As originally seen at www.WrestleMag.com :

After making his debut with TNA earlier this month, WrestleMag.com caught up with former WWE and current TNA star Doug Basham earlier in the week to discuss both TNA and WWE, coming up through OVW and more…

We’ll get to the current day a little later on in the interview and start off by by talking about your time in World Wrestling Entertainment and Ohio Valley Wrestling prior to that. Anyone who has seen your work in OVW prior to getting the call from WWE will know that you were involved in some really good matches, and some great angles too, including a lengthy feud with Nick Dinsmore (Eugene). Let’s talk a little about your early days in OVW. What do you remember about starting out in OVW, and what memories do you have of your days there?

OVW was some of my best years in my career, with some of my best matches. I made friends for life while I was there. I also developed my skills to the height that they are today. It was a very good experience for me…OVW taught me what I needed to know to go to the WWE and helped get me ready for the big dance. What I remember the most is I learned how to work.

You worked some dark matches in late 2002 right through to when you debut on Smackdown in May 2003. Were there ever any ideas or plans for you to debut earlier than you did, either as The Basham Brothers or as a singles wrestler?

No. I was just getting looked at to see where I was while they were creating something for me.

You got a decent push after making your debut, and quickly found yourselves coming to the ring with Shaniqua. Whose idea was it to put her with you guys?

That was creative’s idea.

Were you a fan of the S&M gimmick?

It did not matter to me what I did, I was just excited to be a part of the machine they called the WWE, and even happier to be able to a part of the active roster.

Shaniqua has often been blamed for any the loss of direction of the Basham Brothers team. What are your feelings towards her and do you feel the company could have done more with you both after she left?

Linda was a good person and had a good heart…if anyone saw her you know she was a genetic specimen. I got along with her just fine and worked with her with no problems. But this business is not cut out for everybody. I don’t blame anyone for the loss of direction as you put it - the company just had other ideas for us. If you remember we were the secretaries of defense for JBL, so i don’t see any loss of direction.

In the period between the push on Smackdown and being part of that stable with JBL, were you ever given any reasons for your push ending, or were there any storyline ideas that were pitched to you but never materialized?

I saw that period as a warm up for the cabinet. We stayed on tv and still did house shows so could stay sharp and be ready when needed. There was no reasons needed as to why the S&M gimmick ended, it was just time to move on.

JBL came in for a lot of criticism around that time for being pushed as the top guy on Smackdown. Did you think he was deserving as the champion?

Yes. I thought JBL did a great job as champion. He could he generate tons of anger and hatred from the fans…it was great.

Several in the company have had a problem with JBL over the years backstage. What did you make of him?

I never had a problem with JBL. I always saw him as a funny guy who would be cool to hang out with and have a few.

After the run with JBL ended, Danny got drafted over to RAW, and The Bashams as a tag team were pretty much done. Were you in favour of the decision to split you up?

It didn’t matter to me what i did…singles or tag. I welcomed any challenge.

Whose idea was “The Bash Man” gimmick that Danny had on RAW?

That was my idea, and I did not think it out very well. I wasn’t disappointed as much as I was motivated to get my act together.

You headed back to OVW shortly afterwards. What was your reaction when you were told you were heading back down to Louisville?

I went to Louisville on my own to work on my individual character and also to keep myself in ring condition so I could be ready for anything that may come my way.

Obviously things had changed down in OVW since the last time you were there in terms of who was running it, which wrestlers were there, etc. What’s your opinion on the OVW development system? Do you feel it benefits or limits performer’s growth these days?

OVW is a huge asset to the company in my eyes. Look at all the talent that has come out of OVW - Cena, Batista, Lashley, plus a whole slew of others…need I say more? ,The developmental systems for WWE is truly a huge success in my eyes for the company and the wrestlers involved. They have the best trainers and the best minds behind it. Everything I learned helped me build a base for my career, and now I am continuing my success in TNA, which is where I am currently displaying my talents - thank you TNA!

It’s no secret that the system is increasingly rushing guys onto television and turning them into carbon copies of each other…would you agree with that?

No, I think they are doing a good job.

You returned to WWE television as part of the ECW brand. Was there ever any talk of you and Danny returning to RAW or Smackdown before you found out Vince was launching a third brand?

Yes there was always talking going on at all times. You have to, to keep the machine going. But the final decision was for us to go to ECW.

What were your thoughts in the early days of ECW starting on Sci Fi?

I had no idea what was going to happen. I just knew I was going to do my part to make things work.

What were your thoughts on Paul Heyman being removed from WWE TV and no longer being involved with ECW?

I believe there is a reason for everything. I don’t always have the answers…most of the time I have a hard enough time taking care of myself.

Do you think if Heyman was still there, you would have been as well?

I’m not sure. In the world of wrestling things change every day. I do know this - as Eddie Guerrero told me - timing…it’s all about timing.

What was your relationship with Vince like?

I had a good rapport with him.

Let’s talk a little about your release from WWE at the start of the year. How did you get the news?

I got the news of my release like everyone else, I suppose. I got a phone call from the head of talent relations.

Did you expect it?

In our business nothing is is forever, and one should never get comfortable. So when I got my call, I thanked WWE for the opportunity and was ready for the next chapter in my career, which just so happens to be TNA. For the record, I was contacted by an individual one day later just to see how I was and when my 90 days no compete clause was up. And low and behold, 90 days later I appear in a TNA ring. So i am very blessed and thankful to have that happen for me.

How do you feel about the overall state of tag team wrestling in North America today, as many fans would claim it to be lacking? Do you feel TNA sees more value in it, than many believe the WWE to?

I love tag team wrestling. I believe it is an art form not like singles. TNA has some of the best tag teams in our business right now, and I am glad to be a part and hope I can do my part to build on that.

You debuted with TNA a week before this month’s Sacrifice PPV, and as was expected got involved with the Christy Hemme-VKM storyline. Who approached you about coming into TNA at that particular time, and how easy a decision was it for you and Damaja to make?

When my 90 days were up, I got a phone call from TNA and was asked to take part in the TV taping before the Sacrifice PPV and was the rest is history. It wasn’t a hard decision to make.

Were you watching TNA shows before you got talking to them?

Yes.

Which wrestlers on the roster were standing out as guys who you thought could help TNA in the ratings or help to create more interest in the company?

I can’t pick out any one wrestler, ‘cause the whole roster is talented and everyone there wants to succeed.

What was the atmosphere like backstage for your debut? Was there any animosity from any of the guys there?

No, there was no animosity, and we were greeted with open arms from everyone. I like the atmosphere at TNA. It’s like one big family and it’s a small, growing company. I’m glad to be a part of something new and will do what I can to help it grow and build.

Where do you and Damaja go from here?

We are going to pursue the reason why we got into this business and that is to strike it rich (laughs). We are currently taking bookings anywhere in the world while still fulfilling our TNA dates.

If you’re a promoter wishing to enquire about booking Doug and Damaja, you can get in touch with Doug at [email protected]. For more interviews with the likes of Mick Foley, Chris Benoit, Bill Goldberg, Christopher Nowinski and more, be sure to head on over to the Interviews section of WrestleMag.com.