Moose on intergender wrestling: “at first I was really opposed to doing it”

For the past 4 years, Moose has been one of the top stars in Impact Wrestling. He’s been at the top there for so long, he’s become Mr. Impact Wrestling! The former NFL star joined the Wrestling Epicenter for the first time in nearly 2 years to discuss his crusade against the stars of TNA, his new heel persona, and getting to be more vocal and show more personality in recent months. Plus, we also discuss his return to Atlanta for A Town Beat Down, the city he called home for 12 years and where he was drafted in the NFL Draft to the Atlanta Falcons. Plus, we also discuss his recent matches with RVD, Ken Shamrock, Rhyno, and even if he would do an inter-gender match against Tessa Blanchard to challenge for the World Title or not. OH! And, he talks about his fandom of the “Macho Man” Randy Savage who he paid tribute to with his ring gear at Hard to Kill and more! So much stuff, we cna’t fit it in a small blurb. So, tune in!

Impact Wrestling will be taping TV in Atlanta, GA for A-Town Beatdown next week! Also, their next PPV is Rebellion and will take place from New York City. Tickets are still available. Plus, Impact presents a TNA Reunion titled There’s No Place Like Home from Tampa on April 3rd! And, as if that isn’t enough, the promotion invades Columbus, OH for TV tapings April 24-25 as well. Visit www.ImpactWrestling.com for information on tickets and more upcoming events!

Visit www.WrestlingEpicenter.com to listen to this interview.

MOOSE:

On what he learned from working with TNA’s first champion Ken Shamrock:
“I love it, man. I’m expanding and growing as a character and evolving as a pro wrestler. I don’t know that it is more of who I am. It is a character they gave to me. It proves that I can do anything and play any character. I love that they have the trust in me to show our viewers how much more of a character I can be.”

On what he learned thus far from working with the TNA original veterans:
“Yeah, I learned that Ken Shamrock is a freak of nature! For a guy to be nearly 60 years old and performing at a high level is just insane! The match could have been a little better. I’m a perfectionist, though. If it doesn’t play out exactly how I had invisioned it, I get down on myself. But, Ken Shamrock proved he is the World’s Most Dangerous Man. Just look at him! He looks like a Terminator! (laughs) But, it is on to the next old school TNA guy to show why I am one of the best wrestlers in the world.”

On his recent extended feud with Rhino:
“Rhino is awesome. Not only is he a great in the ring but he’s a great person also. I’ve learned a lot from working with him. Rhino is a guy who you know is going to be a Hall of Famer either in this company or that company in New York because of what he’s done for this business. I’m excited to see that happen for him. I just finished my feud with him and once again I showed why I am one of the greatest wrestlers in the world!”

On Scott D’Amore saying the score is TNA 1, Moose 0 on Impact:
“(laughs) Maybe that should be my go home promo going into Rebellion. “You say it is TNA 1, Moose 0 but I’ve beaten Rob Van Dam, Rhino, and Ken Shamrock – TNA’s first champion! So, who’s winning this battle?””

On his thoughts heading into TNA There’s No Place Like Home on April 3rd:
“The card is really starting to shape up. There are a lot of the older TNA guys with the younger main event Impact guys now. We’re going to have an awesome show that night. I can’t wait!”

On calling out Monty Brown on social media with no response yet:
“I think Monty Brown is afraid of me. I’ve been trying my best to get him to say something. I know he’s gotten my messages. But, I think Monty is just real fearful of the Moose!”

On his Slammiversary 2018 main event against Austin Aries:
“It was a good match. When you’re in there with one of the greatest wrestlers in the world like Austin Aries, it is going to be a good match. Austin is a guy I really respect. But, I will say this, he is hard to get along with! (laughs) But, in his defense, he is one of those guys who really has your back when nobody does. He’s very loyal but can be hard to deal with. I was pleased with our match. Hopefully he can sort out his differences with Impact Wrestling because we need a guy like him. He’s hard to deal with. But, his talent is out the roof!”

On Impact’s move to AXS TV and present business model:
” TV has been great, man! Since we last spoke, we moved to AXS TV which is as good as if not better than being on POP TV. We’re more aligned with viewers that would watch wrestling. POP was kind of weird. I would say POP was more of a woman’s network, you know what I mean? (laughs) It was kind of weird that on this women’s network, on a Thursday night, you would have professional wrestling. But, on AXS TV, there is combat sports and all these different types of shows more lined up for the demographic we’re going for and reaching. Impact management has been great, man. I’ve been here for nearly 4 years now and I’ve been through the lowest of the lows and now I guess you could say we’re in the highest of the highs but the thing is, we’re still growing! It is only going to get better!”

On if he’d do intergender wrestling now that Tessa Blanchard is World Champion:
“I wouldn’t be opposed to doing it. I know at first I was really opposed to doing it. I don’t think, at any point, a man should fight a woman. It just isn’t a fair fight and it isn’t teaching the right values, you know? But, my views on it now have kind of changed because now I want to do it just to show people how it should be done. I feel like when you watch it on TV, on an indy show, or on our program, it ends up being a man fighting a man who is a woman. You know what I’m saying? (laughs) They don’t make it special. You might as well substitute whatever woman it is with whatever guy on the roster into that match. They don’t make it special. It is just the same story that has already been told. So, that is why my tone has changed on it. I would like to show how intergender wrestling should be done.”

On returning to Atlanta with Impact for A Town Beatdown:
“I’m excited! For those who don’t know, I was drafted into the NFL by the Atlanta Falcons and I played 4 years of my 7 year career in Atlanta and I lived in Atlanta for 12 years. So, for me, it is like Moose is coming home. I know I’m the bad guy. I know I’m a heel. And, I love being a bad guy and a heel! I’m kind of nervous I’m going to get a babyface pop when I come out in Atlanta! But, Atlanta has a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to come home next weekend!”

On what we should expect from Moose at Impact’s next PPV Rebellion:
“I’m excited for the pay per view. I’m always excited for our pay per views. Last time, I kind of paid tribute to the late great “Macho Man” Randy Savage. This time, I’m going to pay tribute to another late great wrestler who was in TNA. I’ve kind of given spoilers for it already on Twitter. But, make sure you tune in to see it!”

On paying tribute to “Macho Man” at Hard to Kill:
“Macho Man was one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Me, personally, I feel he and Ric Flair were the two greatest wrestlers of all time. That’s just my opinion. That’s not fact but it is how I feel about it. We lost a great wrestler and a great man. I never got to meet him personally but I’ve heard a lot of great things about him.”