WWE superstar Ryback recently spoke with PressofAtlanticCity.com to promote the upcoming WWE Supershow event from AC on March 30th and of course, WrestleMania 29. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
How Tough It Is Being A WWE Superstar:
“I grew up playing baseball and football, and I was very successful at both of those. I’ve seen guys come in and try to do this and mentally and physically fall apart instantly. It is by far the hardest thing I’ve done in my life –– the things we put our bodies through in a day-in and day-out basis and the injuries we suffer.”
“Anybody who questions the legitimacy of WWE, that’s all you need to know. I literally broke my ankle in three places, and I kept running as my foot dangled and finished the match, whereas one of the premier NFL player fractures his ankle in one place, and goes down and he’s done. The injuries are real, and the emotions we bring out are real –– it’s the best form of entertainment that money can buy.”
WrestleMania 29:
“WrestleMania is the biggest event of the year for us. It’s something you’ve got to see in person to see how magnificent it is. It’s the culmination of a year of hard work. You’ve got the biggest matches and angles going into one night. It’s a lot of fun –– a lot of excitement. You pack in anywhere from 50-, 60-, 70,000 people in an outside arena and it’s just something you’ve got to see.”
During an interview with Ring Rust Radio, Ken Shamrock revealed that he is seeking a return to WWE. Highlights from the interview are as follows:
On a return to WWE and how winning the World Title would cement his legacy:
“Oh, definitely. I’ve tried to reach out, but I’ve been hitting some walls. I’m not sure if my messages are getting through or not. In my career, if you follow my career and watched everything that I’ve ever done from the time I was in high school to where I’m at now, I’ve always been able to reach the pinnacle. In football, I was able to win championships and go to bowl games in college, be an All-American linebacker and there were a lot of things I was able to accomplish. In my professional career, every time I jumped into an organization, I always reached the top and the title. I know with NWA with Jeff Jarrett, TNA, I was their first heavyweight champion, so I was able to reach that pinnacle. With Pancrase, I was their first champion and was also able to bring it to the U.S. using my character. I also reached the level in the UFC as a heavyweight champion, one of the first of all time, also rookie of the year, fighter of the year. I got into pro wrestling, I’ve got tag team champion, Intercontinental champion, King of the Ring. There were several times where I wished I had got that opportunity, and probably should have had that opportunity, to at least challenge for the Heavyweight Championship belt. I never got that opportunity, and I’m not sure why, but it is what it is. I will keep fighting to try and get that opportunity and close this thing up to be probably one of the only persons in sports history to go into several different organizations and become world champion in every one of them.”
On Brock Lesnar and the transition from wrestling to MMA:
“People go, ‘What about Brock Lesnar?’ Brock Lesnar was not a true MMA fighter. Brock Lesnar was basically eye candy for MMA. He came in there, he was big, he was strong, he won a few matches, he captured the title and then he was out. Not much of a career. He is a true pro wrestler and amateur wrestler, so I think it’s a lot easier making the transition from being an amateur wrestler and pro wrestler into MMA than it is being an MMA fighter into pro wrestling.”
On Vince McMahon vs. Dana White: “That would be awesome.
The only thing is that this is what I know about Dana [White], and you can ask anyone, Dana always talks and talks and talks, but I’ve never seen him do anything. I saw Vince talk, talk and talk, and he has done something, he has gotten into the ring, he has participated with the fighters and the wrestlers. I have not seen Dana White do that. I’ve seen him call out Tito [Ortiz] like they were gonna fight, and it never happened. I’ve never seen Dana interact with his business the way that Vince has. Vince has stepped in the ring against guys he’s pissed off. Hey, you gotta give him credit for that. He stepped into the lion’s den, per say. He did step into the Lion’s Den one time!”
Check out these pictures of the WrestleMania 29 set being built including a huge Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. The set was manufactured by Rod Wraps in Miami, FL.
What He’s Doing Now Since Leaving WWE:
“I’ve been keeping busy. I’ve been making personal appearances as well as doing independent bookings. I’ve been working on a movie project locally with some writers and a production group. It has a good script, and a medium-budget of about $1-to-1.5 million. There’s also a reality show that I’ve been in talks with.
“I also have a legends deal with WWE, so I go in from time-to-time for DVD commentaries, and I sometimes go to developmental (NXT). It gives them an extra set of eyes who doesn’t necessarily get to see the guys as often, and can give them a different perspective.”
WWE Developmental:
“For a long time, when I went to any sort of developmental, it seems like every guy there had a cookie-cutter look to them. Just a really generic look. Now there are a lot of guys that really look like professional wrestlers. I feel really comfortable with the new group that’s there right now. They’ll be able to continue the business.”
WrestleMania Memories:
“The first Wrestlemania I was involved with was the Michaels/Hall ladder match, when I was Shawn’s bodyguard. I still think that was one of the greatest matches of all time. A year later, me and Shawn were headlining. And then I co-headlined with ‘Taker the next year. I was involved with some great moments in the early-to-mid-90s.”
Being a Part of the Undertaker’s Streak:
“It’s funny because I didn’t believe that there was truly anything special when I wrestled ‘Taker at the time. There was no inkling of a streak or anything. The guys like me that are earlier in the streak are just lucky to be part of the streak. Now it’s such a big thing, and one of the really special things in the business. I really don’t think the streak is ever going to end, and if it was up to me, I wouldn’t ever have it end.”
Paul Heyman recently spoke with Philly.com to promote WrestleMania 29. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
The City of Philadelphia:
“There is no Paul Heyman in 2013 without the city of Philadelphia. Each city has a unique flavor… and Philadelphia is the reason why ECW became such a global phenomenon and in turn solidified my reputation and afforded me the opportunity to build my reputation that I would have never had in any other city in America or in the world for that matter.”
Working with CM Punk and Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania:
“How could it be bad for me? I have two of the three main events properly represented on the biggest Wrestlemania of all time in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. How could things be going anything but splendidly for me? I’m ecstatic with my current role in WWE. I get to work every Monday with my two best friends: Brock Lesnar and CM Punk. I have ‘The Beast’ [Lesnar] and ‘The Best’ [Punk].”
Final Hype for Brock vs. Triple H and Punk vs. The Undertaker:
“One, you have a chance to come and witness true history, where The Undertaker’s streak is finally going to be snapped. You get to say that ‘I saw it live when The Undertaker’s streak was broken by CM Punk. Far from least important, you get to sat thank you to Triple H for all of his in-ring contributions to the WWE Universe throughout the years because if you’re a Triple H fan, you’re not going to get to see him wrestle again. This is going to be his last match because Brock Lesnar is going to beat Triple H and this is your chance to say thank you to the The Game.”
Reid Flair, the 25-year-old son of legendary wrestler Ric Flair, has been found dead on Friday, according to multiple sources. Details concerning his passing have not been disclosed.
With his background, Flair was hailed as future wrestling star dating back to high school as he was an accomplished amateur wrestler who achieved numerous awards. His career, however, was sidetracked in 2009 due to a slew of personal issues, including an arrest that found him in possession of black tar heroin.
Following a hiatus from the squared circle, Reid made his in-ring debut for All Japan Wrestling in January, replacing his sick father in a tag team match due to the WWE Hall of Famer suffering a blood clot in his leg. Last month, Reid competed in All Japan’s Excite Series tour, wrestling undercard tag team matches. On March 15, Flair wrestled his first singles match in All Japan, causing Yasufumi Nakanoue to submit with the Figure Four Leglock.
In recent months, there was talk of Reid joining WWE developmental along with his sister, Ashley (NXT Diva Charlotte). WWE did take a look at him, but he was never signed to a contract.
He was scheduled to make independent appearances in Maryland this weekend with his father.
The wrestling world is expressing its shock and support for the Flair family on Twitter in response to the tragic passing of 25 year old Reid Flair. Here are some tweets:
Jim Ross
@JRsBBQ
"Words cannot express our emotions re: death today of Reid Flair the 24 year old son of Ric Flair. Condolences to the Flair family. So sad."
9:52 PM - 29 Mar 13
Kurt Angle
@RealKurtAngle
"To Ric flair and His family, I'm So Sorry for the Loss of Reid, Ric's Son. You Were family to Me. GOD Bless You Ric! I Love U"
5:50 PM - 29 Mar 13
Rowdy Roddy Piper
@R_Roddy_Piper
"My heart is with Ric and Reid Flair today! Reid was my son too!"
6:34 PM - 29 Mar 13
Eric Bischoff
@EBischoff
"Heavy heart. Our thoughts, prayers, and sympathy to Ric Flair and family at the passing of Reid Flair. Such a sad day."
5:51 PM - 29 Mar 13
TAZ
@OfficialTAZ
"Extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Reid Flair. My deepest Condolences to the Ric & his family."
10:18 PM - 29 Mar 13
Bray Wyatt
@WWEBrayWyatt
"God, be with the Flair family on this day of mourning. I'll always remember the good times buddy. R.I.P Reid"
6:08 PM - 29 Mar 13
