Devon
Interview: Talks Team 3D Split, WWE, ECW, TNA and More
Devon recently spoke with Wrestling 101 about his current
singles run, his WWE and ECW careers and more. You
along with Bubba Ray came on the scene in ECW, what was that whole experience
like?"ECW was an amazing time, the company in
general was so family orientated and we were all aiming for the same goal to
make sure that ECW wasn't going to be a fly by night company, that it was to be
taken seriously and that we were starting a revolution.We had a great following; some might like to say it was a cult
following which actually helped put ECW on the map. Paul Heyman took unknown
guys that WCW and WWE didn't tap into and he made them into stars himself, which
in return made the other two companies look at ECW.To
me ECW was a phenomenal time and we were able to help change and revolutionize
the business into the Attitude Era, which was great because nobody at the time
was doing the stuff we were doing, pushing the envelope of hardcore, and then
when there was such a high demand for it that opened the door for a lot of
us."Bubba and yourself then went over to the WWE
during a peak era for tag team wrestling with The Hardy Boyz and Edge &
Christian, what was it like working with those teams and the TLC
matches?"That was another amazing time in my
career; to be able to be in the ring with five other guys and to steal the show
at WrestleMania two years in a row was awesome. The TLC matches were matches
that had never really been seen before; the closest thing to a TLC match was
just a ladder match that was performed by Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels. We
then added the tables and the chairs into the mix and made it what it is today
and it was just great to go out there and entertain throughout that whole
attitude era.Everywhere we go out of all the matches
we've had, the TLC matches seem to be the one that pretty much everybody still
talks about today."You and Bubba then joined TNA
and began working with the likes of Beer Money and Motor City Machine Guns, what
was that like?"It was great because we were able
to help these guys and literally pass the torch of tag team wrestling. We had
accomplished so much in the business and it was time to be able to pass it on to
guys like Beer Money and Motor City Machine Guns and they were great to work
with.It was so easy because these guys wanted it just
as bad as anyone else did. To be able to have talent like that, and they were
willing to get in that ring and give it one hundred and ten per cent and do what
you ask of them for the sake of the business, the product and the fans it was a
win win situation. That is exactly what went on at that time in TNA and I was
very proud to be a part of the company at that particular
time."What was the reasoning behind the Team 3D
split?"The singles career was something that I
needed, Bubba was always into the tag matches and he never really wanted to
break up and I understood that because he is more of a tag team guy. I was as
well but I wanted to separate that little bit more, we actually separated in
2002 with the Reverend Devon angle in WWE and I remember feeling like I never
really got my just due and six months later we were put back
together.It always bothered me that I could not leave
this business without having another shot at being a singles competitor and I
remember saying it I wanted it so bad but I knew there was more for Bubba and I
to accomplish as a tag team. We had to go over to Japan and take over from where
the Road Warriors left off, we conquered that, we conquered in making the tag
team titles very prestigious in TNA and all of the organisations we were
in.We did our jobs in that sense but now was the time
to move on and I was very happy about that because it is something that I have
always wanted. I loved teaming with Bubba and creating history but there was a
little bit of a selfish side to me that wanted that singles career just a little
bit more. Now that I've got it and now that its here Im proving those critics
that said I couldn't do it, let me change that were proving those critics that
said we couldn't do it, were proving them wrong."Are you enjoying the run as a singles wrestler?"Im extremely happy hes doing well on his own and Im extremely
happy Im doing well on my own, and Im glad I've won two titles before he has
(laughs) but in all seriousness Im happy for both of us because we've worked so
hard to have been in this business as long as we have and you get the critics
that say, theyre old and theyre washed up. Well I
remember a time back in the day when the business was hot, back when Hogan,
Andre, Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes were in there primes and you weren't anything
in this business until you got to your mid-thirties going into your forties. If
you were younger than that you were just considered a young boy and you got your
ass kicked and handed to you, but now the business has changed and everybody
thinks when your aged thirty you should be the one thats on top.
Listen Im old school and if it isn't broke dont fix
it because when your 34 or 35-years-old you are still learning a lot more, by
that time you should be almost polished up but when your that age that is when
it all kicks in. Im in better shape now than I was when I was 25-years-old and
my knowledge for the business is better now than it has ever been and Im very
happy about that."How would you compare your
three bosses, Paul Heyman, Vince McMahon and Dixie Carter in terms of their
similarities and differences?"Well you've got
Doctor Frankenstein, Paul Heyman who was kind of a rebel and definitely a guy
that loved to play some mind games but in a good way. He would play mind games
with you so you would understand the business and know what this business is
about.Then you've got Vince McMahon and he is the
grandfather of them all, being with him was really a challenge, my biggest thing
was and I tell my students at our school in Orlando, Florida, if you go out and
perform in front of Vince McMahon and not have any fear then you are going to
make it in this business, because if anybody has an aura about them and can
install fear in you by just walking in a room it is Vince.With TNA it kind of like out of all three bosses Ive got to say Dixie
Carter is the best looking one (laughs) no offense to Vince and Paul but if Im
going to put a ring on anybodies finger its going to be
Dixie."What can we expect of Devon and the Ace
and 8′s during the rest of 2013?"Like I said
before whether you love me or hate me, Im going to get my just dues. Everybody
thinks that this whole thing with me having a gripe against the company was all
part of the show and it really wasn't, I legitimately walked away because of a
contract dispute.It just got to the point where I
wasn't going to take any more nonsense and Ive been making it well known. For
those that love me great and for those that think I turned my back or crapped on
the company then so be it."You were recently
helping out at Booker Ts All-Star Clinic in Houston, Texas, what did that
involve?"I was helping out as much as I possibly
could with the younger talent and being able to as they say in this business,
pass the torch knowledge. I want to make sure these guys are strong enough and
able enough so when the time comes for them to showcase what they have, they
will be able to showcase it in the right way.They
didn't have stuff like this when I was getting into the business so I guess it
is a privilege and an honor to do this for these kids and Im happy to be apart
of it. It is something I wish we could have had back when I was growing up but
the business was the way it was back then. So be grateful for what we've got and
what we are able to give after gaining so much from this business."
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