GET NEWS UPDATES AND KEY ARTICLE LINKS ON OUR TWITTER FEED:
twitter.com/prowrestlingnet

PROWRESTLING.NET is now customized for YOUR mobile device! Visit us on your iPhone, Blackberry, or other WAP phone.
(Just enter "prowrestling.net" in your browser window and choose MOBILE DISPLAY.)
___
ADD US TO YOUR RSS FEEDER

AND BOOKMARK US
ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR (FREE) ITUNES
DOTNET PODCAST
or click button to choose popular RSS feeds such as Yahoo
|
|
Interview Highlights
Former WWE wrestler Hillbilly Jim says he turned down the NWO, provides updates on a few of his former WWE coworkers
Sep 10, 2009 - 01:00 PM |
|
World Wrestling Insanity interview with Hillbilly Jim
Host: James Guttman
Interview available at WorldWrestlingInsanity.com via ClubWWI.
You don't go messing with ClubWWI.com. Why? Because we have a country boy here! That's right. WWE Legend, Hillbilly Jim joins ClubWWI.com for a 57 minute shoot that's hotter than Granny's home-cookin'!
Everyone knows Hillbilly Jim. Everyone. As one of WWE's biggest stars during it's biggest times, Jim was the country boy with a smile on his face and boot for his opponent's face. Now hear his take on wrestling's current state with a ton of topics including: Having Heat With WWE, Turning Down The N.W.O., Who Came Up With The Hillbilly Jim Gimmick, "I Don't Want To See Old People Wrestle," How The Business Is Working Ric Flair, Being Eddie Gilbert's Designated Driver, Why Uncle Elmer and Cousin Junior Were Brought In, Vince McMahon's Reaction To Mud Lick, Why UFC Is Taking Wrestling Fans, His Gold Records, King Kong Bundy Squashing Little Beaver, Hornswoggle vs. Chavo, Committing Wrestling's Cardinal Sin, Managing The Godwins To The Tag Team Titles, His Unique Spot With Coliseum Home Video, The Harley Davidson Gimmick, What TNA Needs To Be Careful Of, Andre The Giant vs. Big Show, Hulk Hogan's Age,Tommy Rich, Gordon Solie, Gorilla Monsoon, Tito Santana, Rick Rude, His XM Radio Show, HillbillyJim.com, and More. (Full List at WorldWrestlingInsanity.com)
Fans all over are familiar with Hillbilly Jim from his WWF days and that alone seemed to be a criteria for new N.W.O. members during WCW's Nitro era. James Guttman asks Jim if he was ever approached about joining the New World Order.
"Absolutely I was. But you know what? I've used this analogy many times and I think you'd understand this. This is how I felt. I'm a guy - and it's a strange word in this business that's not used enough and it don't really mean anything - loyalty. That's ingrained in me. I have a little bit of loyalty. I would never do anything bad or say anything bad about the people at WWF or WWE now. 'Cause they were good to me. They took a boy that didn't have a whole lot and they made it possible for me to have a whole lot."
That doesn't mean that everything's been rosy. Jim tells ClubWWI.com members about the heat he has with WWE right now, why that is, being contacted by them, why he won't return, what he could have had if he was a squeaky wheel, and more.
One of the main reasons is that Hillbilly doesn't want to see "old people wrestle." Jim is one of the rare stars who's been able to transition from life after wrestling. He speaks about the pitfalls of older stars who can't seem to get out of the business. One topic he says he's asked about all the time is Ric Flair's age. Not wanting that for himself, he's decided to stay out of the ring. Flair, though, isn't the same case:
"You gotta decide. Are you gonna work the business or is the business gonna work you? I decided I was gonna work the business. Now, my brother Ric Flair - I think the business is working him. I love Ricky. He's one of the greatest legends. Listen, I can't tell you how many times he's been world champion here and there. NWA, WCW, WWE, whatever. But you know something? It's like Chief Jay Strongbow told me one time. It's not what you make. It's what you keep."
James brings up Tito Santana as someone who found life after wrestling and how well he's doing now. A school teacher, Tito was able to let go and allow his legacy to be preserved.
"I know my friend Wayne Ferris, The Honky Tonk Man, he lives down there in the Arizona area. He's a school teacher as well. And George The Animal Steele, good buddy of mine, he was a school teacher for many years…My point is, like me and you talked about earlier off-air. We were talking about that movie, "The Wrestler." There's nothing sadder than to see an old guy who's still trying to hang on. And everybody can say what they want to say about "he's a has-been." Well, listen. For you to be a has-been, that means you had to be something at one point."
Hillbilly talks in-depth about wrestlers who can't walk away and how it's hurting the business. He also speaks about Chief Jay Strongbow and the other WWF names who came up with his Hillbilly Jim character. It's just one of many topics you can hear unfiltered from the Country Boy on ClubWWI.com.
James Guttman's two books, "World Wrestling Insanity" and "World Wrestling Insanity Presents: Shoot First, Ask Questions Later," are available at BarnesandNoble.com or wherever books are sold.
HELP SUPPORT DOT NET! BECOME A MEMBER AT OUR CHARTER RATE OF JUST $5 A MONTH - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO SHOWS, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AD-FREE MAIN LISTING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO)
GOT AN IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH? THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE iPhone APP: (click here!)
(or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in iTunes App Store)
FOR MORE BREAKING WWE & TNA NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE PWTORCH.COM (click here!)
FOR MORE MMA & UFC NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE MMATORCH.COM (click here!)
CLICK TO RETURN TO DOT NET MAIN LISTING
OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY
Interview Highlights
Latest Twelve Articles |
|
|
Did you know for a low price of just $5 a month, you can get an ad-free version of this site with exclusive audio shows, interviews, early looks at our insider exclusive news updates, and member forum access?
DOT NET MEMBERS LOG-IN
VOTE IN OUR LATEST POLL
LATEST NEWS UPDATES
- TNA Impact ratings highs and lows, plus the rating for the main event tag with Kurt Angle and A.J. Styles vs. Daniels and Desmond Wolfe
- TNA Impact rating: Did the strong buzz over the Turning Point pay-per-view lead to a better rating for the Thursday night show?
- UFC News: Paul Heyman discusses the UFC 106 with cameos by from former WWE star Ken Anderson (a/k/a Mr. Kennedy) and Elmo (video footage available)
- Jim Ross shoots down talk that he's targeting WrestleMania 26 for his return, comments on his current contractual status with WWE
- Shore's WWE Superstars Hitlist: Shelton Benjamin vs. Zack Ryder, Eric Escobar (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. Jimmy Wang Yang, and Mark Henry vs. Cody Rhodes
- UFC fighter pulls out of Saturday's UFC 106 pay-per-view, Dana White says the fighter is finished with the company
- Pro Wrestling Guerilla "Battle of Los Angeles" tournament begins tonight with Austin Aries, Brian Kendrick, Alex Shelley, El Generico, Roderick Strong, Kenny Omega (correspondents needed)
- 11/20 WWE Smackdown preview: The complete lineup for tonight's show headlined by Undertaker and Kane vs. Chris Jericho and Big Show, plus a hot Intercontinental Title match (no spoilers)
LATEST PPV & TV REPORTS
- 11/20 Hermanstyne's WWE Smackdown Live Coverage: Batista vs. Matt Hardy, John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the IC title, Brothers of Destruction vs. JeriShow
- 11/20 Shore's WWE Smackdown Live Coverage: Batista vs. Matt Hardy, John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler in a best of three falls match for the Intercontinental Title, and Undertaker and Kane vs. Chris Jericho and Big Show
- 11/19 Powell's TNA Impact Live Coverage: Sting discusses his future with the company and Hulk Hogan signing, A.J. Styles and Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe and Daniels
- 11/19 Shore's WWE Superstars Live Coverage: Shelton Benjamin vs. Zack Ryder, Eric Escobar (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. Jimmy Wang Yang, and Mark Henry vs. Cody Rhodes
- 11/17 Shore's WWE "ECW on SyFy" Live Coverage: Vance Archer, Christian and R-Truth vs. C.M. Punk and William Regal, and Hurricane vs. Paul Burchill in a mask vs. career match
- 11/16 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: Undertaker and John Cena vs. Triple H and Shawn Michaels vs. Big Show and Chris Jericho, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper hosts the show
- 11/16 Mathieson's ROH on HDnet Live Coverage: Bryan Danielson's final televised match in ROH vs. Roderick Strong, Chris Hero vs. Delirious, Grizzly Redwood and Necro Butcher vs. the Embassy, and Rasche Brown in action
- 11/15 TNA Turning Point PPV Coverage: A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels for the TNA Title, Desmond Wolfe vs. Kurt Angle, British Invasion vs. Beer Money vs. Motor City Machine Guns for the TNA Tag Titles
LATEST VIEWPOINTS
- TNA Impact Hitlist: Hulk Hogan hype, Kurt Angle and A.J. Styles vs. Desmond Wolfe and Daniels, Mick Foley's frustration builds, Kevin Nash teases that Hogan isn't coming alone, Sting interview bait and switch, Tomko returns
- Twilling's WWE "ECW on Syfy" Hitlist: Christian and R-Truth vs. C.M. Punk and William Regal, Hurricane vs. Paul Burchill, Zack Ryder and Rosa Mendes, Vance Archer
- WWE Raw Hitlist: Final hype for Survivor Series, Undertaker attacks John Cena, Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton brawl, Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper, Triple H Pedigrees Hornswoggle
- Powell's Blog: UFC going head-to-head with WWE Raw in January should put a rumor to rest, consistency is the key for TNA going forward, an important edition of WWE Raw tonight
- TNA Turning Point Hitlist: A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels for the TNA Title, Desmond Wolfe vs. Kurt Angle, Tara vs. Awesome Kong, Amazing Red vs. Homicide for the X Division Title
- TNA Turning Point preview and predictions: Will Styles vs. Joe vs. Daniels II live up to expectations? Can Kurt Angle stop Desmond Wolfe? Will The Motor City Machine Guns finally become TNA Tag Team Champions?
- Twilling's WWE Smackdown Hitlist: Undertaker vs. Chris Jericho, John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler, Beth Phoenix and Natalya, Rey Mysterio and Batista sign their contract, C.M. Punk vs. R-Truth
- Twilling's TNA Impact Hitlist: A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe, and Daniels, Desmond Wolfe and Kurt Angle, D'Angelo Dinero, Raven, Super Dave, announce team, Beer Money, Knockouts, Black Machismo
LATEST PRODUCT REVIEWS
- ROH Insanity Unleashed DVD: Nigel McGuinness and Austin Aries vs. Tyler Black and Jerry Lynn, Kevin Steen and El Generico vs. Kenny King and Rhett Titus for the ROH Tag Team Titles, Roderick Strong and Brent Albright vs. The American Wolves
- ROH "Stylin' and Profilin'" DVD review: Nigel McGuinness vs. Brent Albright for the ROH Championship, Bryan Danielson vs. Bison Smith, Roderick Strong vs. Jay Briscoe, MisChif vs. Daizee Haze for the SHIMMER Title
- ROH "Steel City Clash" DVD review: Nigel McGuinness and Davey Richards vs. KENTA and El Generico, Austin Aries vs. Roderick Strong, Brent Albright vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Claudio Castagnoli, Bryan Danielson vs. Mike Quackenbush
- ROH "Proving Ground Night One" DVD review: Nigel McGuinness vs. Brent Albright, Necro Butcher for Austin Aries, Bryan Danielson and Jerry Lynn vs. Jimmy Jacobs and Delirious
- Mathieson's ROH Motor City Madness 2009 DVD review: Kevin Steen and El Generico vs. The American Wolves for the ROH Tag Titles, Nigel McGuinness vs. Jay Briscoe, Jerry Lynn vs. Tyler Black
- Powell's Review: Watching "12 Rounds" with 12 other people (no spoilers)
- Kayfabe DVD: The "Slap Shot" of pro wrestling
- Video Game Review: WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009
|
|
|