BIG VITO TALKS ABOUT WEARING A DRESS, SID DESTROYING HIM MORE
- 08/16/2008 (12:27:06 am)
- James Walsh
……
Show: The Interactive Interview courtesy of www.WrestlingEpicenter.com
Guest: Former WWE/WCW/ECW Superstar Big Vito
Date: 8/14/08
Your Hosts: Patrick Kelley, James Walsh, & Nick Noel
Transcript By: Patrick Kelley
After 6 years of doing this interviewing every major Diva including Sunny, Missy, Francine, and Lita which will air this weekend, we never once started an interview the way we started the Big Vito interview... "What are you wearing?"
Laugh if you want, you're supposed to enjoy the character. But, Big Vito is one of the most accomplished pro wrestlers in wrestling history. Who else can say they wrestled for the WWF (at the time) title against Bret Hart, got destroyed by Sid Vicious in ECW earning a job for life, and had a more talked about segment than the Hulk Hogan/Ric Flair match in WCW? Heck, what wrestler would offer to go to the developmental territory to keep active when creative was looking for something for him?
Vito is a wrestling legend at a young age. A true student of the game that made it. And, for the first time ever, Vito opens up about personal things throughout the years including his ex-wife. This is a powerful, informative, and educational interview that we are thrilled to bring to you.
To listen, go to http://www.WrestlingEpicenter.com. While there, check out our store and f orums! Tell us how we're doing! We want your feedback!
Big Vito:
- Big Vito was welcomed back to the Interactive Interview, and he is asked what he’s wearing currently, which is a reference to his Dress Wearing gimmick, which he still does with success on the Indy scene. He says the gimmick was a great opportunity to get over, and people just love the gimmick. WWE came up with the idea, and he always wanted to work for them, so he was willing to do anything they asked, and he turned it into an entertaining gimmick.
- He is very old school and started wrestling in 1990, but he wasn’t offended when he had to go to developmental. He says that he requested to do it so he could keep in shape and keep his ring ability in tact, and he’s still in shape today.
- The Mamalukes never reunited in the WWE. He would have liked to do it, and recognizes it as one of the best times in his career. Vito then talks about some of his favorite memories from the tag team.
- He says he worked with the WWF in the early 90s and worked as enhancement talent for the big stars. He specifically references working with Bret Hart for the title, and then working with The Undertaker, Legion of Doom, and The British Bulldog, with his last show being against The Rockers.
- He then went all over the world to perfect his craft and improve from Puerto Rico to Japan, and then eventually to ECW. He was well l iked there and then went over to WCW where he captured the tag titles in the Mamalukes. He is very proud of his accomplishments and has enjoyed his career.
- When talking about the Dress gimmick yet, he says its amazing how well people have reacted to it, and says that he is very well liked over in the NWE promotion. He says he likes working there and they have a chance to be very successful. When talking about the heavily hyped Ultimate Warrior returns, Vito says that he has a great amount of respect for The Warrior. He says no matter what happened in the match, The Warrior is still one of the greats. As for the match itself, he says it probably wasn’t the best, but gives Warrior an A for Effort and says he still has a legacy.
- He talks about working with Ralphus and says he wasn’t a wrestler, but you always try to protect everyone as best as possible, and he says that Ralphus still thanks him for helping him, specifically in the match at Bash at the Beach.
- The new ECW was brought back in a different time and place, and says comparing the two is hard to do because they are both very different presentations. In the old ECW, everybody worked hard and came in giving 100% every night.
- He says that TNA & ECW are two completely different animals. ECW was more of a family, while TNA was more mainstream. He also throws in WWE saying that is a very different atmosphere as well. Every place is different.
- Vito recalls a moment in ECW where he was called to wrestle Sid when three other guys rejected it because they were probably afraid of getting hurt. He got destroyed by Sid, but earned the respect of the locker room because he made Sid look like a million bucks. Sid also thanked him after the match.
- He then says the beatings you deal with in wrestling. He talks about working with guys like Vader & Goldberg and how you know you are going to get hit in those situations. Vito says he only has a problem if he hits back and the guy complains, especially if he’s wearing a dress!
- Vito then talked about his experience in New Japan working with a legit shoot fighter, Dan Bulbish. He didn’t really know how to work a pro wrestling match, so one night Vito told him to be hard on him and took another great beating. He ended having to wrestle him 4 more times on the tour. Vito takes pride in making him look good.
- He never really got to be a big main event talent, but he says only a select few ever make it to that level, and he’s happy with his career. He also gets to wrestle a lot of the biggest stars around and has had his great moments.
- In NWE he wrestled Juventud in his first Crusierweight match and he says that it went very well.
- James brings up what Al Snow says about the internet fans. Vito feels people can write, but they can only give a fan’s perspec tive or a “outside looking in” look at things. They have no idea what goes on backstage, and says wrestlers writing columns would offer a more in depth look into the business. He says its not worth worrying about what people have to say about him on the net.
- Vito then talks about the medias handling of the Chris Benoit situation, saying that everybody can say what they want and have their opinions, but nobody knows with 100% what happened except for Benoit & his family.
- He then talks about Freddy Prince Jr. being hired and says that its unlikely that he can do it given is lack of experience in wrestling. Vito then says that some of the old ECW fans have been on the WWE Creative team. He says Vince Russo is a very creative write, but sometimes that clashes with standards in wrestling.
- Vito then talked about how all the promotions are different: WWE is entertainment, ROH is about highspots, TNA is mostly gimmick matches, Japan is straight up in ring action and so on and so on. He says its best to learn how to adapt.
- He isn’t a trainer officially, but he says its something he’d be interested in doing. Vito would like to take the old school approach and teach the young kids the basics first. And let people know if they are good or not.
- Going back to the dress gimmick, he says very few wrestlers could pull it off and it takes a lot of knowledge to do that. He then talks0Aabout being asked to do Playgirl in the dress and enjoyed that. He says that along with The Mamalukes, the Dress will be the thing he’ll always be remembered for.
- A Mamalukes reunion is something he’d like to do. For entertainment, it’d be great to do it for WWE, but they don’t invest much in tag teams, so TNA or Japan would get the best out of them in the ring. And of course two tough Italians would get over well in Europe.
- He is then asked about The Luck of the Irish Match. He says the gimmick wasn’t that great because it was hard to follow, but they managed to make it the best match possible. He enjoyed working with Pat Kenney, and says they had a lot of really good matches in ECW.
- He’s learned a lot through wrestling and he is now a polished & finished product for wrestling, and he’s proud of that.
- Vito was annoyed with the media’s coverage of the Chris Benoit tragedy and that the coverage was biased towards trying to make it sound as bad as possible. He was good friends with Benoit and he tries to remember the good times, and also says that everybody hays their demons. He then talks about his late wife he was supportive of him and he appreciates her support during his days of breaking into the business.
- Word Associations: Hear Vito’s thoughts on Vince Russo, Johnny Stamboli, Trinity, Glen Gilberti, Jeff Jarrett, Alan Funk, & Vince McMahon.
Guest: Former WWE/WCW/ECW Superstar Big Vito
Date: 8/14/08
Your Hosts: Patrick Kelley, James Walsh, & Nick Noel
Transcript By: Patrick Kelley
After 6 years of doing this interviewing every major Diva including Sunny, Missy, Francine, and Lita which will air this weekend, we never once started an interview the way we started the Big Vito interview... "What are you wearing?"
Laugh if you want, you're supposed to enjoy the character. But, Big Vito is one of the most accomplished pro wrestlers in wrestling history. Who else can say they wrestled for the WWF (at the time) title against Bret Hart, got destroyed by Sid Vicious in ECW earning a job for life, and had a more talked about segment than the Hulk Hogan/Ric Flair match in WCW? Heck, what wrestler would offer to go to the developmental territory to keep active when creative was looking for something for him?
Vito is a wrestling legend at a young age. A true student of the game that made it. And, for the first time ever, Vito opens up about personal things throughout the years including his ex-wife. This is a powerful, informative, and educational interview that we are thrilled to bring to you.
To listen, go to http://www.WrestlingEpicenter.com. While there, check out our store and f orums! Tell us how we're doing! We want your feedback!
Big Vito:
- Big Vito was welcomed back to the Interactive Interview, and he is asked what he’s wearing currently, which is a reference to his Dress Wearing gimmick, which he still does with success on the Indy scene. He says the gimmick was a great opportunity to get over, and people just love the gimmick. WWE came up with the idea, and he always wanted to work for them, so he was willing to do anything they asked, and he turned it into an entertaining gimmick.
- He is very old school and started wrestling in 1990, but he wasn’t offended when he had to go to developmental. He says that he requested to do it so he could keep in shape and keep his ring ability in tact, and he’s still in shape today.
- The Mamalukes never reunited in the WWE. He would have liked to do it, and recognizes it as one of the best times in his career. Vito then talks about some of his favorite memories from the tag team.
- He says he worked with the WWF in the early 90s and worked as enhancement talent for the big stars. He specifically references working with Bret Hart for the title, and then working with The Undertaker, Legion of Doom, and The British Bulldog, with his last show being against The Rockers.
- He then went all over the world to perfect his craft and improve from Puerto Rico to Japan, and then eventually to ECW. He was well l iked there and then went over to WCW where he captured the tag titles in the Mamalukes. He is very proud of his accomplishments and has enjoyed his career.
- When talking about the Dress gimmick yet, he says its amazing how well people have reacted to it, and says that he is very well liked over in the NWE promotion. He says he likes working there and they have a chance to be very successful. When talking about the heavily hyped Ultimate Warrior returns, Vito says that he has a great amount of respect for The Warrior. He says no matter what happened in the match, The Warrior is still one of the greats. As for the match itself, he says it probably wasn’t the best, but gives Warrior an A for Effort and says he still has a legacy.
- He talks about working with Ralphus and says he wasn’t a wrestler, but you always try to protect everyone as best as possible, and he says that Ralphus still thanks him for helping him, specifically in the match at Bash at the Beach.
- The new ECW was brought back in a different time and place, and says comparing the two is hard to do because they are both very different presentations. In the old ECW, everybody worked hard and came in giving 100% every night.
- He says that TNA & ECW are two completely different animals. ECW was more of a family, while TNA was more mainstream. He also throws in WWE saying that is a very different atmosphere as well. Every place is different.
- Vito recalls a moment in ECW where he was called to wrestle Sid when three other guys rejected it because they were probably afraid of getting hurt. He got destroyed by Sid, but earned the respect of the locker room because he made Sid look like a million bucks. Sid also thanked him after the match.
- He then says the beatings you deal with in wrestling. He talks about working with guys like Vader & Goldberg and how you know you are going to get hit in those situations. Vito says he only has a problem if he hits back and the guy complains, especially if he’s wearing a dress!
- Vito then talked about his experience in New Japan working with a legit shoot fighter, Dan Bulbish. He didn’t really know how to work a pro wrestling match, so one night Vito told him to be hard on him and took another great beating. He ended having to wrestle him 4 more times on the tour. Vito takes pride in making him look good.
- He never really got to be a big main event talent, but he says only a select few ever make it to that level, and he’s happy with his career. He also gets to wrestle a lot of the biggest stars around and has had his great moments.
- In NWE he wrestled Juventud in his first Crusierweight match and he says that it went very well.
- James brings up what Al Snow says about the internet fans. Vito feels people can write, but they can only give a fan’s perspec tive or a “outside looking in” look at things. They have no idea what goes on backstage, and says wrestlers writing columns would offer a more in depth look into the business. He says its not worth worrying about what people have to say about him on the net.
- Vito then talks about the medias handling of the Chris Benoit situation, saying that everybody can say what they want and have their opinions, but nobody knows with 100% what happened except for Benoit & his family.
- He then talks about Freddy Prince Jr. being hired and says that its unlikely that he can do it given is lack of experience in wrestling. Vito then says that some of the old ECW fans have been on the WWE Creative team. He says Vince Russo is a very creative write, but sometimes that clashes with standards in wrestling.
- Vito then talked about how all the promotions are different: WWE is entertainment, ROH is about highspots, TNA is mostly gimmick matches, Japan is straight up in ring action and so on and so on. He says its best to learn how to adapt.
- He isn’t a trainer officially, but he says its something he’d be interested in doing. Vito would like to take the old school approach and teach the young kids the basics first. And let people know if they are good or not.
- Going back to the dress gimmick, he says very few wrestlers could pull it off and it takes a lot of knowledge to do that. He then talks0Aabout being asked to do Playgirl in the dress and enjoyed that. He says that along with The Mamalukes, the Dress will be the thing he’ll always be remembered for.
- A Mamalukes reunion is something he’d like to do. For entertainment, it’d be great to do it for WWE, but they don’t invest much in tag teams, so TNA or Japan would get the best out of them in the ring. And of course two tough Italians would get over well in Europe.
- He is then asked about The Luck of the Irish Match. He says the gimmick wasn’t that great because it was hard to follow, but they managed to make it the best match possible. He enjoyed working with Pat Kenney, and says they had a lot of really good matches in ECW.
- He’s learned a lot through wrestling and he is now a polished & finished product for wrestling, and he’s proud of that.
- Vito was annoyed with the media’s coverage of the Chris Benoit tragedy and that the coverage was biased towards trying to make it sound as bad as possible. He was good friends with Benoit and he tries to remember the good times, and also says that everybody hays their demons. He then talks about his late wife he was supportive of him and he appreciates her support during his days of breaking into the business.
- Word Associations: Hear Vito’s thoughts on Vince Russo, Johnny Stamboli, Trinity, Glen Gilberti, Jeff Jarrett, Alan Funk, & Vince McMahon.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 9:18 pm
Subject: Recap of Terri on The Interactive Interview
Show: The Interactive Interview courtesy of www. WrestlingEpicenter. com
Guest: Former WWE Diva Terri Runnels (and Dakota for a brief appearance)
Date: 8/4/08
Your Hosts: Patrick Kelley, James Walsh, & Nick Noel
Terri Runnels burst on the wrestling scene in the early 90's with World Championship Wrestling. But, it wasn't until she dawned the seductive role of Marlena along side the bizarre Goldust that she really came into her own. Call her Alexandra York, call her Merlena, call her the "Horny Little She-Devil"... Just call her Terri!
In this interview, Terri talks at length about how you can "Make the World Write" and win her home. We're talking about a million dollar home that you can get for $200.
Plus, Terri talks about being a bed wetter, being proud of Cody Rhodes, and her current relationship with Dustin. And, as if an hour of reliving memories isn't enough, we even get a word in with daughter Dakota. How cool is that?
It's all here and it is all free. Just come to www. WrestlingEpicenter. com and listen in to one of the better interviews we've done in a while. Plus, check out all our classic interviews with Terri uncluding one conducted just days after her WWE release 4 years ago. And, of course, check out our store and keep our site free, strong, and proud!
Terri Runnels
0A
- Terri is welcomed back to TII we get a quick laugh as James references the “Blue Balls” Terri was selling on her website a few years back.
- Terri then explains the Essay contest she is involved with currently. The Essays are going to be about how the contestants can write about how they would improve the world and make it a better place. The winner would win Terri’s home and a cash prize. She says that a large part of the judging will be on who has the best ideas as opposed to checking for spelling & grammatical errors. For more information on the contest, check out http://www. theterrirunnels. com or her Myspace page at http://www. myspace. com/terrirunnels (all other accounts claiming to be Terri’s are FAKE)
- Terri then asks James a question. She wants to know about the origin of James’ name the “Glam Slam Metal Man” Anybody who is a long time fan of TII will probably find this story interesting.
- The interview then shifts into a more casual direction as they talk about things like Myspace, Terri’s recent events, and her love for curly hair.
- She is taking bookings for wrestling events again. After her time in wrestling, she decided to take it easy and take time to be both a mom to get into the working world. She is in the process of selling her Soccer Tots program, and she has decided to get back into wrestling because she loves getting into contact with her fans.
- The independent scene has been fun for her and she loves getting to spend more time with the fans and getting to have fun with them. It is also fun for her to get to see all the old faces again. The experience is less hectic than when she was with the WWE, and she really enjoys it.
- She was not asked to be a part of the 15th Anniversary Show for Monday Night Raw. She doesn’t know why, but she still considers the WWE family, and has nothing but fond memories from being there.
- When asked about her gimmicks, she says that the one that was the most like her was when she was a heel under her real name, which was around the later 90s & early 00s. Alexandra York & Marlena were both big stretches for her, especially York because she actually knew nothing about computers. She says that the fans used to yell mean things to her, and on the computer she would type out her respo nse. As for Marlena, she says that the character was very cold and aloof, which isn’t like her at all.
- The discussion shifts towards to a discussion about her childhood with her sister and tells a rather interesting story that she was a little embarrassed to tell us. Be sure to check it out though!
- In the interview with Ricky Morton a few years back, he voiced his displeasure with The York Foundation, but Terri never realized his dislike, but understands it because it was so far away from who he was. She really enjoyed her tim with Morton, and in her career, she says that there was only one person she ever worked with that she didn’t enjoy being with, but she will never say who it was.
- She hated the P.M.S. gimmick, but not working with Jacqueline. She enjoyed being with her, but just hated the acronym. She says that she fought Vince on that one a little bit. She also talks about the “Terri Invitational Tournament” (T.I.T.) and says that the major positive was getting to work with Edge, Christian, & The Hardyz, even if she didn’t care for the name of the tournament. She was very proud of them.
- Terri has been desperately been trying to get in touch with Perry Saturn, but hasn’t had any luck. If anybody knows how to get in touch with Perry Saturn, send the info along to Terri!
- Her old website (therealterrirunnels. com) is no longer running, and she has cancelled the Paypal account for it, but people are still being charged for it. She says that it has been a huge mess and says that it is still happening and she has to worry about refunding all of these people. She understands the frustration, and she swears that the mistake is not with her but with Paypal.
- When asked about the recent success of Cody Rhodes, she says tha t she’s very proud of him and maintains a close relationship with him and considers him family. She says that he will do great with the WWE.
- She still watches the WWE product. She says that the women they have are beautiful and talented, but she also feels they are too many. She says the woman are icing on the cake. Without it, the cake is boring. Too much, and you can’t eat it. Overall, she still enjoys the product overall.
- When Terri was a part of the product in the late 90s, there were only four women (Sable, Sunny, Chyna, and herself) and felt that was the perfect amount and they all contributed to the product more effectively that way.
- James tells Terri about a comment that his wife Cassie made about Terri saying there are a lot more graphics, galleries, & wallpapers of Terri made by fans over the internet because she is a better caliber of performer than a lot of the girls today. Terri was very appreciative of the comment.
- Terri is then as ked about the rumor of her going to ECW, but not going there, and Dawn Marie getting the spot. Terri was a little confused by this because she never considered going to ECW. She loved spending time with Dawn Marie though.
- We then go into word associations as Terri gives her thoughts on Terry Funk, Terry Taylor, Chyna, Tammy Lynn Sytch, & Dustin Rhodes.
- TII then gets a very special treat as Terri puts Dakota on the phone and we get a quick interview with=2 0the daughter of Terri Runnels & Dustin Rhodes! She says that she liked being backstage with the superstars. She says that she didn’t know the Goldust character was as over the top as it was, but says that her friends used to tell her how lucky she was.
Guest: Former WWE Diva Terri Runnels (and Dakota for a brief appearance)
Date: 8/4/08
Your Hosts: Patrick Kelley, James Walsh, & Nick Noel
Terri Runnels burst on the wrestling scene in the early 90's with World Championship Wrestling. But, it wasn't until she dawned the seductive role of Marlena along side the bizarre Goldust that she really came into her own. Call her Alexandra York, call her Merlena, call her the "Horny Little She-Devil"... Just call her Terri!
In this interview, Terri talks at length about how you can "Make the World Write" and win her home. We're talking about a million dollar home that you can get for $200.
Plus, Terri talks about being a bed wetter, being proud of Cody Rhodes, and her current relationship with Dustin. And, as if an hour of reliving memories isn't enough, we even get a word in with daughter Dakota. How cool is that?
It's all here and it is all free. Just come to www. WrestlingEpicenter. com and listen in to one of the better interviews we've done in a while. Plus, check out all our classic interviews with Terri uncluding one conducted just days after her WWE release 4 years ago. And, of course, check out our store and keep our site free, strong, and proud!
Terri Runnels
0A
- Terri is welcomed back to TII we get a quick laugh as James references the “Blue Balls” Terri was selling on her website a few years back.
- Terri then explains the Essay contest she is involved with currently. The Essays are going to be about how the contestants can write about how they would improve the world and make it a better place. The winner would win Terri’s home and a cash prize. She says that a large part of the judging will be on who has the best ideas as opposed to checking for spelling & grammatical errors. For more information on the contest, check out http://www. theterrirunnels. com or her Myspace page at http://www. myspace. com/terrirunnels (all other accounts claiming to be Terri’s are FAKE)
- Terri then asks James a question. She wants to know about the origin of James’ name the “Glam Slam Metal Man” Anybody who is a long time fan of TII will probably find this story interesting.
- The interview then shifts into a more casual direction as they talk about things like Myspace, Terri’s recent events, and her love for curly hair.
- She is taking bookings for wrestling events again. After her time in wrestling, she decided to take it easy and take time to be both a mom to get into the working world. She is in the process of selling her Soccer Tots program, and she has decided to get back into wrestling because she loves getting into contact with her fans.
- The independent scene has been fun for her and she loves getting to spend more time with the fans and getting to have fun with them. It is also fun for her to get to see all the old faces again. The experience is less hectic than when she was with the WWE, and she really enjoys it.
- She was not asked to be a part of the 15th Anniversary Show for Monday Night Raw. She doesn’t know why, but she still considers the WWE family, and has nothing but fond memories from being there.
- When asked about her gimmicks, she says that the one that was the most like her was when she was a heel under her real name, which was around the later 90s & early 00s. Alexandra York & Marlena were both big stretches for her, especially York because she actually knew nothing about computers. She says that the fans used to yell mean things to her, and on the computer she would type out her respo nse. As for Marlena, she says that the character was very cold and aloof, which isn’t like her at all.
- The discussion shifts towards to a discussion about her childhood with her sister and tells a rather interesting story that she was a little embarrassed to tell us. Be sure to check it out though!
- In the interview with Ricky Morton a few years back, he voiced his displeasure with The York Foundation, but Terri never realized his dislike, but understands it because it was so far away from who he was. She really enjoyed her tim with Morton, and in her career, she says that there was only one person she ever worked with that she didn’t enjoy being with, but she will never say who it was.
- She hated the P.M.S. gimmick, but not working with Jacqueline. She enjoyed being with her, but just hated the acronym. She says that she fought Vince on that one a little bit. She also talks about the “Terri Invitational Tournament” (T.I.T.) and says that the major positive was getting to work with Edge, Christian, & The Hardyz, even if she didn’t care for the name of the tournament. She was very proud of them.
- Terri has been desperately been trying to get in touch with Perry Saturn, but hasn’t had any luck. If anybody knows how to get in touch with Perry Saturn, send the info along to Terri!
- Her old website (therealterrirunnels. com) is no longer running, and she has cancelled the Paypal account for it, but people are still being charged for it. She says that it has been a huge mess and says that it is still happening and she has to worry about refunding all of these people. She understands the frustration, and she swears that the mistake is not with her but with Paypal.
- When asked about the recent success of Cody Rhodes, she says tha t she’s very proud of him and maintains a close relationship with him and considers him family. She says that he will do great with the WWE.
- She still watches the WWE product. She says that the women they have are beautiful and talented, but she also feels they are too many. She says the woman are icing on the cake. Without it, the cake is boring. Too much, and you can’t eat it. Overall, she still enjoys the product overall.
- When Terri was a part of the product in the late 90s, there were only four women (Sable, Sunny, Chyna, and herself) and felt that was the perfect amount and they all contributed to the product more effectively that way.
- James tells Terri about a comment that his wife Cassie made about Terri saying there are a lot more graphics, galleries, & wallpapers of Terri made by fans over the internet because she is a better caliber of performer than a lot of the girls today. Terri was very appreciative of the comment.
- Terri is then as ked about the rumor of her going to ECW, but not going there, and Dawn Marie getting the spot. Terri was a little confused by this because she never considered going to ECW. She loved spending time with Dawn Marie though.
- We then go into word associations as Terri gives her thoughts on Terry Funk, Terry Taylor, Chyna, Tammy Lynn Sytch, & Dustin Rhodes.
- TII then gets a very special treat as Terri puts Dakota on the phone and we get a quick interview with=2 0the daughter of Terri Runnels & Dustin Rhodes! She says that she liked being backstage with the superstars. She says that she didn’t know the Goldust character was as over the top as it was, but says that her friends used to tell her how lucky she was.
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