Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Dexter Lumis: WWE Release, Wyatt Sicks, Why He Never Talked, What's Next, Samuel Shaw

Episode Date: September 1, 2026

Samuel Shaw (@thesamuelshaw) is a professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE as Dexter Lumis. He sits down with Chris Van Vliet in Nashville, TN to discuss why he didn't talk in WWE, the inspiration behind his psychotic character, how he became a part of The Wyatt Sicks, being in one of the few wrestling weddings that did not end in disaster, working with The Miz, getting released by WWE, what's next, and more! Please support our sponsors: HELIX SLEEP: Flash sale! Go to https://helixsleep.com/cvv for 27% off sitewide! COZY EARTH: Go to https://cozyearth.com/CVV for up to 20% off! BEAM: Go to https://shopbeam.com/INSIGHT and use code INSIGHT for up to 40% off Beam’s Dream Powder DELETEME: Use the code INSIGHT to get 20% off your DeleteMe plan at https://joindeleteme.com/INSIGHT FACTOR: Get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year with the code INSIGHT50OFF at https://factormeals.com/INSIGHT50OFF PURE PLANK: The future of core fitness! Use the code CVV to save 10% on Pure Plank designed by Adam Copeland & Christian: https://gopureplank.com/cvv SEAT GEEK: Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/CVV Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount NORDVPN: Exclusive deal! https://nordvpn.com/cvv Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! PRIZEPICKS: Download the PrizePicks app today and use code INSIGHT to get $50 bonus credit in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://chrisvanvliet.com If you have ever enjoyed any of these episodes, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast or Spotify? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests. Follow CVV on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVliet Twitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet YouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVliet TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two and five Canadians will hear the words, you have cancer. That's why every step and dollar raised matters. On September 19th, join thousands in Toronto for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Walk. Challenge yourself, friends, and family to walk 21 kilometers in support of life-saving research. Together, we can carry the fire and help create a world free from the fear of cancer. Register today at pmcfwalk.ca.ca. Great to see you. Great to see you.

I was just thinking before we hit record, this is going to be the first time that a lot of people hear your voice. You didn't talk a lot in WWA. I sure didn't. It's funny because fans come to me like last weekend at RussellCon or this appearance I did in Phoenix. They all, you know, randoms will come up to me and be like, I loved you on Tacoma FD. and I'm like, you watch that? So you heard me speak. People are like blown away by that, you know?

Yeah. It's like, yeah, I do actually speak. I was playing a character, you know. Why didn't that character speak? I don't really know why they decided, hey, this is great if he just doesn't speak. But I had my mentality on it. And I think what I was looking at is everybody talks,

almost like in my opinion too much. So how can I be different? And I'm always thinking about that. How can me, how can I present myself on TV differently than everybody else to catch the attention of the fans in a different way? So I think it was striking in a way. Like this guy just, you know, he's just got a cold stare and he doesn't speak. And then it became a challenge. Like, can I elicit emotion from the fans without saying a word?

Can I make them feel a certain way? Can I get my emotion that I'm trying to get across to these fans without saying anything? And that became kind of the goal, the mission. The only other character can really think of that nailed that was Kane before he spoke. Sure. Like a little head tilt or like adjusting the glove. And that was you. Or sometimes it was just like, you just.

just kept staring at them. And where did those guys get that from? And it's, that's like Michael Myers, right? Michael Myers. I think Undertaker said the thing about Michael Myers in the first one when he's chasing Laurie Strode and she finally has a break.

She's like, I think I killed him, but then he's in the background and he just sort of does that. The set up, which is the Undertaker. Yeah. The Undertaker set up, yeah. And the shot was so powerful.

You're just like, oh my gosh, what's going to happen now, you know? I love your in-depth knowledge of film. I love how it's inspired so much of what you do. What's the main film inspiration for your character? Initially, it was American Psycho.

And at the time, it was when the character idea was presented to me, I'd say it's late 2013. I went to Oklahoma. I had a dark match with Kazarian in TNA. and before that match I get pulled into an office by John Gaboric and he says, hey, I had this idea, but what do you want to do? And I just started telling him what I wanted to do. And then it was, he just said, well, we already have that.

Can you do this? And he said, have you seen American Psycho? And I was just like, my eyes just lit up. Like, I get chills thinking about it now because I'm like, sir, it's one of my favorite movies. Whatever you need, I got it. And he's like, you think you can do that? And I was like, I'll be doing my research.

I don't think I need to do too much because I know so much about the movie already. Then I started, you know, playing around with it. Like Dexter, the TV show. That was very popular at the time. It's like, how, again, how can I be different? Everybody wrestles in wrestling gear. I just, I wanted to be a heel. I wanted people to just be like,

ugh, he has puke green pants on. You know, he's wearing a shirt while he wrestles. He's wearing gloves, you know, what's wrong with this guy? He's not just those little things. And it did. It got a lot of buzz like Twitter at the time was very like, this guy doesn't wrestle in wrestling gear. This guy is this or that.

And I loved it. Anything that just made them hate me more, you know, and the subtleness of the, the music. And it wasn't anything loud or crazy or, you know, here he comes. Here comes this, you know, good looking kid or, you know, who's got a good physique. But wait, he's covering it up. You know, just different. Yeah. Leave more to the imagination.

So what's the meaning behind the name Dexter Loomis? So Dexter Loomis, the name came about. I believe Joe Gacy was explaining this to you in his interview, how we pick names in NXT. Yeah, a bunch of first names, a bunch of last names, and they'll figure out which ones go together. Yeah, so it was like five names and different combinations, and they sort of pick what they like out of the lot, you know? And I had Dexter on there, and I had Loomis on there, but I had it L-O-O-M-I-S, like the doctor from Halloween. Oh, what a reference. Yep.

So, and then in Scream, there was the Loomis character as well, Billy Loomis. Yes. So it was kind of like, if I could get away with, you know, some sort of spelling in that, you know, framework. I'd be really, really happy about that. And it was kind of my ode to the genre and the horror influence. So they really liked Dexter Loomis, and I was blown away. I was like, can they get that? Can they, and then they changed the spelling to L-U-M-I-S.

But I was happy, man. It was great. You looked different from the last time we saw you in WWA. Why is it? Because I had dreads in a beard. It's like you've shed that old character. I think that was important to shed that character and do it right. There was a story there.

I wanted to do it day one as soon as I got that call, you know, because it's like, I, I was all game for this character initially and saw it through to the end. I was committed. I take a lot of pride in how I carry myself and get into a role, almost like an actor, like a method actor in a way. I hear this a lot. I take acting lessons. and from acting coaches that warn me of the dangers of method acting.

And I've always been intrigued by that. Like, the actors that just get into it, like, Heath Ledger. Sure. I'm not fond of the way that ended for him, but I was very intrigued by, I did all this research on, he had very detailed, journals on everything that sort of reminded him of how to get this character across, you know, he had like pictures of hyenas in his journal.

Wow. You know, just the, I guess it's the laugh, you know? Yeah. Never heard a hyena laugh. Right. And if you think back, nobody thought he could pull this off. The guy from 10 things I hate about you is going to be the Joker? Sure.

Oh, that's some terrible casting. But people thought the same about Michael Keaton and Batman. That's right. I think people were boycotting that. Boycotting it. And then he just killed it. Yeah. There might be a lesson in there for wrestling fans.

Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. So you were wanting to shed that old skin almost. Yeah, I wanted to cut the dreds off and the beard because I'd been carrying it around for two years. And it's a lot of maintenance. You know, and it's, I'd never had a beard that bushy before. It was a lot.

How long had your hair gone? Pretty freaking long. And I'll just, I'll tell the story initially, you know, the pictures of what this character was going to look like. It's like almost every picture, it's, it kind of looked like a jacked dude with dreads, like a Viking. And I was just like, I feel like the dreads are what is going to like top it off. So I feel like I have to do this. It was like a jacked Rob Zombie. That's it.

Yeah. I started studying Rob Zombie how he moved on stage. And then the dreads reminded me of Predator. So I started watching those movies, like how those aliens, the Predators, moved, ran around and attacked people, you know. Started implementing that into the character. But again, the Dreads, the day one, it took seven hours to do. One lady did it, and she's absolutely amazing. I sat there for seven hours,

and my head was sore afterwards, my neck was sore. And then it's like you got five, ten pounds extra on top of your head now. It's like, okay, go home, show your wife. Two and five Canadians will hear the words, you have cancer. That's why every step and dollar raised matters. On September 19th, joined thousands in Toronto for the principal, Margaret Cancer Foundation Walk. Challenge yourself, friends, and family to walk 21 kilometers in support of life-saving research.

Together, we can carry the fire and help create a world free from the fear of cancer. Register today at pmcfwalk.ca.ca. What was the pitch for you to become part of the Wyatt Six? And why did it need to be a different version of Dexter Loomis? Well, I knew something was coming that was going to. to be related to a tribute to Bray Wyatt, like a crew of, I don't know, misfits, unwanted, you know, guys that just guys and girls that maybe fell by the wayside and now they have something to prove. And now they've seen the light and they're going to progress their careers

because of the spirit of Bray Wyatt. I knew there was some sort of plan and I felt very strongly that I was going to be a part of it. I got a call one day. I was just sitting at home. I was doing some yard work, I believe. And a gentleman named Rob Fee called me, and he's just like, hey, it's happening. What can you do to dramatically change your appearance right now?

And I was just like, I could shave my head. I could take the mustache off. and then it was just like, all right, don't do anything yet. Let me talk to Triple H. And then it just turned into, well, just grow your beard out. Keep growing your facial hair out, grow your hair out.

How long did you have? I can't remember the exact time frame of that. I'd say I had a few months. And then it just kind of got down to we're being brought into the WW offices. to have meetings about this stuff and show us the plan and this and that. And I was like, I need to probably get this done, like, soon. And my hair is not long enough.

So I pulled the trigger, got some extensions. But by the end, like, almost all the extensions were gone. It was all my hair. It was just your hair. Wow. By the end. So, yeah, I mean, I had a good start, but it just wasn't long enough. to make the dreads impactful enough, I felt like.

How well did you know Bray? Did you spend time with him? I met Bray Windham the first time at an FCW tryout in 2009. Oh, you go way back. I think he maybe had had a couple matches at that point. Him and West Briscoe. I remember just those boys just taking care of me when I was there. I was the only one at this tryout.

And it's just in that warehouse in Tampa. And I remember just being done with practice one day. And these guys, I'm just changing, like taking my knee pads and boots off. And they pull up a chair right next to me and just start shooting shit with me, like, asking me questions, wanting to get to know me. And I started asking them questions. And we sort of developed a unique friendship right out the gate. you know and i just knew i'd see these guys down the line you know and they would no matter what

we'd have our own successes you know and obviously bray had the most success um to find success but he's obviously um our crew was based around him so it's just amazing to me to have seen that look back on that very fondly. Yeah. And over the years, he never forgot that. It's like, I mentioned to you in a private conversation how many times I've been an extra at WWE over the years. And anytime I ran into him, he's just big hug and how you doing?

And, you know, even after I had done some TNA stuff and I was gone from the company, I was coming in to do extra work at WWE, he would say to me, like, can you imagine what we could do together? And I'm just like, let's do it. Wow. You know? And I'd say that was probably around 2017-ish when you mentioned that. So like as the Wyatt families may be starting to come together,

could you have been part of the Wyatt family? Man, I would have jumped at the opportunity for sure. I mean, I was looking for any way in that WWE was the dream. You know, it still is in a way, you know. Yeah. How are you feeling now a few months removed from being let go? I mean, I went through all the emotions, I guess you could say. And, but my mentality is like, okay, that's maybe done for now or forever.

I can't change that what's happened in the past. And the right now is what I'm focused on and the future. And I don't want to dwell on any negativity in that arena. But yeah, it's disheartening. I was there for seven years. And I feel like I had a really unique, very fun career. I got to see the world. I was in Poland on my birthday this year,

and I'm just sitting in the locker room. I had some downtime by myself, and I'm just like, this is pretty amazing. Like, I feel like a real wrestler, like a real WW superstar, you know? And it's just, it's like those things that really hit you, you know? You're so far away from your family,

but yet you still feel connected to, this family. Yeah. How does this release feel different from the one you had in 2022? And for people that don't remember, you got released and brought back in like three months. Well, I think the first release was, there was a lot of shakeups going on in NXT.

And, you know, Triple H, who I considered my boss back then, you know, he went. down with a heart issue. And then it just seemed like a Vince McMahon overhaul happened in NXT. We went from black and gold to this like splatter paint 2.0, like very bright and, you know, John Laurenitis is down there every week and keeping tabs on talent now. And it's like, I'm not going to feel the way I felt when I was an extra trying to get his attention. every week.

You know? I'm a man now. Like, I've had success at this place, and I'm going to continue to have success at this place. Doesn't matter if there's a regime change. Doesn't matter if that guy's somewhat in charge now. I'm going to do my thing,

you know? But I will say, I did feel like, because I know how he operates. I know how that system before the NXT black and gold really came in to play. I got hired at 35 years old. Back in 2009 and back in the FCW days,

that was good luck. I think 30 was like the cutoff. So you're always like, oh boy, now I'm past 30 years old. Like, do I have an opportunity? Slowly but surely, you start seeing, like yes, there are opportunities because I think Triple H understood, like you don't really get good at this like really, really, really good until you understand it fully. And you might need 15, 20 years in the business to understand that. And I've kept my body in shape and I train hard. I can do

athletic stuff and I'm 35 years old. So why don't you hire me? I have a lot. offer this company um now i don't know i just feel like there's uh it's it's it's it's different because tk o is you know the bottom line is is the dollar does this release feel more final than that first one it does feel a little more final um i you always hear you know the door could always still be open, never say never, those types of things. But I feel like now, as opposed to back then, you know, I got to go out and prove myself a little, a little bit more. Did you feel like the Wyatt Six had started to lose momentum? Like, you guys had an incredible debut, and we'll talk about that in a minute. But then it felt like things just kind of started

to taper off. Yeah. And it's, these are things I hesitate because I want to be careful with my words here and really articulate my thought process here. But it's, we had a hot debut. There were a couple of hiccups. There was some health issues. There were, I think everybody was aware after that.

first season of um what's the netflix show unreal unreal yeah we can edit that out um the first season of unreal i think people grabbed a screenshot there was a meeting going on and you could see the marker board in the back and it's it's kind of like they're the matches that are tentatively set for russamania and it said Wyatt six first judgment day and I remember Finn Baller coming to me backstage at some point and be like

hey bro I heard we might be doing something at WrestleMania and I was just like oh my God that would be a dream come true like to work with Finn and those guys

in a WrestleMania capacity like this is going to happen man and then we had a health issue somebody in our group And, you know, we, we want to make sure that the health comes first. But I think Joe Gacy mentioned, we all wish that we would have been given the ball a little bit more during that downtime to carry it on.

And it seems like there was a lot of emphasis on Bo. And yeah, you know, we looked at him as like the leader. You know, he's brave brother. we didn't have any problem with him being the focal point, but we just felt like the momentum is being lost so much by us not continuing. And we're all capable. Like we could all, in our minds, the Wyatt should have been all over WWB programming.

It shouldn't have just been raw or Smackdown. It should have been Gacy shows up in NXT and has a program with somebody, you know, Nikki shows up in a women's match and I could valet for Nikki. This is not talked about enough. Nikki didn't wrestle any matches after joining the white sex.

Yeah. We were like, every week we're like, is this the week? Are you going to wrestle this week? And we would even, you know, we did a lot of house shows and that's,

that's something we can talk about because the house shows, we were on a lot. of those. And I really wish the fans that view it just as a TV show, the TV viewers, I wish that they could have seen the house shows that we performed on, especially with like the MFTs. It was just chemistry, amazing, and it just felt good. So were you surprised when you got the call that not only were you being released, the entire group got released.

I was a little surprised just because I felt like I was doing the necessary things outside of just being booked and brought to TV every week and, you know, the joke that like, oh, they just sit in catering and they collect a paycheck. Like, that's not me. I'm not there for that. I walked around the building all night,

and I talked to important people and picked veterans' brains. And I was talking to Paul Heyman quite a bit, who I respect the hell out of. And I was getting some great advice for him. And one of the things he was saying was, we need to make you a singles guy. And this was very late towards the end of the Wyatt Sixth run.

I almost felt like something was brewing, but I just didn't think, like, the whole group's going to be released. You know, I thought, and I guess that's the problem. You can't ever feel like you're safe, especially in this tumultuous business, right? Yeah. So I'm always looking for, you know, how can I better myself? How can I, what do I need to do to get to that next level?

The debut of the Wyatt Six is, it's one of the best debuts in recent years. did you guys feel it in that moment how much you pulled this off I've goosebumps right now that was crazy man it's just I don't know I'm sitting here with you right now and I'm just like it's not stopping

it's like I feel it like like when you closed your eyes there did you go back to that moment? Yeah wow I'm there right now it's still happening like the goosebumps are still happening right now I'm just feeling of, it was a little overwhelming. Like, I've said this before to people in private, but I felt a presence.

I felt like maybe Bray was there. I know he was there. The table was set for us, you know, it was, I'll give credit to all the writers. And Triple H, I think that he was like, he had a vision for how that should look. and it was executed with precision like I've never seen. But it's a double-edged sword because the expectations from fans were through the roof. If you don't deliver to what people are expecting, that it's a failure. Not only did you guys deliver on the expectations you exceeded them.

And I feel like that doesn't happen all the time in wrestling. Well, I appreciate that. Yeah, there was a lot of pressure, especially after that debut. It was like, whoa, that what do we do now? Yeah. And that's a task, right? Not just for us, but for the writing team, Triple H, and creative in general.

It's a lot. And sometimes this business moves so fast, and there's so many, you know, new things and trends. It's how do you keep this a focal point? Well, that's difficult because you guys knock the debut out of the park. Sure. So it's like, okay, what do we do seven days from now? And then seven days from that, and then again and again and again.

Absolutely. And I feel like the first few weeks you guys were nailing it. Sure. You were giving a lot to work with. Sure. And that first feud with, you know, Gable and Alpha Academy, I thought it was perfect. It was, it was, what a Gable is so good and just so incredible to work with. We worked a bunch of house shows together before I was dreadhead, Dexter.

Lumis, Mercy the Buzzard, a couple years before that. And I just found out how good of a worker and mind he is. And the success he's having now is so warranted. Like, he's amazing. But being in that feud with those guys and him sort of leading that group and then, you know, the dynamic with our group, I just feel like it was, it just worked. How did you and Joe Gacy start to build the chemistry together? and gel together, because you guys had this great move set where, like, you're using him as a weapon

and you're doing double-team stuff. Great. Again, it's like, how do we be different? Use each other as weapons because we're just sickos, you know? And he had the same, like, we love horror movies. We traveled up and down the road together, got to know each other really well over those years. But before that, you know, I was aware of his indie run. I think he was aware of me and he'd been grinding,

busting his ass for years. And when I saw him in NXT, like during the pandemic, I was like, he's going to be right, you know? And then when they gave him that character where he's talking and you get to see this personality shine. And I was just immediately enthralled with what he was doing. and I was like, he's got buzz, and that's what you want. You start paying attention more to people when, you know, they're doing something different.

And I remember I was on the main roster. We were in Chicago, and I get there, and I see the board, and it's me and Gacy on a main event. And we get to have a 10-minute main event match. First match on the card, I believe it was the All-State Arena. in Chicago and that's the arena with like the wood Yeah

tour punk return Yes It's like extra loud It's one of my favorite buildings to work in Yeah that ceiling's a little The roof's a little lower And you're right

The wood like keeps the sound in I believe stone cold And I had a quick chat With Undertaker one night About it It's one of their favorite places To have worked I went in there as a fan

And I was like It's loud in here. Like, this is, I've never experienced this before. Yeah. And we were very happy because, you know, main event, we just, we can go out and just show what we can do, have a good match. But it's also like, we're first.

So the crowd's on fire. So it's even louder. And we had a chemistry. I could feel it then. And I was like, I'm, I feel like I'm going to see this guy down the road in some capacity, whether we work together, like we're doing tonight or. as a team. And he's very creative.

And I think we just feed off each other's creativity. It was a little over a year ago that you guys won the tag team championships here in Nashville. Is this your first time back in Nashville? Since winning? Life's been moving so fast that don't recall. But I do remember that night and how special it was. So Joe Gacy told me that you guys found out like right before that match that you were winning. Pretty much.

And it was it was a little stressful just because it's like, we still didn't have like the match down. But we were working with profits. So I, we, they're so phenomenal and charismatic and athletic. And I think our styles just complimented each other really well.

And I'd work with those guys every night. You know, And the match in Nashville, they put us over. It was just, did we just win a title? Because I think me and Gacy had talked about it before. Like, we got into this profession, just wanting to be in the business, pro wrestlers. Not really thinking, like, a title could be a real thing. And I almost prided myself in NXT, especially.

Like, my character doesn't need a title. You know, and I always looked at characters like, I don't know, an example of like New Jack. He cut a promo and say, I don't need a title. You know, I just want to beat you up. Yeah. You know, and that kind of stuff stuck with me. It's like there's a lot of people that want titles for the accolades.

And I don't, when I won these tag titles, though, I, then I understood, you know, this is pretty prestigious. Yeah. I'm in the record books as having won. WW World Tag Team titles. I love that you mentioned New Jack, because I know you're a huge ECW fan. I sure am, yeah. Was it ECW that really got you into wrestling?

Absolutely. It's the nail in the coffin for me saying, this is what I'm going to do. I went to so many WWE live events and indie events around Florida growing up. and here comes ECW in 2000, February 2000. Where was it? In Jacksonville at the Morocco Shrine Temple,

which is no longer there. But it's the same place me and my brother when he stood in the middle of the floor at our homecoming and said, do you remember when Tijiri and Super Crazy had like a Texas or a Jackson Street fight right here and like put super crazy underneath the table and he did the double stop and just crushed him and I that crowd was electric just so intimate everything was like

we were right up close and just the energy was just on another level and they're doing TV there so I got to see how they tape it and how they like In between, they're doing matches, you know. And it just looked like a family going out and just showing the world, like, hey, we're the, we're the renegades. But we're going to show you how the shit's done. So you left there going this. I want to do this. I went home that night and went on my computer.

I'm researching wrestling schools. I think I was 15 years old. You know, my dad dropped me and my brother. He was 14. He dropped us off without, he was just like, all right, have fun. Pick you up just, you know, when it's over. And we get up to the door and it says 18 and up. But we got in.

Bought a new Jack shirt. And it wore it to school and then they put duct tape on it because they had a bad word on it. But it was a life-changing experience. And I told Tommy Dreamer this before. I saw in Steve Carino. It was Tommy Dreamer and Dusty Rhodes versus Steve Carino and Jack Victory was the main event. And then it just turned into a big schmaz at the end.

And then guess who comes out? Sandman to end the show. And that crowd went apes shit. So I don't know. I don't know why. That just really stuck with me. It stays with me to this day. it's another one of those

goosebumps feelings. Like, this was special to me. Yeah. You know? I think there's moments in life that matter and moments that don't. And like, there's those formidable moments. Who knows if you weren't able to get in?

If they were like, you guys aren't 18, what does your life look like? Sure. Maybe things don't go the way that they do. I think about that stuff all the time. So back to the future is my favorite movie of all time. Great movie. Because if this doesn't happen, then that can't happen.

If that doesn't happen, then this other thing. can't happen. That's it. So everything starts to fall into place for you. When do you feel like you've got your first real break in wrestling? I would say gut check in TNA, 2012. I mean to take you through that a little bit. This is a wild one. So TNA was doing this.

They wanted like a reality-based, almost like a reality show within a wrestling show. Yes, they were taking indie talent and giving you like your tryout live on the show. Live on the show. And then they had three judges. Like you'd get your match and then you come out in front of the judges and they would tell you what you did right, what you did wrong. Yes or no. And, you know, you get two out of the three. You get your, your contract. So they'd done a couple of these, and I believe Taylor Hendricks, she was the first, I believe, and they said yes. And then they shipped her off to OVW. And here comes another young man named Alex Silva. And from my understanding was that it was going to be a no. but Rick Flair was one of the judges

and you get a chance to sort of speak on your own behalf. You get to cut a promo in front of these judges and why should we pick you? Tell us why. Put yourself over. And he did that and Rick Flair loved the promo so he just changed his mind and said yes.

And I think it was kind of a big problem in the back because they're like, that wasn't what we wanted to. But like, what are you doing here? a shoot or is it not? Like, Rick Flair did what he felt. He felt like this kid brought the energy and he should have a deal. He should have an opportunity. So, you know, I thank Rick for that. So anyway, here, here we go. They need a, they need a third. They need a third gut check. And they're hoping for a no because they want to make this a very dramatic thing on their programming.

Yeah, not everybody can go through. everybody can go through. They want to show the world, like, how hard this is. So in the midst of those gut checks, I had a dark match with Doug Williams. And I just feel like it didn't go very well for whatever reason. Maybe our chemistry wasn't there yet. But I think the office saw that. And they're like, oh, that's a good idea for gut check.

Oh, we're going to get a no because the match wasn't very good. So I think I was smartened up to this a little bit by Bubba Ray Dudley, who was, I consider him one of the main guys that trained me. And he'll always say, well, Mr. Hughes trained you, you know, because I came from Mr. Hughes in Atlanta. And I'm very, I love you, Mr. Hughes. You're the best.

And you taught me so much. And we did so many fun things together. And up and down the road, Memphis wrestling, this and that, but I needed more. I needed to know the psychology of the business, and Bubba taught me that. So when I'm getting opportunities in TNA, and he sees what's happening there with the gut check situation, he gave me the Iggy. I think they want this to be a no kid. So go out there and show him. And he might not even remember this, but I remember stuff like this. and that's all he needed to say.

And I could almost feel that without him saying that, but for him to say that, then I was like, I'm going to show him. Me and Doug went out there and had a completely different match. And I think Doug realized the situation. And, like, I was passionate about this business.

And I really wanted to succeed. And he put me over and made me shine. and I felt like a million bucks after that, that performance. And it was, I was full of fire and piss and vinegar, and he really showed that to the world, you know? Get to the back and Eric Bischoff looks like he's mad about something. And he just like, I think he just throws out like an F bomb. And I'm just like, what did I do?

Yeah. And he just shakes my hand and he goes, dude, you killed it is what you did. Like the lights were on and you went out there and you crushed it, kid. And then I walked 10 steps further and there's Dixie. And she's saying, that was really good. I still had to go in front of the judges. And that Rick Flair was not one of the judges this time.

It was Bruce Pritchard, Al Snow, and Taz. So of course, Al. snow is the heel and he says no Bruce Pritchard said yes and then Taz said yes and I remember just cutting a promo and I reached in deep from one of the the ECW promos that Taz cut

years ago that always stuck with me and it was like you know he looked dead into the camera and he said I'm the Bush League shooter I'm ready to go anybody that wants can come and get it. The rock,

Hulk Hogan, he's calling out people from other companies, but I said that is inside me. That mentality. Like, I want this. I'm going to get this,

you know, and I think that that resonated with him, and it was a yes. And I freaked out when that yes happened. And the crowd could feel that energy. I'm getting the goosebumps again. I started,

jumping around and I just started hugging everybody. I grabbed Bruce Pritchard. I think he remembers it to this day, you know? I think he had just had like a heart procedure. And I just grabbed and squoes the shit out of him, you know? I was so happy. You know, I feel like that's what wrestling is, man. Like we're trying to elicit these emotions.

And if you can be real with it, if it's a real moment like that, the crowd's going to feel that. But if that's your dream, if your dream is to get signed by a wrestling company, this is the moment. You just made it happen. Yes. Do you then in that moment realize, I got to have a new dream now? Like, what's the next dream? Can't just be getting signed.

Well, I thought, all right, I'm going to be a TNA superstar. I'm going to wrestle Jeff Hardy. I'm going to wrestle Samoa Joe. I'm going to wrestle Bobby Rude. I'm going to wrestle James Storm. I'm going to wrestle sting. Yeah. You know?

AJ Stiles is still there at the time. I go to the back and Alice knows like, we're going to send you to OVW. I'd like just gotten an apartment with my girlfriend, who's not my wife. And that was a little bit like took the air out of the tires a little bit, you know? It was like, ooh, okay. But still, you're still in.

that mode like I'll do what I need to do. And I sure as hell went to OVW and I was there for 11 months, I'd say. And I learned a ton. I worked consistently. I worked, you know, three or four shows a weekend like starting Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. We did training with Rip Rogers, training with Al Snow. I bunked up with Crimson in Nashville. And we would just ride to OVW together every week and do TV and the house shows.

We were kind of in the same boat. He was signed to TNA and we were just trying to find our way. You know, I look back on that time as what a great learning experience. It seems like you really found who your character was through TNA. Like you started to develop what we ended up later seeing in NXT and WWA. I believe so. I was doing that character even when I was released from TNA on the indie scene and staying in touch with WWE with Canyon Seaman

and every six months he told me, just message me and give me an update, what's going on. And so I knew there was like interest, but it was going to take a while because he would always tell me, just go live your life. check in with me every six months. If you love this, you'll keep doing it.

And if the job comes your way, great. So how many times were you an extra in WWE before getting signed? Probably like 25 or 30 times. No way. Like were you, were you a rosebud? I was a rosebud. Okay. If anybody can find that.

Oh, my editor's the best. He'll find it. I believe Adam Rose, Russell, Brian Myers, that night. And I had a Hawaiian shirt on. And I really, I was like, how do I stand out in this crop of rosebuds? Like, so I put a comb in my mustache and it just stayed there.

So I'm just like out on the outside of the ring, just watching this match and just doing the eyes. But I have this comb in my mustache. Somebody find that, please, because I've been looking for it. Troy will find it. He'll make a clip for it. So were you, did you have dark matches as well? Or was it just you were an extra? I was just an extra a lot.

Did any of them ever feel like you were getting closer to getting their attention or closer to getting signed? Well, the one I spoke of earlier, the 2009 tryout at FCW, that was me, my very first time going to Raw in Jacksonville. and I just stayed when everybody had left. I just stayed and I waited for John Laurenitis to get off his phone because he's always, I think that's the old trick. Like whenever a talent's coming to approach him and he doesn't want to talk to him, he just puts his phone up. But I waited.

And I saw my time to take advantage of the situation. and I talked to him, and he actually put me over and said, like, I've noticed you waiting to the right time. And, you know, it tells me a lot about your character that you waited until the end of the show and everybody's gone and you want this. I'd like to see what you can do. So he said, I'm going to send you to FCW for a week. Just get in that system and see how you do with them. Um, does that answer your question there?

Yeah, but that's 09. So like, then you do all of these other extra spots. Yeah, yeah. What finally gets them to say yes, which turns into you going to NXT. So this is years later. This is after the TNA run and... Right, after being on the Indies for a handful of years after TN. There's a point in like 2016 where I'm just like, maybe it's, maybe I'm done.

Maybe this isn't, you know, panning out. Which is crazy because you're in your early 30s of this point. Sure. you're like 31 32 yep but um you know it was just like the style is getting like really can i keep up with this like you have you i'm human you have your doubts yeah your qualms about is this for me and could i fit into this system and i just started getting bookings like indie shows and i just throw out ridiculous price and they'd say yes and i was like oh shit I guess I'm going.

And my wife was just like, just go out and have fun. And you would always hear that. Like once you just go out and just have fun and you're enjoying what you're doing, not thinking about getting signed, it's kind of like when the stuff sneaks up on you and it just happens. Two and five Canadians will hear the words you have cancer. That's why every step and dollar rome, Raced Matters.

On September 19th, join thousands in Toronto for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Walk. Challenge yourself, friends, and family to walk 21 kilometers in support of life-saving research. Together, we can carry the fire and help create a world free from the fear of cancer. Register today at pmcfwalk.ca.ca. Don't you wish you could just hit skip on the worst parts of your life? You know the same way you can skip an ad? I get it. I'm Siaia and I live in Ice Cove.

I've made some questionable decisions that didn't end up the way I planned. And today, I'm still figuring it out. Somehow things usually get worse before they get better. Apparently, that's how I roll. So bundle up and come along for the bumpy ride. Don't miss the new season of North of North starting September 8th on CBC Gem. In NXT, the wedding with Indie Hartwell, may be one of the most successful wrestling weddings ever.

it is most of them end in disaster like they're disastrous this one was not disastrous it was just like you said your first words in wwe that's it i do i do and then like it's like happily ever after that never happens it never happens it could have gone differently there were ideas that were thrown around that was going to be go off way different but i'm really happy with that segment 10 minute wedding segment I still I have like a little

script saved you know so does so does indie because it was a very special thing for us because like how many people can say like they were in WWE and they had a wedding on TV that went off without a hitch

or just had a wedding in general yeah it's you got to be I think perceived a certain way to get that for yourself on a on a TV that they're giving you that time on TV to because it's entertaining we were entertaining enough to pull that off and we had a connection with the fans and we had a connection with each other we fed off each other's you know she would try and break me man she ever gets you close but she was like the only one that could almost do

it because her she was so ridiculous I'd have to be in character, like this stoic, like, if we're out there with Johnny, for instance, and he's having a match, and I'm just standing there watching my friend wrestle, she'd be on the apron, like, just staring at me, you know? And I'm just, like, trying not to look over there, you know? During rehearsals, I'd break. But I'm like, all right, this is the time to get it out. you know when the red lights on and we're live pal like you ain't gonna break me and i'm sure as soon as you got to the back you're like ah that was that was great stuff yeah and i'm like indy why fuck did you do that you almost got me this time like i guess technically you guys are still

married to this day we are oh well maybe something ends up happening there one day hmm who knows i listen i'd love to work with her again she's amazing amazing. So good at the entertainment aspect of her timing. We just did a joint whatnot. We got together and we did a stream where we sold some stuff, like some just some random tidbits that we've collected over the years. But like it was very successful. Like the fans really liked seeing us again. They love index. And just we were telling stories. They were asking us questions, and we're telling stories. And for those people that

joined that stream, it was, you got a lot of cool information. Another fun moment in NXT is the Halloween Havoc match with the zombies. Like, not a lot of people can make that work. And you did.

Yeah, I think we did. I was just saying this to somebody. I really enjoyed working with Trevor Lee, Cameron Grimes. I just feel like he had his finger on the pulse of, you know, what NXT and that style was really all about. And I was always kind of a little more on the simple side of things in the old psychology of pro wrestling. But he sort of took what I did and what he did and what he knows works in that environment. And he pushed me.

and I'm forever grateful for the stuff we did. And we did some pretty ridiculous stuff. We did a blindfold match. I don't know if you remember that. We had sacks like on our head. Yeah. How much can you see through those? Not very well.

Truthfully, not very well. But we had a strap match. And that was, uh, he's so creative. Some of the things that he, like at the end, when I just somehow get him all twisted up

and the strap. And then I pull it out from him and he trips and hits his face on the chair and then pull him in for the finish. You know, like just that's him. That's his creativity. And or him trying to run from me like during the pandemic, we have those cages in the next to the arena.

Like the hockey. Yeah, look like a hockey setup. He's got, I'm, you're attached to me, pal, but you're trying to run up that cage and get away from me.

Just pulling back down. You know? loved working with him. That haunted house of terror was so unique. Oh, yeah. And that was very, that was so hands on. Like Road Dog and Triple H were like walking through that house with us and like, here's what you do over here and like we could do this and like you should hide in the tree up here.

You know, it was a lot of fun. So Road Dog recently told this story that when he was working with you in NXT, he'd have you get guys in like a headlock and you'd lick them. He'd tell you to lick them. Yeah. So, uh, again, trying to stand out, trying to be different. And just like that worked with the character that you had. Yes.

It did because he was, people were unsure. Like, what's this guy all about? Like, what is, what gets him out? What's going on here? Yeah. and I think my debut match on TV and in NXT was at full sale and it was against Bronson Reed and you know I'm beating the hell out of him and he's sitting on his ass and I just got him and grabbing his head and then I just look at everybody and I just get down and I lick his face

and the whole crowd was just like oh like you just sometimes you pinpoint somebody in the crowd and you just, you watch them. And that person. Like one specific fan? Yeah. And that person was just like, you know, it garnered a reaction. Yeah.

And that's one of those things that's like, okay, I was always taught, go above and beyond, we can always pull you back. Sure. If you don't do that, we don't know how far you'll take it. You know,

so obviously that was kind of pulled back a little bit. Yeah. It didn't become part of the schick. all the time, but who knows, man. Brodog had some very nice things to say when you got released. I'll read this too.

He put a tweet out right after you got released and he said, let me pull it up here. He said, the right person, the right talent, best Dexter ever.

The NXT wedding, zombie match, come on, man. And y'all got nothing for him, WWA. What did you think when you saw that? Well, first of all, I love Road Dog.

He's just, he has one of the most infectious laughs. It's like it doesn't even matter like what he says. If he's laughing really hard about something, I just want to join in. You know, I want to be a part of what he's talking about, you know?

And I've just, I've known him for quite a while now. And it's, I think he's, he's always like, help me hone in on the character, like, for the situations I'm in.

Like, try this right here. Try that. right there. He's very, very good at that, the character stuff. And,

I mean, that's really what wrestling is, the characters. Yeah. We're trying to, you got to put yourself in the mindset of like a fan or especially like a kid,

like what would make a kid want to buy your action figure. It's like stuff that Road Dog and I would talk about. When you got to the main roster, your first feud was the MIS. There's this incredible shot where Ms. is in a cage match. And there's this overhead camera.

He's just about to drop down and win the United States championship. And it's just you laying there staring at him. Yeah. He couldn't escape the cage because of that. How did you guys come up with this? I think that's, that's WW creative. That's Triple H being like we can make this a moment. Oh, it's a moment.

And the camera works beautiful on it. Yeah, yeah. I looked ridiculous. In hindsight, it's pretty funny. But yeah, it was, I mean, you go through those, those moments and you're just like, is this going to work? And then you see it. And now here we are talking about it. Yeah.

Years later, viral moment. Yeah. You know, just something like that. So simple. But so effective. I feel like everyone talks about how giving the Miz is. what was your experience with that feud with the MES? Well, I think you and I were talking a little bit privately about how I just

feel like my whole career, I was kind of like hopeful that I'd work with the absolute best. I had feelings of like, wow, if I could work with John Sina, if I could work with Drew McIntyre, if I could work with Seth Rollins, if I could work with Brock Lesnar, you know? I thought these were things that were possible. Obviously, those things didn't happen,

but I got to work with a Ms. And that son of a bitch has worked with everybody. And he is so good. I don't think anybody... I think people are realizing now just how good he... is and has always been. Yeah, he's getting his flowers now.

Yes, but he's, I said this early about house shows. Like, I wish people could see some of the house shows that we've done because me and Ms. had a series of house show runs where, you know, Abyss would come to us and be like,

hey brother, you know, that match before didn't go long enough. Can you guys, like, go extra? Can you go like an extra 10 minutes? And Ms. Just looked at me, like, oh yeah, we can do that. And we had some 30 minute, 40 minute matches. And I just go out there

and listen to him. And everything he called for me made me look good and got crowd reactions. And I learned so much from him on just how to carry yourself out there. I don't feel like, and I say this with so much respect for you, I don't feel like you got the chance to show your full potential in the seven years you were in WWE. Like, I feel like there's so much more that you could do. I agree. I don't know what else to say about that. I just feel like I feel great.

I feel like I could go with anybody you put me in front of. As a matter of fact, I wish Brock Lesnar wasn't retired, because that has been my absolute epitome of the match that I want. That's the dream match. the dream match. Why is that? Who's more intimidating in the wrestling business, you know, that's still somewhat active, you know, I know he just retired. But when that guy comes out to the ring, it's like everybody's just like floored. Everybody's just like, whoa. Yeah. What's he going to do? And he's, you know, you don't know what he's going to do. Yeah, there's a presence.

There is a presence and if he likes you and you have a good match with him and you show him that you can carry the ball, I feel like that's the standard. You know, that's the guy. You know, you should want your career to be like his, you know, to get the limited schedule, to get the money, to get the notoriety, to be a badass. to be legit, but also to be so giving. And I've had conversations with Brock, and he might just be like, oh, I don't remember that kid. No, but I feel like I was right there. And I respect the hell out of him, man.

And I'm very happy that he's had such a great career. And he's, you know, Obafemi, what a great story those two had. And I'm not mad. I'm not, you know, I'm very happy for that situation and Brock's retiring and everything. But, you know, I always think, what if? Was there something that was supposed to happen? Are you just hopeful that it could have? Well, I mentioned Paul Heyman earlier and it's, you know, having conversations with him.

I just, I just didn't beat around the bush. I just said, like, hey, I want to wrestle Brock last. How do we do that? And that's when the conversation started shifting towards you need to be a singles guy. And, you know, I wanted the Wyatt Six to work. But how long can it last? You always kind of got to be mindful of that. So as you move forward now and you're a free agent, you could show up

anywhere. Do you want to be a singles guy? Do you want to be a tag team guy? Do you have the ability to do both? I think I have the ability to do both because I feel like there's still money to be made with the group. I think there's still money to be made with me and Gacy, who is now Joseph Sawyer. I think that, you know, we have a lot of stuff coming up together, just independence and things. we wrestled together two weeks ago and just had an absolute blast. You know, it's like we never left each other's side. And, um, but then there's like, I'd love to work with Indy again. But then there's a part of me that wants to go out there and have great performances with

top guys, you know? So is there a difference between Dexter Loomis and Samuel, Shaw? Well, I'm going out there on the independent scene currently, and I just want that Dexter Loomis character. There's going to be those nuances, but I want this character to progress. And I think part of that is having this interview with you, you know? This is your first interview, right? It's your first wrestling podcast. Yes, sir. Yeah. Is that by design? I think so.

I think you and I've talked for a long time, but we just, I always just sort of put it off. Because again, it's like, how do I be different? Seems like you got everybody on the show. Hadn't got you yet.

Yeah. So, but I feel like it's time for people to, to maybe hear me a little bit more. You know? Yeah. See what you're all about. If anyone goes to your Instagram,

They'll see you're a tremendous artist. And I know you'll be humble about this, but your work is so good. What's the inspiration for the type of art you do? It's an outlet. It's just like wrestling to me. Like wrestling is an art. It's I get to go out there. Like you ask people that are close to me, my wife, you know, like she's like, you don't

like crowds. You don't like going and being like in, you know, in the mist. the midst of tons of people. And I'm like, that's not true. But to an extent, but I always felt from a young age, like even when I was a kid going to WW live events, I want to be back there. I don't want to sit in the crowd. I want to be part of the show.

Even at concerts, I'm like, this is hard. Like, you know, because you feel like you're, you want to be a performance. You want to be, your safe space is backstage. Yeah. You want the spotlight on you? Yes. But then you go out and you have this outlet for whatever, 10, 20, 30 minutes each night. And you just get it all out.

You feel like a million bucks afterwards, even if you're banged up. But like the adrenaline, the endorphins, everything. It's like a drug. It's crazy. And I haven't taken drugs. It's just that's what I've heard it being equated to. You know, and I know there's something going on chemically in your body when you feel good about, it's like this daunting task that most people will never get to experience because they just don't

have the willingness to do it. Well, look, a lot of people run from the spotlight. Think of how many people have to do a best man speech or a maid of honor speech. And it's like the most stressful thing they'll do. But you feel good once you do it and you do it well. Or you go, oh, my. God, let's get a drink. Oh, I'm so glad it's done. Yeah. But you prepare for these moments as best as you can. And then you just, you let your, you let your creativity take over when you're out there.

Two and five Canadians will hear the words, you have cancer. That's why every step and dollar raised matters. On September 19th, joined thousands in Toronto for the Princess. Margaret Cancer Foundation Walk. Challenge yourself, friends, and family to walk 21 kilometers in support of life-saving research. Together, we can carry the fire and help create a world free from the fear of cancer. Register today at pmcfwalk.ca.ca. So if you were questioning in your mid-30s, man, maybe I'm getting too old to be able to do this. Maybe I won't have the opportunity to get signed.

now that your age begins with a four, do you think about where your career goes? Do you want to wrestle into your 50s? I'd been challenged by family members to go until I was 50. And I was like, yeah, I'll do that. So was that eight more years for you? I'm 42, yeah. Obviously, I was hoping it would be in WWE.

I really felt like it was starting to become more of a home for me. and I feel like there was so much more learning to happen, so much more things to progress forward. But here we are. And I'm going to progress those things forward without maybe them, you know? So you're looking at what's next? I'm sure you've got a lot of different opportunities in front of you. Absolutely.

Got to stay busy, man. It's like, I don't feel good unless I'm kind of busy, you know? Yeah. So what's been keeping you busy when you couldn't work for three months? Well, I just trained like a madman. You won a bodybuilding competition. I want a bodybuilding competition. Yeah, tell us about that.

I just, you know. I feel like you just casually put one photo up of you, like, wearing the metal on stage and then, like, didn't talk about it anymore. Yeah, you know, it's working. silence. Just casually got into the best shape of your life of 42. Yeah. That was the challenge, right? I feel like WBE just let you go.

You're not down in the dumps about it. Like, go out there and do something spectacular. It's going to make you feel good about yourself and show yourself like anything's possible. You know? Show them. Like, oh shit. look look at the shape he got in yeah you know he's doing great you know and i am doing great

life is good man as i just doing all these appearances especially recently i was speaking to you on this wrestle con tagging with gacy a few weeks ago and having a more intimate exposure to the fans and hearing their stories on why they follow you and the impact you've had on their lives. It's pretty amazing. And those three months, like, if you're not doing anything like that, you question yourself, did I do the right things? Did I do something wrong to warrant a release?

Did I accomplish everything I feel like I should have? And obviously, I don't feel like I accomplished everything I should have, but I am very content and happy with my career. And I'm very much looking forward to the future. Who was your favorite person you worked with when you were in WWA? And I loved working with Ms. I don't think that you could have gotten a better gift like coming in to the main roster, you know, especially they're trying to get you over as a baby face.

Like he's such a great heel. I love the way he sold fear for you. Absolutely. Yeah. So many ridiculous things. Freaked out when he saw you. Like we're in Canada and I dressed up as the hockey player and I had the mask on and it just looked like a statue. And just the way he sold that, his facial expressions.

So good. He's like, he's a movie. He's a movie character. Yeah. Speaking of movies, I know you love movies. You mentioned earlier you've been taking acting classes. Is that something that you'd be looking to do more of? It gives me the same general satisfaction.

like when I get through a scene, um, sort of the same as as wrestling when you have a good performance and you know it. I, I want to get into it a lot more so. And I'm, I'm on that track.

I think your guest spot on Tacoma FD surprised a lot of people. I think it did. Most that anybody had heard you talk. Yeah. Yeah. How did that end up happening. So funny thing, and I'll try and zip through this one, but Twitter X,

people started saying like, oh, Dexter Loomis looks like Ike from Tacoma FD. And then sure enough, Gabriel Hogan, who plays Ike on the show, retweeted that, then I retweeted that. And then this thing continued for months. Every so often, you'd go on Twitter and see like another comparison that, you know, screenshots of us. And this is the, you know, the episode that we need in our life, like Dexter Loomis and, you know, Ike from Tacoma FD. Sure is shit. I get a call from Wittenstein, who is actually Cody Rhodes manager. Yeah, Brian.

said, hey, these guys out in California, they're shooting a TV show, they want you for it. And what's the TV show? Tacom FD. I was like, oh, my God. It worked. And he's like, yeah, they want to do something like a doppelganger episode. And you don't even have to audition.

Like, they just want you. So I was like, sign me up. And then the negotiating was happening. And then I got released from an XT. It's just aligned. like perfect. Because literally the week after I was released from NXT flew out to L.A. and spent a week

with those guys. The Super Troopers cast. Like, what is going on? I have a trailer right next to David Arquette, you know? And we're just talking wrestling stories. Former world champion. Former world champion. Yeah. So yeah, that was a great, I feel, gift, spoiled.

Just got to waltz right in and be on this TV show. I feel like I held up my end. Oh, you did. It's great banter between you guys. Yeah. And there's a lot of funny bloopers, too. Those guys are tremendous and very nice.

And just went out to L.A. and saw the Super Troopers 3 premiere. Kind of invited myself. But Steve Lemmy, he's kind of in charge of all that. He basically said, dude, you're welcome to come out here. I want you out here. So I did and attended the premiere and, you know, just building those relationships. I'm not asking for a handout, but their energy is awesome.

And it just, you want to be around it. You know? Yeah. It sort of bleeds into your life, how positive they are and how they approach life. so just to be to see them in their success like coming Super Troopers was such a college movie

that we just you know beer fest all those things and now I'm just like spending some time with these guys they invited me out and I did a show like and now they're talking about maybe it's a Coma FD movie like Steve

I'm available I love how your passions are palpable. Like your passion for wrestling, your passion for acting, your passion for art. Can people buy your art, by the way? Absolutely. Okay. So I, I let's put that out there. Yeah, I advertise it more so on, I have like an art page on Instagram and it's Shawdog Arts. And it's basically just a gallery. Just anytime I do art, I just post it and people can DM me if they want like a print of my art or if they want originals, like, or commissions. Let's talk.

And you put a lot of horror characters into like random art pieces, right? Yep. Yes, I just did one recently where I, there was like this really cool trend I saw on Instagram with this artist. I'm sure it's a bunch of artists now. And I'm, I will not take credit for this idea. But artists are taking paintings from thrift shops. And they're just, they're taking it out of the frame.

and then they're adding things to it. Like, I think the first one that I saw was, it looked like an old, like, 1800s, like, ball scene, and everybody's dancing with these crazy dresses on. And they added David Bowie and labyrinth characters to the scene. Yeah. Just with paint, you know?

What was the one you recently did? So, yeah, I bought a piece from a thrift store for like 10 bucks, took it out of the frame, and then just decided, all right, I'm going to document this. I filmed it and just added Jason Voorhees,

sipping a Bloody Mary, smoking a cigarette in a garden scene. Like, there was just an empty chair in a garden. It's a very quaint little scene, you know? I feel like after this interview, that original is going to get sold. Yeah.

I have the original. Okay, well. Thought about making prints, but. Well, maybe you have to now. Yeah. You're going to get some messages. I think so.

I'm so excited to see what's next for you. And thank you for allowing this to be the conversation that goes out of the world for your first long-form wrestling conversation. Well, I appreciate you having me. It's been a long time coming. Yes. We've been talking about doing this for four or five years. And you saw us win the title in Nashville. Which was so random.

I recently moved here, like a little over a month ago. I just happened to be in Nashville last July to visit a friend and Smackdown was in town. I've recorded a few interviews. And I remember that match. And I remember someone in my row who I didn't know. They went, I think the Wyatt Six are going to win. I went, yeah, really? You think?

Sure enough. Nashville's always been kind to me. I love it. It's a great wrestling town and so many memories here and NWA 70. Yeah. I've been in just, I go to a lot of wrestling shows and I've been really fortunate that on random raws or smackdowns, I'm there. Like, Jay Uso randomly won the icy title, which I don't think anyone saw coming.

I was there in Ontario, California. It's like, I don't know, maybe I'm good luck. I don't know. I think you are, but that was, that was cool to be there and see that huge moment for your career and excited for what's next for you. So I know the gratitude's important to you and it's a huge thing for me. I ask everyone this question at the end. So what are three things right now that you're grateful for?

Number one is my wife, because she's just freaking trooper. I have to drug her through this. How long have you guys been together? Almost 17 years. Oh, so she's seen it all. She's seen it all, man. And I won't go into too much detail, but one of the first things that we had a conversation about was like how

tunnel vision I was. was on making this dream a reality. And, you know, I thought she was going to run away. She was just like, I get it. I want to go on the journey with you. So it hasn't been perfect. I think she's perfect. But, you know, it's been ups and downs, roller coaster ride. But that's life, right? Yeah. Number one is her. And my son just turned 11. He's an amazing, amazing kid.

What's his name? Austin. Stone Cold Steve Austin. He's just an amazing kid. He's so smart. And I just feel like he's getting such a good head start, you know, on life. It might help when you have great parents. Yeah.

He just cares about everybody. and he wants to help people. And I feel like that's me and my wife, you know. That means more to me than anything else. Yeah, raising a good kid. Raising a good kid and being a good person and helping people that might be struggling, you know. And number three is my health because I get up every day and I do something active and I watch. what I eat. I still like to eat some junk, but I do the healthy things more than the bad things.

And I've just kept myself in shape, and I don't feel 42 at all. Yeah, you look great. I feel 32. Yeah, look at all the veins popping out of your forearms. Oh, geez. Yeah, man, it's, I'm very thankful. Well, thank you for making this happen. Thank you for having me, man. It's been a pleasure. Two and five Canadians will hear the words, you have cancer. That's why every step and dollar raised matters.

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