Digest

This podcast features a candid conversation with a professional wrestler, covering a wide range of topics from personal anecdotes and fitness transformations to the intricacies of wrestling storytelling and career milestones. The guest shares insights into his journey, including his dedication to mobility and training, his reflections on the future of his wrestling career, and how he handles creative fulfillment and disappointments. He delves into memorable matches, particularly his Hell in a Cell encounters and the significance of his championship wins, while also discussing his rivalries and the dynamics of the modern wrestling landscape. The conversation touches upon his growth as a performer, his experiences with other wrestlers like Brock Lesnar and John Cena, and the impact of the pandemic on his career. Personal aspects are also shared, including the loss of his pet and his daily gratitude practice, offering a comprehensive look at his life both inside and outside the ring.

Outlines

00:00:00

Early Career, Fitness, and Wrestling Philosophy

The podcast opens with lighthearted chat about Starbucks orders and personal anecdotes, transitioning into a discussion about a "dangerous addiction" to Crumble Cookies. The guest then details a significant fitness transformation that began nine months prior, prompted by a break from wrestling. He elaborates on working with a trainer, focusing on mobility and diet to combat the physical toll of wrestling, and highlights the benefits of mobility work and CARs for flexibility and injury prevention. The guest reflects on the future of his wrestling career, emphasizing creative fulfillment and the desire to continue as long as he's happy and fans are engaged. He discusses handling personal disappointments by focusing on the bigger picture and character development.

00:06:36

Wrestling Dynamics, Fan Reactions, and Career Frustrations

The guest shares a deeply personal and embarrassing experience of performing to a silent crowd, emphasizing the importance of fan reaction. The conversation explores the modern wrestling landscape where lines between good and evil are blurred, reflecting real-life complexities. He discusses the continued relevance of "babyface" and "heel" roles and how he navigates these dynamics. The guest questions Cody Rhodes' championship win due to a contract clause and expresses frustration over perceived breaches. He reflects on a recurring theme of being "screwed" in his career and questions fan perception. The importance of reminding fans of past events due to short-term memory is discussed, along with differing fan reactions in Europe versus America.

00:12:07

Championship Wins and Career Turning Points

The guest describes the unexpected nature of his recent championship win, its impact on SmackDown, and how it re-energized Cody Rhodes and legitimized his own position. He recounts the emotional experience of winning the championship and walking out in Glasgow, Scotland. The conversation touches on the remarkable representation of Scottish wrestlers in WWE championships. Key career moments are identified, emphasizing organic rise and the impact of eliminating Brock Lesnar from the Royal Rumble as a pivotal point.

00:17:05

The CM Punk Feud and Hell in a Cell Masterpiece

The guest reflects on the CM Punk feud as a defining moment, showcasing his capabilities as a storyteller and performer. He shares his current feelings about CM Punk and discusses the significance of their Hell in a Cell match, considering it a masterpiece despite the physical toll. He humorously reveals his streak of never winning a Hell in a Cell match and expresses determination to break it. The guest recounts a terrifying fall during a Hell in a Cell match, detailing the physical consequences and the moment he feared his career was over. He explains the strategy behind the CM Punk Hell in a Cell match, focusing on raw physicality. He describes realizing the match's epic scale, particularly after significant blood loss, and considers it a childhood dream realized and his personal masterpiece.

00:24:01

Potential Matches and Career Highlights

The guest discusses various significant moments in his career, including championship wins and the emotional impact of presenting the title to his wife. He expresses enthusiasm for a potential match with Nick Aldis, sensing crowd engagement and highlighting their history. The guest compares his feud with Jacob Fatu to a "Godzilla vs. Kong" dynamic. He describes the palpable tension with Nick Aldis and their long acquaintance. The guest reflects on Nick Aldis's physique and wrestling prowess, recalling early encounters and the potential for a brutal match. He discusses the unusual dark match main event after his 2020 WrestleMania win and highlights the unique achievement of defeating both Brock Lesnar and Big Show on the same night. He differentiates between the feeling of winning the championship and a specific WrestleMania moment.

00:29:01

Brock Lesnar's Generosity and WrestleMania 40 Vindication

The guest praises Brock Lesnar's willingness to put him over, highlighting Lesnar's character and how he makes opponents look good. He recounts the moment Brock Lesnar acknowledged him, indicating Lesnar's approval. The guest describes the emotional significance of his WrestleMania 40 victory, the validation from Seth Rollins, and the joy of sharing the moment with his wife and fans. He clarifies his relationship with Seth Rollins as a professional rivalry driven by a mutual desire to be the best. The guest emphasizes the importance of savoring career moments.

00:32:43

Social Media Persona, Promo Skills, and Career Evolution

The guest expresses mixed feelings about Priest's victory, acknowledging friendship while admitting personal disappointment. He discusses his "savage" social media persona, attributing it to British humor. The guest reflects on his growth as a promo cutter, crediting his time on the independent circuit for developing his confidence and voice. He explains how his release from WWE allowed him to find his voice and improve his game on the independent circuit. He shares how Mick Foley recognized his transformation and advised Triple H to keep an eye on him. The guest believes he needed to step away from WWE to find himself and gain confidence. He humorously discusses the perceived "second puberty" that changed his voice and accent, and his pursuit of dual citizenship. He fondly recalls a recent 3MB reunion at Jinder Mahal's wedding.

00:37:36

Acting Career, Wrestling Feats, and Business Decisions

The guest discusses recurring collaborations with Dave Bautista, highlighting how Bautista recommended him for roles. He expresses a philosophy of taking opportunities as they arise. He humorously proposes a recurring role where he is consistently murdered by Dave Bautista. The guest addresses online speculation about a connection with Henry Cavill. He details making Kurt Angle tap out to his own Ankle Lock submission. The guest proudly recounts being the only person to kick out of Baron Corbin's "End of Days" finisher. He explains how business decisions are made for the greater good of the company.

00:47:54

Missed Opportunities and Character Development

The guest reflects on the "what if" scenario of winning at Clash at the Castle, acknowledging it would have been a huge moment but questioning if it would have led to his current storyline. He identifies the loss at Clash at the Castle and subsequent events as the beginning of his character's downward spiral. The guest acknowledges fan disappointment over perceived missed opportunities but emphasizes that these setbacks are integral to his character's ongoing story. He discusses having personal conversations with management about his feelings and creative direction. He explains that the larger picture of WrestleMania requires surprises and big matches, justifying recent creative decisions. He defends his actions against Cody Rhodes as justified within the storyline.

00:51:38

Canceled Matches, Legacy, and Wrestling Philosophy

The guest expresses disappointment over a canceled match with John Cena, lamenting the missed opportunity. He reveals that multiple planned matches with John Cena were changed. The guest reflects on learning from John Cena and expresses satisfaction with Cena's recent success. He discusses a past pitch for a different match that evolved into the AJ match and expresses a desire for more mic time with John Cena. The speaker reflects on being part of Undertaker's last match, discussing Undertaker's mentorship and the honor of being in his final public match. Following a disappointing previous match, the speaker details their effort to ensure Undertaker had a memorable final performance. The speaker recounts an early experience highlighting the importance of presentation and awareness in the ring.

00:55:37

Championship Aspirations and Storytelling Focus

The speaker discusses being one US title away from a Grand Slam championship. They emphasize that their primary focus is on compelling storylines rather than solely on championship titles. The speaker describes their current approach to wrestling as story-driven, balancing personal creative ideas with those from the creative team, and prioritizing physical well-being. They contrast their past mindset of entitlement with their current appreciation for the journey. The speaker discusses their and Cody's paths of leaving WWE, reinventing themselves, and achieving success upon their return.

00:59:31

Advice for Aspiring Wrestlers and Finding Identity

The speaker advises aspiring wrestlers to gain experience, stay busy, and focus on areas that create buzz and allow for self-reinvention. They encourage wrestlers to avoid imitating others and instead focus on developing a unique identity and finding their voice to emotionally connect with the audience. Drew McIntyre shares how he was "shamed" into improving his fashion sense. The speaker highlights a match against Sheamus during the pandemic as a personal point of pride. They discuss a favorite triple threat match, noting the storytelling elements.

01:06:40

In-Depth Conversations, Reality Blurring, and WrestleMania Excitement

The speaker contrasts the rushed nature of typical interviews with the value of longer, more relaxed conversations. They discuss how online interactions and pushing boundaries can create compelling narratives that resonate with fans, blurring the lines between real and kayfabe. The speaker expresses that work is far from boring due to the excitement surrounding WrestleMania and the need to maintain momentum.

01:08:01

Personal Loss and Daily Gratitude

The speaker shares the recent passing of their beloved cat, Chaz, and the profound grief associated with the loss. They reflect on the unique and unconditional love provided by pets. The speaker shares their practice of expressing gratitude daily with their wife, highlighting its importance in their life.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the guest's Starbucks order?

  The guest's Starbucks order was a nitro cold brew with almond milk.

• How did the guest describe the difficulty of overcoming a Crumble Cookie addiction?

  The guest humorously stated that it felt easier to get off drugs than to get off Crumble Cookies.

• What prompted the guest's significant fitness transformation?

  The guest's fitness transformation began after a rare five-week break from wrestling, allowing him to honestly assess his health and make changes.

• What is the significance of "CARs" in the context of mobility work?

  CARs, or Controlled Articular Rotations, are exercises that create space in the joints, improving mobility and flexibility, particularly in the hips, knees, and shoulders.

• How does the guest handle personal disappointments in his wrestling career?

  The guest now focuses on the bigger picture and character development, understanding that personal disappointment can sometimes serve the overall narrative.

• What was the guest's most embarrassing wrestling moment?

  The guest described performing to a completely silent crowd after a major match, calling it "death" and a deeply depressing experience.

• How does the guest view the current blurring of lines between babyfaces and heels?

  He sees it as a reflection of real-life complexities, where audience reactions can be unpredictable and depend on the specific situation.

• What is the guest's perspective on Cody Rhodes' championship win and contract clauses?

  The guest questions the legitimacy of Cody Rhodes' rematch, citing a contract clause that he believes should have prevented it, expressing frustration over perceived rule-bending.

• What is the guest's "streak" in Hell in a Cell matches?

  The guest has never won a Hell in a Cell match, having lost every one he has participated in, humorously referring to it as a "reverse streak."

• How did the guest describe the CM Punk feud and their Hell in a Cell match?

  He considered the feud and the Hell in a Cell match a "masterpiece" and a moment of "magic," showcasing his skills as a storyteller and performer.

Show Notes