Kevin Nash talks about Ultimate Warrior, WWE Network
The second biggest wrestling event of the year is coming to Pittsburgh in one week.
WWE's Royal Rumble will be Jan. 26 at Consol Energy Center.
Kevin Nash, a legendary wrestler known for his time as Diesel, as founder of the New World Order and as actor in films such as “Magic Mike,” “Rock of Ages” and “The Longest Yard,” is hosting a Royal Rumble kickoff party the night before the event.
On Jan. 25th, Nash will host a party at Latitude 40 in Robinson that starts at 10 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to PWRShow.com.
He will be mingling with fans and taking part in a question-and-answer session with the audience.
I caught up with Nash on TribLIVE Radio for an interesting conversation. Here are some of the highlights:
LaBar: Thoughts on Ultimate Warrior in the Hall of Fame? Bob Backlund had a huge meltdown last year on stage. Will we get a meltdown from Warrior?
Nash: He's articulate. I don't think he'll have a meltdown. He's definitely deserving. I think Jim, well I guess I can't call him Jim because he goes by Warrior, but yeah, Warrior will be fine.
LaBar: What are your thoughts on WWE Network?
Nash: To me, it's an interesting concept. My only thing is they're such a media savvy (corporation), and I just don't know how many people have smart TVs. I just don't want to watch “WrestleMania” on a laptop. I'm just hoping they're able to keep their contacts with Direct (DirecTV) and with the other people — the people who don't want to watch, the old-school people who don't watch Hulu or anything else. Your old-standard NBC people still have a chance to see Mania. There's definitely not a lack of genius in the business model they put together. I think they're ahead of the curve. People are going to second guess this, and then, they will go “Wow.” Think they wanted to originally try and do what Oprah did. When they saw she wasn't having success, they said let's try to change the business model. My son doesn't want TV. He's 17. He's all online. I think when you look at their target demographic is, nobody in America can get the 14-22 demographic to watch television. That's a demographic people are trying to grab. If you can grab them online with this network, that's a home run. Nobody can touch this “Call of Duty” crew.
LaBar: Do you have a good Royal Rumble memory or story?
Nash: I think it was 1994 in Providence, you go in, and there is black board and chalk. It's written down who comes in, who eliminates who, and the whole thing is standing there. So I walk in, put my bag down and up to this point I had just been Shawn's bodyguard. I'm looking at the blackboard, and I think I came in seventh. It says Diesel comes in, and Diesel eliminates. I'm looking at it, and it says Diesel eliminates, Diesel eliminates, Diesel eliminates. I went whew, push. First time in my life, if this is a work they got me, but it looks like I'm getting a push tonight!
LaBar: I remember how you were walking back to the dressing room. I think Vince was on commentary and even he mentioned the chants from the crowd you were getting.
Nash: Yeah, that was the first time they chanted Diesel in any form or fashion. I think when I eliminated Virgil, there was like a minute until the next guy came down, so there was nothing else for them to do but chant it. It was written really well. It was basics. The psychology, the way it was written and way I was eliminating people, it didn't give them anything to do but chant my name. There was no reason to boo me because I was eliminating people.
LaBar: Glad you mentioned Virgil ... I don't know if you remember, but when Virgil came in the ring, to me it looked like he tagged you with a stiff punch, and I noticed you giving him some brutal forearm shots.
Nash: Yeah, I recall that. He was supposed to come in, take a couple shots and get eliminated. He started hanging around. I said, “Dude, you gotta go,” and he lit me with a shot, and I was like alright, you (angered me). Now you're going to take some shots.
