First off, can you let me know what made you decide to get involved in professional wrestling?
Growing up wrestling was the number one bonding activity between my dad and I. He was a big-time fan and we used to go to live shows together, There are pictures if me with my wrestling figures growing up. So wrestling was important to me.
I wanted to ask about how much of a grind the WWE can be – how do you navigate that constant travel especially with a family and kids?
Very carefully! I can honestly say that I wish I would have done it better from the start – I’m reprioritizing my life now though. The grind never stops especially as we travel more and do more international shows. I always joke that we would all do the work for free – it’s the travel we get paid for. Dealing with the messed-up flights and hotel reservations – that happens all the time.
But I end up finding my family on the road. I’m closer to the people I work with then with my own brothers – I’m not proud of that. But that’s the way it is. I met my wife with the WWE.
Who were some of the mentors you had that really helped you in your career and how did you get your start? How so?
In the ring, Dusty Rhodes. He saw something in me and offered me suggestions on how to be better as a wrestler and to deal with the psychology of the business.
As an announcer, Michael Cole took a huge risk with me and taught me how to do commentary. He saw something in me he could help mold. He was patient with me and is now one of my best friends.
How did you navigate that transition from in-ring performer to announcing?
More grinding and lots of reps. When I first got the news that I was shutdown due to concussions from performing in the ring I dove into every aspect of the business the WWE would allow. Production, setting up speakers – anything.
In our performance center we have a commentary booth and I sat down there for eight hours a day with Rich Brennan, for eight months, just calling the same matches over and over, ad nauseum. Then I started practicing on camera and how to read the teleprompter.
I moved then to Connecticut to get closer to the TV studio. I did stuff for pre-shows and kick-off shows – anything they’d let me try. It was a total grind that people never see.
How do your Pittsburgh roots influence your approach to the sport and your character, do you think? What about being from Pittsburgh has impacted who you are the most?
It’s that blue collar mentality – I credit my work ethic with the Pittsburgh mentality. My parents are still the two hardest working people I know. That lends itself to the WWE culture.
There are a number of wrestlers from the area – is there any sort of community/discussion between all of you about those Pittsburgh roots?
We do yes – we have cameramen, a ton of in-ring talent – McAfee now too – that culture helped shape me.
In terms of spending time together – it’s often the opposite! We spend so much time together on the road. When we have time to spend with our families we take that – the last thing we want to do is spend even more time together!
You’ve been outspoken about your love of the city – what is it that you love most and where can we find you on a typical Saturday night out if you’re in town?
I actually live in Lawrenceville now – I came back to where it all began. In New Kensington years ago I did piercings at a tattoo and piercings studio. I tried but never finished learning how to do tattoos, but I still stay in touch with all of those guys. They are like my extended family.
Concussions impacted your in-ring career – how are you now and how were you able to transition so well into the announcing role from an in-ring performer?
The transition in a weird way saved me from what could have been. Instead of grieving over the loss of my dream as an in-ring performer, it gave me something new to focus my energy on while staying in the business. I found a new mountain to climb. In hindsight it really helped me deal with that loss.
I have a clean bill of health now, thanks. I actually got medically cleared a couple of years ago to perform in the ring again. I flirted with the idea and am waiting for a potential opportunity if it presents itself. More of a one-time ting like McAfee has done – not as a full-time in-ring performer.
What are some of the most memorable occurrences over your time there so far?
I think last Wrestlemania at a sold-out SoFi Stadium. The Miz was wrestling a mystery opponent when Shane McMahon came back. He was away for years so his return was huge. Well he got in the ring and the bell rings, and soon after he tears his quadriceps! Well Snoop Dog calls an audible and punches The Miz in the face and it was absolute chaos and I’m trying to explain things as they’re happening.
How much of this as an announcer are you actually in on and aware of?
There are those who need to know what’s going on but I don’t need to know and don’t want to know. I don’t want to sound like I am anticipating it – I want to sound as reactive as possible. If I asked they’d tell me – I just don’t want to know.
What is it like going back to Pittsburgh and seeing some of the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins in attendance?
I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Pittsburgh sports fan, as everyone who comes from Pittsburgh is. Of all the things I’ve gotten to do over my career, waiving the Terrible Towel on the sideline of a Steelers game was one of the biggest thrills for me. The same thing with doing some in-game hosting with the Penguins and working with the Pirates. Those were a bigger thrill for me than flying to someplace exotic. Those WWE opportunities are always fun, but there’s something special coming home as the prodigal son! It keeps me humble, rubbing shoulders with those guys.
Who from those teams are some of the bigger WWE fans? ? Any fun interactions with those guys?
I got to know Cam Heyward – he’s a big WWE fan. He and Shazier often sit behind the commentary booth when we’re in Pittsburgh. Kris Letang I’ve gotten to become friendly with too. It’s funny. I communicate some by phone and text with those guys but I still hold a weird reverence for them. I can’t stop being starstruck still. Derek Shelton is another one I’m friendly with, as well as some of the sports media guys.
It’s cool to be a part of that Pittsburgh energy. Everything in the city begins and ends with the sports teams and to be a part of that realm is insane to me.
What’s next for you – what would you like to accomplish next in your career?
The WWE is in the middle of the biggest boom it’s ever seen. We keep growing and that keeps me busy with new opportunities like live events in France, Australia and Germany. It keeps my plate full, but I do want to branch out. I’m not sure what that would look like yet – I’m not a great planner. I take life as it comes.
I would like to expand and make some inroads with the Pittsburgh sports teams. I was never an aspiring broadcaster growing up, but here I am now. I’ve become confident in what I can do now. It all fell in my lap and I’m confident now in being on screen and on the air. I’d like to possibly pursue that with one of our sports teams someday.