There are some interviews that feel more like catching up with an old friend than conducting press, and speaking with Vinny Pacifico was one of those conversations.
As someone who spent years watching Ring of Honor during its golden era, it was particularly cool to hear Pacifico talk about where his journey began. When Delirious came up, Pacifico immediately lit up, explaining that Delirious and Cheeseburger were among the people who trained him. Looking back on those early days, he described ROH as the place that "gave me a great start" and allowed him to learn "the craft from the best in the world," calling that time "the best time of my life."
That foundation is obvious when talking to him. Pacifico has the kind of enthusiasm that can't be manufactured, the sort of energy that comes from someone who genuinely loves being part of the business. It also explains why Mr. Reset and the Society of Turnbuckle & Bone feels like such a natural fit for him.
The surreal wrestling-horror hybrid follows a secret society pulling the strings behind professional wrestling, manipulating careers and identities from the shadows. While the final product feels incredibly ambitious and intentionally chaotic, Pacifico revealed that the project wasn't always envisioned as a feature film. According to him, the team started with a basic premise, shot material, and gradually discovered what the project wanted to become. As they continued building on the script and expanding the story, what began as an idea evolved into something much larger, eventually finding distribution on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube TV.
What attracted Pacifico most was how unique the project felt. During our conversation, he repeatedly emphasized that the film was attempting something different from traditional horror or wrestling content. Praising director Jedi Koszewski's vision, he told me that the film's style was "unlike anything I've seen before," which is a pretty accurate description of what ultimately ended up on screen.
Watching Mr. Reset often feels like being dropped into a wrestling fever dream. The flashing lights, distorted audio, rapid-fire editing, and experimental visuals create an experience that's almost sensory overload. Pacifico laughed when trying to describe it himself, comparing the movie to "watching a movie on crack cocaine," thanks to the barrage of strobes, music, and imagery constantly flying at the audience.
What makes it all work is the authenticity underneath the madness. Unlike many first-time actors, Pacifico wasn't stepping completely outside his comfort zone. In fact, one reason he was able to settle into the role so naturally was because the filmmakers wanted the same character traits and personality that fans had already seen from him in wrestling. He admitted it felt like a "little cheat code" because he was essentially playing a version of a character he had spent the better part of a decade developing inside the ring. Still, Mr. Reset became personal for reasons that had little to do with gimmicks or storylines.
Beneath the masks and conspiracies is a story about chasing success, and that theme resonated deeply with Pacifico. Having started wrestling at just 14 years old, he's experienced the highs and lows that come with pursuing a dream. During our conversation, he spoke candidly about dealing with bullying, criticism, self-doubt, and the pressure of constantly feeling the need to prove himself. He recalled being told he wasn't tall enough, marketable enough, or physically imposing enough, experiences that mirror some of the struggles portrayed in the film. That's why, as he explained, Mr. Reset "kind of peels back and shows that we are human beings" who deal with anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and the relentless desire for more.
That perspective adds an extra layer to the film because Pacifico isn't just playing a wrestler chasing validation. He's drawing from years of real-life experience.
Even now, with acting opportunities starting to pile up, that hunger hasn't disappeared. Pacifico openly admitted that he's currently accomplishing things he never imagined possible, but he's still driven to keep pushing forward. As he put it, he's "doing more than I'd ever even imagined I'd be doing," yet he still wants to "keep chasing." For him, that's simply life as a performer. Fortunately, that drive is opening doors beyond professional wrestling.
Alongside Mr. Reset, Pacifico is continuing to build an impressive acting résumé that includes the upcoming anthology horror film The Hours That Keep Us. Speaking about the project, his excitement was obvious. He praised director Tommy Dwyer and spoke enthusiastically about joining a cast that includes Paige VanZant, Mickey Gall, Zack Ward, Chelsea Bray, and several personalities from completely different corners of entertainment. What excites him most is the collision of worlds, with wrestling, MMA, gaming, streaming, and traditional film all sharing the same space.
If there is a trend emerging in his acting career, it's horror, and Pacifico certainly doesn't seem to mind. In fact, he practically beams when discussing the genre, telling me that he loves horror and couldn't be happier to find himself landing so many projects within it. While he's interested in eventually tackling action movies, comedies, voice acting, and even family-friendly projects, horror remains a genre he's thrilled to be associated with.
What stood out most throughout our conversation wasn't just Pacifico's passion for wrestling or acting. It was his gratitude. Despite touring the world, wrestling for major promotions, and now breaking into film, he still speaks like someone who's grateful for every opportunity and determined to earn the next one. That's probably why this transition feels so natural.
Wrestling taught him how to perform, improvise, tell stories, and connect with audiences. Acting simply gives him another stage. Whether he's portraying Power Punch in Mr. Reset and the Society of Turnbuckle & Bone or preparing for his next horror role, the same qualities continue to shine through: relentless work ethic, genuine charisma, and an unwavering belief that the next big opportunity is still out there waiting.
After spending some time talking with him, it's hard not to believe he's right. And as someone who grew up watching ROH and hearing stories about the Delirious-era dojo, I've got one more item on my to-do list: the next time Vinny Pacifico makes his way to Houston, I'm grabbing a ticket. His film career is clearly on the rise, but I still want to see him do what started it all.
Jessie Hobson