WWE star Big Show was recently interviewed by Sports Illustrated's Extra Mustard, and he spoke on a number of topics, including his basketball days at Wichita State, WrestleMania, and the crowds in New York and New Jersey. The following are interview highlights:
WrestleMania returns to the NYC area next week for the first time in nearly a decade. Is pro wrestling’s flagship event any different when it’s in New York?
Big Show: It’s completely different. New York and New Jersey fans are like no other fans anywhere in the world. It’s funny because New York is known for being competitive. New York likes champions. If you’re not pulling your weight, New York lets you know. Trust me: If you have a crappy match, New York fans will let you know right in the middle of it. They’ll chant boring. They’ll chant you suck. They’ll chantyou messed up. The pressure to do well is always a little bit higher in New York. But like anything, that pressure makes you better.
So the only thing that I’m a little concerned about is the weather. Because, you know, I’m not wearing much. I’m wearing Spandex. It’s gonna be a little chilly out there.
What can you tell us about your college basketball career?
Big Show: My college experience at Wichita State was definitely a learning curve. I had a great time at Wichita State. It’s a great university. I love the program. I chose Wichita State specifically because they didn’t have a football program. Wichita State was all about basketball and baseball — and we all know I have a strike zone the size of Nebraska so I don’t think I would have made it as a baseball player.
The basketball program had a lot of potential and I think that was one of the reasons I made the decision. I really liked Coach [Mike] Cohen at the time, who recruited me. I liked the university. I liked the town. The people in Wichita are very supportive of their athletic programs. Wichita’s a fun place. It’s a great place to go to school. It’s a big university, but at the same time it’s not too big. The program was awesome. The colors were cool with the black and gold. I still haven’t figured out exactly what a Shocker is. People ask me all the time: “It’s a … shock … of … wheat … I don’t know?”
You can read much more by clicking on the above link.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
