Alex Marvez Interviews Jay Lethal: Talking up Jay Lethal, set for 'Best in the World 2011' PPV

Jay Lethal is ready to turn the page on two chapters in his pro-wrestling career.

Not only is he debuting with a different company (Ring of Honor) after his surprising release from Impact Wrestling, Lethal will be permanently retiring his "Black Machismo" gimmick following the recent death of "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

"My return to Ring of Honor will make it 100 percent official that I am now standing only as Jay Lethal," said Lethal, who will appear on Sunday's "Best in the World 2011" Internet pay-per-view show emanating from New York City.

"When I first came to Ring of Honor (in 2003), I was young and very impressionable. I would go on to another company (Impact) where I couldn't really be myself. I would have to do what was written for me and what I was told. Now that I've come back to Ring of Honor, I'll have the ultimate chance to do what everybody who gets into pro wrestling wants. I can be myself."

Lethal has that opportunity at least in part due to the acclaim he received for a spot-on Savage impression. While clowning backstage in 2006, Lethal nailed the Macho Man's voice and mannerisms so well that Impact Wrestling's nostalgia-crazed hierarchy asked him to become a Savage copycat.

"I definitely attribute that to idolizing him," Lethal said. "When I watched wrestling as a kid, I wanted to be Randy Savage. I didn't even have to practice the voice. It was something that came naturally.

"When I started doing the 'Black Machismo' gimmick, there was no Jay Lethal in my mind. I was 100 percent dedicated to this gimmick."

Lethal had dropped the character toward the end of his 5-1/2-year Impact run, but that didn't make the news of Savage's death any less painful. Savage (real name Randy Poffo) died after suffering a heart attack while driving near his home in Seminole, Fla. He was 58.

"I was shocked when I heard," said Lethal, who also lives in the Tampa area. "I never got to meet him face to face. Some people may ask how I could feel so much hurt. But I can honestly say that if it weren't for him I would not be a professional wrestler. I would see him doing the top-rope elbow drop and do the same move at home off the dresser. It caused me to get in trouble with my mom."

Lethal's mom should be proud of her son's accomplishments. Lethal is a talented enough performer to reinvent himself, especially in a company like Ring of Honor that encourages individuality rather than overly scripted presentation like Impact Wrestling.

"I realize I am extremely, extremely lucky when it comes to the wrestling business," said Lethal, whose real name is Jamar Shipman. "I just turned 26. The things I've accomplished already some people only dream about. I've gotten to step in the ring with a few of my idols and I've been all over the world."

Lethal's travels will take him to Hawkesbury, Ontario, in September for a "Macho Man" tribute card that also features Savage's brother, Lanny Poffo. Lethal may adopt the "Macho Man" persona one more time as an homage to one of the industry's all-time biggest stars.

"I have done about four or five little tribute shows so far," Lethal said. "I have a hard time turning (promoters) down, although lately I have because I do believe it's time to move on a little bit. But I always want to give everybody what they want to see. And the 'Macho Man' is one thing they all want to see."

Lethal vs. "The Prodigy" Mike Bennett, Homicide vs. Rhino and Davey Richards vs. Eddie Edwards for the ROH world title are among the matches scheduled for "Best in the World 2011." The show begins at 4 p.m. EDT Sunday and will air on pro-wrestling and mixed-martial-arts Internet outlet gofightlive.tv. Cost is $14.99. For more information, visit www.rohwrestling.com or gfl.tv.

(Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro-wrestling column for Scripps Howard
News Service. Contact him at alex1marv(at)aol.com or follow him via Twitter at http://twitter.com/alexmarvez.)