The Wise Men: It’s Getting Weird

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uh what it is fellas you all hear me okay cool so what happened an indian guy on a treadmill this sounds good oh yeah you know i'm at the gym today join.freeec3.com for your custom nutrition and training programs. Don't forget, use the code CYN for 20% off. But, you know, I just saw your smile on the newsroom and I'm like, and I started laughing and then, you know, a man on the treadmill.

He was of Indian descent, you know, looked over. He goes, what's so funny, man? And I'm like, that's my buddy right there on your screen. He goes in. I'm like, yeah, he's a champion. I'm like, I know. Well, you're a champion, too. Well, April 7th, I will be, yes, correct, at NWA 312 when I take on Scion for the national championship. You know, that's going to be interesting. Truly. You get weird.

It's going to get weird, but as you said, it's your narrative. I personally don't have an issue because when we first started working with, when I started working with Idol Management, all three members... Jeezy, Jordan, and Marseille, which by the way, has anyone seen Marseille lately? I haven't seen him in forever. They all challenged me for the world television title. I had to fight them all.

But that's how our, we're like a pride of lions, you know, strongest survive. You know, you want to be the top guy, you know, makes no sense. I never understood that when guys would be offended, you know, like when they're in a faction. You know, the whole Flair Luger thing or Triple H and Batista. It's like if it's your crew and if you're not the top dog, then you shouldn't be him.

And at the same time, iron sharpens iron, right? Yeah. We might as well be scrapping with the best of the best because we are the best of the best. And if we're the best of the best, we should fight the best of the best. And that's us. Yeah. People get, oh, wow. Like I said, we had a scrimmage. Although, you know what? You guys mess with the kid a little bit, but I get it. He made, you know. I call it more of a hazing. It was more of a hazing. But it was still a scrimmage.

A healthy, friendly scrimmage. Yeah, that's fine. Like I said, it's not getting ugly. It's not that type of party. Sorry. We're not dysfunctional. We're grown ass men. And that's how we handle business. And Trevor, you're right along those lines. You and I fought in two wars.

You know, we're still friends, but when we go in the ring, we know the friendship sits on the side and wait for it to get over. It's called professionalism. There you go. I mean, I know that word's a bad word now, but like professionals. We walk in, go make our money, and then afterwards go have a beverage. That's how the business is built. Man, I'm not even going to lie to you guys. Ask Kylie.

I like to hit my friends harder than I like to hit my enemies sometimes. Yeah, you know what? I agree. I agree. Speaking of which, A-Ry, how are we doing?

i'm good brother i'm good i had the eye surgery i'm grateful for it got it out of the way uh Had to do a little bit of retina work and remove a cataract, but I'm on the mend, man, and I'm really, really glad I finally got it done. So what's your table of healing up?

Well, so I can't put a contact lens in for two weeks. Okay, that's not bad. That's not bad. Not at all. Yeah, and then... then i go get the pressure checked and then i'm you know and then i'm in the gym i think i'm good after that so how long do you wear an eye patch how long does the eye patch last for uh the eye patch was like three days

So we're good on the eye patch. So is it on both eyes? And forgive me, was it just one? No, it was just the left. Okay, so the right doesn't need anything? The right is good. Have you noticed an instant change yet? Immediately after the surgery, I got out. There was a massive cataract, and I needed some retina work done as well.

it immediately changed, got better. And then there's like with me, with Keratoconus, you can't wear glass. I'm unable to wear glasses. So then there's a process of fitting the contacts. But after that, I'm good. And my vision is better and I can see and I'm going to be back at it. So, yeah, that was it, though. It was basically, you know, it was basically I finally found the right doctor that could get in there and help.

which was good. Okay. Let me ask me, let me riddle you this because you are a faith based man. Uh, and I know for a long time you were looking for, uh, other ways of healing without going the surgery route. What? What was it? And when you are a strong man of faith. So what was it that finally got you to.

The point where you were willing to to go through the surgery, because I know for a while that was something that you just didn't feel was an option. Well, so what what had happened was I had already had two retina surgeries. Right. So then I was basically kind of. Yeah, I was I was. And my. vision every day was getting less and less and I had a couple doctors even tell me you know you don't this contact is probably not even going to correct

And if we can only get you to see at this point with this lens, you might as well not even wear it. So, you know, then I, yeah, then I got kind of spiritual and I got into, you know. A lot of that stuff, you know, Christ and God, I'm still very spiritual. Yeah, that's not going to change. The Lord invented doctors. Right. So I was praying every single day that my vision would just get better and better and better. And, you know, it maintained.

But it wasn't, you know, it really wasn't changing that much. But, you know, lucky enough and prayed enough. And I finally got a doctor that was like, you know, I can go in there. And we can try to fix what we can. And he did. So I'm grateful for that. I can already see better. Oh, awesome. Yeah, it's something that I'm going to have to deal with forever. But it's a lot better. And I'm really, really grateful. Well, that is...

Because I know it was affecting you. I know we had dinner in the city. Well, it was bleeding. Yeah, and you couldn't see me. And I laugh because I'm like, you can't see me. It just had gotten to the point in the left eye for sure that I was, you know, and then that leads to depression and all that stuff. So I was glad it got fixed. Well, you sound crispier.

Thank you. Yeah, I appreciate it. Like a fresh vegetable. You know, like even those old commercials where they like... When they broke open the lettuce, the water sprayed out, you know, and you just assume that was going to be an amazing sandwich they were making because the lettuce was so crisp. Because let's be honest, guys, nobody wants soggy lettuce on a sandwich. You want that.

You want that crisp crunch. You know, I feel like right now I could probably, if there was a sandwich sponsorship out there, I think I set the table right there with it, to be honest with you. And the same can be said for pickles. Speaking of pickles and professionalism, you've just been sitting there while we're all paying accolades to Kevin. You had nothing to add? No, I think it's wonderful.

um again you know kevin not losing his faith and also taking uh steps in the three-dimensional world as we said of um you know of trying to fix it and you know what i think that uh to me I'm somebody like I try to kind of straddle them in a line where it's, yes, you have to have faith. And you said it best. God invented doctors. So I was being sarcastic.

yeah yes but there's an element of truth to that though if one thrives through the theory of god or of a you know supreme intelligence that then in theory yes of course that doctors kind of are a an offshoot of of this intelligence and um Either way, you know, I think A-Ry or Kevin, excuse me, was led to a...

a good doctor. He's got procedure and bottom line, he's, uh, he's getting a site back. So that's a great thing. And I'm pumped for him. So, okay. Since we're, since we're going in this rabbit hole right now, uh, let's, let's take a poll. How many of us are religious?

define religious do you think i believe in a superior being following a particular religion um you know like When you say, I don't know, you get mad and you say, God damn it, you're actually hoping that he might throw a dam in there. Or you're science-based. Now, I'm a science-based guy. But the thing is, though, and I guess this has to do with just character.

I've never surrounded myself with friends that shoved their beliefs down my throat, and I've never done it. Because we've all been friends for years. I mean, it's not like we just met. We've all known each other. Been in each other's orbit for well over a decade. But we've never ever shoved beliefs down each other's throat or been like, oh man, you don't see things my way, so I have a problem with that.

They took brown whiskey down each other's feet. Yes, that's happened. Yes, that's in fact happened. But it's funny because I think it just goes to... You should never talk about things like this unless you know somebody, unless you've gotten to know somebody. Because just the first day you meet someone, what are your belief systems? Can you believe that? Then there's no friendship there. And I think that's the problem. We have too many strangers.

especially in entertainment, on TV debates and crap, talking about stuff that is not something you talk about when you first meet someone. Agree? Disagree? Agree. Because there's a certain decorum.

Right. Like before you can get into what is a woman, maybe some intro, a little background, you know, favorite song. I did this recently. So a pretty attractive brunette.

i started a conversation with turned over to text messaging and you know i don't play the game normally like i'm very much like i'm gonna ask you weird and what my first question was like at the end of inception did the did the you know the totem stop and then my second question was name your favorite president of the united states but cut it off at jfk because i don't want to get this weird off the bat and so her answer was

i don't care to say it trump and i went okay fair enough whatever but like you know i tried to ease into that because i wanted to get the person before we would have a discussion that perhaps we don't see eye to eye on And then take it from there if she's even worth courting anymore because she's obviously a blue-haired psychopath. But she's not. She's a brunette, so it's cool. Yeah. The good thing about blue-haired psychopaths is you see the blue hair up front.

You know, it's like a warning signal. It's like a side. Yeah. And that's not just, you know, towards women. That's men, too. You know, if he's got blue hair and a nose piercing and a tattoo that says, hey, dad, you might want to skip that one. You know, I'm a carry-on guy. I don't like a lot of baggage when I travel. I certainly don't want a lot of baggage in the romance department, but just throwing that out there. It's not you, it's me.

I've used that one so many times. It's a good one because you're taking all responsibility. It is, and it's partially true. Well, no, with you, it's 1,000% true. You're perfect. I suck. Yep. You're good looking. I'm not. People like you. No one remembers me. I'll show myself out. Thanks. Yeah, you just give them all the power. Kill them with kindness. And then as you block and delete their existence on your phone, don't look back. Hold it right there. We'll be back in a hot minute.

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52-episode podcast series, The Life of Jesus. A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. I had to actually, you know what I did? I'll share this with the world because I would share this with you guys. But what the hell? We have a podcast. Yeah, use it.

I actually made a list this week because I'm at a point now where, look, I've... Wait a minute, like a list, like a conquered list, like in the little black book? What are you, 21? I am not even going to go there, and I never had one of those. I never did the whole notch on that. No, I am not like that. I am fairly chaste for a man of my age. I haven't been with that many partners.

I'm a good guy. You're selective. Yes. Well, kind of. Or you spend a lot of time in the desert. You've been in a dry spell or two. Nothing wrong with a dry spell. It depends on the day, what country I'm in, and a number of factors. You know what? Before you get into this, let me ask you. I really want to know this. What is the perfect date for you?

Because, you know, to put it scientifically, you're weird. So what is like, okay. Yeah. Okay. Eccentric, whatever. Same difference. We're splitting hairs here. But what would be one, I'm assuming, it's a biological woman. You've assumed correctly. Type, hair. What would be the perfect date? And where and what would you go? I'm dying to know this. This is date one. This is date one, yeah. Okay, so I do...

Like, again, there has to be. Look how scared you are. Just answer the question. Trevor, permission to treat him hostile. Oh, please, man, please. Because I've been in a relationship for 20 years. Yeah. The most exciting. This is the most excitement I've had when it comes to relationships, so I want to hear it. Yeah, let's go. Don't set the table. This ain't Golden Girls. We don't need no pitch of this. Just spit the facts, man. Go. Number one.

I would prefer the female to cut a dashing figure, right? There has to be the degree of physical attraction there, right? You're going to injure somebody. That's something that I, and you call me shallow. Look. Okay. All right. All right. All right. Pause. Is it. Busty, are you a gluten leg man or a combination? Is it long hair? Is it pretty smile? What is it? Smile number one. Yes, like they have to have a smile. Well, most humans do, with few exceptions. That's generic, dude.

They have to use it. Okay. And one of the things, and this is what I actually do do on dates when I'm, I am going out with someone. I like to go out to eat meal of food. Okay. No, no, because. I always kind of judge someone's character in terms of how do they treat the server at the table. Ah, that I respect. That I respect. That's a big thing with me. You go Dutch or you buy? I think her nationality is really not important, Trevor. She's very shallow of you, sir.

Come on now. Hey, Norwegians are people too. No, I want to see if Aaron's an equal opportunity. Yeah, you know, I'd like to know because, yeah, does the wallet get thin? Are you a big spender? No, like to me, I again, I'm a fan of look, if you go out with someone and call me a traditionalist, but as a as a man.

I say, I got this one. Like, I like to at least pay. And then if a woman offers to pay later, we go on a second date, whatever. But, like, no, let me get this one. This is the first one. Because that's just the way I am. No, you know what? I'm the same way. I'm the same way. You know, I've been in captivity for almost 11 years and I've never been comfortable with a woman paying for.

dinner or a movie i feel like it's a personal affront you know uh also in saying that when you pay for everything you should be able to set the table on what you want to do So, you know, there's a, there's a yin and a yang to that. It's like, yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm the man in this situation. So I should have a say, but that's, you know, it's not about me. It's about Aaron. So you're a traditionalist, a blonde brunette.

Are you a leg guy? Are you a glute guy? Are you a rack? I'm a Barbie doll guy. You guys have seen some of the women that I have. I am very much a Barbie doll guy. I don't know why, but that's who I am. I do like a little more up top. But I think a good badonkadonk is always a plus. Would you data China like Woman. By that, he does not mean Asian. He means the wrestler. More like a muscular. No, China was beautiful. China was beautiful. Everyone here had a crush on China.

yes yes um and the thing is like i wouldn't rule anything out i mean i i think they're like in terms of like you know if a female has more muscle on her or things like that if um she's a good person and everything and um yes of course i i would and and i think in some cases like i said like there are some really hot female bodybuilders and fitness competitors out there um and i'm talking strictly from aesthetics right yeah

Yeah, you still don't know if she has a brain yet. Yeah. But I mean, blonde brunette, I wouldn't be close to anything. But in terms of like, if I like pique my interest, you know, there's, you know, there is definitely a type, but I'm. For me, I'm trying to kind of like move forward, as we say. And my list was people that I wanted to kind of like not cut out of my life and have this big dramatic thing, but say like, you know what, where I'm going, it doesn't match.

the sphere that i was in right so i think i need to just you know like they say like you're the summation but that's what it is that's what it is to acquire wisdom to know like hey these people aren't good for me for what i'm trying to do

And that's probably the most healthiest thing you can do. Because one of the things that, and again, we're breaking down Aaron right now, but one of my problems is that I always try to bring everybody with me. And you can't. They got to bring themselves to the table.

You can build a table, you can build a chair, you can cook the dinner, but if they don't put their ass in the seat, they're not going to make it. And then you end up not being at the table because you get dragged down with them. So that's actually a very healthy thing, what you just said right there, because you don't...

You can't save everybody. You can't save anyone, actually. Only they can save or improve themselves. But that's one of the problems with the stereotype of being a man because you have to be a provider and a protector. It sucks sometimes because you get caught up in that and then you end up making a lot of mistakes trying to be the man when in the essence that you...

Never were going to be able to do what you thought you were going to do. Yeah. And one of my weaknesses, and you guys have pointed it out, and I've had this discussion with you guys, and even our... our talent relations guy pat keeney you know he said like you cannot save everybody and i i have this thing where especially at work when we're all there i see someone and i'm like oh wait a minute

This is how you do this character. This is what you could do. I'm very emotional when it comes to wrestling at times, if that makes sense. You guys know what I mean, right? You're passionate, bro. Yes. And there are some people that are just never going to get it. And that's where I'm trying to really kind of have that governing system now.

And this doesn't just apply to wrestling in terms of life. I'm not going to waste my energy, my knowledge, or whatever to try to help somebody improve when it's just not going to happen. Plus, you should be around people that help you improve.

You know, because you always want to get better. You want to be around people that are like, oh, man, you know what? Hey, EC3, I'm thinking about I'd rather go out drinking tonight instead of work out in the morning. And then EC3 was like, oh, that's stupid. Why don't you get your ass up, work out in the morning, and then go drink? I mean, yeah. That's funny because that's... And again, not to make this show about me. No, no, let's do it. Let's do it. It's weird. So let's do it.

One of the things, and I'll admit this, okay? You guys have all seen this. I have had the disadvantage, and this is not me trying to be funny. This is on the shoot. I've had the disadvantage of... being either overly gifted or having things come easy to me, which in turn, when it comes to the level that we do this at, like at the highest level.

It has created kind of this weird thing where I don't put everything I have in. Like sometimes I can, I don't want to say phone it in, but like, look, I've never. Yeah. Yes. I've never had to be super jacked. Okay. And that's the reality. I, and look, my body, we've had times where I've looked really bad, have times where I've looked good, but like, I've never been the best version of myself. And that's like, kind of like.

You know, I've gotten the last month I've gone through like two different workout routines. I start. It's not working. All right. Abandon ship. Go back. Reboot. Let's let's try it again. And so to try to get things kind of like in linear, because, look, I'm at an age now where if I don't do it now.

who knows when i'll get the opportunity right because you're on the wrong side of 30 yeah you gotta yeah yeah yeah and then i need to uh again either get off the pot for lack of a better term and um and again surrounding myself with positive people

is pretty much the only way you're going to do it. Not to get into what we talk about personally, but one of the things I said to you that I think, and it was just my opinion, was that you... have to learn to say no. And I think for you, when you start and cutting out in a way is saying no. Here's your problem, and you're right. You're so good at the sport that is wrestling, inside the ring, out of the ring, that...

you can get into that thing where we don't have to do anything with him because we'll just send him out there and he'll do something. So we'll focus on other people. And then you become... their comfortable guy like oh man I got a guy I'm trying to get him over but he's you know he's got a great look oh you know what throw Aaron with him Aaron will get him where he needs to go at the expense of Aaron you know because and then

And now there's a fine line be saying like, hey, no, that's not what I'm going to do because it's not good for me right now. And where I'm trying to go and be like, oh, I'm not going to do it. There's a fine line there. But if you look at guys who have. have made iconic runs in this business. Stone Cold, he said a lot of no's.

Taker said no. Sean said no. Brett said no. But I'm going to tell you right now, I think with the exception of what Matt Cordona is doing, the indie god, I think probably one of the biggest runs, most successful runs outside. of the WWE that would rival the WWE would be EC3 when he went to Impact because he started saying, not only, no, and that's just, I think when we look back at it, the time in wrestling, like...

I'm not throwing any shade on AEW. I'm not. But their champion reminds me of a spoiled EC3. The difference is that EC3 didn't have the bankroll that... obviously that Tony Khan brings to the table and the monster that AEW is and not disrespecting anyone over there I mean free money is great but if I can finish And this is my point. Finish. He got over doing something that brought people to watch because Impact was dead.

It was dead. After the Bischoff-Hogan era, it was dead. It looked like it was only a matter of time. We were on Destination America. He was so popular that impact started changing the way they book guys. Started calling in guys like myself. I mean, I got released from the WWE. I think it was like day two. I got a call about being EC3's heater. But to get a million people to tune in to Destination America.

which right now, if you stopped anybody, if I stopped anyone in this office and said, hey, do you know what Destination America is? They would think it was some kind of small park outside of Wisconsin. They would think it's a box station so they never made it. Yeah. And that was one of those things where you... Now, I'm not saying that you can't... Obviously, you can build and do... If you did it once, you can definitely do it again. I'm a big fan of that. But...

It was such a dominant force that the WWE then became focused on one thing, getting him back, just to let him know you can't do that. And it is what it is. And I think about guys who just kind of decide to put themselves first. And he wasn't a dick about it. He wasn't. I was there with him. But there was moments when guys were like, I want to do this and this. And, you know.

he would be like, that's not good for us. That's not good. We were in Mexico, and they wanted one of their guys to beat EC3 up in the finals or whatever, and he was like, listen, I'm the undefeated heavyweight champion of Impact. It's not happening. Not because I don't want to do business because I've done business my entire career, but this is bad for my business and bad for my brand. And then, of course, I was like, I got it.

You did take both. You were very much an asset to that. No, no, but I'm just saying that being able, and this is my point to Aaron, You being able to say basically, you guys, I'm going to do it my way. And if you don't like it, I'll just make my own way. And you have no choice. And and then impact had the vision to say, hey.

We've got something here. Let's let him go. And then it got to the point where he's beating Kurt Angle for the heavyweight championship with over 2 million people watching on pay-per-view. when Kurt Angle didn't have to do that. But he did that because it was good for business. He could have said no, but he said, you know what, this is good for business. And that's my point, Aaron, is sometimes what seems like, hey,

Oh, Derek Bateman isn't worth anything in terms of a main event player. But they were wrong. So wrong, in fact, that he became a rival. Because he said he believed in him when no one else did. And I think for you, if there is any advice, and you and I have been friends for a long time. would be you've got to be selfish a little bit in the right way in this sport, and you've got to say no. I think saying no is the most scariest thing a wrestler can do because the fear is you get asked once,

And you say no, they won't ask again. Every person in main eventing in a higher spot on WrestleMania has said no to the point of we question why they would even be there. they were persistent and annoying they were annoying and that's what it takes sometimes a good soldier in our industry is the first to die unfortunately yeah and then yeah We're too nice. And to say that you, Ms. Dow is the definition of a soldier. And here's the thing. You and Ms. is a star. And I love Ms. the person.

But you were the star of that, and that's not what the plan was. But then they kept asking, and you kept saying yes, instead of the point where... And even with Sandow's rise, Sandow is going one-on-one with the entire DX lineup on Monday Night Raw and holding his own. Damian Sandow, the world thought, broke Brodus Clay's leg. because he was that damn good. But when the time came, when they said, hey, we're going to do this and this, he was the good soldier. Said, sure.

Sure. Yeah. When, when it should have been, no, not doing that. Yeah. Yeah. And that to me, and like, I say how I received like the best training you could ever ask for. In terms of like the years of my training, right? Like that old school mentality. And I had kind of taken it as a point of pride to where, fine, whatever you give me, I'm going to go and I'm going to get this place rocking.

You know what I mean? One way or another, if they're not making noise at anniversary at NWA anniversary. And it was, I was managing Rodney and who I also haven't seen in a while. But Rodney and I were sitting there and we're like, man, this crowd's. it's dead no within 30 seconds we had that whole place rocking right like that's that is something you know to get back to the confidence um ec3

That's something I have in that aspect. It's like in the day-to-day, which affects that in the long term. To me, my mentality is, and I'm interested in your opinion on this, the first thing I need to do is to get my body in the best shape it has ever been in. i know i can do it i know i can look great you know with abs it's just the point of saying you know and look to an average person we're all like super humans right i mean let's be honest like what we do athletically

strength-wise, right? We're all a few points above the average person. Do we agree with that? Yeah, I know three of us are for sure. No, to do and be our best self, the measuring stick, in my opinion now, it's not, oh, I look better than this person or... No, I need to measure against myself. It's the you versus you mentality, which I'm just now kind of stepping into, if that makes sense.

Like, you know, like I have to get up at a certain time every morning, even though I don't have to. I need to regiment that. And that's like it's almost baby steps. And the rest, I'm thinking, will fall into place after that, combined with the attitude of yes, saying no to the right thing.

and kind of adding that in. So that's where I'm at on my journey right now. And hopefully Kerry calls me back. I'm kidding. Yeah, no, he's not. Oh, gee. Let that go, man. Let that go. We'll be back with much more after this.

we kind of got off the path yeah no it's real fast aaron i'm sending you over some private diet like extreme we comp your body kind of i wrote that's going to be in my book but You working on a book? Phenomenal. You know why I'm doing a book? Because when people ask how Tyrus is doing, I'm like, oh, man, he's great, man. He's killing it. And then what I always finish is, and he wrote a book before me. And so you make sure I do this. And so I appreciate it.

No, I think everyone should write a book. You're working on book two, right? Yeah, book. And I actually, book three fell out of book two also. So, yeah. Let's just start that process, man. Shit just comes rolling out. Yeah, but you got to get through that process, and that's the thing. The hardest thing is the first – I won't even call it a chapter because I never –

did A to Z. You know, it was like, I think I started it like P. It just started writing random thoughts and ideas and then you just kind of mold it. But it's a long process. There's no social media. instant gratification. And you, you're humble yourself because sometimes you'll write something that you think is Shakespeare. And then you'll read it back and be like, wow, I am not Shakespeare. I'm the dumbest mother ever put.

pen in his hand and i should really throw this away so but it's one but i do know that like once it was done like when i saw when i the first i think it was uh i went to barnes and nobles i take my kids there a lot And, you know, the book had been out for a while and I wasn't paying, you know, I was just walking in there and my son was like, Dad, look, you're still at the front in the bestsellers. And I was like, holy shit. Yeah, I wrote a book. I forgot.

you know, and it's in libraries and stuff. So it's like, it's one of those things where, but the success of the book is like secondary, like, you know, it was just, I did it, you know, and, uh, You can call me a lot of things, but one of the things you have to call me is an author. so kiss my ass on that one so yeah you know i'm saying so it's like but again my goal was i mean i was like hood rich with it with if i could sell a thousand copies i did something

You know, it was like I had no I had no delusions of grandeur. I think and a lot of that just because life I have been around long enough to learn that when you put it in the clouds, chances are you're just gonna get rained on. So, you know, unless you start seeing real things coming together, because anytime you do anything for the first time, to have delusions of ridiculous grandeur says more about you.

uh and your deficiencies than your reality you know because uh people could read it and be like oh man this is because it is what it is you know but um then i was like wow I could have done this way. I could have done that way. So I just kind of and I, you know, I take writing classes and I have a writing coach, Chris Epting, who I work with. And he's basically come on. Whenever I write, whenever I'm working on a book, he's part of the process with me.

you know and he'll look at stuff break it down you know it's like having a it's like having a basically it's like having a coach but in terms of instead of football stuff or a wrestling coach i have a writing coach you know because i'm learning as i go and Expressing yourself isn't always easy, especially when sometimes you think you're saying one thing and it just comes out different. But yeah, if writing a book, EC3, you will see like once the first one's done.

The second one, it's just kind of flowing. It's just kind of going. And it's like, cool, this is something that I don't have to take any bumps to do. And the role of every wrestler... who has given their body to the sport, is not to wrestle until you're 60. It is to turn that into when you leave the game, you leave it upright, walking out, and you're able to...

Take that platform and turn it into something else to where the wrestlers that come up behind you and be like, yeah, I'm going to do my thing in the ring. And then when it's done, I'm going to transition that to this. And you don't need to be The Rock or Cena. to do things and have the machine behind you, not taking anything away from their accomplishments because you have to be talented to do what they do. But it does help when you have a...

people behind you who have the ability to make calls and stuff. For those of us who are mid-card mafia, when you are cast out from Valhalla, it is, you know, good luck, Briz. What do you got?

you know, and to be able to do that and get yourself, uh, uh, say what, go ahead. Uh, no. And I mean, you actually said that it, it really kind of resonated with me because, okay, here's the thing. When I left, wwe i had a fair amount of press like i i was actually the most read article on rollingstone.com for about two days i was on the front page of it i had press i had offers this and that i you know with with trying to

to leave wrestling and i was mad at wrestling and i said screw this i'm gonna go be an actor and show them and i was trying to be an actor to spike yeah and it never worked and it took me years to realize that right and then I've made bad decisions, et cetera. We all know the story. But in terms of like being able to say, no, I'm going to start, like there's a degree of freedom, right? Like there's a degree of like, okay, now they're not holding me down. What am I really made of?

And where I messed up, and I'll admit this out loud for the first time in my life, I had no accountability. I wanted to shut down, be kind of a hermit and say, oh, I'll just get jacked on my own. I'll do this. But no, I was going through so much. I did not have anyone. And I still don't.

if i really want to get i mean i have no wife no kids i have no one to be accountable for and i think that i'm realizing has worked to my detriment in the last several years did you work the independence aaron after I did a couple months ago. Looking back on my life, that's the worst mistake I've ever made in my life, to not continue to wrestle. And I'm still paying for it. Yeah, because I really enjoyed it. I loved it.

i thought i had an aptitude for it of some kind uh and then i got out there and yeah i made some mistakes i got on you know got on a bad path a little bit but yeah looking back i uh you know and now i'm in a space where i'm i'm literally having to play the biggest catch-up game in my life. You know what I mean? So...

Yeah, 100%. I don't know if that was... I'm not trying to say... No, no, no. That's a great point because... But as you were speaking that way, I was just... I'm rehashing... you know going through kind of where this got off track and certainly i you know i let my health go a little bit and you know got a little ungrounded uh certainly but when i look back at this and i was like well you know what i'm not going to independent wrestle that was the linchpin that could have kept me

You know, kept me grounded and kept me into the business. Yeah. Because here's the thing. The WWE is very convenient. And when I say that is because you can blame all your problems on them. You know, and I made that joke before. Like, yeah, Triple H comes home from work with Steph and they sit at the dinner table and instead of talking to their kids about their day, as they pass mashed potatoes, they're like, hey, so how are we going to f*** you?

Brodess Clay over a little bit more. What else you got? Well, we can take him off the road. I love it. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's such a – guys will say, oh, they hated on me. They didn't want me to do this. They didn't want me to do that. Well, now they're not in the equation. So what's stopping you? I think, too, what you get used to there is, you know, they're running the business for you, right? So you show up to wrestle. You have your gear in your bag.

you lift weights, you go home and your paycheck is in the mail. When I, when I got out, it was okay. Well, independent wrestling is you're all of it. You know what I mean? You're your boss, you're the management, your promotion, your travel, your, and I looked at it and I was like, wow okay uh you know and then maybe a little bit a little bit of laziness crept in or what you know honestly whatever the hell happened but but looking back yeah something that yeah

I did independence before WWE and then even after WWE. But the thing I found was, man, once you got out, like all the sharks came out. Every carny. promoter wanted to book you and they wanted to get you as cheap as possible they wanted to work from sort of silly dumbass double deal where you come in everybody wants to get you for the lowest price right

There is no, guys, you all know, there is no book for how to operate or navigate after WWE. You just got to do what you can, especially if you come out of there with any type of level head. try to survive and not to mention uh you know you're trying to reinvent yourself and you get a guy calling you saying like hey can you do the funkasaurus dance for me if i give you you know can you do this for us can you do that um you know um

And you're like, no, I don't really want to do that anymore. Well, that's what we want. Like, what can we call you? What can we call you? Like, what do you got? And you're just kind of like, I don't want to do this. Or you walk into the building and there's like 300 people and, you know, half of them are family of the promoter. And it's like, man, what am I doing here? And you work the promoter and you got to put them over. Oh, yeah.

And all his moves are powerbomb, figure four, dive, get color, and hit him with a light bulb. A couple stunners. You got to hit a stunner in there. Yeah, and then hit him with a light bulb, and then he rolls you up after he kicks out of your finish. But, yeah, I mean, but, you know, but Indy's also built stars, too. So it's just when you come from, again, it's like.

You go from the NFL and then all of a sudden you get a call from the XFL. It's not going to be the same thing. It's not even a little bit. And again, no shade at anything, but there's only one. Well, now there's two. But wrestling is different because we have so many different companies. But it basically comes down to are you a product?

of the universe, or are you a self-made star? And the easiest way to determine that is if a guy becomes the top guy in the WWE, and when he leaves, he doesn't do s***. and can't get over anyone else, then he was a product of the machine. If you were a guy there who complained that you were a star and they didn't see it, and when they cast you out, you become a bigger star, then you're a self-made star who's talented.

And the WWE, you can say with all degrees of confidence, they were wrong about me. So it just depends on what you're going to do. The good news is if you don't want to do shit, you can be like many and unfortunately way too many of us who spent time in the WWE who will blame them for all your shortcomings. And even though you haven't been in the WWE for five years, somehow they're still hating on you. They've moved on.

You know, once you got the endeavors, just like anything else, like a guy who gets cut from the NFL and he's trying to blame the head coach who's been fired and moved on. Well, if that's the case, then the Vikings would have called you back the day he was fired. You know, so it's like, but that's what we do. And that's where.

you don't have reason and accountability and then you end up staying in the same and you end up substance abuse and also to numb you up because you just won't deal with a guy in the mirror because it's so much it's so convenient to blame the wwe for all your problems because there's a lot of guys oh you meet up north and you know all this other stuff or guys then you surround yourself with guys who never even made it

uh who have who criticize everybody who's doing well in wwe and but yet they're watching it every week you know so make up your make up your mind you know is it the worst wrestling you've ever seen in your life why are you watching it you know i don't watch bad movies

You know what I'm saying? In a second. And that's the biggest thing. The best way to fix yourself is self. And the easiest way to do it is to... to man up, to the man in the mirror, and you can fix that guy. But you can't fix, you know, the systemic hating of the WWE. Like, stop it. Well, you got to be honest with yourself as a man and who you are. and what you contributed that day to your success.

And I think a lot of people just don't do that. You're a thousand percent right. You're a thousand percent right. And here's the thing. You can spend four years feeling sorry for yourself. It takes one day to stand in the mirror and change it. and then it starts and then it begins and i'm telling you right now a self-healed man is a dangerous man in a sense that he can be successful and he can waver anything and

and can walk through it because he's no longer looking to anyone else. He's looking within himself. And you'll find out. You'll know the truth. Like, you know what? I'm doing it on my own, and I'm not getting calls, and I'm at the best me, and no one's calling me. Then you know what? it's time for me to move on. I've answered all the questions, and my question's been answered. I didn't necessarily like the answer, but I got the answer. And it's not the WWE's fault. It's just, my time is up.

And some of us, that's scary. Sometimes that's why so many guys stay too long, because they're afraid to step out the box. So, yeah. What will also help people is they revert back to what we talked about earlier, and that's surrounding yourself with people that support you. I know for me, not to get a little mushy, I've called on several of you guys throughout.

just in my personal life, and ask you questions of, am I going crazy? Is this wrong? Because I trust you men. I care about you men. I'd take a bullet for you men. But that is contagious because we all do homie checks now, and that's something I never used to do. I'd go a year or two years without talking to a buddy of mine, and you try to catch up in one passing at an autograph signing. That's not a friendship.

That's like I'm my demons are big and I'm living in a hole and he's living in a hole. But neither and we both think we're the only ones going through it. So the homie check is effective and it's spreading because, you know, we check on. You don't necessarily have to be in the NWA locker room for us to check on you. I check on Kevin Nash at least twice a week, whether he wants it or not. Just random, just, hey, Briz, how are we doing? And I'll get a, hey.

How are you? Trevor, you started the homie check. I think it's healthy and it's good for us. This podcast is basically for us to shoot. It's just a homie. It is what it is. It's doing successful. It's doing cool. So much so, before I got to wrap up, but I have to do an advertisement after this. So we're moving up, fellas. We're climbing the food chain, fellas. So, you know. Wait a minute, this advertisement isn't for like ass cream or anything, is it? No, and I didn't like it when Edge and...

Jericho did it either, or Christian. But you know what? If ass cream was paying, you'd be doing it. Yeah, you run in your mouth. Yeah, you run in your mouth, but if there was a check on the end of it, you'd be like, hey. I like it so much, I put it in my cereal. For more podcasts like this. Just like this. You can check us out at foxnewspodcast.com. This has been Kevin, EC3, Trevor, Aaron, and myself, Tyrus and the Wise Men. Enough said.

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