Donald Trump details the “surprising” call he got from The Rock this year.
Donald Trump was the guest on this week’s episode of the Six Feet Under podcast. Trump was asking Taker about WWE’s current business outlook, and the company’s large social media following was mentioned.
Taker brought up The Rock, who Trump said called him after he was shot at during a presidential rally on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump said he always thought The Rock did not like him. However, he says The Rock took time to get his phone number from Dana White to check on him.
“I never thought he liked me, and I felt badly because I think he’s a terrific guy. And then Dana White says when I was shot — I took a shot to the ear, you may have heard about it [laughs] — Rock called Dana, said, ‘I want to have his number, I want to have his number. What he did was sort of incredible.’ He considered it bravery, I don’t know, I considered it, ‘What’s going on here?’ But it was very nice actually, The Rock. You might mention that I said that.”
Ace Steel spoke with Bill Pritchard of WrestleZone about his portrayal of Trump during a January 2007 episode of WWE RAW. Steel, dressed as Trump, faced off with a woman dressed like Rosie O’Donnell, referencing their real-life feud. Steel says he has nothing but great memories of the segment, noting how it helped build to WrestleMania 23 and dominated the headlines in mainstream television for weeks. He also said this helped change his perspective on wrestling, and embraced the comedy side of the sport.
Ace Steel on his portrayal of Donald Trump
“What they want was a publicity stunt, really. But I hit a home run with it. And my technical aspect of being a worker at that point came in, you know, the type of worker I was and being able to allow myself just to goof off. That came into play 100% because I was the one who led that match and kept it on track. Even though it was pretty much comedy all through. But it just showed me right, I have nothing but great memories. I was at the Scott Trade Center in St. Louis, a huge venue. Again, just… What a crazy opportunity when you got folks in the back just vying for two minutes of TV time. And I have to do that.”
Steel signed a WWE developmental contract two weeks later, crediting the match for helping him fulfill his childhood dream.
“You got to look back at things like that and just snicker and laugh. And it’s funny that a lot of people have it… Some people want to take a shot, ‘Oh it’s the best thing he’s ever done.’ Whatever. I got to do it. I got to do many other things they don’t know about. You know, I fulfilled— number one was fulfilling my childhood dream of doing this. To be good at it, and to excel, and here, that’s the icing on the cake that I’m still involved in the industry, still doing what I love.”
If you use this transcription, credit the source, h/t WrestleZone and link to this post.
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