Mike Mooneyham of The Charleston Post And Courier has a really good interview up with World Champion Jack Swagger to promote this Tuesday's Smackdown taping in South Carolina. You can read the full article at this link.
Some highlights from the article:
On his fast rise in WWE and winning the World Title:
“It’s been unbelievable. It’s such an incredible honor. I don’t think it’s completely sunk in yet. This last month or so has been so surreal. I’ve tried to enjoy it a much as I can.â€
“It was very fast. Hopefully it says something about the confidence WWE has in me. I intend to prove to WWE and the fans that I am a champion, I am credible and I’m going to be here for awhile.â€
On being a fan of amateur and pro wrestling:
“I’m a fan of all forms of wrestling ... Olympic style, collegiate, professional. Just the larger-than-life atmosphere that comes across on TV is really what drew me in. I was in the fifth or sixth grade, and I really got hooked on the Monday Night Wars. It was really good television.â€
On learning about the history of wrestling:
“One of the first things I did once I signed with WWE was learn about every Oklahoman in the business. Whether it was Cowboy Bill Watts, J.R., Danny Hodge, the late “Dr. Death†Steve Williams, who was a great friend of mine ... all of those guys were instrumental in making UWF (Universal Wrestling Federation) as great as it was. I got to meet Cowboy Bill Watts for the first time at Wrestlemania 25. What a conversation that was. He’s quite a character.â€
His relationship with the legendary Danny Hodge:
“I grew up with his grandson. We’re the same age and we wrestled throughout high school together. Every year for the past three years Danny and I have been on the same ball team for the Oklahoma wrestling team’s fundraiser. So we get together at least once a year and talk shop.â€
His dream match:
“A dual program with The Undertaker, who I think is the greatest wrestler ever, and Rey Mysterio. It would be Jack Swagger vs. Rey Mysterio vs. The Undertaker for the world heavyweight title. That would be great.â€
Some highlights from the article:
On his fast rise in WWE and winning the World Title:
“It’s been unbelievable. It’s such an incredible honor. I don’t think it’s completely sunk in yet. This last month or so has been so surreal. I’ve tried to enjoy it a much as I can.â€
“It was very fast. Hopefully it says something about the confidence WWE has in me. I intend to prove to WWE and the fans that I am a champion, I am credible and I’m going to be here for awhile.â€
On being a fan of amateur and pro wrestling:
“I’m a fan of all forms of wrestling ... Olympic style, collegiate, professional. Just the larger-than-life atmosphere that comes across on TV is really what drew me in. I was in the fifth or sixth grade, and I really got hooked on the Monday Night Wars. It was really good television.â€
On learning about the history of wrestling:
“One of the first things I did once I signed with WWE was learn about every Oklahoman in the business. Whether it was Cowboy Bill Watts, J.R., Danny Hodge, the late “Dr. Death†Steve Williams, who was a great friend of mine ... all of those guys were instrumental in making UWF (Universal Wrestling Federation) as great as it was. I got to meet Cowboy Bill Watts for the first time at Wrestlemania 25. What a conversation that was. He’s quite a character.â€
His relationship with the legendary Danny Hodge:
“I grew up with his grandson. We’re the same age and we wrestled throughout high school together. Every year for the past three years Danny and I have been on the same ball team for the Oklahoma wrestling team’s fundraiser. So we get together at least once a year and talk shop.â€
His dream match:
“A dual program with The Undertaker, who I think is the greatest wrestler ever, and Rey Mysterio. It would be Jack Swagger vs. Rey Mysterio vs. The Undertaker for the world heavyweight title. That would be great.â€
