Zack Amico didn’t exactly have a traditional path into the JCW commentary booth. What started as a last-minute Bloodymania fill-in eventually turned into a phone call from Violent J and a two-week trip on the road with Insane Clown Posse.
Amico explained the story during an appearance on Jasmin St. Claire’s Off the Rails podcast, revealing that his connection with ICP first grew through the SDR Show and later Skankfest. After getting invited to the Gathering, Amico found himself in the right place at the right time when Bloodymania suddenly needed someone on commentary.
The original commentator didn’t show up, so Violent J approached comedian Big Jay Oakerson about stepping in. Oakerson agreed, but he also suggested bringing Amico along because of his love for wrestling.
“Whoever was supposed to do commentary at Bloodymania didn’t show up. And Violent J asked Big Jay Oakerson, the comedian I was with, to do it and he said, ‘I’ll do it, but Zack loves wrestling. Can he sit in?’”
Amico jumped into the booth, had a blast and apparently made enough of an impression that Violent J went back and listened to the commentary again months later. That is when Amico got the call that changed his role with JCW.
“A few months later Violent J called me and was like, ‘Hey, I was relistening to that. Do you really want to do commentary?’”
There wasn’t much time to think about it either. Amico said Violent J called him at the beginning of the week, and only days later he was expected to hit the road for two weeks.
“I think he called me on a Monday and I had to leave for two weeks on a Thursday. And I said, ‘Fuck it.’ Fortune favors the bold.”
Amico then got on an RV and went on the road with ICP, turning what began as an emergency commentary spot into an ongoing place behind the desk for JCW. It’s the kind of wrestling story that comes down to one person not showing up, somebody else getting a shot and Violent J deciding he liked what he heard. Amico’s JCW run might never have happened if that Bloodymania commentator had made it to the show, but one unexpected opening was all he needed to get his foot in the door.
What do you think of Zack Amico’s story about Violent J personally bringing him into JCW commentary? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
