

“Woodstock ‘99. So many great acts performing, turned out to be one hell of a party! It’s my goal to see Limp Bizkit live this year when they go on tour and I hope they still have the same energy as that night in NY. Might as well end this interview in a blaze of glory just like that concert!”

For More about Tri States Wrestling, check out their Facebook Page HERE, their Twitter (or I guess X) page HERE, or YouTube HERE. TSW is also on Cagematch, HERE. 

The post An Interview With Ring Announcer Tyler Cox appeared first on Arcadia Pod.