LOD interview

[Guest Trivia247]

LOD a team with ‘a lot to offer’

by Phil Speer

May 12, 2003

 

 

PHILADELPHIA – May 12, 2003 – Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk, the Legion of Doom, will celebrate 20 years together as a tag team in June. Tonight, in something of an early anniversary gift for the duo, they made their surprise return to WWE.

 

It’s been more than three years since WWE fans last saw the LOD, the only duo to hold the AWA, NWA and WWE Tag Team Championship. Word had leaked that the LOD may be here tonight, but rumor had it that they would wrestle on a non-televised “dark match.” Few fans expected them to appear on RAW.

 

“Hawk and I couldn’t be more ecstatic about being back here,” Animal said.

 

“We’re really happy to get the opportunity,” Hawk said. “We want to cash in on it, do the best that we can and do good business.”

 

Hawk walked nervously around the backstage area tonight, not because he was anxious about the match, but because his baggage was late to arrive. He flew today from Tampa, Fla., his hometown, to Philadelphia, and made his way to the baggage claim area, where he smelled smoke.

 

“All of a sudden they made an announcement,” Hawk said. “Baggage claim’s not going to be sending out any bags. We’ve got a fire in the basement.’

 

“I didn’t even take any chances, because I wanted to be here on time – to show that I’m dependable. I went right into the (baggage claim) lady and said, ‘Please, do me a favor. Get my bags to the First Union Center. I’ve got to be there at 1 o’clock, otherwise I could get fined.’ She said she’d take care of me. I hope I’m not wearing melted shoulder pads tonight.”

 

Hawk said Animal had arrived a few hours earlier, so his bags were fine. He saw Ric Flair at the airport, and the “Nature Boy” had just gotten his luggage. Hawk was apparently the only Superstar who did not get his bags as a result of the fire. “I was just the unlucky one, I guess,” he said.

 

After wrestling Kane and Rob Van Dam tonight, the LOD said they’d head to the SmackDown! taping tomorrow in Baltimore, and possibly wrestle there, presumably in a dark match. After that, they’d await word about their future from WWE officials.

 

“We hope we’re here for the rest of our careers,” Animal said. “Hawk and I would like to retire here with WWE, whether it’s two years from now or five years from now. We’d like to spend our last years in the business here. And when that day comes (that we retire) hopefully we can do what a lot of guys do, and move into the office end of the business and help the guys out.

 

After 20 years as a tag team, we’ve got a lot to offer intellectually.”

 

They also say they still have a lot to offer in the ring. Both say they’re in the best shape of their lives. During the LOD’s two past WWE stints, Animal was as heavy as 320 pounds. Last time WWE fans saw him, he was about 305. Today, he’s between 285 and 290 pounds.

 

“M arms are still 22 inches,” he said. “I’m still as big and as strong as when I got in the business when I was 20 years old. I’m still just as fast as I am running the ropes. As long as I keep looking (how I) look, and we can keep doing what we can do -- giving the people what they expect to see out of the LOD and the Road Warriors -- we’ll do it.”

 

Hawk said he was 292 pounds last time he was here. Now he’s about 250. “That’s where I should be,” he said. “I know this much: I don’t blow up in the ring anymore.”

 

He added with a chuckle, “It’s like I took a 50-pound dumbbell out of my bag – or maybe out of my head!”

 

Since the last time WWE fans saw them, the duo has wrestled in Japan, as well as in independent promotions around the U.S. They just returned from a trip to South Korea. “But there’s nothing like having a steady deal here in the U.S., and that’s what our goal is,” Animal said. “We’d like to be part of WWE, whichever show we’re on (RAW or SmackDown!).”

 

When he’s not wrestling, Animal spends his time coaching. The Minneapolis native has coached his two sons’ football teams, and the hockey teams for his son and daughter. Lately, he’s been coaching the Minnesota Lumberjacks, a semi-pro team, along with Mario Barber, formerly of the New York Jets. But Animal says he realizes he’ll have to cut back on his coaching duties if he agrees to a deal with WWE.

 

Athletics run in the family for Animal. His two brothers, John and Mark, also worked as wrestlers. Today, John is part of WWE’s talent relations department. Animal also said that one of his sons, James, is 6 foot 3 and 217, “and he’s only a sophomore in high school.” Animal hinted that James may end up becoming a second-generation WWE Superstar, “but first he’s going to give hockey and football a try.” Animal’s 13-year-old daughter is considered one of the best hockey players for her age in the state of Minnesota, he said.

 

Hawk has been working on a wrestling radio show in Tampa, which he hopes to continue even if he comes to work full time with WWE.

 

Even though they’ve continued to wrestle, both Animal and Hawk have made fundamental changes in their lives: both have become Christians.

 

“In the past when the business was a little bit more rebellious, so to speak, there were problems that arose that have been forgotten,” Animal said. “Hawk and I have both made major changes in our lives. My family and I, since 1999, have been devout Christians. Hawk turned Christian with Shawn Michaels – as everybody knows in this company, Shawn is a Christian – at the same event, at AIM, Athletes International Ministries, last year in June. We’re changed guys.

 

“I respect Vince McMahon, WWE and all the guys who work for it 1,000 times more than I could before. Now that our eyes have opened up and our hearts have opened up, we’ve learned to appreciate things. You finally realize that none of this is possible without the ‘greatest champion’ making it possible. You know what I mean? We wouldn’t be here today. That’s why we’re here right now.”

 

Said Hawk, “Me personally, I’ve changed my tune a little bit. I always used to fight the promotion. Now, I’m a Christian, and it’s all in God’s hands, as far as I’m concerned. And if he wants to bless me with a WWE deal, that’d be great.

 

 

 

(This is me talking..... I just wanna know, What fucking religion did these guys worship before they suddenly became Christian?) They didn't look jewish, hindu, sikh, muslim, or buddist?

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Hawk turned Christian with Shawn Michaels

 

I dunno why I found this quote so funny, but I did. "Became Christian" would probably be more appropriate.

[Guest OnlyMe]

“We hope we’re here for the rest of our careers,” Animal said. “Hawk and I would like to retire here with WWE, whether it’s two years from now or five years from now."

 

God no.

[Guest Eagan469]

They didn't look terrible last night, but they were REALLY showing their age.

 

I'd rather see them wrestle than half the current roster, so I say give em' a contract.

[Guest Ram]

They didn't look terrible last night, but they were REALLY showing their age.

 

I'd rather see them wrestle than half the current roster, so I say give em' a contract.

They had some delayed selling problems (and RVD's punching on Hawk was nonexistant apparently), but I'm not offended by their presence for a few conditions:

 

1. Very short to no promos.

2. Keep the old song.

3. Putting over any talent (not all the time, though)

4. Low to Midcard angles only, only taking up 5-10 minutes of any show.

5. Short matches, no squashes.

 

That is all.

[Guest Human Fly]

The Road Warriors will go down as one of the best teams of all time, but what do they have to offer in the ring? Sign them as road agents, and keep them away from the ring and the tag titles.

[Guest KanadianKrusty]

If they keep them in short matches and don't push them much, I'll take the Warriors over 3MW and the Dudleys any day of the week. It's not like they're going to stink up the whole show like Vince/Hogan.

[Guest Trivia247]

Warriors vs 3MW would be ideal for a Raw card

 

they are apparently going to Smackdown either in house show or on air..

 

so that means if they wrestle on camera there, you know there will be some angle between Bisch/Austin and Steph to see who can sign the legendary old team.

 

 

I think whats interesting that despite their slowness and age both shows could actually use them, because both show's tag ranks are considerably crippled thanks to the Roster split. Wheither the Warriors Job to Los Guerreros Team Angle and Win over New FBI

or go to Raw Lose to RVD and Kane, the Dudleys but beat the 3MW

[Guest KanadianKrusty]

They don't need the LOD on Smackdown, the tag division isn't all that bad, at least compared to RAW's, which needs some help NOW.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

I couldn't believe it, but after the initial delayed selling, they didn't actually suck that much. Whatever, give them a contract but don't push the hell out of them.

[Guest Ram]

I couldn't believe it, but after the initial delayed selling, they didn't actually suck that much. Whatever, give them a contract but don't push the hell out of them.

It was also 3 minutes long with RVD/Kane working like it was a 10-minute one.

 

But I think this is better than more 3MW.

[Guest Downhome]

I didn't expect them to actually stick around after RAW, but oh well. I like them, so I am ok with it. I like them better than both 3MW and the French tag team.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

It's great how LOD are only being compared with the absolute worst that the WWE has to offer...

 

How about this: "They aren't Tajiri and Funaki so they should get the fuck off TV cause they fucking suck."

[Guest Coffey]

I was watching the second annual Survivor Series. It started off with a ten team tag match. Damn, the WWE tag team division used to rock hard.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

You can measure the stability of a company by the strength of its tag division.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

Job them to Team Angle on SD, then tell them to take a hike.

 

There's too much talent doing nothing to justify giving LOD a contract.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I was there when LOD returned...

 

From where I was sitting, they got a very good reaction.

 

I didn't mind how they worked...course I'm also a Hogan fan...

 

But still, a chill goes down my spine everytime I hear the opening of their theme.

[Guest JAxlMorrison]

Did anyone else feel bad for the LOD? I mean they got absolutely no offense, and looked like schmucks for missing their finisher. I bet they wish they saved some of their money so they wouldn't have to eat crow by returning to the WWE. I mean Rocco, Hawk as a drunk......I guess they have to swallow their pride once again and see what humiliation Uncle Vinnie has in store......I predict either the Kiss My Ass club, a pair of Stinkfaces, or perhaps the LOD decide to get married!

[Guest Trivia247]

heh sick storyline....Hawk is still on the Pipe or pills from Droz who reappears on WWE tv from his wheelchair passing Hawk a brown bag.

[Guest eirejmcmahon]

There's no upside to hiring these bozos.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

just as long as they don't constantly put them on TV every week and use them as an attraction like they already do with Hogan then it should be fine. No Tag title run though.......

[Guest Blue Bacchus]

just as long as they don't constantly put them on TV every week and use them as an attraction like they already do with Hogan then it should be fine.  No Tag title run though.......

"Do you hear that Mr. Anderson? That's the sound of inevitability."

 

LOD as Tag Champs will happen. Just get ready for it.

Edited May 14, 2003 by Blue Bacchus

[Gert T 0]

While I do not think they look terrible, I have a hard time seeing Hawk as 250 pounds.

[Guest NoCalMike]

I hope it was just a one time shot.

[Maztinho 0]

They weren't as bad as I'd fear they'd be. I would keep them as Road Agents and have them help develop a tag team division.

 

Tag Teams, actual teams, not just two singles guys tossed together like RVD and Kane. That's the one thing I like about La Resistance. They are a tandem, not Sylvan and Renee. Everything else is bad, but they have a fucking team name.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

That's the one thing I like about La Resistance. They are a tandem, not Sylvan and Renee. Everything else is bad, but they have a fucking team name.

Yeha...and we all know that Sylvan is the veteran of the team...heck, he has even already appeared on WrestleMania!

[Guest Trivia247]

just as long as they don't constantly put them on TV every week and use them as an attraction like they already do with Hogan then it should be fine. No Tag title run though.......

Now wait a minute, they may put Hogan on every week but look at his track record since rejoining the WWE.

 

Hogan has lost to many of the Younger names in the company, Rock, Angle, Storm & Christian, Hogan is doing the right thing and the WWE is pushing him as such... They are pushing him like the Yankee's pushed Babe Ruth when he was no longer able to Play Ball, let him climb out of the dug out and wave his hat at the cheering crowd. Hogan is jobbing to those that matter, and beating those who don't like he probably will to Piper this coming PPV (SPOILER ALERT)

 

You Push LOD like that, a Attraction and not a serious tag team, you let them retain their status as the "Best Mark friendly tag team for 2 decades" Without damaging all up to date Tag teams whom are on top. The LOD loses to the "A" list tag teams mostly, with a few wins here and there, and let the LOD defeat Lower card tag teams....basically leaving them in Midcard. Hell even push midcarders. That not as bad as Pushing LOD to Beat the Los Guerreros RVD & Kane and Team Angle...

 

Problem is if you got LOD jumping from show to show it dispels the Roster split illusion, which means Steph and Bisch/Austin would have to make a Bidding war angle for the LOD like they did for getting Steiner.