WNS Interviews Gary "The Milkman" Millman About His Recent WWE SmackDown Live Experience

Interview with Gary "The Milkman" Millman
By Peter Nieto

WNS reporter Peter Nieto had the opportunity to interview Gary “The Milkman” Millman, whose real name is Efren Longoria and lives in Lubbock, TX. He wrestles at many independent companies in Texas, however is based out of Squared Circle Pro Wrestling. You may remember seeing on this week's episode of WWE SmackDown Live!

The following is the interview that was conducted:

How long have you been wrestling?
4 years

In your wrestling career on the Independent level, have you wrestled a ex-WWE wrestler before and if so, who?

I've been booked against many. Chavo, Matt Hardy, Robbie E, Chris Hero but somehow it always fell through.

What was the backstage atmosphere like at WWE Raw in Houston? I was surprised to find, it was no different to me, than any other well done independent show I've been a part of.

Although you did not wrestle at WWE Raw in Houston, what is it like to be back there while the show is going on? For some of the guys it's disheartening not getting work but, for me, I was just happy to be there, occupying the same space as the guys I watch on TV.

Do you sit in the locker room watching on the monitor?

I watched most of the show from catering.

How did "the guys" in the back treat you? Everybody was an upstanding person. Very polite, very accepting. No "superstars" so to speak.

What's the difference, if any, between the environment backstage at WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown Live?

At RAW they have 3 hours and are allowed by USA to go overtime as much as they want. At SmackDown! Live things were much more hectic. They only have a 2 hour show and strict time limits to meet.

Moving on to WWE Smackdown Live, so you arrive at the arena to learn you are facing Kane, which is HUGE, what was your initial reaction? Well the plan changed so many times it was kind of a gradual roller coaster process of excitement, disappointment, excitement, disappointment.

The Milkman, very interesting character and one that you pulled off flawlessly, how was it being in the ring live?

It was no different than working in front of 300 people in a high school gym. When you're watching the show, you see individual people in the audience. When you're actually in the ring, it's euphoric and you really just see a blur of bodies.

Obvious question, on a scale of 1 to 10, how nervous were you? 

I hate to say this because it's almost taboo and I don't think anyone would believe me anyway but, I only get nervous before actual matches. I would have to say, for this segment, 2 out of 10. And that little nervousness probably came from all the diet soda I consumed in catering.

Who was your favorite WWE Superstar growing up? 

Eddie Guerrero. Bar none.

How long have you been a fan of wrestling?

I can't remember a period of time in my life, wrestling wasn't the most important thing to me. My earliest memory is watching Hulk Hogan when I was only 2 years old.

Now that you had a taste of the WWE lifestyle, how do feel you would handle it if offered a job there?

I'm really not a fan of traveling but, all of the perks that came about working for WWE, it was more than worth it. I feel I would fit into that lifestyle just fine.

Any fun and interesting stories from those two days traveling with WWE?

Security would not let me in at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. I was almost too late to meet my check-in time. In hindsight, that would've been a nightmare had I not gotten in.

Elaborate on the security issue, so you are on a list I take it?

Was there just an error that you weren't placed there? Or how exactly did that play out? I was on WWE's list. I was not on the American Airlines Center's list lol. It wasn't like their security has Vince on speed dial.

What were you told by Vince McMahon after your segment?

"That's exactly what we were looking for. Good job kid."

Being told that by Vince McMahon, how does that make you feel?

Confident in my abilities that I've worked so hard to attain, and never truly gotten any noteworthy recognition for.

Does WWE contact you by phone or email and is your contact info something they get from the Independent wrestling companies you work for, or do they contact you via social media?

All of the above, minus the social media one. I was contacted via email.

They made a character and now you have became the infamous "Milkman", which has become quite viral online. Are you surprised at the online presence you have had including a mention of you in an article on Rolling Stone as well as multiple posts by WWE on social media?

I was told I was going to use my ring name of Jason Erra. An hour before the show starts I was told I would be Gary "The MilkMan" Millman and have a southern accent. At first, I was apprehensive to the idea and it was a bit demoralizing. Then I thought about how many people have said over the years, when given a ball, run with it. Do the best you can with whatever you're given. As far as the response it's received, it's really been overwhelming. It really makes everything I do feel worth it. Hell, I've even gained a lot of friends and family I never even knew existed lol. End sarcasm.

After WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown Live end, are you still at the arena for a few hours or is it something that once it ends, it is a pretty quick exit?

You can stay well into the morning hours. I stayed around to thank a lot of executives and higher ups but I'm sure they were just ready to get on home so I didn't see any of them after the show. I left right as the dark main event went on.

Besides Vince McMahon, what other major stars, producers, etc., did you come in contact with during your time at both events?

Anyone and everyone. Literally.

You debuted on the same show that the Headbangers returned on, how do you feel about that?

It's surreal. In fact it's all been surreal. When I was 19 years old, I packed my bags and moved to Dallas with nothing more than a dream. I quickly realized I had no money and was in over my head and had to move back home with my head down low in shame. Fast forward 6-7 years and here I am in Dallas, in the semi-main event of SmackDown! Insane how it's all come full circle.

How long did you live in Dallas?

Literally a day lol. Didn't take long to realize, "oh sh**! I don't have enough money to even eat. I barely have enough to afford gas to get back home if I leave this second." You live and you learn.

You are in a committed relationship with Alex, how supportive is she when it comes to your wrestling?

It's hard on her at times but even if it's met with a little initial apprehension, she's always allowed me to put my career ahead of anything else and she has no clue how much I truly appreciate that.

If traveling more for wrestling becomes more prominent in your life, how do you feel she will take it? We've discussed this before. She's all for it, if it's truly a step forward and not me spinning my wheels, so to speak.

Her biggest worry obviously, like any person in a relationship with a wrestler, is your safe well being, do you feel she handles that well?

Not at all! My biggest concern when I get hurt is not, "what am I going to do about this?" it's "I hope Alex isn't worried" lol.

How supportive has your family been?

Initially, I put up with all of the snickering, and negativity. After a while it just became who I was to them and they were much more accepting. These last few days actually, I've had a lot of family come out of nowhere that I was unaware I had lol.

Family & friends sometimes are tough. They have to be honest in times when honesty is necessary. When someone chooses to chase the dream of WWE, obviously there are some doubts, do you feel like there were people that may have doubted you early on and if so, how do you feel now about it? Literally, every one of them did. My entire life I've never been committed, nor have I put every effort possible into anything. They had no reason to think this was any different. I don't hold any animosity about it.

If I remember correctly, you have one brother who no doubt grew up watching WWE with you, was he super pumped seeing you on WWE programming?

Honestly, my brother was the one that got me hooked. He eventually grew out of wrestling and pursued other ventures but, I think he was happier and more proud to see me on WWE SmackDown Live! than I was lol.

Tell me a little more about growing up with your brother and wrestling in your household?

Both of my parents grew up watching WCCW and would tell me so much about The Von Erich's, The Freebirds, Gino Hernandez, you name it. They had no interest in wrestling as adults but my love for it was always encouraged. That is... up until I started doing it lol.

I know your mother passed on recently, and I remember you sharing pictures of her getting to see you wrestle in person, how special was that moment for you?

The last time she saw me wrestle was for a championship, in an actual arena, and going back and watching those clips and hearing her scream "Go Erra!" is hard. I get teary eyed every time. Over 3 million people saw me perform Tuesday night but, I still had a gut feeling that someone was missing.

No doubt she would be extremely proud of you this week. Knowing your mom as only a son does, what do you think would have been her first words she would have told you after seeing you on WWE Smackdown Live?

Knowing her verbiage, "Man! That was so good! You didn't get hurt did you?"

Growing up, what "category" would you place yourself in when you were in high school? Jock?

I was EVERYTHING. Some years I was the fat kid, some years I was the skinny nerdy kid, a jock, you name it. It was around the age of 14 that I gave up trying to please people and just became me.

What sports did you play in High School?

None. I hated having coaches that didn't know anything about their job or life(sorry if that's too harsh but too bad), tell me who and what to be. I also didn't like that the entire town I grew up in would admire these sports players as Demi-gods, when I knew exactly what would become of some of them.

Who trained you to be a professional wrestler?

El Grande. He's the man. I owe him a lot. My very first match, I had no gear. He let me borrow a pair of boots and tights. You'll never hear me say a bad thing about him.

You wrestle solo, but you have also been in a tag team, which do you prefer? And why?

Both are great in their own way. I can't pick lol.

Your dream opponent?

Kane

You have worked with Rikishi's Territory League Wrestling, how was that? Do you like their concept of how their main event plays out?

Their concept is really cool and their shows are top notch. It's a bit more demanding that other shows but more work renders a better outcome.

You are on plenty of social media platforms including Facebook and SnapChat, would you like to share your social media names to fans and supporters that would like to follow you on your journey?

I honestly, don't keep up with any accounts other than my Facebook page lol but, if you search "ArchetypeErra" I'm sure you'll find me on whatever social media outlet you're on.

We at WrestlingNewsSource.com would like to thank you Efren for taking the time for this interview. Efren, wrestling as “The Archetype” Jason Erra, will be wrestling Curt Stallion at the Squared Circle Pro event on September 24th, 2016.