Donald Wood from Ring Rust Radio, along with fellow columnists Mike Chiari, Brandon Galvin and recently interviewed TNA and former WWE Star Ken Anderson and the following are some highlights:
YouTube interview: http://youtu.be/G96vrBUjPD4
Ring Rust Radio Episode: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ringrustradio/2015/02/24/ring-rust-radio–feb-24-w-tna-star-mr-anderson-and-wwe-fastlane-raw-review
Donald Wood: You make your triumphant return to the ring on Friday night’s episode of Impact Wrestling. What has the transition from Spike TV to Destination America been like for you personally and what is the backstage feeling after early success on the new channel?
Mr. Anderson: Nothing but positivity. At first it went from a network that was pretty large, to a network that was smaller and didn’t have the reach of Spike TV. You’re always sort of tentative and don’t know what the future holds. You look at cases across the board of startup networks and when they get programming that people enjoy, those people call up their cable providers and ask for the packages that include that channel. I’m looking forward to it and it’s a great fit for us. I got a chance to go up to LA a few weeks ago and spend some time with the folks from Destination America. They are phenomenal people and are excited to have us on their network.
Mike Chiari: TNA has always been really well received in the UK, and that’s been evident during the recent episodes of Impact. And since your return to television you’ve formed an alliance with a pair of Brits in Rockstar Spud and Mandrews. In your opinion, what do you think it is about TNA that makes it so hugely popular in Europe and also attracts so many international stars to the roster as well?
Mr. Anderson: I think the obvious thing is we have a broader reach over there. WWE is on paid TV over there and we are on free TV so we reach more homes. When we go over there, it is my favorite place to wrestle. The crowds are so much fun and so into every match. The last few years we have put on shows that are three and a half hours long, and sometimes that can get tiresome for the crowd. That’s not the case with the UK, they stick with us and it’s a lot of fun. Also I think as far as drawing in more UK fans, the fact we have been doing the British Boot Camp for the past two years helps. Rockstar Spud he is just on fire and the sky is the limit for him. He gets it, he loves wrestling, he is passionate about the business, entertaining, and always coming up with new ideas.
Brandon Galvin: You’ve always been one of the most entertaining, outspoken and unapologetic wrestlers on the mic. How do you know when to draw the line and have you ever thought about doing commentary or starting your own podcast?
Mr. Anderson: Yes I have and I actually have my own podcast. I started it about eight months ago on DVMPE.com, ITunes, Stitcher, and it’s called “Push the Button”. The interesting thing about is it’s not about wrestling, it is it has nothing to do with wrestling. It’s the things that interest me outside of the wrestling world. Things like politics and religion, things that are supposed to be the most important things in peoples’ lives but for some reason were not supposed to talk about these things. I always wanted to sort of have an open discussion, be able to talk about them, not get mad or upset, and walk away as friends. My co-host happens to be a Christian and I am not. We talk about and delve into all sorts of different topics.
Donald Wood: As a two-time world heavyweight champion in TNA, you are one of the most decorated wrestlers on the roster. Unfortunately, you haven’t held the world title since 2011. As one of the top stars in the company, do you feel this is your year to return to the heavyweight championship scene and where does winning another world title fall on your list of priorities?
Mr. Anderson: That is always something in the back of every wrestler’s head I think. I don’t think you should get into this business if it’s not your ultimate goal. Well, maybe I shouldn’t say that, everybody has different goals but that’s always been my goal. I think I went through some transitions in the last few years, and this last year I really focused my energy back into the business. I have done this for 15, almost 16 years now, and you go through those weaning periods. I’ve fallen in love with the business again and that’s definitely on my list of goals to achieve this year.
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.
