wrestling / Columns

411 Interviews: Lance Archer

September 13, 2011 | Posted by TJ Hawke

Lance Hoyt, now known as Lance Archer in New Japan Pro Wrestling, is a former TNA and WWE superstar. Known as Vance Archer, he wrestled on ECW and Smackdown. Under his given name and Lance Rock, he wrestled in TNA regularly from 2004 till 2009. Currently, Archer is now one of the featured American born performers in NJPW along with Karl Anderson, Giant Bernard (Albert in WWE), and M.V.P.

You can watch countless free matches on the NJPW Youtube Page .

TJ Hawke: At the American East Coast Invasion tour, it was announced that you were going to start working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, one of the most prestigious wrestling companies in the world. How have you enjoyed your experience so far? What have been some of your favorite moments so far? How have you adapted to working in front of the Japanese crowd? I hear that can be a rough transition for non-Japanese wrestlers.

Lance Hoyt: I absolutely love working for NJPW. They truly are a King of Sports.. I have to say working all of the G1 Climax tourney was amazing. But getting to work in the Sumo Hall for the last show was Amazing! I believe I’ve adapted very well. I already had a little strongstyle in me. Just had to let it out with guys who can handle it. It’s been a good transition so far.

TJ: Before New Japan, you had a fun in the WWE. How was your time in the FCW? Do you feel like that system is an effective way to develop talent? Did they make you cut your hair there?

LH: FCW was a really good place for me when I went. It helped me become a part of the company and not be seen as an outsider. Doc Tom, Norman Smiley, Steve Kerin, Dusty Rhodes are all amazing and helped me so much.. It can be very affective for the guys who can be a part of this industry. I didn’t cut my hair until five min before doors opened the night I debuted on ECW.

TJ: Eventually you did get the call up to ECW, and then moved to Smackdown where you formed a tag team with Curt Hawkins. Initially, it looked like you and Hawkins were going to get some kind of push, but the rug was pulled out under you because it was pretty quick that you ended up only booked for Superstars.
Did WWE originally have plans for you that fell through? What did you think of your run on the main roster?

LH: Well, I was very disappointed at how things ended. I felt there were plans for us. But in this biz things change all the time in the blink of the eye. And for no real reason. Not cool. But that’s how it is sometimes.. No worries, Just gotta keep moving forward.

TJ: Before the WWE, you had a lengthy career in TNA. What part of your TNA run was your favorite? Were you told why you were let go in 2009 after 6 years with the company? Would you like to go back there someday?

LH: Well ya never know what will happen in the future. I had a good run there with many Ups and Downs. The Hoytamainia times were a lot of fun. The fans were behind me and very vocal. I wish that had truly been capitalized on and gone somewhere big. Rock and Rave was a lot of fun but it was what it was. At the time I left the company, they were not using me very much. In fact I was in Japan when I had the conversation. So maybe it was time for TNA and I to go do out own things at the time.

TJ: Lance, you have been very open about your Christianity. Has your religion affected your career in any way? Would you ever want to include your religious beliefs into your wrestling character?

LH: It’s absolutely affected my career. God has always taken care of me. Put me in the right places at the right times. Protected me from major injury thus far. Had me choose to do the right thing over what might have been popular at the time. Put me around the right people. Kept me from taken part in the wrong things. Christ is a HUGE influence on my life and career. Don’t know if I’d ever bring in to a character. But, if it would fit and work and the people would except it. I’d do it. Sure

TJ: For this section of the interview, I was hoping you could share your thoughts on some prominent matches from your career:

Destination X 2008: Rock and Rave vs. LAX vs. The Motor City Machine Guns

LH: Great, fun match. We all got a huge compliment that night. Many in high places were very complimentative and said THAT was the way you start a PPV and would be hard to follow.

ECW TV 2010: Your series of matches with Shelton Benjamin

LH: Good matches, Good connection with him. Wish ECW had lasted and we coulda done that more and for the ECW title.

G1 Climax 2011: Lance Archer vs. Togi Makabe

LH: AWESOME! Working with him was an Honor and what a way to kick off my first G1 Climax!

TJ: Thanks Lance for taking the time to do the interview. Is there anything you want to plug (Twitter, facebook, bookings, how to be booked, etc)?

LH: Just would like to say thank you very much to the fans. I challenge them to find that New Gen Star and love what they do. We work hard but it’s up to the fans to help this biz grow. If they accept the Next Gen of superstars the biz will be Great again.

Also follow me on twitter @LanceHoyt Check me out on FB under Lance Hoyt and Hit me up for bookings at [email protected]

Thank you and God Bless
Lance Hoyt/Archer

Note from the author: Thanks everybody for reading my first interview on 411mania. After being a loyal reader of 411mania since 2008, it is a huge honor to be writing for this site. A big thank you to Larry for taking me on.

You can check out all my past interviews (such as Jimmy Rave, Steve Corino, Davey Richards, Joey Ryan, Anthony Neese, and much more) at my Road to Mania Blog.

Feedback is already appreciated. I can be contacted (and followed~!) on Twitter and email: [email protected]. If you are a wrestling personality and you want to be interviewed for 411mania, you can reach me at either of these places as well.

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