Royal Ramblings Meet WWE's Jack Swagger
Posted: Mar 9th 2015 By: Danny Stone & Robert Rams - HuffingtonPost.co.
Wrestlemania is the sports entertainment event of the year and on March 29th 2015, Wrestlemania 31 will be broadcast to fans around the world, not least to those here in the UK. With the WWE network now available in the UK, fans can watch and relive WM31 and their favourite Wrestlemania moments over and over again. Following Wrestlemania, British fans will get to see the stars of the WWE in person as they tour the country, with Raw and Smackdown due to be filmed in London (tickets for all dates here). We were privileged to sit down with top WWE superstar Jack Swagger to get his views on Wrestlemania and the UK tour. From hair-care advice to humming entrance songs, Swagger is a man of many talents. Intrigued? Read on...
Wrestlemania is around the corner and you're set to be in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. What would it mean to you to win it?
It would mean a lot. Just to be on a Wrestlemania card, I think, means more to the superstars than a pay check or going to work that day. It's such a special thing, such an honour to be on there. So to win the Battle Royal would be very impressive and I'd put it up there with one of the best feats of my career. Anything named after Andre the Giant in our line of work is something very special and should be put on a pedestal.
Did you ever meet Andre and do you have any stories about him?
I never got to meet him, I've just heard thousands of stories about how he commanded so much respect. The best Andre story refers to when he would get on a plane and someone would have their suitcase by his seat. He would just take that suitcase out, leave it right in the aisle, put his case up and sit down. No-one would say a thing to him!
You've faced the 'Hero of the Russian Federation' Rusev a number of times. He's not lost yet so what chance does John Cena have at Wrestlemania?
Rusev is one of those competitors that comes around once in a generation. Everything that you see about him is legit. If anyone were to stand a chance against him it would probably be Jack Swagger! I think I've probably got one more Wrestlemania to get him! Me aside, if anyone wants to take him down in this day and age in the WWE it will be John Cena - and what a moment that will be.
You're used to receiving advice from your manager, Zeb Colter. Brock Lesnar has Paul Heyman. What advice would you give to Roman Reigns before his World Title match against Lesnar?
I think I would tell Roman that he just needs to do everything he has done his entire life. He knows how to win and how to prepare himself. The hay's in the barn at that point, it's just time to believe in himself and go win the biggest match of his life. That, and to stop putting so much conditioner in his hair before he goes out! It's not naturally that shiny! It makes me mad. It's all product! You're all product Roman!
What is your favourite Wrestlemania memory either as a fan or a performer?
One memory that always sticks with me, I think just because it was when I was first in developmental training with WWE, was Wrestlemania 24 when Shawn Michaels faced Ric Flair. The respect that Ric has in our business is unmeasurable. WWE captured that moment between him and Shawn so well. It was such a powerful thing and I remember being, I think I was 26 at the time, and watching that match and seeing him with legit tears when he was hugging his family. That made me want to be a sports entertainer. Telling stories like that.
The Twitter hashtag #GiveDivasAChance has been trending. What do you think of the Divas division and who's your pick to be the next big thing?
I think our divas division is very strong and more competitive than it has been since I've been on the roster. They definitely are underutilised and don't get enough air time - some matches just leave you blown away by what they do. I think Trinity (Naomi) is one of the girls that is going to transcend and change the division. She's so athletic - if she was a guy she'd be a Pro Bowler in the NFL or an All-Star in the NBA, she's that good.
After Wrestlemania, WWE will be in the UK for a tour in April. How do UK fans compare to the US and will we see a WWE Pay-Per-View event in the UK?
That's one of my favourite things about this job. We get to travel the world and see amazing cities and cultures. One thing you see every place you go is that the regions' fans are different. Coming over the UK, you guys are highly energetic and you love to sing the entrance songs! That has become kind of a characteristic and it's made me want to sing entrance songs! I even know my own entrance song and how it would go [...hums his 'Patriot' theme song] but I really enjoy it and we always say our April and November tours are our wrestlers vacation. We get to come over here, eat, sleep and wrestle. As for a pay-per-view event, absolutely. I think we're definitely gearing up towards that. I'd say in the next five years.
It was a hopeful note on which to finish and so far as Jack Swagger is concerned, he gets the thumbs up from we, the people.
Supplemental Information
Polling Booth
Why didn't you vote in the Oklafan Year End Polls?
Spotlight in History
- 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
- 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
- 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
Week of Sun 04-19 to Sat: 04-25
- 04-19 1987 Bubba Rogers def. One Man Gang for the UWF Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Luchadore & The Canadian Red Devil) def. La M (El Choppo & Jesus Rodriguez) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. Nathan Sensation for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2013 Bree Ann def. Barbi Hayden for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
- 04-19 2014 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Jake O'Brien def. Brian Breaker for the OWA Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Randy Price def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 04-19 2014 Miss Diss Lexia def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-19 2014 Erica def. Miss Diss Lexia for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-19 2014 Brandon Groom def. Warhammer for the BPPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2024 Killa Kate became the TexPro Rose Champion
- 04-19 2024 Kari Wright def. Tommy Prince for the TexPro Dynasty Title
- 04-19 2024 K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) def. Rock-N-Rugged (Rook Tyler & Gabe Welder for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2025 Rook Tyler def. Auzzy for the TexPro Dynasty Title
- 04-19 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 04-19 2026 Gideon Vane became the WTW Open Promotions Champion
- 04-20 1980 Toru Tanaka def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 04-20 2013 The Canadian Red Devil became the OWA Heavyweight Champion
- 04-20 2013 Daemon Storm def. Justin Dynamic for the UWE United States Title
- 04-20 2018 Jack Swagger def. MVP for the IWR Heavyweight Title
- 04-20 2019 B. M. F. (Kareem Sadat & Maniac Mike) became the EmpCW Tag Team Champions
- 04-20 2019 Double D became the EmpCW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-20 2024 Malachi & Ozzy Hendrix def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-20 2024 Kevin James Sanchez def. Montego Seeka for the EPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-21 1967 The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 04-21 1979 Mike George def. Jerry Stubbs for the TSW Louisiana Title
- 04-21 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 04-21 2007 Kareem Sadat def. K-Rob for the AACW Hardcore Title
- 04-21 2007 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. The Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 04-21 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Spyder for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
- 04-21 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 04-21 2018 The Untamed (Rex Andrews & Ryan Davidson) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 04-21 2023 Leo Fox def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Apex Title
- 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
- 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Texas Title
- 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
- 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
- 04-22 1940 Jesse James def. Danny McShain for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 1955 Ricki Starr def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 1968 The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2/Smasher Sloan) def. Fritz Von Erich & Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 1980 Terry Gordy def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 04-22 1985 The Great Kabuki became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 04-22 2006 Michael York def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 2016 Brock Landers def. Mascara La Parka for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-22 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-22 2017 Double D def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 04-22 2017 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the ComPro Ladies Title
- 04-22 2018 Chaz Sharpe became the ASP Inter-County Champion
- 04-22 2018 Johnny Kove & Tristan Thorne became the ASP Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 04-22 2018 Damon Windsor def. Chandler Hopkins for the IWR Revolutionary Title
- 04-22 2022 Drake Gallows & Fester Cluck def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 2022 Duncan Kincaid became the RDW Iron Man Champion
- 04-22 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Ozzy Hendrix) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 2023 Devion Black def. Adrian Vega for the EPW All-American Title
- 04-22 2023 Logan Knight def. Gemini [2nd] for the EPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-23 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-23 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 04-23 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-23 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 04-23 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-23 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
- 04-23 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 04-23 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title
- 04-24 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 04-24 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-24 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
- 04-24 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
- 04-24 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 04-24 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 04-25 1969 Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treach Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-25 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
- 04-25 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-25 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
- 04-25 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-25 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-25 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
- 04-25 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
- 04-25 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
- 04-25 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
- 04-25 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 04-25 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Title
- 04-25 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
- 04-25 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Title
- 04-25 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions
- Ethan Price Apr 24th Today!
- Lou Thesz Apr 24th Today!
- Lance Von Erich Apr 24th Today!
- Max Mercer Apr 25th
- Brett Stopp Apr 25th
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- Eric Roberts Apr 25th
- Walker Stewart Apr 25th
- Justin Dynamic Apr 26th
- Havoc Apr 26th
- Karl Kox Apr 26th
- Yasu Fuji Apr 27th
- Siva Afi Apr 28th
- Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th
- Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th
- Sunshine Apr 29th
- Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
- Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
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- Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
- Prince Maivia May 1st
- Big Bossman May 2nd
- Don Fields May 2nd
- Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
- Americos May 2nd
- Barrett Brown May 2nd
- Kari Wright May 2nd
- Johnny Humble May 3rd
- Lily McKenzie May 3rd
- Lester Welch May 3rd
- Jay Hazzard May 4th
- Dory Funk May 4th
- Bull Schmitt May 4th
- El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
- Malik Mayfield May 4th
- Olivier Vegos May 5th
- Bill Watts May 5th
- Zane Morris May 5th
- El Gallardo May 5th
- El Matador Dos May 5th
- Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
- Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
- Maria Brigitte May 5th
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- Hercules May 7th
