Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Lilian Garcia On Her WWE Return, Smackdown, Viral Moments With The Rock & Triple H

Starting point is 00:00:00 Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Fleet. Oh, yes, welcome back to another one here on Inside. It's me, it's me, it's CVV, Chris Van Fleet. How was your weekend? Hope it was a great one. Thank you for hitting play on this episode, and thank you for making Insight the number one wrestling podcast on the planet. Hit a Phoenix splash on that follow button.

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Starting point is 00:01:16 And just thank you for being on this ride with me. We have a new live show happening SummerSlam weekend Friday, August 1st. We're doing Insight Live in New York City with a very special guest that will be announcing soon. Tickets for the New York City show go on sale this Friday at CVVTix.com. And while you're on that website, you can also grab tickets for Insight Live in Las Vegas.

Starting point is 00:01:41 happening during WrestleMania Week. That's CVV-T-I-X.com. Lillian Garcia is one of my favorite people ever, and I'm so glad she's back on the show. It's amazing to see Lillian Garcia back in WWE. She made a return in October of last year, and she's been the voice of so many iconic moments over the last 25 years.

Starting point is 00:02:06 Lillian was so open and vulnerable during this conversation, talking about some of the personal things that she was dealing with, which ultimately led to her leaving WWE in 2016. And then how her return came last year at the last minute with a random phone call from Triple H. And there's just so many incredible life lessons to pull from Lillian from this one. And I hope that you love hearing her tell her story in a way

Starting point is 00:02:31 that she's never told it before. So snap a screenshot, let her know that you're listening, and tag both her and tag me. She's at Lillian Garcia. I'm at Chris Van Vleet, and here we go. Ladies and gentlemen, the one, the only, Lillian Garcia. It is so good to see you. Ah, so awesome to be here.

Starting point is 00:02:56 So excited. And welcome back to California. Yeah, right? Yeah. I lived here for 13 years. Yeah, as if you'll be in back. It feels great because I got to see some friends last night. I'm getting to see some more friends, you know, coming up today and tomorrow.

Starting point is 00:03:11 And I love that because. it's just in those 13 years, I didn't just meet friends. I met friends, like real good, solid friendships that I've kept. And living in Atlanta now, I'm a little lost over there, not going to lie. I haven't really met, I've met people and made acquaintances, but I guess I've been just flying back and forth where I haven't been able to really meet that yet. So every time I come here, I'm like, ah, it's like familia. I'm grateful to be able to call you a friend.

Starting point is 00:03:41 For sure. And I'm happy you're back here, but I bet you don't miss this traffic. Yeah, that's the only thing. Getting to the studio, 60 miles, over two hours. I went, wait, only in L.A. Took me almost two hours to get here, too. Yeah. It's just wild.

Starting point is 00:03:56 Everybody wants to live here, though, because the weather is so beautiful. The state is so beautiful. Yeah. DDP said it best, oh, fellow Atlanton for you. He said there's a hell of a cover charge to live in California. Yeah. You know, state tax and traffic, but it's like you get, like, 3652 days. of summer every year.

Starting point is 00:04:14 Well, for me, it was so beautiful, too, because when I left, I was living in Laguna Beach at the time, and I was at the beach every single day. And I am, I've known that now about me. I love the water. I love the beach. So I do miss that. I've had a lot of fun in where I'm at. There's a lot of hiking trails and waterfalls and bike trails, so that's great.

Starting point is 00:04:34 And I'm always on my bike and my dog's always in the back. So I'm still doing okay over there. It's so great to see you back in WWE. Thanks. Did you think that this would happen? Did you think you'd be at a point where you were working for WWE again? You know, you should never say never. Because I really thought that was it.

Starting point is 00:04:53 I mean, I thought that that chapter was closed. And especially when I, you know, walked away. I didn't have to walk away in 2016, but I chose to walk away when my dad got sick. You know, he was given two weeks to three months to live. And he had bladder cancer and it had spread. And he, at that time, he was living. with me, mom had come to live with me. They were getting treated at City of Hope here in L.A. And the treatments just didn't work anymore. And when I got that news, I remember calling the

Starting point is 00:05:21 company and being like, I just can't get on another plane, you know, and it was just devastating. And my dad was so upset that I had left the company because he really felt responsible. But I kept every day going, no, this is where I need to be. This is where I want to be. Now, he didn't know he was dying. He had told us a long time before that, don't ever tell me if I'm dying. And I think it was the lieutenant colonel inside of him where I think it would just been devastating had he felt like I don't have any more control. Because as a, you know, army person or whatever, you just feel like you need to have control. And so it was kind of one of those things where it's like, no, I'm going to step away just so I can spend some time with you and

Starting point is 00:06:03 get you back to health. So, yeah, it's probably. But it must make you realize where your priorities are. Oh, for sure. I will never regret that decision. And he passed on Christmas Day of 2016. And I just remember looking by, he had said goodbye to us on the 20th. That was when he lost the ability to speak anymore. And I just remember that by the 25th, I looked at the cross that I had put because he was, you know, a man of faith. And I put a cross above his bed. And I said, God, this was like at 1230 that afternoon. I said, if you want to give me a gift, take him. Because this is not my. my dad anymore. It's the hardest thing to say. Yeah. But, I mean, I'm looking at this man who's not, it was just trying to stay alive for us, but he just wasn't there. And I always wondered, why Christmas Day, and he held on to that day, though, because he knew how much we loved it. But I do remember this from the hospice people that were there. Great piece of advice. And he said, don't tell your dad to let go. As a lieutenant colonel, he's the one that gave him. He's the one that the orders. So just tell him it's okay to let go if he's ready. And that's what I did.

Starting point is 00:07:15 I whispered in his ear and I said, look, it's okay to let go. Like you've really prepped me for life. Your lessons. And I don't want to get, you know, teary-eyed here. But it was like he just an hour, like about an hour later, he let go. He must have been so proud of you. My dad, gosh. I mean, that's why I got into wrestling. You know, we would watch wrestling as a kid. I don't know what it was. He had it on TV, and I was just like, what is this? And I just gravitated to it. And my sister wanted nothing to do with it.

Starting point is 00:07:50 My mom wanted nothing to do with it, they'd be in the other room. My dad and I would be yelling at the TV and watching Rick Flair and just, you know, yelling at him to then all of a sudden, you know, he took me to the Township Auditorium and I saw Andre the Giant. And it was amazing. I mean, I, and it's wild because I went back to the Township Auditorium. My sister, she was a forum in South Carolina, and they had like the reunion. And it was just a few years ago. And so I went with her for the reunion. And I'm looking around and went, I know that that's where I was sitting.

Starting point is 00:08:23 Like I could literally visualize. I knew it. I said, I remember that angle from watching Andre the Giant and Rick Flair from that angle. And of course, in my head, the auditorium looked ginormous, but it's not that big. But as a little girl, I think I must have been, I don't know if I was around. 11 or 12 when he took me somewhere on there. So, but think about this, to fast forward to Rick Flair comes to work at, you know, I'd already started working for WWF, right, before he had changed the name.

Starting point is 00:08:55 And then Rick Flair gets, it leaves, or WCW gets acquired. Now he's, you know, over there. And I get to meet him and I tell him how I grew up watching you. And then dad's coming to the show. So I was like, can I introduce my dad to you? He's like, yeah, sure. So my dad comes backstage. I'm introducing Rick and him.

Starting point is 00:09:13 And then that night, my dad's in the front row and I'm introducing Rick Flair to the ring. And I'm like, are you kidding me? What a moment, right? My dad's with tears in his eyes. He's like, you can't believe it. From us watching TV yelling to all of a sudden, here I am in the middle of the ring, introducing Rick Flair to the ring. Totally full circle moment.

Starting point is 00:09:32 Full circle moment. Yeah. To then, you know, when I left WWE and my dad is like, well, what are you going to do now? what are you going to do now? And that's when I had had the idea. I had told them about this idea that I wanted to interview the wrestlers. And I said, I really want to start with women. And I started my podcast, making their way to the ring.

Starting point is 00:09:52 I think you were the first female wrestling podcast. I was the first from wrestling female, yeah, to have her own podcast. Yeah. And I started two at the same time. Like, you know, me, super ambitious. I started making their way to the rain before I changed it to Chase and Glory. and then I started Luchando, which was in Spanish. So I interviewed Spanish wrestlers on Spanish.

Starting point is 00:10:15 So it became a little too much. That's why I believe. But I also became the first from the wrestling world to have a Spanish podcast. Wow. So that was pretty wild. So when you stepped away from WWE in 2016, did you miss it? Yes. I couldn't even watch the product for a really long time.

Starting point is 00:10:32 It was just too sad, too hard for me to watch. Too many memories. You know, I loved it so much. like I said, from a little girl to all of a sudden, here I am, and working with the rock and Stone Cold, Triple H. I mean, the attitude era. I mean, it's like, you know, Devon and I look back. I remember him coming to me.

Starting point is 00:10:52 We were talking by stage. He goes, man, we just had no clue the era that we were in when we were in it. We just didn't. And I heard Triple H kind of say this the other day after Elimination Chamber in the press conference. He said, you know, we didn't really know. that there was something so special about the attitude era, but now we look back and we go, that was a really special time.

Starting point is 00:11:13 He goes, but now we can feel there's something very special now. And I agree. It's like now some of us that were there in the attitude era could really look at this moment and go, okay, there's a feeling that we're familiar with. And this is really special. You made some sporadic appearances between 2016 and now.

Starting point is 00:11:31 Yes. But how did you coming back full-time happen? Crazy, crazy. I can only, I feel like this is a God thing. So when I left in 2016, took care of my dad, then my mom stayed living with me, and then eventually she got cancer as well. I went to now, in 2019, I went to PFL, the Professional Fighters League in MMA. So I started announcing for them.

Starting point is 00:12:00 I announced for four years with them. But mom had gotten sick during that time. and so did the same thing for her, like, took care of her. My sister came. My sister did this as well with my dad. She basically lived with me so we could take care of both of them. And she passed in 2021. And then by the end of 2021, my marriage just dissolved.

Starting point is 00:12:26 You know, I had to make a really hard decision. And it's wild that I went to Spain where I grew up. I went there to kind of tap into my younger self. and to separate myself in the situation to kind of see things clearly. And for three weeks I sat there and I wrote everything out and then I came back and I made the decision. But I was devastated because I didn't see it coming. I didn't want this.

Starting point is 00:12:51 I mean, right? But you get to a point where you, if you're not living in a very healthy way, you got to make a decision. And so I needed to make that decision. And so I kept, I, you know, dissolve that. I kept PFL. I did the 2022 season. And then 2023 season came and all of a sudden I lost my voice.

Starting point is 00:13:20 And I couldn't figure out why. I went through four months trying to figure out what was wrong with my voice. I couldn't announce. I could speak. But I could barely sing. And I could just any time I went to do something forceful, full voistrous. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:13:35 It would just, like, it would just swell up and disappear. And my vocal coach was telling me, because I was like, okay, maybe I should just be a vocal rest. And he's like, no, no, no, we can't do that because then you're atrophy. Like, we got to work this out. But come to find out, like, when I tried to do the championship for the 2020-3 season, I just couldn't. It was at Madison Square Garden.

Starting point is 00:13:55 And that very next week, my boss called me. He's like, you know, we're not going to be able to sign you for 2024. Like, we don't even know what's wrong with you. And I was like, I don't, I don't. I don't blame you. Yeah. I'm like, you know, an announcer without a voice. But the very next week, my voice cleared up.

Starting point is 00:14:10 And I'm like, what is happening here? What was it? And sure enough, I had the house. I was living in Laguna Beach and I had it checked out. And I thought it was mold because I'd encountered mold in houses before. But it wasn't. It was a gas leak. Huge gas leak that I had had there for four months,

Starting point is 00:14:26 inflaming all, you know, just inhaling all these flames or fumes. And they're like, thank goodness you don't smell. or you don't light candles. And that's why I was so irritated. And my body just went through. I had to go through hyperbaric chambers and detox and all. But by then I'd lost that, right? So then I ended up deciding by the end of 2023, I decided to move to my parents' house

Starting point is 00:14:56 in South Carolina. So I left California. The house had been sitting there, you know, since my dad. They moved in 2016. So I went and I, wow, that was, what a chapter for eight months, sat there and went through all my childhood memories because that's the house that I grew up in from when I moved from Spain when I was eight years old. So going through all of this stuff, my dad, my parents had like added to the house. And by then it was like almost 4,000 square feet, a lot of hoarding, you know. It's like that generation just wanted to keep everything.

Starting point is 00:15:29 So I went through a lot. My sister would come back and forth from now. Nashville. But sitting with those memories in the house, wow, that was tough. And I dealt with that for eight months. And then that led me to Atlanta. I get to Atlanta. And I somebody suggested, oh, by the way, at the end of 21. And I am going to get to your question, but I think this is all important to lead to that. You've been through a lot. Yeah. I mean, by the end of 2021, when I made the decision December 1st is when I finally told them. My friend extended her hand the second week of December.

Starting point is 00:16:08 She's like, do you want to go to Mariners with me? And I was like, what is that? She's like, my church. And I was like, well, I'm Catholic. She goes, well, this is non-denominational. It's like, okay, I've never been to non-denominational. It's fine. I walk in, and the band starts playing, and they're playing for 20 minutes.

Starting point is 00:16:22 And it's like, they're playing rock music and there's lights. And I'm like, wait, we're not even in a church. It's like in an auditorium. arena. And I'm like, what? Am I a church or am I a rock concert? Like, what is this? And I was just so like, moved by it and the message and everything that I was like, I had to come back next week. And by the second week, I was like, oh, I had to see if they need a singer. It's like I could just got everything in me. I don't know whether a God, whatever, but everything in me is like, go find out. And sure enough, they did a really quick audition. I heard that usually takes six

Starting point is 00:16:57 months and I was in there like two weeks. So I was meant to be, you know, so I started becoming a worship leader and really, and that brought me back. I mean, and I got into a church program that really helped me deal with my divorce and helped me deal with a lot of trauma that I'd been through in my life. And from that, I ended up getting baptized, re-baptized. When I say rebaptized, I was baptized as a baby, but I made the choice as an adult. And it was on Easter Day, which was fascinating, was amazing, that it was that day because it also happened to be my grandmother's birthday. And my grandmother was the first 14 years of my life. She was, she lived with us.

Starting point is 00:17:38 And she's the one that really just poured so much love. I know love because of my grandmother. So the fact that it was her birthday as well. So then when I moved to Atlanta and I'd watched the movie The War Room, which is amazing, I created this prayer closet because it talks about it in the war room and is where I meditate and all. And I'm sitting there and I'm like, all right, God, I've done everything that I feel like you want me to do. You know, I've stepped away from this, stepped away from that, lost my voice. I've, you know, found out what it was, but at the same time I lost my job at VFL, didn't get re-signed. And no income coming in. I've gone to

Starting point is 00:18:17 this house for eight months and emptied it, still waiting for it to sell, right? And I'm like, I literally have one more month left of income. You say you do not. You do not. You do not. You're abandon. Like, I feel like I've done everything you want me to do. I will trust, but I am scared. And then I get two weeks later, I get the call from Triple H to come back. Wow. I mean... What perfect timing. But that's why I say, you get, I, there's so many of these things that happen that I go, oh, no, God makes himself obvious. And for me, that's when people ask me, like how do you have faith? How do you really believe?

Starting point is 00:18:59 Because it's happened too many times. And I've been through a lot in my life that I know he's been there for me. And so, yeah, that was wild. And it was just kind of like, all right, you're not just going to start. We don't need you in a few weeks. We need you now. So we see you on Monday Night Raw. When did you get the call?

Starting point is 00:19:23 When did you go from there to actually, you know, be there at the show. I believe it was like Thursday before the, yeah, before Monday's like, uh, so here's the thing, Lil, but you know what's so crazy? So here's the setup, too. Because I went to the house in South Carolina, then I find out that Raw is going to be in Greenville,

Starting point is 00:19:44 and that was in May. Yeah, months before, yeah. May, months before. I find out they're going to be in Greenville. So I'm like, oh, that's only an hour and a half. I hadn't seen them in forever. Let me go down there. Oh, so just go say hi to some more friends.

Starting point is 00:19:55 More friends? Let me just go say hi to everybody. So I, you know, reach out to him. And I'm like, hey, can I come by? I'm like an hour and a half away. He's like, of course. We haven't seen you forever. Come on back.

Starting point is 00:20:06 So I said hi to everybody. And then he was like, hey, do you want to be on the show tonight? Like, I'd love for you to like co-announce with Samantha. And I'm like, oh, that would be so much fun. Sam was so excited. She's so excited. She's like, she was telling me, she'd been watching me. And then I had inspired her because I sang.

Starting point is 00:20:23 And so she felt like she, you know, wanted to say. on the show and all. So when we code announced, when I stopped in the middle of the ring and started complimenting her, that wasn't part of it. I just really felt like that just came out of me like really, you know, complimenting her. And it just became such a moment that it just went everywhere viral, you know, my gosh, it was like the passing of the torch and all that. And it was just so exciting. To then, I'm in Atlanta now living there and bad blood is in Atlanta. So that was like, So that was with Sam that was like May. Now this is like August, September, something like that.

Starting point is 00:20:59 Bad Blood was the first weekend of October. October. Yeah. Okay. So yeah. So see, and I came back in October. So we didn't know anything. And so I came, so I go to Bad Blood.

Starting point is 00:21:09 I'm in the audience. You know, I'm sitting next to Booker Tea and I'm like waving. Like the legends are here. Yeah. And then I get the call like two weeks later. Like, hey, can you come back? And the thing is, is I knew, I knew when they offered it to me to come back, they did tell me, hey, this isn't like for permanent announcing for Raw or SmackDown.

Starting point is 00:21:32 We just really need you right now. But we are, you know, this is a new era. We want to be completely upfront with you, which I really appreciated. And I said, look, whatever you guys need. Like, I never thought I was going to be back and whatever you need. You know, I love this business. I love the people I work with. And so I'm like, I'm excited.

Starting point is 00:21:51 And so when they brought me back, I knew that, I knew that Raw was going to be until the changeover in January 6th for Netflix that I knew. And they were like, okay, now we're going to put you on SmackDown. And we don't know how long we, you know, and every week that went by, they were like, I'm so sorry, we need you another week. Is that okay? And I'm like, of course it is. It's fine. Do whatever you want. Like, I am loving this.

Starting point is 00:22:13 Like totally loving this. But what was so beautiful that has evolved from it is that even though I'm not a full-time, going to be the full-time smack. down announcer anymore. They said, you know what? We love having you part of this. Like, we want to extend, we want you to do Saturday Night's main event. We think you're a perfect fit for that. And I love it. I get to wear gowns for that. Like, you know, we dress up a little. I love the mic that comes from the ceiling. Yes. So cool was that. And it's also like, that show is so nostalgic. Right. And nostalgia is such a powerful feeling. It totally is. And you are the voice of our childhood. Oh, thanks. So for you to be the voice of Saturday night's

Starting point is 00:22:49 main event is just perfect. I think it's. I think it's. It's so cool. It's so cool. Especially if Howard Finkel can't be there. He's someone who helped train you. Yeah. It's amazing. Yeah. Yeah. He was amazing. So getting to be part of that and then they're like, look, we've got a lot of other shows that we know that we, you know, we're in talks with right now on what we can do. So I'm like, whatever you guys need. Again, whatever you need, like just put me in, coach. I'm here. So you get the call. You're going to be working on Monday Night Raw. What do you do from there? Do you just instantly start learning names and weights and hometowns? Yes. Yes. I was like, oh my gosh. Okay, look, I mean, I was thrown the very first day on the job. I was thrown into the rain. Like, when I showed up in 1999 from my very first day, I didn't know I was going to be an announcer until 3.30 that afternoon. So the fact that they gave me like three or four days before, I was like, oh, I got this. So I've been to this

Starting point is 00:23:46 sink or swim situation. I was like, oh, this is plenty of time. But I'm not going to lie. that when I was a little bit out of my element in the fact that I wasn't in the middle of the ring because it was this big thing with Seth Rollins at the beginning. So the first time you saw me on camera, I wasn't even in the middle of the ring. I was in the side. What was so funny is the guy, the camera guy, you guys can't tell. But his camera was like right here. And I'm like, oh my God. Can you back up just a little bit?

Starting point is 00:24:19 Like, there was, like, no space. What's that wide angle lens, right? Yes. But it was, like, right here. So I'm a little bit like, holy cow, I'm outside of my element in that I'm, I'm nervous as hell. I haven't been back and forever. Eight years. It's been eight years, right?

Starting point is 00:24:37 Learning all of this stuff at the last minute. And then I've got this camera here. I'm not even in the middle of the rain, which was my element. I'm in the side. And then they're like, go, you know? And then there's like this long container. what is it, the contenders match or something, and I said containment match. I mean, I'm like, oh, Lil, you are off to the races.

Starting point is 00:24:58 But you have to laugh that stuff off. Like, at least I showed up. At least I try every single time. There's people that won't even do that. But what a beautiful welcome you got from the fans. Oh, Philly. Wow. Like, I wasn't sure how they were going to receive me.

Starting point is 00:25:13 I really wasn't. Like eight years had gone by. And I remember Mick Foley saying this one time when he was coming back as just a surprise guest. And I said, oh my gosh, are you excited? And he's like, yeah, but you think they'll remember me? And I'm like, Mick, you're Mick Foley. Of course they're going to remember you. But now I got, I get it. I get it. Because I don't know if, you know, you think people have evolved so much. Will they even want me back? And all. When I went through that curtain, they said my name. I kid you not. The crowd noise, it's like it just went through me.

Starting point is 00:25:46 Like, I felt, I felt this energy. And it was just like, all this love that came my way that I was like, I almost took my breath away. And I had the biggest smile the whole way. And then you see me, I grabbed the mic and I'm like, Philly. Wow. It feels so good to be back. Like, it was genuine.

Starting point is 00:26:06 I was so excited. It was awesome. I'm just so moved by the timing of all of this. I don't think anybody thought Samantha would be moving on. you probably weren't expecting a phone call to be the voice of Monday Night Raw again. Right. And for you to say that like you had two weeks left of income and then you didn't know what you were going to do. Yeah. It's just amazing the timing of all of this to come together. I think, and I say this when I said to you, why, you know, why Christmas Day with my dad,

Starting point is 00:26:40 for example? I never got to that. But I think it's perfect to tie it in with this. I feel like God is using my story in some ways to help people. I think that that's definitely, I feel a calling to share, to be transparent, to be wide open. I have found a huge love and a passion to share any wisdom, any lessons that I've learned to inspire people. And I think that with my dad passing on Christmas Day, I was able to tell people the people that have lost loved ones over the holidays. that don't even want to celebrate the holidays anymore. I'm like, no, no, no. Use this as an opportunity actually to celebrate it even bigger.

Starting point is 00:27:22 I feel my dad more than anything Christmas. I can't wait for Christmas. I actually decorate on Halloween night. If I am not at a Halloween party, you will know that Lillian's at home decorating. It's no joke. I feel my dad's presence so much that I tell people, yeah, this is a time to celebrate them, right?

Starting point is 00:27:42 it's the same thing here. I think with people hearing, they think that celebrities, whatever, always got it together, or they always had this, I mean, I'd gone through COVID. I went through the financial. I went through losing my job with my voice.

Starting point is 00:27:58 I went through all this loss, right? That, yeah, I'm a human being, and finances are going to go away, you know? And there was a lot with a divorce and everything like that, too. So I'm hoping that somebody out there that's listening to this that has two weeks left of pay can literally learn from this and go, just surrender. Surrender and just invite God to go, all right, show off, God.

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Starting point is 00:29:36 Offer is subject to terms and conditions. State Soccer Federation present the U.S. Soccer Podcast. My name is David Goss, and I'm joined by my co-host, Megan Klinemberg. And now we're giving people an inside look at the World Cup. Time's ticking. I think you can feel the intensity. All the guys are wanting to really stake their claim, and they want to be on that World Cup roster.

Starting point is 00:29:58 There's no doubt about it. Hosting the World Cup on the home soil comes with its pressures, but we're just really excited just as the people are. The U.S. Soccer Podcast, presented by Henco. Follow and listen on your favorite platform. It sounds like with so much that you were going through, you were doing so many things for other people. Do you feel like now you're able to live for yourself?

Starting point is 00:30:22 Hmm. I've never had anybody put that question to me. Because think about it. You were taking care of your dad. Yeah. Then you're taking care of your mom. Then you're trying to figure out all of these other things with your relationship and with your voice.

Starting point is 00:30:34 And now it's like, when I needed this the most, it was right here. Yeah. And it feels like you're doing it for you now. I think that, you know, I've tried to control things in my life a lot because as a little girl, when I came from Spain, I had a beautiful childhood in Spain. Were you born in Spain? No. So I was born in the Canal Zone, actually.

Starting point is 00:30:58 I've been in the news a lot. My dad was in the military, right? So I was born there. I left when I was three months old. So full-blooded American, if you were born in the canals, I was on your American. It was part of America at the time. And then I went to actually South Carolina until I was one. So from three months until I was one.

Starting point is 00:31:18 Then we moved to Spain, to Madrid, because my dad got a job working for the American embassy there. He was working CIA. So I lived there until I was eight. That's what I remember. That's the childhood I remember, right? But when I moved, when we moved when I was eight to South Carolina, it was a culture shock. Not only just for me, my mother went into deep depression. She did not want to come back.

Starting point is 00:31:46 She really loved, you know, living in Spain. And so, and then my grandmother started getting really sick. And she passed away when I was 14. And I feel like that was the time that I lost safety. And so my parents were fighting a lot. And my mom just with her depression just turned into somebody I didn't even recognize. And then losing my grandmother, which was the one that poured so much love into me, I started, I really lost the safety that I felt that I had. So then I tried to control.

Starting point is 00:32:24 And I think that that's what ended up also evolving years later into getting bulimia. It was my way to try to, I was out of control with my emotions or whatever, but I felt like I had control. It's so weird. It's such a weird disease. But I'm trying to remember now why we even got in this. Well, it feels like your focus now is on, it's on you and your career. Yeah, so the control. So I think that my thing was I felt like I had to control and now I realized that I needed to surrender control.

Starting point is 00:32:59 Wow, that's, yeah, that's powerful. And when I surrendered, and the more I surrender, it's the same thing even with WWE. I'm not trying to control to stay on SmackDown or stay on Raw or stay on whatever. Whatever you need. It's whatever you need. I am here to serve. And the more I've been able to do that, the more, the happier in my life. Even with me being single, some people are like, wow, you've been single now for three and a half years, you know.

Starting point is 00:33:29 I don't want to try to control to be in a relationship. I did the apps, by the way. I did two for a month each. They were horrible, horrible. I met my wife on an app. No, you did. And I know we've talked about this, and God bless you for that. I feel very fortunate.

Starting point is 00:33:45 You are so lucky. I know. And she's the best. Look, and maybe it's, I don't know. How long were you on that app? A while. Oh, see, that's what it is. They get you, right?

Starting point is 00:33:55 At first, it's like. I had given up hope. Right. So that's a thing. I feel like when you're on there, they know they want to keep you because they're going to make money by you state. You're right. Then they start showing. So they're going to give you the horrible right at the beginning. Well, I don't have the stomach to get through all of that. So in the first month, it was funny. It was called happy hour for one of them. And at five o'clock, here's five people or whatever. And I told my concierge, you got a concierge. I told them, I said, you're turning my happy hour into a miserable hour. I said because if this is what you matched me up with, I'm like, oh, I mean, I'm going to be celibate and single forever.

Starting point is 00:34:34 So, yeah, I just, I know that that's not the path for me. And it's fine. And I am giving control up. Like, it will happen when it happens. But what I've done in the meantime, I can control what I can control. And that is control the healing that goes on in me, control how I show up every day, control how I treat everybody every day, right? Like, those are the things that I think it's okay to have control over.

Starting point is 00:35:00 Control my workouts and my eating and taking care of myself and the environment and how I show up to work. And, you know, those are the things that I now control. But everything else, no. How has it been being back in WWE since October? Amazing. Amazing. Like, the fans have been incredible being, you know, just and just the love from that to the people

Starting point is 00:35:22 I'm working with, to even the new talent. that's there. The girls in the locker room, absolutely incredible. And they all reached out to me. They're like, we're going to miss you on the weekly basis. They know I'm not gone, gone, but they're like, we're going to miss you on a weekly basis. And just in, you know, working back with Triple Each and seeing, you know, just all of these people that I worked with for so many years and all the agents now that are the producers, you know, that are there. It's my family. You know, I don't have my parents anymore. I didn't have kids and I'm not in a relationship. And I'm in Atlanta by myself, right?

Starting point is 00:35:59 So it is my family. And that's what's so beautiful in the fact that they said, look, we really want to work this out to, like, keep you in some capacity here. Man, that's music to my ears and just to my heart. What's been the biggest difference you've seen between WWE now versus when you started? Oh, wow.

Starting point is 00:36:20 Oh, gosh. Where do I start with that one? You know, it's just different. It is different. And I think that, you know, T.K. Now owns it. It's run different. But it's not one better than the other.

Starting point is 00:36:33 It's just, it, I think it is more corporate for sure now. But I think people will interpret that as a bad thing, but that's not how you. No, no, not at all. Not at all. I just think, I feel like there's more structure maybe now. I mean, they even have an app that tells us. you where to, you know, when to show up. Da-da-da-da-da. What time's call time? We didn't have any of that. That's what I mean. So that's

Starting point is 00:36:59 when I'm in by my structure of my corporate. But there's lessons in both that I love. There's experiences in both that I love. I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't go through. And I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't go through the bullying that I went through when I went to school when I was it. You know, it really created a lot of empathy in me. So I realized that all of these things that I've gone through in my life have actually been for me. And I want to share that with others. Whatever you're going through in life, if you can just have the attitude that this is happening for me and not against me, it's happening for me and not against me. When I moved to Atlanta, two weeks later, I had to move again. There was some structure issue and the ceiling. And I had

Starting point is 00:37:41 to move. And I'm like, oh my God, I just unpacked. I just unpacked. I got to pack up and do this all over again. And they weren't even willing to help move me. I had to move myself, which was crazy. down the hall and up the thing, but it was a lot, right? And then the whole time I could say, this is happening for me? Not a guess, but well, I actually like it better. That side of the building is a brand new building. That side of the building wasn't even open at the time.

Starting point is 00:38:02 So I wouldn't have been able to move in there right away. So the fact that it was two weeks later, that side opened up, better view, better apartment. So I'm like, yes, see another lesson. It's always happening for you. That is a hard lesson to learn. I know. Especially when things in front of you feel like there is,

Starting point is 00:38:21 No ray of light, no ray of hope. I know. I know, but that's the surrender. And I think that we put ourselves, it's funny because I'm right now in a mastermind with Peter Crone and really, really liked his message. And he says a lot that we put ourselves in these prisons and we put ourselves through suffering. And a lot of the suffering that we put ourselves through is that we're trying to control

Starting point is 00:38:46 the unknown, right? And we're trying to fight against the unknown. And not only that, we make up stories. How many times have we made up all these things? Well, if I don't do this, then this is going to happen and this is going to happen. And we put ourselves in so much torture over things that haven't even happened. Yes, and probably never will. And they probably, how many times later on we're like, wow, we just created all that and it was fine.

Starting point is 00:39:08 Everything is fine. So it is true. We put ourselves through so much suffering, and that's what his definition of suffering. The definition of suffering is when we put ourselves through all these imaginations of things, instead of just what is happening right now? Like right now, the only thing I need to, I'm in this conversation. I'm not thinking about what I'm going to do today or tonight or whatever. I'm in this conversation and loving it.

Starting point is 00:39:32 And that's what brings joy to me. I'll share with you a quote. I've said it a few times, but it's such a powerful quote. It's no amount of anxiety can change the future. No amount of regret can change the past, but any amount of gratitude can change the present. And it's that idea of appreciating the moment. that you have right now. Right now. Even in the suffering, even in the, in the hard times. I mean,

Starting point is 00:39:56 I am so much better because I let go of my marriage, even as sad as that is. And as difficult as I'm sure was. So, but I also am grateful for that marriage. It taught me a lot. It taught me things that I accepted that I should not have accepted, right? And, and same thing with my parents. It was hard to go through those times with them. But also I look back and I go, wow, my sister and I were there for them all the way to the end. You know, they brought us here. And I remember being on my knees and having, I, I mean, I was shaking and crying uncontrollably with my dad before you pass. I was so tired because, you know, it was being a nurse, basically, 21st.

Starting point is 00:40:46 I was so tired. And I was just like, I don't know how much. and the emotions, right? Because you're tied to that loss or, you know, you know it's coming and all. But at the same time, I look back and I go, wow, I grew, I grew a lot during that time, too. And it's amazing that all of this led you back to WWE. I feel like it was my dad, too. I feel like there was a bit of a gift.

Starting point is 00:41:07 I wrote that in one of my posts. You see me on the side holding the microphone and the photographer caught this glow that I have. And I wrote and I said, I look at this picture and it was almost like I remember sitting there and going, like, you know that I laughed to take care of you. And it's almost like he was giving me a thank you. And I get all emotional because it gave me a family again. You know, it's been it's been lonely. Not going to lie. It's been a beautiful time to experience, you know.

Starting point is 00:41:53 And I've had a lot of, it's created no distractions, which is actually, you know, really good sometimes just to have no distractions. And for me, it's actually brought me closer to God because I've had really leaned in. But it's also been lonely where I appreciate. I appreciate people. I appreciate conversations when I saw you at Elimination Chamber. That was such a lovely surprise. You were in the press box. And I was like, I did a triple take.

Starting point is 00:42:24 I'm like, Lillian? Well, you know what was wild. So when the first pay-per-view came, or... I gave you this big hug. I'm like, I can't believe you're here. Yeah, PLE. Sorry, right? We know what you're talking about.

Starting point is 00:42:35 Yeah, yeah. So when the first PLEE came and, you know, Alicia's announcing it, I asked him and was like, do you guys mind if I stick around and watch it? And, you know, because I was announcing Smackdown the night before. And, of course, I was like, fine. We'd love for you to stick around. I said, I want to do, like, my POV, Lil's POV, you know, and I want to take people backstage and up in the,

Starting point is 00:42:58 from the press box or from that, you know, all these different angles watching the PLE. And so that's why I got, I ended up doing elimination chamber as well. And so I snuck up there and when I saw you, I just lit up. You know, I got to say that about you, Chris. There's a reason your show is so successful. There's a reason that people want to talk to you. there's a reason that people feel open to be able to be like this vulnerable as well. You are not, you're here to tell a story and you do it so respectful.

Starting point is 00:43:34 And I got to thank you so much. Like seriously from like for us, we want to tell our stories. But it's those that want to tell our stories to try to pick those headlines, the salacious headlines that you then can't trust. and I think that people need to realize that if they stick with integrity and morals like you have, that you can be successful without having to try to get gotcha, you know. So I really want to congratulate you because you've shown that you can make it in this business with a lot of integrity and a lot of morals.

Starting point is 00:44:13 And so thank you for that. And I'm fully aware that this, the show might have my name on. I might be inside with Chris Van Vley, but these are not my stories, right? And I love that the show gets to be the vessel through which these stories are told. And then I get to sit here and selfishly learn from the person sitting across from me and find the little parts of their story that I can then apply to my life to hopefully become a better person from that. And I want to say thank you to you for just being so open because the things that you're sharing through your story is inspiring so many people who are going through hardships themselves, who don't see light at the end of the

Starting point is 00:44:51 tunnel. And I think through you sharing your story, people can realize it will get better. It will. Life is, it really is a roller coaster, right? But it's, are you going through it, clinging like clinging like this, you know, to the handlebar and going, oh, or are you going to put your hands up and go, you know, and that's what I choose, right? You get, you get to make choice and I choose to put my hands up and when we got to go down let's just try to make it as fun as we possibly can or learn something whatever you know but um yeah I it's wild it's it's wild it's the surrender it has in that wild yeah think of the symbolism of surrender yeah it's the same thing as when you hold your hands up in a roller coaster I just put that two and

Starting point is 00:45:43 two together I'm now putting together that you have to put so much trust in the, uh, and one little bar. Right. Right. And you do. And you do. Well, the people that are doing this, yeah, they put the trust in that, that thing's going to hold me in here. It did for all the rides before me. For all the right. Yeah. And how we just, oh, wow, that's so wild. I got to, yeah, that's beautiful. So I just choose to go through life like this. I ride the roller coaster like that. My wife thinks I'm crazy. But it's fun. There's an exhilaration about it. There's a, there's a, there's a, there's a, release about it. There's a releasing control, right? It's like, nope, I'm just going to ride in and just enjoy life. And yeah. That's powerful. So thank you. Yeah. No, it's, I know what you mean,

Starting point is 00:46:29 you know, because when I did chasing glory, it was the same thing. I got to know these superstars like never before in their stories and their journey and everyone's got a different chase for glory. And my goodness, would I love to bring that show back, by the way? I mean, I think, I think, you know, it is time to have a conversation. WWE and let's see, because I know that they're having their podcast division, you know, come back. Yeah. And there's a lot of wrestling podcasts out there,

Starting point is 00:46:54 but there's always room for more. Like I've always been a big proponent of like, there is always room at the table for more people. Like I am clapping for others does not take away from your own success. No, yes. And I am always clapping for other people. You're starting a podcast. Amazing.

Starting point is 00:47:10 How can I help? How can I share this out? Right. But that's the thing. It's like people, It always extend your hand out to help somebody else up and understand that you putting somebody else down doesn't lift you up. It just does not lift you up. Same thing with, be careful with the words and the jealousy that you have because I'm telling you, it is only going to backfire on you.

Starting point is 00:47:35 Yeah, bring Jason Gloria back. Yeah, that would be. I mean, I have so many fans that keep going, can you please bring it back? I love it. You want to talk about people getting vulnerable. You've had some deep conversations in there. Yeah. Yeah. So we'll see. Okay. This is going to be quite an adventure to see where this all continues to go. But I have got my hands up, baby.

Starting point is 00:47:56 And anybody who wants to ride this roller coaster with me. Who were the people you were most excited to announce when you came back? When I came back. Yeah, when you came back to WWA. Oh, well, I mean, how cool was it to be able to announce Trish back? I mean, that was awesome. It'd been like, oh my gosh, I can't remember how many years we said. that had been since I announced her, I think since her retirement, or evolution.

Starting point is 00:48:20 I think it was since evolution, the paper of you. So, and then I got to announce The Rock. And I think he was since like 2003 or something. So I was just like, ladies gentlemen, please welcome the Rock. It was, oh, so fun. And then Randy Word in the other day. So that was really neat. And then all this new talent, you know, from Cody.

Starting point is 00:48:39 I'm so, well, I say new. I worked with Cody, you know, before. but to see his evolution. Yeah, you were with a different iteration of Cody Rhodes. Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. So to see his growth from that, he believed in himself. There's a man that believed in himself.

Starting point is 00:48:56 And he was like, okay, you don't see me as a champ now? Let me go. And then I'll come back and I'm going to show you. And he did. Yeah. I love that. I have so much respect over that. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:49:05 And then, you know, working with like Liv Morgan and Ria Ripley. And what I loved is being able to do, like I did two interviews with Ria Ripley. This was when I had Chase and Glory and when I was not announcing anymore, and I had never announced her and getting to know her story, my gosh, what a powerful story she's got. And then being able to announce her in the ring, and she was like, I've never thought you'd announce me. And I was so, I think you mentioned that to me before. Yeah, I just interviewed Raquel Rodriguez, and she said that hearing Lillian Garcia

Starting point is 00:49:40 announced me to the ring was the moment where I knew I made it. The way that you rolled D.Rs. Yeah. When you told me, I remember you mentioned that to me in Elimination Chamber, and I remember I got teary-eyed. And I actually saw her in Spain and Germany. We did the tour together. And I went up to her and I was like, oh, my gosh, Chris family told me about that you said this.

Starting point is 00:50:02 And I started getting all teary-eyed. She goes, she was hugging me. She goes, no, seriously. Like, you don't know what it means to have you say my name. It's just so beautiful. I never thought it would happen. And I'm like, wow. That is so cool that people could get that worked up about me announcing them.

Starting point is 00:50:18 Are you able to step back, even just half a step, and realize the impact that you've had? I didn't until this return. This return and the way people received me is when I realized, oh, wow, you really didn't have an impact here. You know, things go so fast in life and, you know, move on that you sometimes wonder, oh, well, I was just, you know, a little moment, a little blip. And this time, they've made me feel, everybody's made me feel like, no, no, no, you're like a staple here. And that has been amazing. And you were there for some of the biggest moments.

Starting point is 00:50:57 Biggest, incredible moments. I think what was so cool about the era that you first came up in is you were a character. You weren't just someone saying names and weights and hometowns. You were a character. You were in a lot of storylines. Yeah, that was fun. The storyline with Vicerra. Oh my gosh.

Starting point is 00:51:16 You know, that was never supposed to be a storyline. Really? Never. So he, they asked, okay, can he just serenade you? We want a tournament to like Big Daddy V where he starts going around to all these women and being like this, you know, he gets all these women kind of thing. And I was like, he goes, we have an idea. We want him to serenade you. And I'm like, yeah, it'd be fun.

Starting point is 00:51:38 Well, it was like the most watched segment in like weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks or like the year or something like that. So it was like, wait a minute. We have something here. So that's when they kept writing something for us. And it just kept evolving and evolving. And next thing you know, I'm proposing to him at the pay-per-view and vengeance. Oh, my gosh. It was so fun.

Starting point is 00:52:00 Oh, God bless him. He was so incredible to work with. And they wanted to do this like, you know, beauty and the beast. Of course, I'm the beast. He seemed like such a sweet man. It was so, yeah. He was a beautiful man. Like, seriously.

Starting point is 00:52:16 Just a really, a big teddy bear. He showed up and he was like, oh, guess what we're doing tonight? Like, what are we doing? Yeah, things that you didn't expect. How did they pitch you the story of what you were going to do in the ring with three-minute warning? Oh, my goodness. I don't know if you've told this story. I don't think I have.

Starting point is 00:52:36 I don't think I have. So, okay, I get the job as the announcer, right, replacing the legend Howard Finkel. And I don't remember how long after that, but he kind of in the storyline had been wanting his job back. And he screwed me in something. I remember popping up with Trish. I even had a match with him. Or it was leading to that or something. Oh, that's right.

Starting point is 00:53:01 It was after that. So he's in the ring and he's insulting me with something. and then all of a sudden three-minute warning comes, and then was it Jamal? But Eric Bischoff sets this up. Yes. I think you've got three minutes. Three-minute warning.

Starting point is 00:53:17 And then Jamal and Rosie are in the ring. They threw me into Jamal, which obviously we know later it was Umaga, but at the time he was Jamal, and they do the Simone drop. He does the Simone drop on me. So we rehearsed it in the afternoon, and there was a mat.

Starting point is 00:53:33 They brought this big mat, and they're like, okay, what we need you to do is to be able to, take this, we need you to wrap your arms here and wrap your arms there. Like, they're teaching me, right? And I've been athletic my old life. So I was like, this is the best thing ever. This is so exciting. And they're like, okay, but when he goes back with you, you make sure you release all the air out of your lungs so that you don't lose your, well, I'm not wrestler. So, of course, in the action of it all, I hit the mat. Now, it's way further than the mat. Sorry, the practice mat, mat, right? Practice mat is like super thick. But when I hit the mat, the ring, the fall is way worse, and I don't let my air out because I don't think about it.

Starting point is 00:54:17 And sure enough, I'm like, I knocked the wind out of my lungs and I could hardly breathe. But I knew I had to stay still because I knew that I was about to take the frog slash. Yeah. Is that the, I know that, yeah. So I knew I had to stay still. And they say, that that even looked worse, but I didn't even feel that one at all. But I did feel when I was going to the back and they're rolling me out in the stretcher, right? And Chris, the trainer is checking on me. And he's like, how are you doing? And I'm like, uh, my head is like, probably, like, what's going on? He's like, oh, you should be all right. You should be all right. Next day, I felt like the truck had hit me. And it was because I thought that there was foam, like in the ring. I thought there was, like, in the ring.

Starting point is 00:55:06 I thought there was like foam to support. No, it's boards. They're boards. That's why they sound like, boom, boom. Well, imagine little old me coming, you know, landing on a board all the way from up top. Sure enough, I'm going to feel that. I'm not trained. And that's why they don't do things like that anymore.

Starting point is 00:55:21 I'm actually glad and excited that I was in the era that that I took that. It was a lot of fun. He threw you up for that. Yeah. I have so much respect for, from that moment right then. I had already respected the wrestlers, but I had so much more respect because I'm like, the fact that you guys do this 300 plus dates a year to your bodies, incredible. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:55:45 There's so many moments that you were weaved into like that. Like that was such a good moment because it gets Howard Finkel over as a heel. Right. Which led to my one and only match. I am undefeated. Thank you very much. Yeah. Undefeated.

Starting point is 00:55:59 What an all-timer too. Lillian Garcia and Howard Finkel. with Stacey Keebler and Tristratus. Oh, God. So fun. So fun. I think people to this day think that you accidentally introduced Triple H as a former world champion. Oh, I have never given that away.

Starting point is 00:56:19 I can't do that here. Oh, my gosh. What a fun moment, though. Yeah. It still gets every year. They're like the anniversary of Triple H. And I still laugh about that. But I don't think I don't want to give that away.

Starting point is 00:56:36 He's such a sweetheart because he stumbles as he's chasing after you to give you a chance to get away. And then the ultimate heel that he is after he's done chasing you over the barricade, he's yelling at some 12-year-old kid. I'm like, this segment has everything. So crazy, right? Like all the different things that I was put in, but all these amazing superstars that I was working with that I was getting in these storylines with. But I will say the one with Charlie Haas,

Starting point is 00:57:03 So that was a strict, that was an accident. Really? Oh, the one that he threw me out. So I'm. On the ring apron. Yeah, so I'm getting out of the ring. He's coming in to do his run against the rope. He doesn't see me.

Starting point is 00:57:17 And now I'm holding on, right? But he comes charging and I go off like a slingshot. So I land on my left wrist, which I tore my ligament. And you hear me yelling and screaming. And he doesn't even know. He locks up with, I believe he was with, I know he's with Johnny. Johnny. John Morrison?

Starting point is 00:57:42 Yes, John Morrison. So he's with John Morrison. And the crowd is chanting my name as they're taking me out. And he's locked in. John Morrison told me this. He's locked in with him. And he's like, why in the hell are they chanting Lillian's name in the middle of our match? And John's like, because, dude, you slingshot her out of the ring.

Starting point is 00:58:02 He's like, I did. So he had no idea. He had no idea. And so I go and I bandage up, you know, whatever. But yeah, I, that hurt. That hurt. Looks scary. But it's just another day in the job.

Starting point is 00:58:18 How good was it all these years to be reunited with the rock? Oh, yeah, I got to see him just now an elimination chamber. And we got to have some time to talk backstage. And, you know, we had such great moments and great chemistry. He knew he could make me blush so easy. So he always loved that. He's always like, oh, let me get her. There would be so many times that he would be in segments out in the middle of the ring.

Starting point is 00:58:44 And it was never intended for him to acknowledge me, but he'd be like, hey, Lillian. And then the camera pants to me, and I'm like, blushing. He knew, yeah. Did he tell you what he was going to say? No. So, like, wet with perspiration. Under the lights. He didn't set this up.

Starting point is 00:59:06 You know, I don't remember, to be honest with you on that one, I don't remember how much I knew ahead of time of that interview. I know that they were like, at those times, things weren't all written out. Like, there were just bullet points. And I do recall them saying you're going to be like Barbara Walters, which is when he goes, what are you, Barbara Walters all of a sudden? You know, they're like, act very reporter. And then when he's going to start going.

Starting point is 00:59:32 off and then finally cave in and be like, more than anything, Rock. You know, and then he's like, wait, what is wrong with you? I have a match and all you can think about is strudel. The people strudel. That's when it was born, was in that interview. Crazy, crazy, all these years, yeah, later. People talk about that one so much. But it's fun.

Starting point is 00:59:56 I mean, it was, some people get so worked up about things and I'm like, oh, come on, It's wrestling. Yeah, you know, something's push the envelope. But what's great about that is it puts you over too. Yeah. Like, of course it makes the rock look great and he's hilarious. But now it's a memorable moment that 20 plus years later, we all still remember. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:00:14 I remember they yelled cut and he and I looked at each other. We're like, I can't believe we just got through that. Yeah. I was like, what just happened? But it was, and it was live. He always wanted to do his life. We always got to a corridor or a place that we could hear the audience. So it was very important for him to play off the audience.

Starting point is 01:00:39 And that's why you got that energy from him. If anything would have been pre-recorded with him, it just wouldn't have worked. Yeah. The thing that I've always loved about The Rock, whether it's in wrestling or it's with the interviews I've done with him, is he's not afraid to share the spotlight. Right. Like he's not afraid to go, yeah, this is my moment. I'm cutting the promo or I'm having the match or I'm the focus of this interview. but I'll share the moment with you as well.

Starting point is 01:01:02 You can have some of the spotlight as well, and I think that really speaks to who he is. Yeah, he's the reason I got to sing the national anthem on the show. Because when we worked together so much backstage and doing all these segments, I remember, you know, they were setting up cameras or lighting, and so we'd talk and he's like, so tell me a little bit about yourself, you know, and he wanted to get to know me. He's one of the first ones that friended me.

Starting point is 01:01:25 And so I told him a little bit about me and singing came up. He's like, oh, you sing? And I'm like, yeah. And it was later on I was getting ready to do, because Howard always did the live events on the weekend. But I was going to be subbing in for Howard. And he said to me, he's like, hey, you know what? Every weekend we play the national anthem as an instrumental before we, you know, go out there. He goes, why don't you talk to the producers to see if you, have you ever done the national anthem?

Starting point is 01:01:53 I said, yeah, I did my graduation for high school and or college. I can't remember. Anyway. So he's like, why don't you talk to them and see if you, you know, can do it? And so I talked to the producers. They're like, oh, well, comment that day in the afternoon. Let's rehearse it and see. So I did it. And they're like, oh, my gosh, we'd love for you to do it tonight. So I did it Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And then by Monday, all the producers told Vince McMahon, they're like, oh, you got to see her do this. She knocked it out of the park. The crowd went crazy. And we were in San Jose. And he goes, All right, where I got to see you tonight. So I did it that night, and then that was it. He's like, I want you to do it at every event. Then I got to do, I hold the record for the most times at WrestleMania, which was awesome. I feel like you might be singing it this year, WrestleMania. You think?

Starting point is 01:02:44 Why not? Oh, I don't know. I don't know. I guess they've been bringing in like Grammy, 10-time Grammy Award winners, but, yeah, that feels like it would fit. My hands are up. Surrender. Whatever you want. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:02:58 But what's so great, though, with Saturday Night's main event is I get to sing it. Before we go live, I do it to open up the show. So that's the other plus about doing that show is I get to sing it there. And I love it as an Army brat. It means so much to me. And you've gotten to do it in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it was the rock that opened up the door for that.

Starting point is 01:03:19 Wow. Yeah. That's really amazing. Yeah. I know Howard Finkel was the one who showed you the ropes, taught you how to be announcing. Howard and Tony Chimel. Wow.

Starting point is 01:03:28 Yeah, Tony was very, he was the one that my very first day on the job, he's the one that told me exactly what to say for every match. Now, I didn't know 20 minutes before we're going live that they weren't going to let me use cue cards. Guys, I almost ran. Like, literally, I looked at the exit sign, and I'm, like, having a full-on panic attack, and I'm like, there's no teleprompter. Now they're telling me I can't use cue cards. I don't know the towns and the weights and the, I don't know any information on any of these people.

Starting point is 01:03:58 right? And I was like, I'm going to make a fool of myself. And Chris, you got to remember at that time, 14 million people were watching every single episode around the world. So it was pressure. And I looked at the exit and I'm like, okay, just abort the mission. Get out of here. Nobody knows you. You're not going to make a fool. And finally, I calmed down and I gathered myself and I just took it match by match. But yeah, Tony had sat me that afternoon. But then Howard was like, anything you need, anything you need, which I just remember that. And I know what that felt like. So the new person that they're bringing on to SmackDown, I said the same thing to them. Like anything you need. You know, I've been helping them to get ready for this. Because I remember what that felt like

Starting point is 01:04:44 with, he could have been so bitter. And instead, he was so helpful. And I want to pay it forward. You know, I want to treat people the way they treated me. You know, I think that's so I wish this new person and I'm not, this is not my place to announce who it is, but I wish them nothing but success. I really do. What's the biggest piece of advice that Howard or Tony Chimel gave to you that you still take with you every time you're announcing? I don't know that they gave this to me per se by them saying it,

Starting point is 01:05:19 but I do know that I learned from watching them. is that the announcer is very important. It sets the tone for the match. It's a role that, for me, I love to do it so much because I get to have that moment to put these superstars over and to emphasize their names and the match and everything for all the work that they've been doing.

Starting point is 01:05:44 So I think it's the same thing as the cameraman are so important. The people that put up the ring are so important. There is no, the word, Just should not be in front of anything. I think in any job in our life, there should never be the word just because everybody needs everything. We need the person that makes this cup. It's not just a person that makes the cup, right? So it's the same thing with an announcer.

Starting point is 01:06:14 There's just, they're so important and so vital in setting the tone. And I learned that from both of them. And I have so much respect for the position. And from that, it's like you see me. I'm like, my shoulders are back. And I just do my absolute best that I can because I learned from watching them and what they did. I don't know if everybody picks up on the nuances of what you guys do.

Starting point is 01:06:45 Some people get announced when they're at the top of the ramp. Some people get announced as they're walking down. Some people get announced as they're climbing up the steps to get into the ring. Right. Peel back the curtain just a little bit. How do you know when to announce each individual person? I get a point. Who points to you?

Starting point is 01:07:02 The timekeeper. They're so vital to me. That's, you know, Mark Aiton and I worked together for a long, long time. He was someone that, you know, helped me right from the beginning. And then I'm working Berkeley and now I'm working with Christian. And that position is so important. Again, no word just. They're not just the timekeeper.

Starting point is 01:07:23 They are the timekeeper that's very important to what I do. And this person is very important to this, you know, position. And so, yeah, it's a point they are trying to listen to when the commentators, when are they, you know, stopping their talking so that I don't run over their words. But I can't hear the commentators. I'm only hearing, you know, myself, I have myself in my ear so I don't blare. blow out my voice, and I'm just getting the cues from them. But I also, what was different was not being in the ring, except for championship ring introductions. That was really different when I came back. Now, you don't see the ring announcer in there, unless it's a championship announcement.

Starting point is 01:08:06 How do you decide if someone gets a little bit of personality in their announcement? I try to put in everybody. I really do. I mean, championship ring introductions, obviously you're going to, you get more time. Yeah. You do. There are, There are times that I'm told because it's running long or something. They're like, we need you to, like, go a little quick on this one. Which I hate that because I don't like it to sound rushed, but I understand where it's coming from. So sometimes you'll get the announcement of, like, the following contest is scheduled for one fall. And sometimes you'll – right?

Starting point is 01:08:41 And then sometimes you get, the following contest is digital for one fall. Maybe he's way of the ring, you know? Like, it's just got to be quick because they're about to go to commercial. You know, so you just have to be okay to whatever is needed in the show. It's not about you. It feels like there was a point in time when you guys were a part of the show. Then I feel like it shifted to like ring announcers shouldn't be trying to put themselves over. And then it shifted back to where we're at now where it's like you guys are a character again.

Starting point is 01:09:08 You're shown on camera. And it's like you came back at the perfect time. Yeah, it's fine. I mean, I remember there were times with my ending, like here's your winner. that I had to do super, super quick because the commentators wanted to get in there to have the reaction to the match. But I had to be like, here's your winner.

Starting point is 01:09:30 You know, Joey Stiles, whatever, or Joey Stops. I just gave a new wrestler. So I, but now it's like, I can be like, here's your winner. Let's do this right. A.J. Stiles, you know. So it is different. And it's just the ebb and flow of the business.

Starting point is 01:09:51 Yeah, and it's such a moment, too, for the crowd to react. Like, you watch someone like Cody Roads, for example. Yeah. He comes out, there's a pop when his music hits. Yes. There's a pop when they say, whoa. Right. Then there's a pop when you say his name.

Starting point is 01:10:06 And it's like, man, he gets three moments during that. Totally. And that's the timing of it, right? That they're also waiting and listening. Either you'll hear it. I will get the bell. If I get the bell, then it's. it's go to announcing the following contest,

Starting point is 01:10:22 schedule point, right, and going into the first person. Yeah. For the second person or third, whatever it is, always a hand cue. And that they're timing it as well with how much the crowd is singing to the song. You don't want to step on that necessarily. So they're, excuse me, it's a little tricky. It's a little tricky because now there's so many of these entrance themes that people know the lyrics and they're singing the whole. Yeah, that didn't exist.

Starting point is 01:10:49 No. They're singing Cody's song. They're singing Randy Orton's song. Yeah. This didn't exist before. No, that's the other change, right? And now I think the same thing with going overseas has been so awesome. We used to go overseas, but we used to not air the overseas shows.

Starting point is 01:11:08 Now we're airing them. For example, Spain. Oh, my gosh. I was so proud of his Spania. Yeah, because that show, the crowd was so hot. O'le, O'Leo, O'Leo. You know, so much personality, all of this, where people back home were like, oh, whoa, we can have even more fun, right?

Starting point is 01:11:30 It's like showing a different, there's just a different character, Italy, you know, all of that. It's, they just have. Look what Brussels gave us for John Cena's heel promo. Totally. Yeah. Totally. See what I mean? it's like, so the U.S. is watching this and going, oh, we can actually like go even more.

Starting point is 01:11:49 And I, we didn't have that before. Yeah. And look how much they, they sang along to the things allowed. Yeah. So I think that that really helps because it, it allows this audience here to go, wow, we can let go even more. And that's just the, I mean, I, like I said, grown up in Spain, I don't talk with my hands. I'm very passionate, very, very, very, like. Yeah, let's go.

Starting point is 01:12:15 And then it feels like it was meant to be that Spain is your last smacker. Yeah. Yeah. A place where you grew up. Yeah, I think that they actually were like, okay, how can we make this really meaningful? And so when they told me, okay, we do want to go ahead and have Spain be your final one. And you're good to go ahead and announce that on social media because I was like, okay, how are we going to let people know, you know? I don't want people to think like, A, that it's me that didn't.

Starting point is 01:12:43 want to do it for some reason or that I got tired of being on the road or anything. No, but I also knew that they were very upfront with me and I respect that. And, you know, they have a vision. And that's fine. You know, they have a vision as to what they want to do. But I also love that they're like, but we're not done with you yet. Like, we want you here. We want you here. And we keep an open mind. And let's use you here. And we got, you know, so I'm excited. It also means it's special when we see you. Yeah. When we see you on Saturday night's main event, it's like, it's our childhood right here. Aw.

Starting point is 01:13:19 Yeah. I mean, isn't that kind of the same thing? Like when you see Trish or you see Rock or you see John, it's like every now and then sprinkle through. So I take that as a complete compliment. I absolutely do. I always say nostalgia is a hell of a drug. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:13:33 And it's true. Like, and that's what wrestling kind of is at its core is like, give us a little pop of nostalgia, a little sprinkle of nostalgia in here, and it makes it feel that much more important. And I haven't done a podcast and forever. So here you go. Like this will be something that people haven't even caught up to everything that I've, you know, been through to get this moment.

Starting point is 01:13:54 But I'm better for even all the struggles. I'm better for all of this. But this is why I also appreciate the fans. And like I said, this moment and working with people backstage and all because it's really filling me in an appreciation, you know, of, of what I need. It is my family. It's so good to see you and thank you for trusting me with this conversation. Like you said, you haven't done a lot of podcasts. You haven't done a podcast in years.

Starting point is 01:14:24 No. When I was given the Greenlight to do podcasts, I was like, Chris Van Bleak. That's the one. Thank you. Absolutely. Again, it's because of the way that you handle things. I feel comfortable and I feel like, you know, and I want to say that to these writers out there that are writing things to try to get attention. And I get it. There is such as, it's almost like a stress, right, that people have to get noticed. Yeah. Because there's so much noise in the world. They're like, oh, if I write it this way or this headline this way, then I can get a lot of clicks. But if you're doing it and you're,

Starting point is 01:15:02 you're bearing somebody to get those clicks, I promise you in the long run, people are not going to trust you. And it's not going to go a long ways. Well, there's two ways to have the is building in town. You can either tear down all the other buildings or you can just build a taller building. Oh, love that. Right. And I don't understand. There's negativity in fandom everywhere, whatever it is. If you're a hardcore fan about something, there's a lot of negativity. I just hate that that exists in wrestling because I love it so much and there's so much good. I just, it bothers me. I have noticed that coming back, I've noticed a little bit of like, wow, this is a little rougher, like with the comments. People are just, they don't hold back. There's no funnel.

Starting point is 01:15:45 They're like, oh, that, you know. But I also think there's a lot of people that are hurt out there. And I've said this, hurt people, hurt people. And people feel like if they just go off on someone negative, that they're going to feel better, but they won't. And so I learned from experience, like really just empower other people and just by empowering, by me sharing all of this, I don't need to be this open. I don't. But this actually heals me because if my story can help you, somebody's going to write me and go, oh my gosh, thank you for sharing this.

Starting point is 01:16:19 Like, this helped me get through that. That's what makes me feel better about living. And I think if people can, you know, just take that lesson. Like, don't put others down to try to make yourself feel better. In fact, empower them, lift them, and you're going to see that you will not get left behind. You won't. You look like you're having so much fun out there. I am.

Starting point is 01:16:41 I am. Like you in the ring with J.U. So recently. Ah. Ye. Yeah. It was so fun because you're building up the crowd to it. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:16:50 Yeah. And then I'm like, because he's like, you know, going forward. I'm like, oh, yeah. And then I look over to the side and they're all like standing there. I'm like, I don't know. You guys participate. And I'm like, wait, we can't leave you out. Yeah.

Starting point is 01:17:04 So it was so much fun. And we were in the bus. I got to ride with him. I got to, I get to know LA night a little bit better because he's somebody that I never worked with before in the past. He was living out here for a long time. Yeah, that's what he told me. He was out here for like 10, 20 years. And then I got to know with Motor City machine guns.

Starting point is 01:17:21 They were in the back of the bus. So we all got to talk. Ria was back there. So it's like I got to, we were on this long, long ride from one German town to another. And those are the things that I love the most, those moments, like getting to be in a bus ride with them where I got. get to really just let go and talk. And Jay was back there and I, I don't know, we were talking. He's like, so you like being back? And I'm like, yeah. And I'm like, but just so you know, this is my last smackdown. He's like, yeah, but I'm going to do a Saturday's main vein.

Starting point is 01:17:53 He's like, oh, we got to do something with you tomorrow night in the ring then. And that's why he brought me in there. He's like, got to bring you in there. So sure enough he did. Oh, that's so fun. I am so proud of him, by the way. But I'm also proud of Jimmy. Like Jimmy and I have talked about because they can't be easy, right? You think about it with twins and seeing where Jay is going, right? But Jimmy's also holding his own and he's doing so well. But I love the fact that when I spoke to him, I said, how do you feel about this? He goes, I'm so proud of my brother.

Starting point is 01:18:21 I love that. And I said, this is beautiful. It's so beautiful. You don't need to feel any, you know, jealousy or anything like that. And he goes, no. And I asked him, I said, would this have happened? Do you think had you not gotten hurt? And he goes, no, I think we would have just stuck together, you know, this whole thing.

Starting point is 01:18:40 So he said, I'm actually glad I got hurt because it let him have wings to fly. He goes, and it's been so beautiful to see this. And I said, do you know what, Jimmy? This says a lot about you. It says a lot about you as the brother. And I believe he's the older brother by seconds. That's a tough thing. I'm an uncle of twins.

Starting point is 01:18:59 So I have twin nephews, Colin and Clark. And the tough thing about twins is they're always the twins, the boy. Right. And they are Colin and Clark, but they're always like lumped together as this one unit. Yeah. And I feel the same for the Uso's. You know, it's like they're Jimmy and Jay, but it's very rarely it's Jimmy and also Jay. You know what I mean?

Starting point is 01:19:20 But now they are. Yes. And that's what I mean. I love that they both have had their identity, their personalities, you know, all of that. And that Jimmy, it's not like he's not doing anything. He's doing great. But obviously Jay right now, his entrance has got to be, I think, the best. entrance right now. It's certainly the most over.

Starting point is 01:19:38 Definitely. With crowd interaction. I mean, it is just fire as soon as that music hits. It's amazing. But to see how far they have come and their journey and to have been able to witness it for so many years and be, I was there when they first got there. How crazy is that, right? I really, really hope I get to be involved in group mania. We're still trying to iron that. out like what I can do in mania because I want to be there so badly for for everybody that is involved in mania. That's going to be fun to watch.

Starting point is 01:20:12 Well, it's been amazing watching your journey. Thank you. And more to come. I can't wait. Hands up. I will, I will end this with the question that I ask everybody. Okay. Because gratitude is such a huge part of my life.

Starting point is 01:20:25 I know it is for you as well. Every day I wake up, I say, I allow three things I'm grateful for. It kind of centers you day. It allows you to focus on the things you have instead of things you don't have. and it's the question I ask everybody at the end of every interview. So, Lillian, what are three things you're grateful for as we sit here right now? First thing that pops into my mind is the people that are in my life, like the amazing, incredible friends that I have.

Starting point is 01:20:49 They are my family. And, yeah, I have people that pour into me. And I don't, I think it's very important to have a community around you. So the friends that I have, the opportunities that I have, like even right now being presented with this opportunity, and the fan base, it's still with me. It's wild. You know, I started this business 26 years ago, and people are still riding with me. And it's just beautiful, wild, beautiful.

Starting point is 01:21:28 You're the best. I love you. I love you. Thank you. And I love everybody who's listening to this and who has been with me through all the ups and all the downs and some of the downs that you guys didn't even know, right? Didn't even know that I was experiencing, but I really hope that this helps in some way, somebody out there that's going through it. You can hang in there. You know, suicide is one of the highest in a certain age group.

Starting point is 01:21:54 I think it's like, I believe it's like 14 to 24, something like that. I can't remember the exact age group. But, you know, when people, I've learned a lot about suicide, but when people are wanting to end things, they're just wanting that certain pain to end. And it's okay to let go a certain part of you, but know that you can push through it. And when you do push through it, you'll be so glad on the other side. You will really see the sun will rise again and you're going to be so proud of the way. But if you are going through that, and I don't know why. it has led me to say this, but I feel like I need to say this.

Starting point is 01:22:37 Ask for help. There's so many hotlines out there, but ask for help. You don't have to go through life alone. And I reached out for help a lot during my journey. And if it wouldn't have been for my friends, like, seriously, it would have been a lot darker. Yeah. That's important. We love you, Lillian.

Starting point is 01:22:53 Thank you. Love you. And thank you for being so open in this conversation. And it's so good to see you. You too. Yeah. What an incredible story Lillian has. And I just love her positive approach to life.

Starting point is 01:23:14 And so great seeing her back in WW week. We're of course going to see her on every Saturday night's main event. But I also have a feeling that we're going to see her a lot more than that because since October, since her return, we've already seen her on Raw, on Smackdown, on NXT, and on Saturday night's main event. And you heard us talking about her podcast that she used to do, Chase and Glory. even though she's not putting out new episodes or she hasn't in a while, you can still check out some of the amazing conversations that she had on there. So look up Chasing Glory wherever you're listening to this podcast right now. And fingers crossed.

Starting point is 01:23:50 Sounds like there's a possibility that Chasing Glory may come back. And I love it. It's one of my favorite wrestling podcasts ever. Snap a screenshot. Let us know you're listening and tag us on social media. She's at Lillian Garcia. I'm at Chris Van Fleet. And this is a quote,

Starting point is 01:24:06 an unknown quote, but I love this so much. Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place. Be great. Be grateful, my friends. We will see you on the next one for some more insight. Cedric Alexander joins us on Thursday. That is one that you do not want to miss. We'll see you right back here on Thursday for that one. Jim Rome takes on sports. Why? Because I have a job to do. With rapid fire takes So I don't want to hear from you lava pigs On this notion today No idea what you're talking about

Starting point is 01:24:41 You're complaining more than you like to breathe air It's like you get up in the morning Only to complain and cry and moan on social media About things that you don't even understand He's the spitfire of sports smack Take advantage of it, but get up in here The Jim Rome Show podcast What's your beef?

Starting point is 01:24:57 Follow and listen on your favorite platform You've been warned

Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Lilian Garcia On Her WWE Return, Smackdown, Viral Moments With The Rock & Triple H

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