Ron Waterman interview
Submitted by Aaron "Lurch" Wilson on Monday, July 22, 2002 at 6:17 PM EST



Interview with Ron Waterman
7/22/02
Aaron "Lurch" Wilson
http://www.AaronLurchWilson.8m.com
AWLurch@hotmail.com


Aaron Wilson: I'd like to welcome my guest. He is a former UFC fighter and
WWE Developmental wrestler, who was recently released by the WWE. Ron
Waterman Ron, it's been a week from your release, how are you?

Ron Waterman: I'm doing good Aaron. Thanks for having me, buddy.

Aaron Wilson: Why do you think the decision to release you from your WWE
contract was made after two years?

Ron Waterman: Well..It's hard for me to say exactly, what their reasons
are, because they weren't real specific with me, when they gave me my
release. But I would think that it was one, because the ratings are real low
and they have to get rid of some talent. They're trying to be proactive
about all of this and not
reactive. And then one of the reasons they gave me is they said the creative
staff couldn't come up with any storylines. Which I don't know how solid
that information is but, if that's what they tell me then that is what I
have to go with.

Aaron Wilson: The common fan might see you and think that you're Scott
Steiner, as there is no doubt that the two of you are very similar in
appearance. Do you feel that the WWE's current interest in signing Scott
Steiner might have effected your release?

Ron Waterman: You know Aaron, I don't think it had anything to do with me
looking like Scott Steiner. My image can change overnight. I could come out
with black hair, no hair, no facial hair, a black beard, you know, whatever.
And totally change my look. I asked them quite a few times if they wanted me
to do that and they said that they didn't. So I really don't think that had
a bearing on my release.

Aaron Wilson: When exactly were you notified that you were being let go and
by who?

Ron Waterman: I was given notice a few days before the Ross Report came
out. A couple of weeks ago. I was talking with JR (Jim Ross) and sent him an
email asking him what the July booking schedule looked like, and how many
times I was going to be booked on that. He said that him and the creative
staff had been talking quite a bit and they just couldn't come up with any
thing for me and things just didn't look good right now, and that Johnny Ace
is going to be notifying me. Johnny then called me later that day and
informed me of my 90 day release, so that's kind of how it all happend.

Aaron Wilson: Were you ever given any warnings or hints that you may be
released?

Ron Waterman: No, none at all. When I wasn't booked a lot in July and then
in June I was only booked a couple of times. Before that I had been working
pretty steady every weekend for about the past six months doing dark matches
and house shows. I knew something was in the works, and my thinking was that
they were trying to get some new faces in there and give some other people
chances as well. I didn't really think it was because I was going to be
released.


Aaron Wilson: Considering the rapid decrease in RAW ratings and the
"bowling shoe ugly" television product. Do you think the product might have
hindered your chances at debuting on the air as a new talent?

Ron Waterman: Yeah, I think that had something to do with it because that is
one of the reasons why ratings are down. Part of it is the economy and part
of it is because the production of the WWE isn't as strong as it has been in
some times. When ratings are down, the money comes short and you've got to
make some cuts here and there and that is just what happens.

Aaron Wilson: You were in both OVW and HWA at points throughout your
career, while on the developmental roster. Can you share your experience
with me?

Ron Waterman: Well I was in OVW for a year and a half and that is kind of
where I learned everything. Then I was sent to down to HWA a couple of
times, when I was on the road with the WWE to work once for a month, then
other times for a couple of weeks. And it was a great learning experience, I
mean anybody who is coming in the company, those are the two places that you
need to go to learn. Now, HWA obviously isn't one of the developmental
territories (anymore) but as far as working with the top talent and having
top wrestlers teaching you how this crazy business works, it doesn't get
much better than OVW or HWA.

Aaron Wilson: Any plans for the future?

Ron Waterman: Well, I've got a lot of things in the works. It's kind of
exciting to see some things unfold here. I'm currently talking with New
Japan and hoping that I'm going to get a good run over there. I think that
with my background and being a larger american over there with a martial
arts background I think that I can do real well. And the pay is also really
well over there and I'm looking forward to that. I'm also looking into maybe
doing a couple more "No Holds Barred" fights, I may do a PRIDE show over in
Japan. I've been offered a couple of fights here in the US already: "King of
the Cage" and a couple of others. Nothing concrete right now. NWA could be
in the future for me as well, I haven't contacted them, but that would be
something I'm also interested in trying.

Aaron Wilson: Are you in any defenite negotiations with any other companies
right now?

Ron Waterman: No, nothing concrete, I mean I've made some phone calls and
some people have contacted me and we've talked. But really for the next 90
days my hands are tied, after that everything is wide open. My first option
right now would be New Japan.

Aaron Wilson: What is your ultimate goal for the future?

Ron Waterman: I would eventually like to get back in the US with the WWE. I
mean that's where I started out as my primary goal and I think that someday
I will be back with them, hopefully in the near future, when things look
better for the company and the ratings go back up. Maybe with a year of
working experience over in Japan would be all that it would take to get me
back in prime time and be a main eventer here in the US.

Aaron Wilson: Ron Waterman, thanks a lot. Do you have any final comments?

Ron Waterman: No, but you can keep up on my updates on my website,
http://www.RonWaterman.com pretty much every week which includes Journal entries and workout information, I've got all the news. So if you want to keep up
with my career just check that site out

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW AT: http://www.AaronLurchWilson.8m.com








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