TEDDY HART TALKS ABOUT HIS FAMOUS FAMILY, WWE, TNA, AND MORE
by Daniel Edler Updated: 10/9/2003 12:17:32 PM
Show: The Interactive Interview
Guest: Teddy Hart
Date: 8th October 2003
Your Hosts: Daniel Edler & James Walsh
Recap by: Daniel Edler & James Walsh
[NOTE: You need the Real One Player to hear the show, at which you can download it by Clicking Here]
Teddy Hart goes over half an hour and longer with TII, in the most in-depth interview he’s done for an audio show in recent memory. He speaks openly about his friendship with Harry Smith, Hart.
Plus, it‘s here, the first ever TII/Pro Wrestling contest. To find out the wonderful prize and the extremely easy question, go through to the recap segment of this interview - but first listen to the show!
Teddy Hart
-- Teddy feels blessed to be on The Interactive Interview adding that God has been very good to him.
-- Wrestling was never forced on him. The reason he went towards wrestling was because it was an avenue where you control your character, you choose your uniform, and you are basically in control. He feels professional wrestling is his favorite thing in the world to do.
-- Before he got involved in wrestling, he was told by Bruce, Bret, and Owen just what it all comes down to. He says he was told all about the negatives of the business by his Uncles but he wants to do it anyway. Some of the things they told him is that even when you aren't on camera, you're in the lime light. You will be recognized by a lot of people and as such you always have to be on your game, just like any other celebrity. Plus, he was told about the effects it could have on your family and your wife. But, he wants it and is pressing it.
-- Teddy is the son of Georgia, the second oldest daughter of Stu Hart. That is how he is related to the Hart family. He's the oldest grandson of 35.
-- He wasn't pushed, but was encouraged to get into wrestling by Bret and Owen. He feels Bret has done an unbelievable job opening doors for him in the business. He feels pro wrestling was for him because he had the opportunity to play other spots like Hockey and Football and he felt pro wrestling was what he wanted to do more than the other sports, though he loved those sports as well.
-- He always was interested in how wrestlers put their faith in another human being to not hurt them.
-- Bruce, Bret, Owen, and a lot of other guys trained him. Chris Benoit had a hand in it. Davey Boy Smith also showed him how to do certain moves. Each guy gave him a little bit of their character and showed him how to create his own moves.
-- The WWE gave him a match in Cherry Hill. it was a battle royal. He got a back drop over the top and he took a "450 bump" and hit his face on the guard rail. He says Jim Ross came up to him after the match and said that was the most spectacular bump of the night. He feels Jim Ross speaking to him at that stage of his career was an unbelievable honor. But, he doesn't feel he was at his best that night. He had a lot of death in his life at that point with the death of his brother and his best friend shot himself over the loss of a scholarship. So, he had a lot of other things on his mind. But, if that is the only opportunity he ever gets to wrestle in the WWE, he is happy that he did get to wrestle in "the most organized company he has ever seen in his life."
-- When confronted with a quote from Stu Hart, that Teddy's style is "a good way to break your neck," Teddy says his motto is he risks his life for the world's entertainment. He says if he dies in the ring, there is no better place for him to die. He says he will give his all every night because he feels people pay their money to see you wrestle, they don't want to wonder if he could've done more. He feels that Stu now understands his style.
-- He feels the reason he wasn't given a contract by the WWE was because he simply wasn't ready. Actually, he was given a contract and they "took it away from him." He says Bruce Prichard said that if he could fight and claw and make his way back to the WWE after having had a taste of it, he will appreciate it more than if he had just stayed on board from the beginning. But, he wasn't ready yet is why he was let go.
-- In terms of working with the WWE and Vince McMahon, Teddy was given permission by Bret to do so. Bret told him not to let his problems with Vince effect his career feeling that Vince could do more for Teddy's wrestling career than any other promoter. Also, Teddy is very grateful for what Vince did for him and his friends and family when his brother passed away. He brought them to a show and let himself, TJ, Harry Smith, and a few others actually wrestle a match before the show started. They were 10 to 16 year old kids in the ring. He feels that was a show of respect for his family by Vince.
-- Working with Sabu at the Stampede Wrestling anniversary show was very memorable for him. Sabu is a guy he always likes to watch because Sabu also gives his all every time out. But, Sabu had a torn bicep at the time. Canadian wrestling is very based on working the arm and he couldn't do that. But, he has a ton of respect and feels that was one of his better matches to date. Sabu, also, told him tips on things he could do better and things he did well. So, getting advice from a living legend like Sabu was, again, an honor.
-- Prior to appearing for NWA TNA, he had never seen the show. So, when he went he didn't know what to expect. But, he was very happy with what he saw. Nobody approached him saying "Sorry about Owen" or anything, they just acted as if Owen was there watching. Jeff Jarrett was such a gentleman.
-- One thing he remembers from the Super X tournament was how the fans reacted when they connected him to Owen and Bret immediately. He says he has to go out there and be the best because he represents that name and Bret and Owen always were the best. So, he has to do the best he can.
-- Working Juventud Guerrera was great. Juventud arrived just a short time prior to the match taking place. He had worked Johnny Storm just prior and then talked to Juventud about the match. He feels that for the 11 minutes they were given, they tore the house down. He felt good. He also loved the TNA fans because it was such an energetic atmosphere.
-- In terms of his appearance for TNA, he'd give it a 9 out of 10. The only complaint he has is he likes Jack in the Box (fast food restaurant chain) and there wasn't one very close to the arena.
-- Harry Smith is the guy he looks up to. When his dad died, Harry didn't shed a tear. Teddy brother had gangrene He lost his arms and legs as a result and Harry would sit and talk to him and tell him not to worry and they would wrestle each other in Heaven some day. Teddy said he couldn't even look at Harry. He says it is like looking at an angel. He also describes him as the most decent human being you'll ever meet.
-- Harry is now taller than Hulk Hogan.
-- He feels that Kurt Angle challenging Bret was something Bret was honored by. He says in terms of those guys, you wrestle a certain style and it also depends who you are facing. He says they are great wrestlers but it depends on who they are wrestling. Bret against Jeff Jarrett would be great. Bret against Kurt Angle would be great. Bret against Chris Benoit was always great. It isn't possible for him to say one guy is better than the other.
-- He feels some people come in the business and don't live up to the expectations of their family members that have come before them. He thanks God for the heritage he comes from but also puts pressure on himself not to plateau the career of Bret but try to build on top of it.
-- He feels sometimes wrestling for Stampede Wrestling reminds him of the movie Groundhog Day feeling that sometimes it feels as though it is always the same.
-- His fondest memory thus far in wrestling was the match he had after his brother died. He credits Vince McMahon quite a bit for allowing them to do that. He feels Vince is making his career easier and easier.
-- Teddy wants to work for TNA in the future. He gives a 90% certainty that he'll be back. He hopes to wrestle Juventud again and get a win over him. He also wants to aim for the X division championship.
-- If he had to choose one guy he could work for, it would be Vince McMahon. He feels Vince is the only guy he'd accept taking instructions from.
-- Teddy briefly mentions that he was supposed to be the Blue Blazer.
-- Mat Rats was a concept he was working on with a group of guys including Eric Bischoff. Basically, it was taking the high flying style of wrestling to the next level. They had their own unique ring and things outside the ring to assist you to get more altitude. They encountered problems with it and it was put on delay. Ultimately those involved couldn't wait anymore, Eric ended up going to the WWE so that project is on hold.
-- He is training kids in Canada. He likes training with kids more than adults because kids are more fearless. He doesn't do it for money, he does it to provide them with a place to live and a friend. He also wants to be a role model. He understands the power of a kid and he understands the power of a woman to create a kid. He also trains women so they can protect themselves.
-- He is working with David Penzer from In Your Face Bookings. (http://www.inyourfacebookings.com) to be booked. He is taking bookings anywhere in North America. So, visit that website and book Teddy Hart for your Indy show.
-- We then go into our after show recap, one which holds a superb content with a major prize for one lucky listener!
