Kellie
07-17-2010, 06:37 AM
Since the days of Hulk Hogan, the WWE championship has been hotly contended.
The half-sport/half-entertainment spectacle that is professional wrestling is full of champions losing and regaining the belt as well as heroes, villians, grudge matches, rivalries, betrayals and all the stuff that makes for great TV.
Since his debut last year, current WWE champion Sheamus has held the title twice. And he says he won't let John Cena take it from him again.
Born in Dublin, the champ is quite recognizable by his flame-red, spiky hair and goatee as well as his pale-white complexion.
Before arriving in town, Sheamus called in from Florida to talk professional wrestling, being the champ, this weekend's event and his action figure.
Q: What's being the WWE champion like?
A: It's the best feeling in the world. When you spend your whole life with one goal in mind and you achieve that goal twice in one year, it's phenomenal.
It's all worthwhile. I couldn't be happier.
Q: What about being the first Irish-born champion in the WWE?
A: I think it's very important. It's great to be the first of anything.
It also shows the way the company is going. It's expanding globally. This year, we're going to China; we go to Japan every year; we go to Australia, New Zealand and Europe a couple times a year.
We're pretty much expanding all the time and it shows that it's now become more of a global company. There's more opportunities for global WWE entertainers out there.
Q: How did you get into wrestling?
A: I always wanted to become a sports entertainer. I watched the WWE on TV in Ireland since I was a nipper. I've been a massive fan from Andre the Giant to Bret Hart to Triple H to (Stone Cold Steve) Austin to the Rock.
I've always been a massive, massive fan and I was determined to do it no matter what, but it took me some time to find my route to get here. I performed in Europe and across the UK and Ireland. Eventually I got a tryout and (the WWE) finally signed me.
I never wanted to do anything else. Right now, I'm living the dream.
Q: I saw you're getting your own action figure. Are you excited about it?
A: I haven't actually seen it yet. We're so busy running around doing shows — four or five shows a week — I literally haven't had a chance. I'll wait until I have it in my hands. It's pretty exciting stuff.
I heard they had to order a special type of white plastic for the figure (for Sheamus' pale complexion), so that was a bit of a headache for Mattel. That was funny and I always like to give people headaches.
Q: What can we expect to see this weekend?
A: This Saturday at the Qwest Center, it's going to be me, Jack Swagger, Chris Jericho and Edge taking on John Cena, Randy Orton, Big Show and Rey Mysterio. The main event at the Qwest Center this Saturday is going to be a big deal for me.
For me, it's a privilege and I know what I have to be doing. I've gotten to be champion for a second time and there's no way I'm going to let Cena take it back from me.
They're sticking me in a steel cage (with Cena) on pay-per-view at “Money In The Bank” this Sunday from Kansas City.
We're trying to entertain fans and show them a good time. We make sure that the fans go home happy. It's something for people to switch off for a couple of hours, to take your mind off it and get into the show.
Q: Did you ever get into other sports?
A: I've always been athletic and played other sports. I played rugby and played soccer, played Gaelic football and played hurling as well, briefly.
Hurling is not a fun sport especially when you kept missing it. I was good at rugby and Gaelic football because I could just grab the ball and mow through people.
Q: Saturday's event sounds like fun. Are you excited?
A: I'll come out with a big grin on me face.
You'll see the greatest superstar that ever lived, the first Irish-born superstar, the “Celtic Warrior” Sheamus. You'll get to see me and my beautiful Irish tan. (Laughs)
omaha.com
The half-sport/half-entertainment spectacle that is professional wrestling is full of champions losing and regaining the belt as well as heroes, villians, grudge matches, rivalries, betrayals and all the stuff that makes for great TV.
Since his debut last year, current WWE champion Sheamus has held the title twice. And he says he won't let John Cena take it from him again.
Born in Dublin, the champ is quite recognizable by his flame-red, spiky hair and goatee as well as his pale-white complexion.
Before arriving in town, Sheamus called in from Florida to talk professional wrestling, being the champ, this weekend's event and his action figure.
Q: What's being the WWE champion like?
A: It's the best feeling in the world. When you spend your whole life with one goal in mind and you achieve that goal twice in one year, it's phenomenal.
It's all worthwhile. I couldn't be happier.
Q: What about being the first Irish-born champion in the WWE?
A: I think it's very important. It's great to be the first of anything.
It also shows the way the company is going. It's expanding globally. This year, we're going to China; we go to Japan every year; we go to Australia, New Zealand and Europe a couple times a year.
We're pretty much expanding all the time and it shows that it's now become more of a global company. There's more opportunities for global WWE entertainers out there.
Q: How did you get into wrestling?
A: I always wanted to become a sports entertainer. I watched the WWE on TV in Ireland since I was a nipper. I've been a massive fan from Andre the Giant to Bret Hart to Triple H to (Stone Cold Steve) Austin to the Rock.
I've always been a massive, massive fan and I was determined to do it no matter what, but it took me some time to find my route to get here. I performed in Europe and across the UK and Ireland. Eventually I got a tryout and (the WWE) finally signed me.
I never wanted to do anything else. Right now, I'm living the dream.
Q: I saw you're getting your own action figure. Are you excited about it?
A: I haven't actually seen it yet. We're so busy running around doing shows — four or five shows a week — I literally haven't had a chance. I'll wait until I have it in my hands. It's pretty exciting stuff.
I heard they had to order a special type of white plastic for the figure (for Sheamus' pale complexion), so that was a bit of a headache for Mattel. That was funny and I always like to give people headaches.
Q: What can we expect to see this weekend?
A: This Saturday at the Qwest Center, it's going to be me, Jack Swagger, Chris Jericho and Edge taking on John Cena, Randy Orton, Big Show and Rey Mysterio. The main event at the Qwest Center this Saturday is going to be a big deal for me.
For me, it's a privilege and I know what I have to be doing. I've gotten to be champion for a second time and there's no way I'm going to let Cena take it back from me.
They're sticking me in a steel cage (with Cena) on pay-per-view at “Money In The Bank” this Sunday from Kansas City.
We're trying to entertain fans and show them a good time. We make sure that the fans go home happy. It's something for people to switch off for a couple of hours, to take your mind off it and get into the show.
Q: Did you ever get into other sports?
A: I've always been athletic and played other sports. I played rugby and played soccer, played Gaelic football and played hurling as well, briefly.
Hurling is not a fun sport especially when you kept missing it. I was good at rugby and Gaelic football because I could just grab the ball and mow through people.
Q: Saturday's event sounds like fun. Are you excited?
A: I'll come out with a big grin on me face.
You'll see the greatest superstar that ever lived, the first Irish-born superstar, the “Celtic Warrior” Sheamus. You'll get to see me and my beautiful Irish tan. (Laughs)
omaha.com