The WWE Hall of Fame Rikishi reflects on his career: Companions and rivals, regrets … And about his life: arrest, retirement … all in a recent appearance in Title Match Wrestling.
► In Rikishi's words
About John Cena
«Dinner was a rising star. It was good with the microphone. In the ring I still needed practice, but it was one of those guys who were going like inertia in the struggles, just to get them forward. But his real talent was in the microphone. Once they gave him the microphone, they forgot how he fought. Today it is also: if you know how to use the microphone, you are your best promotion yourself. “
«At first I thought John was going to be a regular type in terms of merchandise. It came in that era of hip hop, wide clothes, sports t -shirts, etc. But when he started rapping and making music, I knew – for experience with the office – that they were going to capitalize on that. They were going to get CDs, videos … even if they didn't fight well, they were going to make money with him. So I had to be in that place. “
About Kurt Angle
“Kurt Angle was – and still – a machine. One of those who learned faster in the business. He received a great thrust and had to pay, and he did. He worked hard to get where he is. “
About edge
«Edge was also good. With him you had to apply more psychology in the fight, because his style was different. Kurt was like a machine, without stopping. Edge was more than the guy you could 'dance' a little, work psychology and also entertainment. And I come more from the entertainment side. “
About Chris Benoit and tragedy
«I feel very bad about what happened. Like everyone, we never saw it coming. I feel sorry for their families, the children, the wife … and for Chris. It is not the Chris that I met, that I would do something like that. The world lost a great fighter. He brought unparalleled energy. 20 minutes giving everything. If someone new wants to learn from ethics and discipline, to look at Chris. What happened … shouldn't have happened. “
«Maybe they were brain shocks. New studies have left on that. The truth, I didn't want to see much on the subject because I didn't want to remember it that way.»
About his arrest (a couple of years ago)
«It was a misunderstanding. I did not attend personal issues such as taxes. I was in the process of divorce with my wife. I didn't know that I should go to court. Those who came for me were friends with whom he went to party in Pensacola, Florida. I thought it was a joke, but they appeared as nine federal agents. But yes, it was a misunderstanding. “
About his regrets
«I am happy with how my career was, but I regret not having fought stronger for a place in the stellar event. I would have liked to have the opportunity to be world champion, even once. »
Final reflection
«My career has been a learning experience. Made me better as a man, inside and outside the ring. He taught me what really matters. Today I see the fight as a great movie. Everything I learned will happen to my children, who are about to enter the business. So that they are not only good fighters, but also good people. “
«The fight gave me the opportunity to see the world, to meet people, to live well, to give my children what I want for them. The good and the bad gave me the reward of being able to keep my loved ones. And although I no longer fight, I miss the ring, to the fans, to my friends. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell my truth. Not many have that chance. “
