WWE Cruiserweight Classic 2016: Exclusive Interview with Clement Petiot
By Evan Gomes
Tristan Archer, a.k.a. Clement Petiot of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, joined Daily DDT for an interview.
The first episode of the Cruiserweight Classic aired on Wednesday to the delight of many wrestling fans. The night featured four tremendous matchups, and one that caught the eye of many was the battle between former Ring of Honor standout Cedric Alexander and French national Clement Petiot.
Petiot, nicknamed the French Revolution, has been wrestling in France and internationally as Tristan Archer. The grappler was trained in the squared circle by Lance Storm and Joey Ryan. Still young at 30 years of age, Archer has degrees in education and sport law and legislation on top of his in-ring skills.
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The Cruiserweight Classic competitor gave Daily DDT a few minutes of his time to talk about wrestling, working at the Performance Centre, and his future goals in the wrestling world.
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Evan Gomes, Daily DDT: I guess the best question to start with is tell me about Tristan Archer the wrestler. How would you describe your style?
Clement Petiot: I’m a kind of chameleon. I change my style with my opponent. If he’s a high flyer, I will do everything to keep him on the floor and keep it close to me. If he’s bigger or stronger than me, I will work faster and put some high flying in my move set.
EG: How long have you been wrestling now?
CP: I started in 2010, so 6 years now.
EG: What was it like being trained by Lance Storm and Joey Ryan, and how did they influence your style?
CP: Lance [Storm] gave me all the basics. Without his training, I wouldn’t have my career, even if it is still the beginning. He’s an amazing trainer! Joey [Ryan] taught me a different style, the California style! It was a different way to wrestle and this is what I love about wrestling; everything is possible!
EG: So true! All the different styles can come together. Speaking of styles coming together, the Cruiserweight Classic is just that: styles and competitors coming together. How was that experience for you?
CP: It was great! Something like [the CWC] has never happened in the past. Being a part of it, it just a dream. I enjoyed every minute of it!
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EG: What was your reaction when you got to the Performance Centre? Had you ever seen a facility like that before?
CP: I was excited! 5 rings, a gym and all the other facilities… just the best place on earth for a wrestler.
EG: Your match against Cedric Alexander was one that had people talking after the first episode. What’d you think of the match?
CP: I had to wait like everyone else to watch it, and I used to watch my matches before having any feedback about them. But for this one, as soon as I left the ring, I felt it like was good. Like the fact that Cedric and I “click” well. And now that I have seen it, I still have that feeling!
EG: I’d have to agree. You and Cedric just seemed to click off the bat. So after the CWC, what’s next for you? What are your future goals for wrestling?
CP: I don’t know yet but definitely not giving up wrestling. My goals are to wrestle more and more, face a lot of different talents to improve my skills a lot more. And of course, keep focusing on [making it to] WWE. My dream was to be a part of it, and now that I have put a step in it, I want to be a complete part of it!
EG: One last question: what got you into wrestling?
CP: I have done years of study. After my first Mastery degree, I just wanted to do something which means something to me. I’ve wanted to be a wrestler since I was six years old, but in France wrestling is not as big as in the U.S., so I had to find a solution. I just left my country to learn with one of the best in the world.
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With a strong look, a good showing in the first round against Cedric Alexander, and a style that is exciting to watch, this definitely isn’t the last we’ve seen of Clement Petiot, a.k.a. Tristan Archer, on this side of the pond.