Jake “The Snake” Roberts sits down to discuss his health, DDP Yoga and the legendary feud he had with our next guest “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase. They both relive their epic WrestleMania 6 match and breakdown the psychology of how to put together a program and tell a story that is still cherished to this day.
I feel absolutely unbelievable. To go from where I was to where I am now in the last three years it seems like a crazy roller coaster ride. I had given up on life. I am a poster-boy now. I showed what you can do with the help of DDP Yoga and that you can still have good times in your life.
How has it been keeping up with the program:
It’s not bad. It’s not hard work because being skinny is good. It’s about doing the right things and making sure the next day you wake up with a smile on your face because it makes it a whole lot easier. When you start off slow and build up gradually and you do it smart after a while it becomes second nature. Your body starts to really feel good.
The biggest obstacle in staying so dedicated:
Making the decision to do it was real scary and I’ll be honest with you I didn’t think I would last more than a week. I was drinking and doing cocaine every day and to quit that cold turkey was hard. Nobody does that cold turkey, but I did. Once I got started it was actually easy. Each day I just looked at as one day and then another day, then another and it just started to add up and the next you know I’m on one month, two months, three months and your off.
Standout moments in his Hall of Fame career:
Definitely Mid-South where The Grappler (Len Denton) and I invented the DDT, and of course anytime wrestling Andre (The Giant) was awesome. But Ricky Steamboat was one of the best I worked with no doubt. I enjoyed the time with him. That DDT on the floor in Providence was not a good idea and I tried to warn him but nobody listened to me (laughs). I still have a lot of great moments left. I’ve been so very fortunate to be in the ring with some of the greatest superstars to ever live.
Working Macho Man Randy Savage and slapping Elizabeth:
It was really strong with Randy. He was really high octane. It was a fight every night but we worked hard and absolutely punished each other. When I slapped Elizabeth, he wanted to kill me but you know what, he wasn’t the only one.
– We’ve noted how WWE was planning a NXT live event for New York City during SummerSlam weekend and that the event could be shown on the WWE Network as a live special. Triple H posted the following teaser today and says he will be making an announcement on Friday:
– Last night’s episode of WWE Tough Enough averaged 1.047 million viewers, down 13% from its premiere last week, which garnered 1.209 million viewers. As noted, the fifth season of the show in 2011, which was hosted by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, usually hovered around 2.4 million – 2.8 million viewers.
– The WWE RAW two-hour special replay that aired before last night’s episode of WWE Tough Enough averaged 604,000 viewers.
– The half hour first look at the new season of Total Divas on E! last night averaged 490,000 viewers.
WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham is interested in taking Dusty Rhodes’ old job of helping NXT talent develop promo. Graham posted the following on his Facebook this week:
Hello wrestling fans, this is Superstar Billy Graham. With all of the rumors going around about my interest or lack of, concerning a position for me with the NXT that my dear friend Dusty Rhodes had, I thought that was necessary to give you a direct statement from me to set the record straight. First off, I have been planning on moving back to Florida for some time now. My wife of 35 years, Valerie, is from Tampa and all of her family lives there. Also my daughter lives in West Palm Beach.
This morning, Tuesday, June 30th 2015 I sent an email directly to Vince informing him that if the position that Dusty once had has not yet been filled, that I am very much interested in taking it since I am moving back to live in Florida . I have not heard back from Vince or any of his staff as he is a very busy man. I am sure at some point I will get an answer from Vince concerning this question.
About my qualifications for this position: It should be obvious that I am qualified for this NXT position of coaching the younger talent about how to to do promos and communicate with the worldwide WWE TV wrestling audience. Also, I am not so stupid that I would try to teach them how to be charismatic to the level of a Dusty Rhodes or myself, one is born with that level of charisma, but a young wrestler can be taught to be more confident in their delivery and bring out their full potential in this area.
About my health: As almost everyone knows, I have had a successful liver transplant. My liver, according to a recent test, is doing extremely good. I feel very robust, alert, and healthy, as the doctors at the world famous Mayo Clinic Hospital here in Phoenix have told me and I train at a 24 hour fitness gym 4 days a week.
As soon as I hear from Mr Vince McMahon regarding the NXT position one way or another, I will post that information on my Facebook. Thank you for your time and every one have a nice day, Superstar Billy Graham.
– Stardust is scheduled to return to action at next week’s WWE TV tapings in Illinois, according to PWInsider.
– JoJo did ring announcing at last night’s WWE TV tapings because Eden was on her way to Singapore for the WWE tour.
– WWE will return to the GIANT Center in Hershey, PA on December 1st for a live SmackDown taping. The pre-sale is WWEHERSHEY.
– Former WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman, who still works for ESPN, told a fan on Twitter that he wants to bring WWE and ESPN together. He then made this tweet, proposing that they take SportsCenter on the road when SummerSlam comes to New York City this year:
"SportsCenter On The Road at Summerslam." How does that sound. Show my bosses the power of @wwe fans by retweeting as many times as possible
Thanks to Ryan Vincent (@WWEMETSFAN) for the following WWE SmackDown spoilers from tonight’s tapings in Hershey, PA:
* The show started with an in-ring promo from Seth Rollins with J&J Security and a RAW recap. Rollins vs. Roman Reigns is announced for the main event and Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt is also announced. Ambrose interrupts and Rollins makes his match for right now
* Bray Wyatt defeated Dean Ambrose clean
* Mark Henry vs. Ryback was announced for later
* Adam Rose attempts to cut a promo but he’s interrupted by King R-Truth. Truth defeats him by pinfall
* Mark Henry is upset and comes out to cut a promo on Ryback. Ryback wins their match by pinfall after Shellshocked
* Brie Bella defeated Naomi with help from Alicia Fox
* The Prime Time Players defeated The Ascension in a non-title match when Titus O’Neil pinned Konnor
* Rusev comes out with Summer Rae to cut a promo on Dolph Ziggler and Lana. Fans were booing them so loudly you could barely hear them. Rusev insulted Lana so bad it seemed to upset Summer. Rusev accidentally called Summer “Lana”
* Seth Rollins cut a promo in the ring saying if Roman Reigns doesn’t come out by the count of 10 then he wins by forfeit. Reigns makes it out but the match ends in DQ when J&J Security attacks Reigns. Ambrose runs out to make the save. Rollins and Noble escape while Reigns and Ambrose destroy Mercury to end SmackDown
In his first interview since his TNA Impact Wrestling departure Gunner comes to The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling to discuss his time in TNA, his opinion of TNA’s creative team and his future in the wrestling business. Known as the “The Modern Day Viking” Gunner has no doubt made an “impact” during his time as a professional wrestler. He has competed as a member of the TNA Impact Wrestling roster since 2009 and has established an impressive resume that includes a pin-fall victory over The Icon Sting, multiple reigns as tag team champion, holding the now defunct TNA TV Title and prior to his time in TNA being the longest reigning NWA National Heavyweight Champion (as Phil Shatter for 763 days). Now as interest in where Gunner lands heats up we get the first look as to where Gunner sees himself landing and what he wants to accomplish as a professional wrestler.
Gunner Shoots on his Departure from TNA Impact Wrestling:
Gunner Praises Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoffs run in TNA:
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Gunner’s departure from TNA Impact:
It’s no big deal. I tend to keep a positive attitude and this is my first interview since I parted ways with them (TNA) last Friday and I look forward to whatever the future holds. Whether it be acting or another wrestling company or promotion, wrestling fans have definitely not seen the last of Gunner. I’ve talked to talent relations and Dixie and thanked them for the opportunity because I’ve been with them since 09 working security and it was just the right time for me to part ways with the company. We left on good terms and I can easily go back and do some more stuff. It is a good standing relationship that we have and I am thankful for the opportunity.
The direction of his character before he left:
When I did the feud last year with James Storm, it was a feud that kind of catapulted my career and catapulted the Gunner character. Once that ended we went on with me and Sam Shaw for a four or five month deal which I really enjoyed because it was a lot of out of ring interaction so it was really building the characters of Sam and Gunner. It really gave Gunner a new side and I felt that me and Sam had a match in Bethlehem, PA that was a real hardcore match that I thought was amazing. The crowd was enjoying it and I felt that guys like me and Sam (who is no longer with the company as well) were after that underutilized. Certain other guys came in and I’ve had no problem with anyone in the locker room in Impact but I do feel like especially my character and me as a person being there since 09 I feel like I was underutilized after that.
An instance where creative missed an opportunity to push him:
When I wrestled Magnus at the main event in Manchester in 2014 I felt like we needed to keep going with what we had, but it was a ball dropped. I don’t know if I did something wrong or the writers got lost, I am just not sure.
Feelings on all of the changes surrounding TNA the past year:
My mindset was always just trying to worry about the Gunner “brand” and who I was and whatever they were giving me. I wasn’t on TV for more than 2 or 3 episodes this year. A lot of reasons are though that TNA gave me the opportunity to go do a couple of movies so that kept me off the screen for a while. When it comes to changes as far as the locker room or the TV “brand” a lot guys all tend to just hope that it is a good direction for the company. Not many people complain, you just go out there and really do your best and what we did and take story lines and make it the best we can. I personally try to keep my nose out of the old political side of professional wrestling because that’s one thing I never cared about anyway. I always worry about my career. I’ve been wrestling since 2001 and I still have many more goals to obtain.
Interest from WWE to join NXT:
I think right now that is internet hearsay. I personally have a 30 day non-compete clause which is what you usually have when you leave a company or they release you, so I can’t even really talk to anybody. Ultimately my goal as a kid was to have that WrestleMania moment. I haven’t touched base with anybody yet. I hope that in the future some doors open and I can at least get my foot in the door down in NXT. Now you have Samoa Joe down there and a bunch of amazing talent as part of that company and I would love an opportunity to work for those guys.
Working with Samoa Joe in TNA:
We worked a bit of house shows together and had a few TV spots together. It’s one guy that I kind of envy Crimson over because Crimson got to run a feud with Joe back in 2013 and there are a few guys that I wanted to work on a continuous basis and he was one of them. I have the utmost respect for him and he taught me so much as far as psychology and somethings different with my character and helping with different moves. He is a locker room leader you definitely listen to because he has been around.
Was he surprised to see Jeff Jarrett returning to TNA:
I was. I had heard the rumors about it last night and saw the tweets and I had a few other guys text me. Im not sure if this is for a cross promotion or this is a one-time thing. Jeffs heart lies in TNA. He founded and started that company. I worked in an Indy show back in 07 and Jeff spoke highly about me and helped me get my foot in the door along with Terry Taylor with TNA. So I guess you can say hes always been a fan of mine. I grew up watching the guy and I respect him. He has always been able to shoot straight with me. I have always had a lot of respect for him. Whatever it is I want to see Impact succeed. I dont want to see TNA fail, I have friends there that have jobs and its just another company that needs to flourish more.
Gunner also relives all of his major TNA feuds and matches including his pin fall victory over The Icon Sting, his opinion of Dixie Carter, teaming with Murphy as Dixies security, joining Immortal, his career prior to TNA as Phil Shatter in the NWA, working Adam Pearce, a dream match with The Undertaker, his WWE Dark Match in 2008 and his goals for the future.
Joining us today on the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling Podcast is one of the most talented, entertaining and charismatic stars in MMA today. He is a former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion and also a former TNA Impact Wrestling Superstar “King Mo” “Muhammad Lawal. “King Mo” is no stranger to speaking his mind and this interview is full of great stories and fascinating insight into the mind of a fighter who backs up what he says. We also get a glimpse at a huge pro wrestling fan who if he had his way would be a full time wrestler and would be fulfilling a lifelong dream to a be a pro wrestling champion.
King Mo on Being a Natural Heel & What He Learned in TNA Impact Wrestling:
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Growing up as a wrestling fan:
I loved the NWA, WCW and Mid-South. The WWE was cool but I always loved WCW. It’s not anything racial at all but it was the black wrestlers that I saw in WCW that seemed more real. In WWE you had people dancing, WCW had Ron Simmons. I loved Ron Simmons. When he beat Vader for the belt I went crazy because you never thought it could happen. But also Booker T and Stevie Ray you saw a big difference and the only guy you saw juking and jiving was 2 Cold Scorpio.
Nearly signing with WWE in 2004 and eventually signing with TNA:
WWE offered me a contract after the Olympic Trials in 2004. I went there and they offered me a developmental deal but I turned it down. Shad Gaspard said to me if I want to win a lightweight title in a fight go do that because wrestling will always be there. So I did that but looking back maybe I should have taken that deal. I made the decision I made and I can live with it. I waited and got an opportunity with TNA and they sent me to OVW and I got a chance to obtain my dreams, granted it didn’t really play out the way I wanted to because I didn’t get to have a match and I was match ready. Things didn’t really work out the way I wanted and Dixie (Carter) was always busy and they didn’t seem to think I was ready and I didn’t get a chance to prove myself.
Initial impressions of the TNA locker room:
It was cool and they are cool people and the locker room was really cool. I had absolutely no problems, they treated me really well with open arms and showed me the ropes. Samoa Joe was really cool to me, Bobby Roode, James Storm it was a real great welcome.
His anticipated Impact Wrestling TV debut:
I was nervous as hell. I just wasn’t trying to be the “Black Glacier”. Because if you remember Glacier didn’t get a “pop” after all that build up and that was the last thing I wanted to do. It all would have failed if that had happened.
Are his MMA Entrances Inspired by Pro Wrestling?:
Pretty much. I figured that everything I’ve done is pro wrestling, kung-fu movies, Heathcliff and Walter Payton. Those things molded my life growing up. Those are things that were most important to me,
Is Training Pro Wrestling harder then MMA?:
Hands down. If people want to say “Mo, you really don’t know what you are talking about”. Find a pro-wrestling school and take some bumps and go through the first few weeks of pro-wrestling school and see how you feel. Go wrestle a match. Phil Baroni didn’t believe and said being a fighter is way tougher and I said it is tough but if you don’t believe me go see and Phil went to FSW (Future Stars Wrestling) and started to complain to me about his “neck, back, shoulders, heels, knees” all being sore from taking bumps. People don’t realize it’s work on your body. Back in the locker room you see guys before they go out to the ring and they are struggling to walk. You see guys like a Dolph Ziggler who is my age and even though he looks good I guarantee that back in the locker room he’d be struggling or Jack Swagger aka Jake Hager is probably struggling because they are always putting their bodies through the ringer for the sake of your entertainment.
The Origin of the Name “King Mo”:
That came from one of my boys because they said I was always king of the crowd. I love that because I am the king of the crowd. They always loved me or hated me. “King Mo” is something that anyone can be. There are kings of all races and cultures so I figured that “King Mo” sounds good. But I am a fan of all the kings of wrestling, “King” Booker and “King” Harley Race. I always loved them and of course Jerry “The King” Lawler is a beast too.
Other Pro Wrestlers competing outside of the wrestling business.
It’s the way you process things. I think (CM) Punk will do good. It all depends on what you learn and what you see. He will probably get someone he can probably beat, he isn’t stupid. They will give him someone who is known but not good. Not for his first fight, I just see them giving him someone that he can beat. If you think about business, CM Punk’s first fight will do one million buys. So why risk it with having him get beat for his first fight. Try to get him a few wins and then see what he can do later. He is serious about it. Let him fight a grappler first, let him fight a striker, let him fight a wrestler. Let him grow and then give him a test. (Brock) came at the right time and then he left at the right time, he made his money. He is smart. You know how wrestlers like to work and trick and prank. Wrestlers are kind of shady anyway, not to bash them but you can’t believe what anybody says. Like when they said Kurt Angle was going to try and make a wrestling comeback. I think he thought about it until he showed up for practice and once he got there realized he wasn’t that committed.
King Mo also discusses his fighting career in great length and covers winning the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship, signing with Bellator, his future fight plans and his favorite pro wrestlers on the Independent Scene.
