20 Questions with Tom Matheny: Magnus Gunner

1) What's your proudest moment in EXODUS?

The day Kamigawa and I started Gods and Monsters. That reaction from the rafters, from those minds we had freed was incredible. That day will forever live on in infamy in EXODUS history, and is my greatest achievement.

2) What was the lowest moment in your EXODUS career?

Losing to Fiona at Desperate Times - not the loss, but the repercussions. Jonathan Collins was allowed back into the company, and with all the history we've had, that was my biggest chance to stick it to both of them.

3) Who is the toughest opponent you've faced since your arrival?

A lot of people come to mind. Fiona Rourke would be the obvious choice, but Kliff Ulysses was the toughest - the psychological trauma I had to endure through that whole ordeal; I will never fully recover from, but it was necessary to save my brother. Having to fight someone that was once so close to you, that's an animal that I wasn't faced with obviously, battling Fiona.

4) Do you have any dream opponents on the roster?

Is Jonathan Collins considered on the roster? Other than that hypocrite, Lasiewicz definitely. I'd like a rematch with Talfourd. Jimmy Riley would be in that boat too. And Fiona, there's definitely more to that story.

5) Do you have any immediate goals in the company?

Win the World Title. I want to bring EXODUS into the New Age, and deliver the disillusioned masses into salvation, and to change this company, I need power. There's two ways to that: with a mic, and with the big gold belt. I'm halfway there.

6) Do you have any long term goals here?

To be recognized as the best wrestler in this company. My skills are often overlooked by my eloquence and ability to captivate through speech, but I've wrestled some of the best matches of 2013. The rest of my time here, I want to leave no doubt in anyone's mind that I'm the best on the mic, in the ring, and hell, even on commentary.

7) Do you have any regrets in EXODUS?

LEGION. What became of us, that's a dark cloud I will forever be associated with. I allowed people to manipulate me with their propaganda, and tell me how to think. Never again.

8) What's your favorite thing about the San Diego crowd?

Their enthusiasm, and the fact that no matter who you are, or who you're in the ring with, whether they love you or hate you, if you're wrestling a fantastic match, they'll let you know it. And of course, those wonderful G&M supporters in the rafters. I love their energy.

9) Sum up your EXODUS tenure in 3 words.

Tumultuous. Controversial. Biblical.

10) You've been known for some rather...irreverant tweets, some of which are very different from the image you project. Which would be the real Gunner?

They're all me. No act. Some people have in-ring personas, then personas off camera that are total 180s from what they've shown. Not me. I tweet how I feel, just like I say what I want on the mic. I'm as real as it gets. Last of a dying breed. There is no Magnus Gunner character. There is only me.

11) Recently, you've adopted the nickname "Christum Furor." What inspired this for you?

I've embraced who I am. I'm chaotic, controversial, when I open my mouth I spark change and even riots. I am the physical embodiment of madness. It is my strength, my power. Im the Master of Insanity. Some people are Gods of beauty or deception - well, I'm a God of Madness.

12) What was it about Zack Lifer and Kira T. Zeppeli that drew you to them? They both seem very different from you and yet still very much alike.

I see a lot of both in myself. In Lifer, I see a man troubled by past decisions, and vilified because of them. I see an outcast, someone who has been demonized by those who don't understand him. In Kira, I sympathize with his hunger, his need for destruction, his thirst for misery. I've given them a home, where they can be accepted for who they are, without any reciprocity. They needed someone to tell them that their uniqueness makes them extraordinary. They needed a friend. We're all monsters. I've helped them to accept that, and now they're accepting themselves. And with me helping and guiding them, their potential is limitless.

13) How did it feel to be in the main event of the only EXODUS show to be out of the country, and now it looks like you'll be in its second one?

It was phenomenal. Korakuen Hall is a legendary arena, a lot of rich wrestling history. It was great, and special to headline that event. Despite my animosity toward Fiona, we spent the better part of 2012 trying to prove ourselves to the world, so that night, we shared something unique. That just made me sick saying that. Well, hopefully the second time is kinder to me.

14) You and Fiona had the feud of the year. What is it about you two that makes things so volitile and yet somehow so electric in the ring?

It's hard to describe really. We have some sort of connection. Our rivalry got really interesting this year, and as we improved, it became more personal. The two of us, we're so different - we embody the things that we hate in the other, if that makes sense. It's like a Yin and Yang type thing, the "Unstoppable Force" vs "The Immovable Object". When we collide, the energy, the animosity, it's electric. Coming into the business at the same time, we'll always be linked to each other. Early in EXODUS, we were the two best superstars, it was indisputable - it was us, then everybody else. We made one another into household names. She's my biggest rival - and my first rival. We kind of complete each other in a way, so every time we tangle, it's a 5 Star Match waiting to happen.

15) Gods & Monsters have this really rabid following in the RIMAC. What do you think makes you guys connect with the audience despite your malicious intent towards fans and others?

Because we're real. That's why we're heroes. We don't hide how we feel, don't hide our motives. We're violent, and barbaric, and we'll do what we deem as necessary to get what we desire. They accept us for that. They're tired of these false idols and frauds pretending to be good and upstanding, when their actions say otherwise. We tell them the truth, and in the end, some people accept it, and some people don't. Those who do are sheep, and everyone else is apart of the G&M congregation.

16) You've been known to wear a burlap sack over your face. What's the significance of that?

It's more of a joke than anything. Everyone in EXODUS is wearing a mask, hiding who they are underneath. The sack, that's my mask, only Im not afraid to take mine off because you know - people have seen my face. Other than that, it scares children, and that makes me smile.

17) Is there any wrestler you've been in the ring with outside EXODUS you'd like to see compete here?

Justin Brooks. I'd like to get in the ring with him again. Angelo Valour is another. That's about it.

18) Is there any wrestler in EXODUS outside Gods & Monsters you have any respect for?

Heather Halliwell. She's out for herself. Doesn't care about anyone else's opinion, though her association with Chris Strike has greatly diminished her in my eyes. Maybe Jerry Matthews for what's he done to Collins and Fiona, though I can't really bring myself to like someone who worships a false God.

19) You seem to have less ire towards EXODUS owner, Nicholas Gray. Have you been comfortable with him in ownership since he took over from Rufus Frost?

Rufus Frost was a money hungry bigot. I find Gray to be nothing more than a puppet. Sure, you may think he calls the shots, but he does Jonathan's bidding. Nothing happens behind the scenes without Jonathan's say.

20) You have a hammer, a midget, and a roulette wheel. What are your plans for the evening?

The Hangover 4.