Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Shelton Benjamin Is a Guaranteed HOFer! Shawn Michaels Match, His Mama, Brock Lesnar

Episode Date: August 17, 2023

Shelton Benjamin (@sheltyb803) is a professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. He sits down with Chris Van Vliet at the Blue Wire Studios at Wynn Las Vegas to talk about his incredible career that started when he signed with WWE in 2000. He discusses being training partner with Brock Lesnar, what Brock is really like outside of the ring, being part of the legendary OVW class of 2002 with Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, Dave Bautista, John Cena and Rico, his iconic match with Shawn Michaels on Raw in 2005, how they came up with the idea for the springboard into a Sweet Chin Music, the voting for Taboo Tuesday that lead to being Chris Jericho's legit surprise opponent, being part of Team Angle with Charlie Haas, working with Chavo and Eddie Guerrero early in his career, the story behind Shelton's Mama storyline, Shawn Michaels saying he has a guaranteed spot in the WWE Hall of Fame, who he would like to induct him and much more! Sponsors:  Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to http://TryMiracle.com/CVV and use the code CVV to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF Quote I'm thinking about: "All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone" - Tony Robbins For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://podcast.chrisvanvliet.com If you enjoyed this episode, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast/iTunes? 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All systems are go. Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Blitz! Oh, it is so good to see you, my friends. Welcome back to another one here on Insight. I'm CVV, Chris Van Fleet, and thank you for making this one of the top wrestling podcasts in the world by showing up each and every episode. And let me tell you this.

This is one that you do not want to miss. So glad that you're here with us for this one. I mean, when was the last time? you saw an interview with Shelton Benjamin. The answer is a very long time ago. I mean, he really doesn't do any interviews. So it was an honor. It was a privilege.

And it was a pleasure to sit down with him in person at our beautiful, incredible blue wire studios at the Wynn, Las Vegas. I mean, people are like, well, what makes that studio so great? And obviously, you've seen the videos, or at least I'm assuming you've seen the videos or the clips. But let's put it this way. The win is like the. best hotel on the strip in Las Vegas. So they don't do anything like half-assed. So the studio in there is absolutely incredible. And this all came together with Shelton because I was at the reality

of wrestling show in Houston. That's Booker T's independent wrestling company, Roe, they call it, ROW. I was there. And backstage, I was like walking one way down the hall and here is a very large Shelton Benjamin walking the other way. And I've never met him before. And I was like, oh, my gosh, you're the man. He's like, oh, my gosh, you do such great work. I'm like, well, I got to get you on the podcast. We've got to make this happen.

And fast forward about a month later, we both happened to be in Las Vegas. And boom, it happened. And the man is a future Hall of Famer. I mean, that's not just me saying that. That is Sean Michaels saying that. Sean Michaels said when he's ready to hang him up whenever that happens to be, there is definitely a spot we're keeping it warm for him. in the Hall of Fame. So we talk about that. We talk about

who Shelton would want to induct him into the Hall of Fame. And speaking of HBK, oh yes, we talk about their epic match on Raw in 2005 and the springboard into the sweet chin music. Oh, baby! And everything that went on behind that. Also, one of the really interesting things about Shelton is that Taboo Tuesday match with Chris Jericho, where it was like, the fans are going to vote on who Chris Jericho's

opponent's going to be. Shelton says that that was like legit. He actually had no idea that he was actually going to win that vote and wrestle Chris Jericho until his name was called. It's such a good story. We talk about all of that. We talk about his mama. We talk about Team Angle. We talk about Brock Lezer. We talk about it all. If you enjoy this, please take a screenshot, share it on social media, and tag us so we can share it as well. He is at Shelty B-803. I'm at Chris Van Fleet. If you're not already following the show, please take a second right now to click follow wherever you're listening.

If it happens to be Apple Podcasts, oh man, a rating and a review on there would go such a long way. It also automatically gets tweeted out. So if that's some sort of a carrot there that I'm dangling, you know, grab that carrot, nibble it up. If you're listening on Spotify, man, it takes three seconds to click those five stars in there. That helps so much. So let's do this thing. Please welcome the legendary. Shelton, Benjamin.

Well, look, the first thing that we need to talk about right off the back because everybody's thinking it is you look the exact same. It's unbelievable. Yeah, you know, I get that a lot and I'm like, you know, sometimes I look the same. I don't always feel the same, but, you know, I'm just glad I, you know, I just took care of myself. You are undefeated against aging.

Yeah, age wins every time. Like eventually, it's going to get me. No one's immune to it. Like I said, I've, luckily I've been blessed to look and feel like a young kid. Matter of fact, I'm at a, I'm here in Vegas at a video game convention to show you what kind of big kid I am. And you're not here alone. You're with all your gamer friends. Yeah, Woods, you know, partner, Cedric.

You know, they're all back at a hotel. Like I said, I'll drag him here next time. But, you know. Yeah. When I met you backstage in Houston at Booker T's show, Reality of Wrestling. Right. I knew you were big. dude, but then I met you in person.

I'm like, man, like your arms are the size of like a normal human's head. Hey, like I said, I just hang out and work out all day. Like, when you hang out with Bobby Lashley, he makes you feel small. Exactly. It's like, you know, I, I at least got to look like I could, you know, hold my own against him. You know what I mean? Like, call it, call it, call it, you know, little friendly competition. but yeah, I just enjoyed looking good, so I work out.

So, like, what's your workout split look like right now? I probably go every other day. Like, not every day, probably every other day. And I just kind of go, you know, I go from one body part. Like, I literally go to the gym 45 minutes. I work one body part. So you're like, you're on the, they call the bro split, right? Right.

Just one day back when I'm on the same split. Yeah. And then, you know, I'll run a few times a week, you know, just to keep my weight down. Because I bulk really fast. So I, and I don't want to be the big bulky guy. You know what I mean? Especially in a, you know, in a profession where you're out there in your underwear every week. Right.

Yeah, like I said, I want to look good. But I like, like, like Bobby is like, oh, my God. And I want to, you know, when I think about it, I listen to women. And I hear women go, oh, my God, he's just, he's too big. And then they go, the other guy who's in good shit, oh, he's sexy. See, I want sexy. I don't, you know, I don't want the hope. I want Thor.

So I'm honored to be sitting here with a future Hall of Famer because, I mean, you know it. Sean Michaels said whenever you're ready to hang him up, they've got a spot for you in the Hall of Fame. Yeah. And that, you know, coming from Sean Michaels, that was a huge compliment to me. Like, even when he said it, I was like, oh, you know, you don't really think about that stuff when you get into business. I was just thinking, get in wrestling and have fun because I grew watching wrestling. So to be, you know, even in that conversation of being a Hall of Famer for me, it's like. It's not even a conversation anymore.

You are a future Hall of Famer. Yeah. Well. Yeah, I can't own it yet. I'm here until it's over like it. Because again, it's still for me, it's like, yeah, when I got into it, I thought I would be done by now. I thought I'd be done 10 years ago. So yeah, to be, again, to be in that conversation, I'm on it.

Did he reach out to you before that or did you just see it in that video package and you're like, wait a second, what did you just say? Yeah, that was my first time seeing it. No way. I had no idea. I know they were putting it together for, like I said, my 20 year anniversary. I didn't even know about that, to be honest. And so no one said anything. And so when the actual date hit and then I started getting on these messages from the office

and seeing, you know, the video package and everything else, you know, I don't know why they put me a year in that, but we'll talk about that later. But, yeah, I was like, you know, it was like humble, like, tear-in-the-eye type situation. Because, again, I didn't think I would, I didn't have this in mind when I got from wrestling. But when you look back at your career, I mean, it's obvious. This is a Hall of Fame career.

Yeah, I mean, arguably. No, it's not an argument. Yeah, like I said, I look back at my career and I, there's so many moments that I, you know, I cherish things I never forget, experiences I'll never forget. And yeah, for me, it was just, like, it was just, it's just been a fun journey. Um, again, I am not, I'm so, like, shocked and, and honored and surprise and humbled by being in that conversation. It's like, it's still, like, it's still, even as you're saying it, I'm still like, wow, really?

You know, me? Have you given any thought to who you think you might want to induct you? You don't have to say the names, but you've, you know, Thinking about it? I've thought about it. I'm like, that's, that's really hard. I, I've, I've sat and thought about it a couple of times, you know,

me and a couple other guys who, when that originally came up, me and some other guys kind of brainstormed. Who do you think? Like, on the list, Kurt. Sure. Brock? Kurt, Brooke.

Brock, I don't know, Brock might have five, me. You know, you can't trust him with a handshake. these. Gerald Briscoe. So like I go deep with it. Yeah, there's those are my, even MVP. Like people that are close to me

that I, that have been me forever. Like those are tough guys that I really will consider for that. But I was, if I were to have to make a decision today, it will probably be. And I'm sure he would be honored to do it.

I would love where to be Kirk. He paid the way for guys like myself, Brock, Gable.

And, yeah, so I, and again, he used his name to introduce me to the world. So it would be,

for me, it would be an honor if it were him. Kurt on his podcast said that, like, your amateur background was so,

so good, and you didn't start until you were like a junior in high school? Yeah. Actually, a sophomore. I started,

They tried to get, come on. So my coaches, his name was Ronnie Jackson, he tried to get me to come up my freshman year. But I was a fan of pro wrestling my entire life. So when they brought up me being an amateur wrestler, again, I'm thinking at a time, guys like Stang, Flair, Taker, Warrior, and I was like, where's the ring? Where the ropes?

Wait, we can't jump on. No, no, I'm good. I don't need to do that. But that same coach later, he was also one of the football coaches. And football season overlapped with wrestling season. So after a long football practice, I'm about to walk home. And he goes, hey, Shelton, you want to ride home? I'm like, sure, coach.

And again, his car, I live at a time. I can walk home. 10 minutes from the school, I can walk home. But he offered a ride. he drove me straight to wrestling practice. I went from football practice, three hours of football practice, straight to our wrestling practice

for the first time, strong-armed into the, basically strong-armed into the sport. And I'd never left. Like, he, Coach Jackson, you know, he shows so much confidence in me. And my ability is based on just watching me,

like, as a young kid, like that, someone taking that kind of interest in me, it really, like, touched me. And so I never, I stayed to make him proud. Now, he was on my coach for one year. He eventually got a job. And then enters Coach Ron Donlick. And this is the guy I credit as being my Bundini.

Like Mike Tyson had Bundini. Yeah. No, I'm sorry. Mike Tyson had custom motto. Yeah, yeah. I said, Bundini was his hype, man. But this is my custom model because I was just, you know, typical bad kid and, you know, getting in trouble here and there.

and this man came into my life, and he basically, he quite literally would take me home to his family on the weekends so I couldn't get in trouble. And for me, again, I'm a young poor black kid from South Carolina, and he's white, so I'm not used to being, at this point, aside from going to school and teaching the thing, I have never spent time with a white family.

So the fact that he lived in Charleston until he drove 80 miles every day coming to work. And the fact that he took his time, not just with me with other guys on the team, and he completely transformed my life, completely transformed my outlook. And he's the guy at credit for all of my success. Wow.

I'm fascinated by the idea that a moment or person or decision can change someone's life. Oh, my God. He, like, Coach Donligan, like I said, he is, like he's, to me, one, he's what the word, he's a type of person. We need more of him in the world. Like, he's just a great guy.

he dedicated itself to, you know, to improving the lives of others. And like I said, I'm probably, I always say, I'm probably his most popular pupil, but there are dozens of us that, I mean, love just, like I said, he would bring us into his family and treat us like his own. He taught me about respect, self-respect, hard work, and, you know, the virtues of all. Like I said, I have nothing but love for that. Like, he's the guy that got me here. And so you go on to become an all-American,

Two-time All-American, right? Two-time All-American University of Minnesota. But I was also... Now, list them all. Okay. Okay. Team wrestling. Okay.

I'm a two-time state champ at heavyweight from South Carolina. I was... I took third nationally. So I was high school, American. Then I went to June college. I was two-time All-American and national champion at heavyweight. Then I went to the University of Minnesota, where I was two-time All-American.

And then I stayed on as a coach where I was Brock Lesnar sparring partner for almost two years. Wow. And it's funny because people go, what weight class were you? I was like heavyweight. And they're like, what weight class was Brock? I'm like, heavyweight. Like, wait, you were resting Brock every day. Well, I didn't mean.

That explains why both of you guys are so, so good. Yeah. I mean, that guy. is the most impressive athlete I've ever seen. Do you remember the first time that you met Brock, Lazer? Yes, I do, actually. And, you know, I'm almost, it almost annoys me to tell the story because we were at a wrestling tournament in,

I want to say it was Fargo. And, you know, I was there a university in Brockville still in June college. And of course, we're in the same, you know, he's heavy. And long story short, he won the tournament because I lost a match. and we might we would have wrestled but he won the tournament and he was a junior college kid and I just remember everyone everyone who saw him it was like did you see that the like like I there's there's never been a scrawny version of Brock that that I saw that from the time we saw him he was rocked me our coaches were salivating on him to the point where after just because it was junior college they started they immediately started recruiting them so I'm kind of over in the corner like You know, I'm your heavyweight and you're, you're, you're, uh, you're recruiting another headweight right in front of me. Like, but I mean, you see the guy, how did you not?

Sure. So, I remember my first introduction to him was seeing a, a very grainy clip of him doing a shooting star press. And I'm like, a man that big has no business doing a shooting star press. Right. The first time I saw him do it. We were, we were in, uh, Louisville and, uh, at OVW. At OVW. Yeah.

Louisville. Not, you know, not the NXT. Those guys are spoiled. But we were in Louisville. And, you know, we were just in the ring, a few of us, just trying stuff. And I don't know who brought it up. And Brog just said, I can, I can do that. And we was like, really?

Like, yeah. So it was like, get a crash pad. Grab a crash pad and start first time. Nails it. Wow. And so, of course, you go, okay, do it again. goes up nails it

and he made it look so easy and what was so what was so crazy about his shooting star press was most guys kind of go right up and right down we'll go up and out

and land in the middle of the ring rather than you know a little close to the corner and it was like with pinpoint accuracy like had a guy lay down pinpoint accuracy and

to your point everyone's like how is he doing that? Even I was like, how is he? I can't do that. Like I try, I can't do it. And he is making it look effortless. So that was, I knew he was strong.

And of course, I knew how good a wrestler was because, hey, I trained him. But when he, the first time I saw him do that, even I was like, oh, wait a minute, this is uncommon. I think that people see the version of rock that we are presented on WWE. and they have an idea of like, Brock, he's this monster, he's crazy athletic guy. Tell us something about Brock Lezor that we would be shocked to learn.

Something that you would be shocked to learn. Well, yes, everyone knows the Brock Lesnar persona persona. Yeah. Now, if Brock is your friend, he will give you the shirt off his back. Nice guy in the world, fun, cool to hang around.

That might be. surprise people how actually cool Brock can be if he likes you. Right. Key words if he likes you. But if he doesn't like you, he's a, he's, he's, what you're seeing on TV, that's not an act. Wow. Like you're not seeing a different version of Brock. You know, I spoke on this earlier, like Brock is not acting.

Brock is not playing a role. Brock is Brock. What you're seeing, that's, that's real. Brock does not, he's not social. He doesn't give a blip. Like, Brock is Brock. So, you know, don't get a twisted. And yes, he's a world destroyer.

I call him a juggernaut. Like, Brock is, he's a bad boy. When you look at the OVW class of 2002, I mean, it is stacked, right? It's you. It's Brock Lesnar. It's Batista. It's John Sina. And it's Randy Orden.

Right. Wow. Yeah. It's like looking back. Oh, and it's Rico too. No disrespect to Rico. No disrespect to Rico. But also like, you know, like, you know, obviously because of the huge success,

that's, you know, the big four. But I mean, there are other guys. They're also, we're talking Eugene, Rob Conway, Jazz, Victoria, Nidia, Big Show was there with us when he came. Wasn't Ron Waterman there too? Ron Waterman. Brian Keck, you know, another rest of the week. We just called him No Neck Kek.

And it's just stacked. Like that just, is that just great timing? Is that what that's the product of us? So it was definitely the stars aligned. Like, it was, but I think what made our class really special was, was when we got there, one, everybody was hungry and no one had been called up.

So, like, I think Bull Buchanan might have been down there for a little while before he got called up for, I think, right to censors. That's right, yeah. But for the most part, for all of us there, no one had been called up. So everybody was hungry,

really hungry. because everyone was really cool guy. Everyone were really cool guy. We all became really good friends, and, like, everyone showed up early. Everyone stayed late. Everyone, like, tried to help the other. Because at the time, there was OVW, there was HW,

there was HWA and there was Memphis. So, WW had a few pools of talent to pull from. So our philosophy was we wanted them to keep coming back to this pool, so we wanted to make sure everybody who got caught, called up was overprepared. So that, like I said, everybody worked to help everybody. And I think that plays a big role in why, you know, guys were, guys and girls were as successful as they were and have been.

Like, we were legit friends. We were Iron Sharpens Iron and Iron, and we were constantly trying to make each other better. Which, again, I haven't been to, I haven't trained at NXT, but I mean, so I don't want to say those guys. are guilty of that. But I do feel like there was a time when people were getting called up so quick

that a lot of them weren't ready, but it was because they kept seeing so many guys go up, oh, I'm going to go up eventually. You know, for us, like we hope, we hope we go up. We wish they called us, you know. So, but like I said,

for a time, I felt like guys were coming up so quick. They weren't, it was more expected that I'm going to go up. Then it's like, oh, I have to really work. Yeah. The one word that's always attached to your career, is underrated. Do you feel like you're underrated?

Yes. I, from a, from a, from a, from a, in ring, actually, I should, I should take this back. I feel like I am a extremely good pro wrestling. Hell yeah, but of course. But that being said, at times, I do feel like I could have been a, better WWE superstar.

I see the differentiation that you're making here. Right. It's just, it feels criminal that you never got a chance to win a world championship. Yeah.

I mean, well, I've had two title matches, but only one single matches, and that was early in my career. And again, it's still some, I'm still proud of.

It was against Eddie Guerrero. And so that was my, you know, again, it was still a learning experience at the time. Clearly, I wasn't ready to be a world champ, but that was my singles match. And I think we had a, later we had a tornado.

I can't even remember what it's called. It was like five of us, me, Triple H, Jeff Hardy, I was Spanky. And Brian Kendrick. Brian Kendrick. Yeah. And MVP. So there was that match, which, it's not the same as having a singles match.

But yeah, I still won one. I still won one. I still want a shot. And you're still there? I'm still there. Yeah. So the legs still work. And you know, you blow the whistle and that horse would run. And you still look great.

You still move great. I mean, there's really, there's, I, from the outside looking in, it feels like you have many more years doing this. I, I feel like I got a few more, but because like I said, I am older. I have a few more, so I would have to be really strategic in how to stretch that out long. But yeah, there's definitely still a lot left in the tank.

I can go with anybody. And it's not just that you can go, you make everybody that you're in the ring with look so good. That's part of the job. If you want to get a better night's sleep And change your bedding less often Let me put you on to Miracle Maid's bed sheets These are the softest and the best sheets That I've ever slept on

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gross smelling sheets here. And these are soft. Like we're talking like five star hotel soft here without the five star prices. Give them a try for yourself and see what I'm talking about. Go to try miracle.com slash CVV. They're already on sale right now like 40% off. But if you use the promo code CVV at checkout, you'll get an additional 20% off and three free towels on top of that. So go to try miracle.com slash CVV and use that promo code, CVV. One of the matches that people love to talk about with you, you know exactly where I'm going with this. That match on Raw with you and Sean Michaels, HPK himself has even said that's one of his favorite matches of all time. It is a...

I'm flattered that HVK said that because he has such a long list of great matches. Like, I mean, it's really hard to compete with that. But if he's saying that, but yeah, if he's saying it, yeah, not a day goes by since I had that match where I haven't heard or seen some sort of comment, basically compliment for that match. Or, you know, some of our more pessimistic fans, you know, thing. I shone got his head kicked off. You know, that type of stuff. But, yeah, I learned really early. It's all about creating memories for our fans.

So no matter what I was doing in what capacity, I just wanted to do something memorable. From about 20 seconds into that match, the chain wrestling that you guys are doing, you're so invested as the audience watching this. You're like, oh, my gosh, we're in for something so special. Yeah.

Yeah, it was, so. Sean came up with most of that. Like I was following his lead. And he came up with most of that match. And I want to say Michael Hayes, you know, he had a lot of input. The finish was Michael Hayes' idea. The springboard into the super kick?

Yeah. Sorry, sweet chin music. Sorry, not the same thing. Yes. Don't downgrade. It's not just a super kick. Yes, don't downgrade Sean's finished like that. So the springboard.

into the sweet chin music, that was Michael Hay's idea? If I'm remembering covertly, that was Michael Hay's idea because he came up to me and as we were, the first thing said, because they've seen me springboard

and do things all the time. And he's like, Sheldon, do you think you could, do you think you could springboard into the ring, into, you know, into his,

into his sweet chain music? And I said, yeah. Like, it wasn't even, yeah, yeah. He's like,

well, where does he need to be? I'm like, you can be where we want to be. I'm like, tell me where you need me to be, and I'll be there. I love it. And that was pretty much the end of that conversation. I think they just wanted to see me do it, just to see how far I can get. I springboard and I jump almost to the other rope.

And, you know, because no one's kicking. They just want to see how far I can get. Yeah. Which was I kind of went on, when I actually did it, I didn't jump as hard as I did when I practice because, you know, obviously Sean's there and I'm adjusting for where he's going to be. And yeah, for me, it was like, no big deal. So a lot of things I did, and I'm not trying to be arrogant or anything, a lot of things I did, I didn't realize how special they were until other people pointed it out.

But that's because you're so athletic and gifted. Right. Like so gifted in that area. I wanted to call and say, hey, my, remember all those be. you gave me for climbing trees and jumping off buildings and swinging off. It's paying off right now. What's so impressive about that spot with the springboard and the sweet chin music is the change of direction. Right?

You're going one way and then the sweet chin music hits you and then immediately you laid out. Perfect timing. Yeah, perfect time. Did you see the kind of tribute that they paid with that between Logan Paul and Seth Rollins? So Logan Paul jumps off the top rope right into a super kick. Oh, yes. I've seen it. I've seen quite a few remakes.

What was the reaction when you went to the back after that match? Because I would imagine that's a match that everybody is glued to the monitors watching. So standing ovation. Like I went through to, when I went back to the curtain, like events and everyone's like clapping. And like, even my case like that, you did something special tonight. And I was like, really? Like, again, I didn't realize how special it was. Then I watched it back.

I was like, this match is great. It's really good. And but again, like, I'm so like, is it really that good? Like, I didn't, I didn't think of it until it, I kept getting it. Then the very next week, you know, the kick is in the opening promos. I was like, okay. Now, no, not. I'm starting to get it now.

I'm starting to really get it. Is that your favorite WWE match of all time? Uh, no, my favorite match, I probably won at the end. No, that, from a technical storyline standpoint, that's one of my top matches,

without a doubt. But I also say the night before, I had a match with Jericho that I think is, it was a pay-per-view. Can't remember the name of the paper. Is this the Taboo Tuesday thing?

No, no, no. That was our first meeting. Okay. But we had a, literally the night before the Gold Rush match, I had a paper review match with Chris Jericho. And that match was, I was blown away by it. Like that was one, that's actually one of my favorite matches ever. And it was the second time me and Chris had a pay-per-view match. So for me, I wrestled Chris Jericho.

and we had a hell of a match. I actually won that one. And then the next night, you know, wrestling HBK and having that, that was the single greatest two nights of wrestling of my career. It hasn't been top. And I don't think it can be top. You know, between the players and the actual action.

Yeah. That was my best week ever. For Tabu Tuesday, when you wrestle, Chris Jericho. Did you truly not know that you were going to be his opponent? I had every belief that Batista would be facing Chris Jericho. But, you know, I'm playing devil's advocate here. WWE could have said, well, Shelton Benjamin won even if you didn't win the fan vote. Or Batista won, even if you didn't win the fan vote.

So they truly let this go to a fan vote. Me and me and Chris have spoken with this. Our match was the only match where it was 100% we don't know what we're going to do. Every other match has some sort of gimmick involved. You know, false cowl anywhere or a hardcore match or something. Sure.

They had some idea of what they were going to do. They just, you know, and who with. Yeah. Chris had 15 guys and they refused to give him any information. And he kept, like, you know, he kept trying. He'd be like, so who's a leaning to him? who's like they wouldn't tell him anything. Me,

I was expecting to be in the back watching the show. So I wasn't even asking anything, but Chris was trying to get an idea. So Chris was going around, going, you know, talking to guys, he goes, you know, save, you know, with the Dave's like, hey, do you know when I do this and I do this?

And like, and Dave kind of go, you know, you know, I'm just using Dave as an example. Sure. But he's just kind of getting an idea of, do people know my stuff? And just trying to plant seeds to everyone. And he came to me and he's like, Hey Shelton, do you?

Do you know when I do this? And I said, I'll stop you right there. Chris, I know all your stuff. He's like, okay, okay. I know I didn't have to worry about you. So I'm going to go, you know, maybe you have to figure out something with Jonathan Coachman. And like you said, when they announced the winner,

I wasn't paying attention. Like I was waiting for them to say Batista's name. So, and if you look at the tape, my reaction, it's a little delayed because I was like, oh, wait, me,

so I knew nothing. Went down to the ring. I knew nothing. We hadn't called anything. It was all, like I said, Chris, I know all your stuff.

That's as much as we said. But does Chris know all your stuff? No, apparently. Because the first thing, I, you know, any information was conveyed to him. The ref never told me any.

So when he, we locked up, as soon as we locked up, he goes, what's your finish? I said, T-bone. He just kind of backed off and then we locked up. And from there, I just listened. And he called everything. Wow. I just listened and followed.

And when he said, okay, for the finish, he's like, all right, stop short, I'm going to jump, catch me in your finish. He still didn't know what my finish was. So he just kind of jumped and turned and just did this. I just got it and hit it with the T-bone, one, two, three. And I heard three and I was like, wait, what? So you didn't even know the finish before you went out?

Nothing. Wow. I, we knew. If you go back and watch the tape, if the camera stays on Chris, you'll see him say something to the referee. That's when he got the information. no one ever told me. Like, all I got was, what's your finish?

You don't say anything? Wow. 100% on the fly. That's unbelievable. So that, that's one of my, I'm, that's one of my matches I'm most proud of. Like I said, because it was under pressure, I didn't expect to be working at night, and we went out there and we pulled off a great match. And it was so much fun, and I was so proud of it.

Like, it's, again, it's one of my favorite matches. A little backstory, though. I actually attribute the success of that match to my time working with Eddie Guerrero. Because when me and Haas first came up, you know, we're straight out developmental. So we're green. Yeah. We want to talk about everything, call everything, plan everything. Sure.

Eddie and Chavo did not work like that. And we were married to them for the first eight months. So we would do like live events Like first we were just Screwing up everything Because they would hide from us Or they would come late Or you know

Or they would say they were late Just so they didn't have to And we would have to go out and like Eddie would force us to call stuff in the ring Oh that must have been so nerve-wracking Like I said For the first month It was nerve-wracking because we were

At the same time Eddie was kind of starting to develop of his lie, cheating, and steal stuff. So he's trying to develop these things, and we were blowing his spots. Like, we were, because we didn't know, because he didn't, he wasn't telling us he was just doing. And then I think after, after we had a match and we just kind of screwed up,

me and Charlie, we were just screwing up everything. Like, Eddie was mad. I was mad. Like, you guys, it makes us look bad out there. You're doing this thing? And I think I spoke up and I said, look, I know I am just, I just, my foot's just in the door. If I left the day, no one would remember me. But I'm not a child. I admit, I'm green. I don't know what you're doing. You're not telling us. So if you want to yell at me,

yell at me after I screw up doing something that I've been taught. Like, you got to at least teach me first. If I screwed up after that, you know, that's a different story. But you got to teach me first. Yeah. You know, a little verbal. You don't have to walk me by the hand the whole time. You got to give me something. Yeah. Because I don't, I literally don't know what I'm doing to screw you up. And Eddie,

he was like, kind of thought it over and like, you know what, you're right. I got to be a better leader. And at a time, even the office thought, like,

you know, the story of the blowup made it sound like we were like ready to get in fist fights and everything. So I think, one of the, someone from management asked me, it's like,

what happened with Eddie? I said, nothing. Like, we had a talk and that was it. And, and, and, uh, I later spoke with Eddie. And I'm like, yeah, the office came and asked me, you know, you know, was, were you and were you and chival, step overstepping your grounds or being, you know, like, I told them, like, I told them no. Because, you know, I'm old school.

I, I, I've been in a locker room my whole life. And for me, you don't, you don't go run to a higher authority. We have a problem. We fix the problem. And I told him, like, I'm one of the boys. If I thought you did that, I would address it with you. But, yeah, I'm not going to throw you under the bus. Even if I'm, even if I'm mad, I'm not going to throw you under the bus.

I'm just not that person. And I swear to God, and it kissed me on the forehead, said, thank you. And from that point on, he was, like, my biggest mentor. Wow. So, like I said, he started leading me to the point where, Like I said, we were married for eight months straight on live events. The first month was rough. After about, you know, six weeks, we had to blow up.

And then for the next couple weeks, he started actually teaching us the things he were doing. And then for the next five, for the next five months, like we got so good and we're having so much. We never talked. We were going on live events. We never talked. It was like a day off. I couldn't wait to get more. Like he, like all of his.

And he was so good. because he was like, we had cues. Like, if he initiated anything, like, we knew, okay, he's about to do this spot. He's going in a distance. And at one point, and like I said, Eddie was really proud of this because it was 100% on the fly. We're in the ring. Eddie goes and grabs the wrench from the, you know, that he ring the bell with. He grabs a wrench.

And he goes, travel, push up over here, just push up over here. So he put, travel pushing me on the, um, on the rope. I'm kind of like, you know, let me go. Let me, you know, waiting for the refs pushing back. Yeah. And Eddie just kind of goes, he taps my hand with the wrench. And I just sounded like I just got shot in the hand.

I'm like complaining. You know, we do that a couple times. And so the ref goes like, so Eddie, like, show me your hand. Eddie does this. He does this, you know, turn around, like, you know, checking his feet. He goes to check Eddie's feet. Eddie tosses the wrist to Chavo. who's in the middle of the ring, you know, watching this.

And I go, Chavo's got it. So Chavo goes, the ref starts, you know, checking Chavo. The wrench is in the back of Chabot's trunk. The ref's checking one hand, one hand, one foot. Charlie comes in from our corner from behind Chabble, grabs the rent and goes right here. And then the ref goes, you got to, you got to get out here. And we just, that was 100% of the fly.

It was so much fun. And I remember we were after we were laughing and talking about And it was like, dude, we got over a freaking wrench, you know, just sort of like, it's so much funny. So like I said, as far as following guys like, and again, his teachings benefited me with Hunter, Paker, with. I mean, the list goes on, right? You did a program with Flair. Yes. And the amount of people that you've worked with and I'm sure learned from as a result, it's unbelievable.

Yeah, I got an. I got an impressive list. Like, I don't say that. Like, you know, I, I've been in the ring with Rick Flair, who I watched as a kid. I've never known pro wrestling without Rick Flair. I've been in the ring with The Undertaker. Edge. Christian, Reimasterio, senior, Brock, you know.

The win on Triple H. Yeah, I got a few wins. Yeah, that's right. But, yeah, I've been, I've been really blessed, man. Like, like, I, if you look at my resume and, like, the stuff. that I've done, like the talent that I've worked with, I can only describe it as blessed. Yeah.

Of those people, who do you think you learned from the most? Ooh, that's... I still say Eddie, because again, I was married to him for eight months. But I've said it before. Every time I wrestle Sean Michaels, learning experience. Every time I wrestle Triple H. Learning experience.

Every time I wrestled Undertaker. Learning experience. Every time I wrestle Ray Mysterial. learning experience. So I'm constantly learning from all of these great guys, but at the same time, I'm learning from people behind the scenes, too.

Arn. Anderson was the brains behind team angle. Like, Kirk was the figurehead, but as far as, like, our moves and our style and how we developed as a team, Aaron Anderson. And I feel like we're seeing, like, a modern-day version of that right now with Alpha Academy.

Yeah. Chad Gable and Otis, I just feel like it's kind of a modern day team angle. Yeah, I would say definitely that. But first of all, Gable, holy cow,

like that guy is a workhorse. Like, he is, like, I don't think he realized how much respect I have for him. That guy is a bad ass. And to see him, like I say,

he's turned on his comical child. cops like, and he's constantly surprising me, and he's a guy that I'm like, this would be a breakout star. And I know we're constantly trying to develop new and talent, but I'm like, man, this guy has got it. Oh, he's

like he's my favorite worker. Like, because you can put him in the ring with anyone. He can make him look good. He can toss anybody around, you know, like I said, when he when he tossed Braun Stromen, it's like, God, dude, like, you're not supposed to be able to do that. But, man, I, I,

I am so impressed by his work. So, so impressed. So if Arne Anderson was the one who came up with Team Mangle, whose idea was it for your mama? That would be one, Mr. McMahon. So I think things were getting a little stale for me.

I was on this long losing streak. This is after the gold standard, right? No, this is before the gold standard. And I, you know, I had a meeting with Vince, And I was just like, okay, right now I'm not doing anything. Like, I want to contribute. And I had a idea. And like, first when he, I don't know where he came up with the mama.

So when he first approached me about it, he basically said, how would you feel about having a real mama on the road with you or doing this role? And I said, absolutely not. There is no way. I am going to expose my mother to this locker room because as nice as a guy I am, I love everybody on the roster. But if one person were to say something for us to my real mom, yeah, I would have had a really short career.

So, yeah, I, and so we, like I said, when he said it, I was just kind of like, Hmm Because the only reference I had to that was Buff Bagwell and his mom. That was Judy, yeah. Yeah. And I guess Jim Cornett used to always reference his mom way back in the day. But I don't remember she ever made a television appearance, but I definitely remember the buff stuff.

Yeah, his mom was on a forklift match. Vince Rousseau is even like, yeah, it was a pretty bad idea. So when things started with that, And I've said this before. I feel like that whole storyline gets a bad rap because my mom, Thia Vidal, who's a, you know, she was a comedian. And, you know, she's doing TV shows.

Like I said, me and Brandy have a mother in common. Me and the singer Brandy have a mother. When they brought her in, like they narrowed it down and just her and two other, her and one other woman. And yeah, it was like, As soon as she walked in, I knew exactly who she was. So you were part of the cast. Yes.

It was me. One of our producers, her name is Casama and Vince. Like, we, like, ultimately they left it down to me, but everyone agreed. Fia, like, she blew it out of the water. And the day she did that audition in front of us was the day she made her debut on television. We made a decision that day. And, like, she was a lot of fun to work with on camera. Because she, obviously, she was way more animated than me, but, you know, I, it was easy to slip into that whole mama's boy role because, like, she had a, she had a very domineering personality to say the least.

And I was having a lot of fun with it. Like, some of the skits, like, particularly when, you know, I walked in with her, you know, her, you know, her, Miss, Mr. McMahon with his pants. hands down. Like, that's, like, I was having so much fun with that.

And, but, uh, unfortunately, like, she has some medical problems and, you know, some other,

some other things that, you know, uh, I guess management wasn't happy with, you know, basically she got to let go. And, and this,

but the, she got let go before the story could be completed. The story, you know, That's kind of a buzzword these days, the story. Yeah, finish the story. Right. We didn't finish the story because, like I said, I was supposed to be a mama's boy, you know, and successful.

But at some point, I had to grow up and stand on my own without my mom again. Yeah. And that's where that was leading. That's where I was. You were going to turn on your mama? No one turned on their mama. No black guy turned on their mom. Right.

No smart person turns on their mom. It was more like I was basically going to take my manhood back. And because everything got cut off and it got, you know, it ended so abruptly because most people go, oh, man, I remember when you did that, Mama's boy thing, Mama, how's Mama? And like, man, how, like, for six months or so, like, it wasn't six months. How long was it? Because it seemed like it lasts long time. from start to finish eight weeks. This is the hilarious thing about wrestling fans in our memories

is when something is memorable, oh man, you did that thing for like six and eight months a year. Yeah. And when something's not memorable, it could have lasted a year and you went, I don't even remember that thing. Right. Yeah.

Six, I'm sorry, eight weeks. Wow. So it, and, but the funny thing was the immediately, like they said, well, Mama's not coming back. So now your character is, you know,

a cocky, a cocky, like, you know, Dion Sanders type. And I was just like, huh? Wait, wait, last week I was a mama boy, you know, cowering to my mom. And this week, I'm the flashy, this was this flashy Dion Sanders type? Okay.

We'll try it. But, I mean, it, I think it was too abrupt to change, but no, there was no sort of there was no closure or explanation for why Mama wasn't there

why I was acting like this now and it's like so to me I don't think that really worked because there was no transition it was like for the last eight weeks you've been this cowering guy

to your mom now I was like well where's your mom you know because people love her like no matter what I I read stuff online

which you probably shouldn't do because you're only going to remember the bad stuff, really. So I would read stuff online about how people thought it was, you know, was a bad thing. And I was like, I was having a time of my life. You know how many pre-tapes I did with Mr. McMahon? I was like, I was getting so much work, so much TV time and having so much fun with this.

And then it ended abruptly. And like I said, from a story-wise, from a story standpoint, we never got to complete the story. We just literally flipped the page and I'm a new character one week from the next. It just doesn't, that, to me, it just didn't work. But it ends up leading into the gold standard, which is, I think, the thing that people remember you most for, at least from your singles career. Yeah. So, the gold standard. I feel like we're prepping for something.

Okay. Let's sit up straight. Gold standard. Yeah. So I had been toying with the idea of dyeing my hair because they put us, they reform world's greatest tag team. Yep. And while Charlie, I love Charlie to death, he's my brother, best friend. And, but at a time, I tasted single success to me going back into a tag team, a step backwards.

And so I was thinking, okay, what can I change about myself that? What can I add or do to make myself, the basically changed up, make myself more interest, more marketing. Yeah. And, but I didn't want to do anything so drastic that if I didn't like it, I couldn't kind of morphed back. So I was like, hmm. And I thought about dyeing my hair blonde, but I always held off because at the time, viscera still had the blonde mohawk. You know, so for me, I would be encroaching on his, his gimmick. So when he became Big Daddy V, and.

you know, at this time. Now I'm in the tag team. I went to him, I said, hey, I think I'm dying, my hair blonde. You might have, he'd like, I don't care. I'm not doing blonde anymore. Like, knock yourself out. So because I had his blessing, I was like, okay.

And what finally made me pull the trigger on it, I don't even think he knows this, but Stone Cold had a dressty, the talent, you know, talking about, you know, coming out of a show, making, you know, working harder to be a star, like taking risk and all these things. And it was that day, like, I'm listening to Stone Cold and I'm going,

I think there was a hint of as for forgiveness, not permission. Yeah. And that day, I was like, I walked out of that meeting. I went to one of the girls who does hair like, hey, did you bleach my hair for me? And I bleached it. Was she like, we need to ask somebody first? Wow. Nope.

I just said, weed down my hair for me? Yeah, sure. So she dyed it blonde and no one knew I did it until I, well, obviously, people saw me, but Vince and management didn't know I did it until we went out. Me and Charlie went out for our match and I walked your gorilla now. I have this blonde hair. And it did exactly what I wanted to do. It created a buzz and started questioning.

It gave people different ideas. and what ended up happening, Dusty Rose, who was in charge of ECW at the time, he was, I remember he said, he wanted me to come to ECW. Yeah. And I remember he said, you know, this might be a horrible Dusty Rose impression,

but he goes, he's like, he's like, you got talent and they got, you got talent, and they don't know how to use it, but I do. I say give you to me. And so when I, I don't know, me and Charlie, I'd have been tagging for a couple months, if that.

And I got moved to ECW, and the gold standard was born. Wow. And so that first few months was Dusty's programming. And I think he told me his plan would have me and punk face each other at Mania for the ECW title. Wow. Yeah. Obviously that didn't happen. you know, he, he, in the, he changed position, I think he started working with development.

And so when that happened, pretty much that story, that stuff, that stuff fell apart. But at the same time, I was still in ECW and the ghost standard thing was thriving. And yeah, that was, I was having so much fun with it, both in the ring and in my personal life, because I didn't dye my hair as a fact, because I thought I would look cool with it. blonde hair. I dyed my hair to stand out because, you know, there's no saying, if you look like the people on the other side of the ring, you should be on the other side of the rail

with them. Like, that was a philosophy back then. So, yeah, I just wanted to stand out a little more. So now when I'm going, but now I have a, I have blonde hair 24-7. Now you stand out everywhere. Everywhere. And it's funny to watch

people's reaction to me with the blonde hair because if they didn't know who I was, particularly in the airport, the first looks was like. But did they think you're a rapper, football player? I think because of my bill,

they knew it was something. Yeah. But in a lot of cases, it was just like, what's this guy do? And then I could sit and watch people and I could see, we'll start turning and someone goes,

and then we go, and it's like, and then now you got, Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so I, I said, you pass the, the airport test that everyone talks about. All you have to do is dye your hair. Yeah, blonde really do have more fun.

It's not just a slow game. So, yeah. So I, I loved it. Like I said, just because it gave me a look at him, you know. Yeah. And I, sometimes I wonder if I should go back to it. I think you should. I don't know if I can.

Ah, you've got a... You've got plenty of hair up there. There's a reason I keep it low these days. The United States Soccer Federation present the U.S. soccer podcast. My name is David Goss, and I'm joined by my co-host, Megan Clevenberg. 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 take their claim. And they want to be on that World Cup roster. There's no doubt about it. Hosting the World Cup on the home soil comes with its pressure. 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. What I told people that I was going to be sitting down with you today, one of the biggest things that came up was people miss your entrance theme. Yeah, yeah. So I have been trying, fans, anyone listening, I've been trying. I've asked over and over just a day I got back. And I hear there ain't no stopping you, so.

I haven't stopped me. I haven't stopped. I'm still trying. And I just keep going, please. Like I was making it very public that I don't like my theme music. I want my old music. And like for, you know, for reasons that even I, I don't know if I'm even willing to accept it.

They may be true. It may be no. I don't know if I'm willing to accept it. But, you know, they just, they haven't conceded to give me back my old music because I want it to. I think if you keep putting it out there, They got no choice. You know what? What I think is fans

to just chant it anyway while I'm in the ring. Like if you want to, if you want to send a message, like me asking is enough. You fans have to demand it. You know how many people are going to tweet it after hearing this?

You're either going to get your theme song back or you're going to get in trouble. Yeah, I'm going to get him so much trouble. So I all apologize in advance then. When you left WWE and you went went to Japan, you had some amazing work there.

Did you ever think that you would find your way back to WWA? Honestly, yes. I was always under the belief in, you know, I just believe that if you were ever successful in that company, there's always a chance you're coming. Yeah. With, with, with WWE, I strong believe never say never, because there are people who have come and gone and came and gone again.

And I'm like, wow, I'm surprised you're even entertaining the idea, much less allowing this person to return. Case in point, like Eric Bischoff, from a historical standpoint, when you look at this, this was the enemy. This was the guy that was trying to take you down. Yeah, that seems like an obvious one. Yeah, like that, and this is now, this is, you know, he's worked with them many times. That's not a knock on Eric Bishop.

Of course. But it's just, like I said, if we're at war, when the war is over, I don't give you a job. Like, that's just me. But nobody has anything bad to say about you. And I think that is a tribute to who you are as a person and a performer, obviously. But it feels like it would just make sense to have you back. And then the stuff you were doing with her business, really good stuff. Yeah, yeah, the hurt business is that that's, that's, that will always be something I hold near and dear.

I consider it one of the greatest accomplishments, one of the greatest, uh, factions, one of the greatest situations. Like, I have nothing but love for the hurt business, like nothing but love. I feel like that, that time that we were in the world when we couldn't do anything and all eyes were on pro wrestling because it was the only live programming, you guys, like, that. That faction excelled so much during that time. Yeah. You know, again, with the world being in the situation it was, like, and, you know, in a lot of cases, limited talent, you know, for safety. Obviously, everything to understand.

But the company still needed people to step up. Like, yes, we understand what's going on. But we're still a business. You know, the show must go on. We need people to step up. And I think myself, Bobby, MVP, and Cedric did exactly that. And like I said, what we created, like I said, all of us are extremely proud of what we're able to do expressly during that time when the company really needed something. And like I said, that came out of nowhere.

It was a surprise to all of us. And again, it was just such a great time. The biggest regret is that we never were in front of a lot. I feel like there's still more to that story. I definitely, first of all, I think there, I think there are more books and novels. Personally, like, I'm, you know, because when things, as all things do,

when things fell apart, but I don't think any of us were happy about it. Matter of fact, I know none of us were happy about it. I don't think fans weren't happy about it. Yeah. We did everything we could. It was above our pay grade. And our job was to perform. Yep.

The decision makers have made the decisions. Our job was to perform. So that's what we do. But at the same time, it's like, man, we really, really wanted to just have that one time. We could just walk out in front of an actual crowd, you know, because it's one thing to know that what you're doing is getting over when there's no one around, you know, but we still felt it. So we all wanted to just experience, okay, the hurt business in front of a lie. That's what we work for.

That's what we live for. That adrenaline rush, there's nothing like it. How much do you think about life after wrestling? Lately a lot more. I feel like I'm always going to be involved in some way. Have they said anything to you? Like when you're done in the ring, we've also got a job for you backstage

or maybe that's inevitable. I've had those talks. I do feel like I have a another career behind the scenes. Yeah, you were telling me before we started recording, you're like, I don't even like to be home for that long. So you continuing to be on the road makes a lot of sense then.

Absolutely. Like I'm home for two weeks, I get assy. Something's wrong. Like, I'm not earning. I'm not being productive. I have traveling is traveling and performing and doing stuff and like I said meeting people networking all of these things if I'm sitting at home I'm not doing any of those things so yeah so you don't feel productive but you're one of those uh you know it's it's it's rare to be one of those people

who's comfortable living out of a suitcase who's comfortable airport to airport hotel to love it piece of case I doesn't bother me one bit now wow you know I know some guys like uh you know wish they could have days off. And a lot of people go, how do you do that every week? I'm like, the reason I can do it every week is that at no point was I taught that I couldn't. I guess a lot of guys just don't like the routine, though,

of like, now I've got to find a new gym in this city. Now I've got to go find a new place to find some relatively healthy food. That's to me. That's the adventure. I love it. Because here's just saying, you think about how many people who work a regular 9 to 5, they're in the same city

every day. In the same office. In the same office. In the same people you know, they're driving the same route. Pitch. Having the same mundane routine that to me would drive me crazy. I, on the other hand, now mind you, there are some things that I do regularly, just like anybody

else for the job. I regularly get up early to catch a flight to drive somewhere to get beat up and beat up my friends. to live out of a hotel. And by the same time, I'm going to, there's nothing for me to say,

oh, today I'm in London. Yeah. And I'm doing a show. Before I do the show, I'm going to go check out this. And I'm going to see this. I'm going to see these sides. I literally get to see the world for free.

Yeah. First class. Not free. You're getting paid to do it. I mean, I'm getting paid to do it, but, but my company pays to send me around the world to some of the

nicest places and some of the scariest places also. But to, I get to experience all these different cultures, you know, in small increments. Yeah. But I get to see the world. Me being from South Carolina, I'm from Orangeburg, South Carolina.

I never left home when I was a kid, like ever. I was always on a breakup. So until I started playing sports, and I actually started even seeing the state. So for me, the fact that I get paid to travel the world because for me, the wrestling part is fun. it's the fact that I can go to, I can go to Europe, I can go to Asia,

I can go to all these different countries and in this country. And one, I always meet new and interesting people, make connections, make friends. I, my worldly views are much more expanded

than the average person who just sits at, who the average person who lives in one state or the average person who never leaves the country. Yeah. Like I have references for all these things. And I've lived a charm life.

So when anytime I see like, you know, because a lot of fans, you know, who come to my defense, you know, because I read this stuff like, you know, Sheltons are better or any time I see the phrase, poor Sheltin, I want to say to that fan, no, not poor me. Because, like I said, I get to see the world for free.

I get paid a handsome salary. I have not worried about it. a bill in over 20 years. My kids have never need for anything. Not poor Shelton. Shelton is doing real good. So I don't, no matter what you think creatively, I'm not blind to my blessings. I've lived a charm life. I'm living a charm. Like, I can go anywhere in the world almost. and people who don't know me will treat me like gold just because they saw me on TV, you know, wrestling. To me, that's a gift.

And I'm still humbled by, and even today when someone says they know me, like, I'm still humbled by that stuff. So, and sometimes I've said, I maybe I'm too humbled, but, like, I appreciate my life. I live the blessed life. Never use the term poor shell with me. Save your pity for the week. But you have been, you are.

are so humble, you've been so humble during this entire conversation and I'm so grateful for just who you are. Don't be humble for like 30 seconds here, okay? What is it about you that has allowed you to have the amazing career that you've had over the last two plus decades?

And don't be humble for a second. Because I'm a bad mother. Yes. I don't know. I don't even know how to ask that question because... I can help you because you work really hard. Well, yeah. Because you are...

You are really good at taking direction. Yes. You were incredibly gifted as an athlete. Yeah. I can't agree with... I can't disagree with any of that. You have a student mentality towards everything even now. Yeah, but...

Like I said, even then, but I... I guess one of my biggest flaws is still... to me, one of my biggest assets is that I'm humble. Like, it's, I'm, there are a lot of diverse persons in the pro wrestling business, both in ring, you know. And I think a big part of my success is that I've always, your point managed to keep a good relationship with everybody. Yeah. Like, I can't, I can't really think of anybody in the industry that I personally have beef quit or that I'm,

I'm aware has beef with me. I've heard a random story here and there about, you know, concerning people that I really don't know. But for the most part, I'm big on respect. Yeah. I've been in locker rooms all my life, so I know how to navigate locker rooms. And like I said, I think because I'm humbled and I always try to treat people with respect,

I'm, I use, sir, ma'am, please and thank you, as often as possible. To me, those things go a long way. Even when you're very talented, like just certain social skills. Like, I got my contract with WWE, not because of my athleticism. I mean, obviously it helped,

but what kind of got my foot in the door was my social skills, my reputation, Because originally, W.W.B. had gotten wind of Brock. And they contacted the University of Minnesota to quote, you know, about inquiring about Brock. And Jay Robinson, my coach at a time, he's like, yeah, well, you know, Brock still got a couple years.

So you can't really talk to him. It's the NCAA violations. But I have another guy who named Sheldon. He was like halfway before. and he's just, if not more, interested. Now, he didn't have to make that recommendation, but because he knew I loved wrestling, because he knew I was a hard worker

because he instilled it in me. And my reputation and good name, I feel like helped get me that recommendation. So things like that, like I'm very conscious of how I treat. And nobody's perfect. I'm pretty sure there's somebody out there, who go, no, I saw something.

I doubt it. You know, no, no. I can name at least one that I know for sure because I just didn't like that. But I try to treat everybody with respect. And again, I attest that to my long career just as much as I do, my physical ability. Because I feel like the physical side of thing, that's an easy answer. I know I've met and worked alongside guys who I consider way more talented than me, but they didn't last five minutes in the business because of the attitude,

not because of their skill, attitude, coachability, likeability. You know, they're, you know, it's important to be able to get along in a pro wrestling and lack of them. We got to trust each other. We got to like each other. And even if we don't like each other, we still got to trust each other to, to a, a degree. Yeah.

Oh. I think that's the perfect way to answer that question. Sir, it has been an absolute pleasure, an absolute honor to sit down with you. Thank you for making the time here in Las Vegas. Here in Las Vegas, there's a lot of things you can be doing in Las Vegas. Hey, you know what? I feel like I need to do more to this. I don't think, I don't think fans really know my personality except, you know, they get a lot of

my humor when I'm like taking shots at Mia. By the way, by the way, do we have time to take shots at Mia? Any chance I get, I'll take a shot at Mia. So, Mia, yeah, I'm walking into a library. That's a joke. I end every conversation talking about gratitude because it's such an important part of my life. I wake up every day.

I say out loud three things I'm grateful for. It's also what I do before I go to bed. So it's the question I ask at the end of every interview. What are three things in your life that you're grateful for as we sit here right now, Shelton. Well, I'm grateful to still be healthy, first and foremost. I'm grateful that I am the father of two beautiful, talented, you know, just loving, caring daughters, like everything I do is for them,

whether they realize it or not. And like I said, I'm really grateful for the life that I have because, again, from my background, it could have gone way south. of this. And by way south, I mean, I could be, you know,

six feet under right now based on my projection pre-coctrondon. You know, but everything he's taught me, I, everything that I've talked about

as far as being humbled. All these things were really instilled in me by Coach Donnelly. And it's something that I teach, I try to teach to everybody, all of my pupils, you know,

because I'm, you know, I'm kind of trying to help out, you know, Zila, Batu and everything like that. Yeah, that's Umaga's son. Yes.

We both watch debut. Yeah. Reality wrestling, man. I'm so proud of that kid. There's, he's got a bright future. Yeah. I met him when he was six. Wow.

And they were my next door neighbors. So funny story. He used to sneak in my house. I had a cupboard, you know, full of candies and snacks. He used to sneak in my house and grab my candy. just have run out my side door. But, uh, so, because they were my next door neighbors. So, like, to me, they're family.

So, yeah, to see him and, you know, I'm enjoying watching his journey. And, you know, there are a few other, uh, kids that I, you know, I keep an eye on. Obviously, uh, Shad Gaspar, who's a good friend of mine, like, I keep a real close eye on his son and try to help out there whenever I can. Um, but yeah, like, I'm, I guess. I'm grateful for my ability to, you know, try to pay it forward. That's great. This has been so much fun.

Thank you so much, sir. Thank you. Maybe it would buy so fast. That was really fast. It was like an hour plus, right? Yeah, and I think we have people waiting out. Look, everyone's like, oh, my gosh, is that Sean Benjamin? It is.

Thank you. Thank you. Oh, man, how awesome is Shelton? I mean, I think we definitely need to have him back on the show. Maybe after he gets inducted in the Hall of Fame by Kurt Anger. from the sounds of this. Although actually, with the shape that he's in right now, I feel like he will not be retiring anytime soon.

So that Hall of Fame spot may be waiting for him for a few years. I hope you enjoyed this conversation. Man, it is so good to hear who the man is behind Shelton Benjamin in this unbelievable 20-plus career that he's had. So, so good and so many amazing moments. And what a freaking athlete. Please share this episode with somebody who you know will love this and snap a screenshot. Let us know what you thought about this.

Let us know what stood out the most for you. Tag us to. He's at Shelty B-803. I'm at Chris Van Fleet and I'll leave you with this quote from Tony Robbins. All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone. Be great. Be grateful. We've got a lot more incredible guests coming up for the next few weeks plus.

a CVV episode next week. So if you have any Ask CVV questions, please send them to me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook using that hashtag, Ask CVV. That'll be next week. But be great, be grateful. We will see you on the next one for some more insight.

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. 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? Follow and listen on your favorite platform. You've been warned.