- Mike Mooneyham of The Post & Courier spoke with Scott Hall’s son Cody, who was featured in the recent ESPN:60 documentary. Below are some highlights from the interview:
Wrestling being a part of his life:
“Growing up with my dad as a wrestler has given me an extra appreciation for it, and all that it entails, so it has always been in my head as to if I could do it too. I have yet to have a calling to a certain profession, but if there is one, this would be it. It makes sense to start here. I know I have what it takes, and a whole lot more to bring to the table.”
When he knew he wanted to be a wrestler:
“It was the night that we met Uncle Kev (Kevin Nash) at TGI Friday’s for dinner after a TNA show. While we were eating, fans were coming up and asking for his autograph. Kevin said to them, ‘Do you know who this is?’ and pointed to me. He told them I was Scott Hall’s son, and they wanted mine too. We were sitting beside each other at the table signing autographs and taking pictures together. It was pretty awesome.”
His relationship with Scott:
“For a long time we have had a non-existent and strained relationship. I felt that his time was running out. I didn’t want him to leave with unfinished business or regrets, so I was trying to get to know him the best I could, in the time he has left. I wanted to make him proud of me, too, so I tried to do whatever it took.”
“I left because of the anguish of watching my dad kill himself with his addictions. It became too hard for me to witness this every day, and no matter how much I tried to help him, nothing changed. Eventually there came a point where I couldn’t live around it any longer.”
“My dad has told me on a hundred occasions it was his dream for me to follow in his footsteps and to see me get to the point he was and take it even further, and as long as I can avoid his vices I can have all the success imaginable.”
“I want to remember my dad as just a dad, not a wrestler, but the guy who was there when I rode without the training wheels or who waited for me by the bus stop when he was home. As long as I have those memories, that’s how he will always be to me in the end.”
Wrestling being a part of his life:
“Growing up with my dad as a wrestler has given me an extra appreciation for it, and all that it entails, so it has always been in my head as to if I could do it too. I have yet to have a calling to a certain profession, but if there is one, this would be it. It makes sense to start here. I know I have what it takes, and a whole lot more to bring to the table.”
When he knew he wanted to be a wrestler:
“It was the night that we met Uncle Kev (Kevin Nash) at TGI Friday’s for dinner after a TNA show. While we were eating, fans were coming up and asking for his autograph. Kevin said to them, ‘Do you know who this is?’ and pointed to me. He told them I was Scott Hall’s son, and they wanted mine too. We were sitting beside each other at the table signing autographs and taking pictures together. It was pretty awesome.”
His relationship with Scott:
“For a long time we have had a non-existent and strained relationship. I felt that his time was running out. I didn’t want him to leave with unfinished business or regrets, so I was trying to get to know him the best I could, in the time he has left. I wanted to make him proud of me, too, so I tried to do whatever it took.”
“I left because of the anguish of watching my dad kill himself with his addictions. It became too hard for me to witness this every day, and no matter how much I tried to help him, nothing changed. Eventually there came a point where I couldn’t live around it any longer.”
“My dad has told me on a hundred occasions it was his dream for me to follow in his footsteps and to see me get to the point he was and take it even further, and as long as I can avoid his vices I can have all the success imaginable.”
“I want to remember my dad as just a dad, not a wrestler, but the guy who was there when I rode without the training wheels or who waited for me by the bus stop when he was home. As long as I have those memories, that’s how he will always be to me in the end.”