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Lance has many topics to cover including the influence of Chris Benoit's on-air character in Vance Archer's gimmick, teaming with Chris Candido during his tragic last match, learning of Candido's death, his initial reaction to the "Rock-n-Rave Infection" gimmick, shattering the "big man" stereotype, the reason for his original TNA name "Dallas", Kid Kash's attitude towards him early on, and lots more. For a full list of topics, head to: http://www.worldwrestlinginsanity.com/am2/publish/newsnotes/ClubWWI_Lance_Hoyt.shtml
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James Guttman's 37 minute interview with Lance Hoyt covered many topics, but obviously the most recent was his run as WWE's "Vance Archer". The character was different than many others Lance had played throughout his career. They discuss the way Hoyt changed public perception of "big man wrestlers" and the influences Chris Benoit had on the gimmick. But it was the name that James was intrigued by the most. The famous show "Archer" on FX began at nearly the exact same time that Lance began playing the gimmick. JG asks Hoyt about it and it the former Vance laughs. He then reveals the true reason for the name to ClubWWI.com listeners:
"Yeah. And the character (of Vance Archer) was nothing like the character on Archer…The name itself - some people like it and some people don't - "Vance" is actually a play on my name "Lance". And "Archer" is my dad's name. So yeah. That's how "Vance Archer" came into existence."
Strangely enough, that was the second time that Lance Hoyt found that he shared a name with a popular TV character. As soon as James Guttman says he has a three year old daughter, Hoyt knows the direction he's going. During his TNA days, Lance was known as "Lance Rock" - a name that any parent of a toddler knows well as the host of Nickelodeon's famous "Yo Gabba Gabba" TV Show. Guttman asks about the similarity and whether it was coincidence. Again, Hoyt laughs and tells ClubWWI members that, yes, it was all just a crazy coincidence…hopefully.
"Yeah. Absolutely. A friend of mine - a good friend of mine - his name is DJ Odem. He brought that up to my attention like as soon as it happened. He said, 'Oh. So you're like a cartoon or a children's TV show now?' And I was just like, 'What? What are you talking about?' He said, 'Google that name and see what happens.' That guy came up and I said, 'Oh my gosh.' My name of Lance Rock came about because we were the Rock-n-Rave Infection. Obviously Rave was Jimmy Rave and I was Lance Hoyt. For whatever reason, someone decided I needed to be Lance Rock. I was like, 'OK. No problem. I don't care.' So I was Lance Rock and he was Jimmy Rave. Some people joke, 'Does that make Christy Hemme the infection?' (laughs) I went, 'No, no, no. She's a great girl.' I always messed with her about that. She'd say, 'I am not the infection!' So I always messed with her in that sense. But Lance Rock, the children's TV character, was just a coincidence. I don't think the people who decided that I was going to be Lance Rock even knew or understood that person existed - at least I hope they didn't and it wasn't a joke on me. I don't know."
Regardless of the character he played or the places he worked, Lance Hoyt has achieved many things in his career that young stars dream of. James points to his inclusion in WWE's most recent installment of the Smackdown vs. Raw video game as proof of that. As the ClubWWI.com discussion continues, Lance shows the positive attitude he has about all he's done and even if he hangs up his boots, he'll be able to say he's done many things that others only hoped for…
"If I have to stop wrestling today, regardless of what I feel I could still accomplish so on and so forth, I've had a pretty cool little run. I have an action figure. I've been in a video game. I can't play the game for anything. I'm a horrible gamer. But it's super cool to know I was going to be in the game and then when I got to see and actually play the character, it’s a lot of fun to be able to say I made it into a video game. There's a lot of people who don't get to say that who have been in and around the business. Like I said, if I have to stop today, I've accomplished a decent amount. I can't be sad. I can't be mad. I mean, there are some things I'd like to still accomplish and think I can if the opportunity is given. But if I don't and nothing else happens, I've done a decent amount. I've gotten to walk out in front of a WrestleMania crowd. I have an action figure in my trophy case. I have a video game that I can pop in and play as myself and show friends, family, kids, and grandkids - if I have those in the future. So it's pretty cool actually. Very, very cool."
Remember, Lance Hoyt's 37 minute interview is just one of hundreds you can hear the second you sign up on ClubWWI.com from stars like Jesse Ventura, Jerry Lawler, Eric Bischoff, and others. Also, be sure to follow Lance Hoyt on Twitter @LanceHoyt.
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