In the first official written interview of Valuable with Rami Afif, my guest was independent talent Andrew Cass, who has wrestled for West Coast Pro, New Texas Pro, PrideStyle Pro, and many other promotions throughout his young career, now, he prepares for another important match to add to his collection, but before that, we spoke about his upbringing, his training to become a professional wrestler, valuable advice and goals, plus dream matches. You can read the full interview below.
Rami Afif: Before you laced up the boots and stepped out into the squared circle, you were a kid that was just growing up in Greenfield, Indiana trying to find who you are. What was it like for you growing up and what kind of mayhem or discoveries were you up to as a young Andrew Cass?
Andrew Cass: I only actually lived in Greenfield for the first two years of my life, but as a kid I just kept to myself and played video games for the most part. I found wrestling when I was ten, so that’s pretty much when everything changed so to say.
Rami Afif: Once you decided on making your way into pro wrestling, you attended, learned and trained at West Coast Pro. What has that experience been like for you and was there anything that you caught your eye on in your first couple of classes that made you feel that you chose the right school to go to for your pro wrestling career?
Andrew Cass: My first day at West Coast Pro was pretty much everything I hoped it could be. We started with a lot of cardio and calisthenics, which as a lifelong martial artist was very reassuring to see and be a part of. I also definitely got the vibe that everyone there is trying to not only get better, but to help each other improve as well.
Rami Afif: Every day, you learn something new and you take it with you on the journey that you’re on. Growing up, what was some of the best piece of advice that you received throughout your childhood? Who made the biggest impact on you whether it was family, a friend or a role model that you looked up to?
Andrew Cass: I would say the best advice I got as a kid was from my track coach, he told me “The work only gets done if you do it.” That mantra helps to motivate me.
Rami Afif: Last October was a very special month for you. From defeating the likes of Atticus Cogar, Manny Lo and Danny Orion in singles competition to win the West Coast Cup, what were the nerves like for you that day to compete in three big tournament matches and how did it feel to then step inside of the ring with the current ROH Pure Champion, Lee Moriarty for the first time ever?
Andrew Cass: The end of last year still feels a little crazy to me. With the West Coast Cup, I felt honored to be given the chance to compete in the tournament. It felt a lot like regionals in track. I’d spent the entirety of my career to that point forging myself to be able to do this type of night. And I guess all that work paid off. Wrestling Manny, Atticus, and Danny is I’d say the single most formative day of my career to that point. I was on empty essentially heading into the finals, i had holes in my knee from skewers, I’d been body slammed out of the ring, my back was killing me, and I still did it. Danny Orion is one of the best wrestlers I’ve ever had the opportunity to fight. And then nine days later I wrestled the Ring of Honor Pure Champion Lee Moriarty. To be able to hold my own and give it my all against a wrestler of that caliber and skill level was just incredible. Those couple weeks really changed who I am as a wrestler.
Rami Afif: Last month, you were part of Pandemonium Pro’s JoJo event, a tribute show to Jordan Saint. I know you spoke about how much he lifted the energy in the room with how kind and friendly he was to everyone he was around. What was it like for you to step in that ring as part of that six-man alongside JT Thorne & Vishnu Akali against a trio of Cosmo Orion, Jey Sharpe & Pac Ortega and did you feel the energy of Jordan throughout that night?
Andrew Cass: Jordan Saint was someone I wish I got the chance to talk more with. He was taken from us all far too soon, and I felt privileged to be a part of Pandemonium Pro’s tribute show for him, and also that I got to represent West Coast Pro alongside JT Thorne and Vishnu Akali.
Rami Afif: On September 25th, you have a huge opportunity on the line when you compete against Adam Priest for his West Coast Pro Championship at BodySlams on Broadway. How do you feel heading into this big time matchup, how much tape have you been studying of Priest and do you have a message for the champion before you challenge for the gold?
Andrew Cass: This week’s match with Adam Priest is the most important match of my career thus far. To be able to fight for one of the top prizes in american independent wrestling means a lot to me. I’ve seen that title be held by some of the best wrestlers I’ve ever seen in person, and the fact that I have the chance to win that very title is something I take very seriously. Adam is an incredible champion and an incredible wrestler. His mind for the sport is something I take every chance to study, so naturally I’ve been doubling down on that in the weeks leading up to this match.
Rami Afif: If you could step into the ring with one pro wrestler out of the entire history of the sport, who would it be, plus why would you choose them and would you want a specific venue and/or stipulation added to the bout?
Andrew Cass: Bryan Danielson. Easy. He’s the man that made me want to wrestle. As far as the venue goes, I’d have to say either Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen or the United Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco.
Rami Afif: As always, thank you so much for the opportunity to chat. Before I let you go, my last questions of the day. What are the three things you are grateful for, what are the three things you are looking forward to and what valuable advice would you have for someone who wants to step into the world of professional wrestling just like you?
Andrew Cass: I’m grateful every day for my family, the fact that I get to both live and fight for my dreams every single day, and that I get to wake up every morning. I’m looking forward to going up to Oregon for POW Wrestling on 9/26 to team with my good friend Bryce Kouza, taking my dogs to the park this weekend, and to Bodyslams on Broadway. And finally, my last advice to anyone reading this is that the work only gets done if you do it.
You can follow Andrew Cass’s journey in professional wrestling through his social media pages: AndrewCassPW on X/Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Rami J. Hanna has written about combat and motor sports, as well as sports such as baseball and basketball for a number of publications over the last ten years. In addition to his role at CBC/DSR, Rami also writes for WrestlePurists and False Finish, and launched his own YouTube channel, VALUABLE with Rami Afif.
Photo credit: Paul Ponte.