haVoc 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Audience with The Animal By THE LILSBOYS LAST time Dave Batista spoke to us, his views on the wrestling business were so controversial he was blasted by WWE boss Vince McMahon and had good friends turn their back on him. But even that experience hasn't stopped Batista - now the company's world heavyweight champion - from speaking his mind. In this new and exclusive webchat, The Animal gives his honest opinions on everyone from JBL and Brock Lesnar to Muhammed Hassan and Bobby Lashley. Batista also answers your questions on winning the WWE title from Triple H at WrestleMania 21, the new Ultimate Warrior DVD, Ultimate Fighting and much more. And you can catch The Animal in action when the WWE hit Europe in November. They will be visiting cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, Sheffield, Hamburg and Helsinki. For ticket info click here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When we interviewed you before WrestleMania you said Smackdown made you "sick" and that some of the stars were "not there to work" - did you get much heat for those comments? The LilsBoys Oh yes - tons of heat! I got lectured by Vince McMahon, The Undertaker and all the way down. I had good friends who just turned on me. Well, I thought they were good friends. Some of them are not with the company now. But I spoke from my heart then and I still feel that today. Maybe I chose the wrong forum to voice that opinion but I was speaking from the heart. When we were having that discussion we were talking about the competition between Raw and Smackdown. I didn't mention anybody on Raw, but there were guys on Raw I had the same sentiment about - who were absolutely lazy, had no passion and I thought should not be there. The same goes now. I'm putting my foot in my mouth again but I still think there are guys on both shows who are lazy, couldn't care less and show no dedication. But we're slowly weeding those guys out. I want everybody in this company to work as hard as me, Triple H and The Undertaker do. I want them to sack the guys who lack the passion for this business and this company - I don't want them to be part of my show. Some of the guys who I think should be on their way out the door are still being given opportunities to shine, and it's up to them to take the bull by the horns and show that they really want to be out there. Then there are some guys, like Christian, who are dying for that chance and aren't being given that opportunity. I'm a huge fan of Christian - I enjoy every aspect of his work, the fans love and appreciate him, he has a great attitude, awesome work ethic, is always in shape and is very smart about the business. I feel very strongly that he's underutilised. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How far in advance of your switch to Smackdown did you find out you were going? Did you have a say in the move? Karl Carthy I had no say about changing shows. I wasn't told but I found out about three weeks before. When John Cena came to Raw I said to Vince: "I guess this means I'm going to Smackdown." And he replied: "Yes you are." The only other thing I said about it was to ask him when. I knew he was putting me into a leadership role and I was nervous about it, but also really excited. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you see being on Smackdown as a demotion of sorts, as Raw is clearly the bigger show right now with bigger stars and better creative. Karl Carthy, Laois, Ireland Looking at the two shows compared to last season I wouldn't say Raw have a stronger talent base. On Smackdown we have Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and The Undertaker. That's a very strong line-up. I get a sense that we're starting over and building the brand - telling new stories and starting new feuds. Right now we're in the transition phase and once we get our feet under us - especially now we're on Friday nights - it's going to be a whole new Smackdown. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How special was it to win your first world championship from Triple H at WrestleMania 21? Brian Westcott, Meridian, Idaho, USA It still feels like a dream. I've always wanted it so badly, and fought my ass off to get it, but it's something I never thought would happen. In the week leading up to WrestleMania I couldn't sleep at all, I was running on pure adrenalin. In the three and a half hours before my match I was trying to stay as calm as possible and spend time with my family. I know it sounds strange but I tried my best not to think about the match, because every time I did I started shaking and getting nauseous. I watched a little bit of WrestleMania on the night, but I couldn't sit still long enough to see an entire match. It is absolutely the most terrifying thing I've ever done in my life. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Which of your three matches with Triple H did you like the most and why? Joe Eye Joe, Hackney, London Definitely the Hell In A Cell match at Vengeance. Just watching that match as a fan - and I do still enjoy wrestling as a fan - the drama was wonderful. For the finish I picked Triple H up for the Batista Bomb and he had a sledgehammer in his hand - so right up until the very last second of that match the fans didn't know who was going to win. That's why I love it so much. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Batista. Did anyone, especially Triple H, question you beating him all three times? Phil No, there was no politics at all. When Triple H picked Randy Orton and I for Evolution he was choosing who he wanted to be the next leaders of the company. I owe everything to Triple H - I can't say enough about what he's done for his career. Before he took me under his wing I had no direction or sense of who I was. I was just a musclehead goofball carrying a box around and couldn't let what little personality I have shine through. Then I joined Evolution and was trying to find myself as a performer, when Triple H actually said to me: "I see a bit of Clint Eastwood about you, so I suggest that's what you do on screen." So I'm just playing myself now - I go out there and have fun! I remember the moment, after I joined Evolution, when everything changed. Vince told me: "I want you to got out there and be this insatiable camera hog." So I modelled and posed and hogged the camera as much as I could. When I came back Vince was so fired up and was screaming: "That's money, that's money, I smell money." I don't remember the show or what city we were in, but I'll never forget Vince screaming at me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Batista. I have to be honest - I didn't like your programme with JBL half as much as your feud with Triple H? What was it like working with JBL? Richard, London It was very difficult and I was a little disappointed with our matches. JBL and I have absolutely zero chemistry. Enough said about that. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you looking forward to the Triple H v Ric Flair programme? Could Evolution ever reform now all four of you have gone your separate ways? Lorrie McDonald Absolutely - it's going to be good! Triple H and Ric have awesome chemistry and, as a fan, this is a dream match. I was there for the Homecoming show and the mood in the building when Triple H attacked Ric was very emotional, you could feel the tension in the building. As for Evolution getting back together - never say never. Now's not the time but what we had in Evolution was incredible and it was an amazing thing for all our careers. One thing we're all serious about is that we don't want to recreate it or add other people in. Evolution is Evolution and if something was to happen in the future then it would have to be all four of us. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How often do you now speak to Triple H? Is it hard not having him on Smackdown with you? Kevin, Tottenham It's not hard, but I am still getting used to Triple H not being there. I still look to him for advice, he's got a mind for this business like nobody else. We speak at least once a week. Triple H won't be critical unless I ask him, because he and the company made this decision for me to be my own man and carry this company on my shoulders. But I do ask a lot! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How well did the WWE's feeder federation OVW prepare you for the big time? Kev I really wasn't prepared well for the WWE in OVW and when I came up there were a few times where my job was in jeopardy - and I think that's not fair. There are still people brought up without the right preparation. Look at Bobby Lashley - I don't even think he's close to ready. Bobby Lashley, if held back for a while, could have been another Brock Lesnar. He's got the amateur accolades and he's an incredible athlete. Then there's guys who get brought up and given bad gimmicks. Take Mordecai, I don't think there's anybody in our company who could have pulled off that character. It was a bad choice. But with Muhammed Hassan, a different person would have made that character work. He was helped a lot with his promos and in the ring I don't think he held his own at all. Daivari, on the other hand, was perfect - if only we could have taken Daivari's mind and stuck it in Muhammed Hassan's body. I liked Mark Copani as a person, but he's one of the people whose heart just wasn't in it. He said he could live "with or without" wrestling and that is hard to listen to for guys like me who live and breathe for this business. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello Batista. What do you think of UFC - both the show itself and its fighters? Would you ever have a match there? Rey, El Cajon, California I'm a big fan of UFC and some of my good friends are UFC fighters. Tim Sylvia is a very close friend of mine. Competitively I think UFC is going to have a following, but it will never have the following professional wrestling has - for the simple fact that in the WWE we control the excitement and entertainment. With real fighters it's exciting to a certain point but we can turn up the volume when we have to and they can't. UFC is not something I'd consider - there's not nearly enough money in it for me to go and get my face pounded in by guys who've trained all their lives as UFC fighters. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you ever watch any NWA:TNA? Do you think competition would be good for the WWE? Are there any TNA wrestlers that have impressed you? Vikram Sangar I've actually not ever watched any of their shows. I saw a press conference that they did, which I wasn't very impressed with. I've also seen clips of their car wreck matches with AJ Styles doing his stunts. That's not wrestling. Wrestling is storytelling. But at the same time, I have friends in TNA and I wish them the best. Those type of matches definitely have their place, it's just not my thing. I also welcome the competition, which I think can only be good for the wrestling business. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What do you think of the new Ultimate Warrior DVD, which buries a wrestling legend many fans still love today? Shaun Johnson, Nottingham I have not seen the DVD and don't know much about it. I have never met The Ultimate Warrior - or guys like Bret Hart and Randy Savage - and would never judge anybody before I meet them. I haven't heard anybody say good things about Warrior, but the one thing you can never take away is that he was exciting. He's like Goldberg. He was someone who was not the most technical wrestler, didn't have the best moves or psychology - but at the same time you just had to respect his intensity and people loved him because of that. That simple element can draw people in. I did like The Ultimate Warrior, but I was always more a fan of The Warlord and Ricky The Dragon Steamboat. My rope shake is a total Warrior rip off - I've never denied it! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Would you like to see a Raw v Smackdown feud or should the shows be kept completely separate? Thomas, Leeds I would love to see Raw v Smackdown and more cross-promotional matches, especially on big PPVs. I would love the opportunity to work with Kurt Angle and John Cena and for selfish reasons I'd love to be undisputed WWE world champion. An undisputed championship match is something that could happen one day in the future, but not until much further down the line. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who would be your dream opponent for WrestleMania 22 in Chicago? Jim, Ipswich Brock Lesnar, without a doubt. It's a dream match for a lot of people, including myself. We could have the bout that Goldberg v Lesnar should have been. People expected so much from that, but neither one of them had their hearts in it. I think if Brock did return my heart would be in it, as would his - we've always had a healthy competition between us. I have sent the message out to Brock as much as I can, I really hope he comes back. He said he's done a lot of growing up and mentally I believe he's ready to return. So much weight was put on his shoulders at the time so fast, and he was just a kid then, that he couldn't cope with it. I remember having a drink with Undertaker before I won the title. I told him I was enjoying myself and he said: "Enjoy it while it lasts, because when you win that title you'll be working your ass off." Being world champion is physically so demanding, ask anybody who has held the belt. You're constantly travelling and working and there is also the mental pressure, as you're stressing over business aspects that you've never had to worry about before. If I'd had that much pressure put on me at Brock's age I wouldn't have lasted. I don't know what the problem is between him and the WWE right now, but there would be nothing but good things in store for Brock if he returned. Everybody in the company would be happy to see him, as he would bring up attendances and we'd all make more money. I don't personally bear him any animosity over how he left, although he definitely could have handled it more smoothly, and he'd be welcomed back into the locker room with open arms. Although the fans might not be too nice to him! Credit: PWInsider.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JesusJuiced Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Hi Batista. I have to be honest - I didn't like your programme with JBL half as much as your feud with Triple H? What was it like working with JBL? Richard, London It was very difficult and I was a little disappointed with our matches. JBL and I have absolutely zero chemistry. Enough said about that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ha! Also love his comments about Lashley and Hassan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Really good interview. It's nice to see someone from WWE do an interview and not just give the stereotypical safe & scripted answers. One thing that I was surprised about: "I did like The Ultimate Warrior, but I was always more a fan of The Warlord and Ricky The Dragon Steamboat." WTF? Warlord??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kamehameha Report post Posted October 15, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you see being on Smackdown as a demotion of sorts, as Raw is clearly the bigger show right now with bigger stars and better creative. Karl Carthy, Laois, Ireland Looking at the two shows compared to last season I wouldn't say Raw have a stronger talent base. On Smackdown we have Randy Orton, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and The Undertaker. That's a very strong line-up. I get a sense that we're starting over and building the brand - telling new stories and starting new feuds. Right now we're in the transition phase and once we get our feet under us - especially now we're on Friday nights - it's going to be a whole new Smackdown. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What he said. people chat bullshit like raw have the better roster. There you have Randy Orton, Eddie Guerrero, Undertaker, Batista and Chris Benoit as the top gold of Smackdown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrVenkman PhD 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Awesome interview. You really get a sense that Batista loves the business and is a fan, albeit of WWE style matches and seemingly doesn't care for AJ Styles. He may not be the best worker but you can tell he's trying and looks for help. He's critical of his own crappy matches with JBL, which is nice and refreshing to hear. Normally wrestlers wait years before looking back on a crappy feud... not 2 months, especially when both are still employed in the company. Good stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papacita 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 I've actually not ever watched any of their shows. I saw a press conference that they did, which I wasn't very impressed with. I've also seen clips of their car wreck matches with AJ Styles doing his stunts. That's not wrestling. Wrestling is storytelling. Not that I've seen enough TNA wrestling to dispute this, but how can he just brush their matches off like that when he's only had the chance to see clips? Good stuff otherwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mandarin 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Batista is awesome. He put over Daivari and Christian(~!); doesn't get much better than that. At least he recognizes that the JBL feud sucked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LivingLegendGaryColeman 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Most importantly.... Batista is a Peep Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kamehameha Report post Posted October 15, 2005 exactly ^^^^^ Peeps are my Peeps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Biggles Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Amazing how much Batista is towing the company line these days, but I guess that's what taking a leadership role entails. It's hilarious how he puts over The Warlord in almost all of his interviews. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest rawmvp Report post Posted October 15, 2005 I'm digging Pimptista, but I have a feeling that he thinks he's much better in the ring than he really is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Fook Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Amazing how much Batista is towing the company line these days, but I guess that's what taking a leadership role entails. It's hilarious how he puts over The Warlord in almost all of his interviews. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> When the Orton/Batista feud starts, Orton should intimidate Batista by destroying the legend of the Warlord. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChick 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 You can totally see HHH and Taker's influences in him with this interview. I'm just wondering who these lazy people are exactly. I liked the interview. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carnival 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 I hate you Batista, never speak ill of AJ! I like how he judges them without seeing any of the matches. Besides who in the world could take away an honest opinion of a wrestling product from a press conference, seriously? He's just repeating what others tell him to say. Which may or may not be true, but it doesn't say much for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SamoaRowe 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Batista is just jealous that he cannot do a quarter of the things that AJ Styles can do in the ring. "I can... punch... kick.... spinebuster.... Batista bomb.... I tell stories." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mecha Mummy 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 I hate you Batista, never speak ill of AJ! I like how he judges them without seeing any of the matches. Besides who in the world could take away an honest opinion of a wrestling product from a press conference, seriously? He's just repeating what others tell him to say. Which may or may not be true, but it doesn't say much for him. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, I'm sure WWE brass told him to say that his feud with JBL was horrible and that a lot of people in WWE are completely lazy and unmotivated. Not to mention NOT burying Brock for his decision to leave unlike every other interview with a WWE guy regarding that. It's not like Batista is the only person who doesn't like AJ Styles' style of wrestling, though that being said he shouldn't really judge without actually, y'know, seeing more than clips. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted Intestine 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 I owe everything to Triple H - I can't say enough about what he's done for his career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey_Lazarus 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 I'm going to have to echo my distaste for his AJ hate. Styles has had about twenty times as many great matches as Batista has, and if he really thinks that all the BIG X-Division guys can do is "car wreck" matches? Dude really needs to see non-TNA work from Styles, and catch the Sabin/Joe match that told a story better than anything HHH has done since 2000, 'Taker since the feud with HBK in '97 and early '98, and Batista...well, ever. Overall, good interview, and I'll never say I disrespect him because the guy speaks his mind (more often than not) and does try his best to improve in the ring. Not a fan, but I respect him more than most other people I'm not a fan of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jackie fargo Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Batista can't work, tell a story in the ring or move tickets- And yes he does have a false idea of how big he really is- Brock and Batista is a dream match for a lot of people-who are these people who consider this a dream match? Both guys haven't been in the business long enough or considered big time players to have a dream match- Dream matches are Flair-Hogan Sting-Ultimate Warrior Austin-Hogan Bret-Kurt Angle The "dream match" term is being thrown around to loosely these days- In OVW he was terrible and he hasn't gotten any better since. Keep Kissing HHH's a** and he will be what "Brutus the Barber Beefcake" was to the Hulkster- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carnival 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 I hate you Batista, never speak He's just repeating what others tell him to say. Which may or may not be true, but it doesn't say much for him. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, I'm sure WWE brass told him to say that his feud with JBL was horrible and that a lot of people in WWE are completely lazy and unmotivated. Not to mention NOT burying Brock for his decision to leave unlike every other interview with a WWE guy regarding that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I just meant the TNA stuff, he admits he hasn't watched anything but clips, so how can he know anything about it. He's just saying what others have told him about it I'm sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 LAST time Dave Batista spoke to us, his views on the wrestling business were so controversial he was blasted by WWE boss Vince McMahon and had good friends turn their back on him. Anybody know where I can find a transcript of this? It sounds really interesting to read. For the finish I picked Triple H up for the Batista Bomb and he had a sledgehammer in his hand - so right up until the very last second of that match the fans didn't know who was going to win. That's why I love it so much. You know being there live in front row seeing it take place, it gave us a lot of goosebumps because we thought HHH was going to steal another win! I was really surprised Dave won and still am. I was just a musclehead goofball carrying a box around and couldn't let what little personality I have shine through. Gotta love him stabbing himself over the Deacon gimmick. And amen to Dave about speaking the truth about Christian and JBL! Who would be your dream opponent for WrestleMania 22 in Chicago? Jim, Ipswich Brock Lesnar, without a doubt. I really hope Brock comes back after he's done with his stint in Japan! Am I the only one on here who wants to see this happen?!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Papacita 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 LAST time Dave Batista spoke to us, his views on the wrestling business were so controversial he was blasted by WWE boss Vince McMahon and had good friends turn their back on him. Anybody know where I can find a transcript of this? It sounds really interesting to read. http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?showtopic=66074& Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Thanks Papacita! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eclipse 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Awesome interview. I loved when he admitted that his JBL feud was the shits. And the fact that he ripped off Warrior with the rope shaking..AWESOME. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Brock and Batista is a dream match for a lot of people-who are these people who consider this a dream match? Me. That's the one match I want to see more than any other at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest clockworkraven Report post Posted October 15, 2005 When I came back Vince was so fired up and was screaming: "That's money, that's money, I smell money." I have to see that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubq 0 Report post Posted October 15, 2005 Wow the guy talks like he's been in the business for 20 years and can work matches like Steamboat and Savage. Hey Dave, go fuck yourself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Rubin Report post Posted October 16, 2005 What Batista said about AJ and the X-Division has also been said by others outside of WWE. It's funny to see this smark outrage everywhere as if Batista committed a big sin or something. AJ, along with all these other scrubs that work for TNA, trash WWE all the time so F him. He had it coming. Internet smark logic. If someone from TNA , indy workers or former WWE employee shoot on somebody from WWE or WWE in general, oh they're so awesome. If someone from WWE craps on TNA or any other indy or the workers from those promotions. oh they are such a-holes, they suck, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Niggardly King 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2005 Who actually cares here? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kamehameha Report post Posted October 16, 2005 lmfao am i the only one noticing these TNA marks are taking it to our champ Batista? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
