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RAMPAGE JACKSON, DIXIE CARTER & MORE DISCUSS JACKSON'S NEW DEAL WITH SPIKE, TNA & BELLATOR: FULL TRANSCRIPT

By Mike Johnson on 2013-06-06 14:56:30
Operator: And we'll go next to (Alex Scoff) with Online World of Wrestling.

(Alex Scoff): Thank you very much for taking my call. My first question is for Dixie Carter. Dixie, you've definitely took a lot of chances with TNA Impact Wrestling. Famously you signed Adam Pacman Jones to a similar situation where he's a two sport athlete. This is your third MMA fighter. Bobby Lashley, Muhammed Lawal being the other two.

Is there - what are the positives to signing a MMA fighter as far as creating a new audience or retaining an audience between the pro wrestling and mixed martial arts fan bases. And secondly is there any concerns that the mixture of professional wrestlers and mixed martial arts fighters could cause any unfit criticism of professional wrestlers.

Dixie Carter: I don't think so at all, and I totally agree with what Rampage is saying as far as, you know, I think for MMA it would be better for it to be more entertaining. And I think that's what Bjorn - when I watch those tournaments that's what I see more of. And he embraces that, and I think that's what you know makes it make sense. You know, with Pacman I mean it wasn't what we had hoped it had been. You know, he was - bought a ring. It was in his backyard. He had a trainer. The titan shut us down. But, you know, we got a ton of exposure from it.

I remember being, you know, at a hotel in a sports bar and every single network - I couldn't go a minute and a half without one of the sports networks, you know, running a story on it and talking about it. So at a time when we needed a lot of exposure that worked for us. Bobby Lashley we never worked. He did come in and do a wrestling stint with us, but we never got to you know let, you know, - work with him at a two sport capacity. You know, so Mo and Rampage will be the first time that we've really done this.

And, you know, I'll echo what Rampage says. I mean this is a really unique association between Kevin and Bjorn and myself as it comes to these talented athletes. And, you know, we have some pretty big platforms each of us. But combined it's a very powerful. And I think from that when we get this going you're going to see some exciting things.

(Alex Scoff): Thank you very much, Dixie. My next question is for Quinton. Quinton, the word that you keep repeating to us this entire press conference is fun. I want to ask you about a word pressure. Bjorn Rebney has the ability to find young hungry guys from across the world. Renato Babalu Sobral and King Mo Lawal both experienced losses in their first debuts in Bellator to these young lions.

What pressure are you feeling to face these young guys -- even a heavyweight -- that would love to make a name off of MMA hall of famer such as yourself. I don't know if you're in one yet, but certainly you have the credentials to be. And then secondly TNA Wrestling has set a high standard for professional wrestling employing legends such as Hulk Hogan and Sting, Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode, James Storm.

How at your age -- not that you're old -- but at your age how much pressure are you feeling that you have to now learn a brand new discipline of professional wrestling, and then that you will be -- because of your background -- expected to perform at a higher level than someone for example that TNA gives an opportunity to do the gut check challenge.

Quinton Jackson: Man you give some long questions.

(Alex Scoff): I thought all night about it.

Quinton Jackson: Okay, well let me break something down to you. Like what's wrong with losing if you go out there and you did your job and entertained the fans. What's so bad about losing? There's no pressure. That pressure right there - I relieve that pressure already like with myself. It's just - the only thing is after I loss then I got to hear about it from the fans.

But that's no pressure. That's annoyance, you know what I'm saying. I get annoyed by that. Oh, you know, you lost. So what, you know what I'm saying. I still did my job. I still entertained people, you know what I'm saying.

Like if I go out there I'm going to try to knock somebody out. I'm going to try to slam people. I'm going to try to destroy them. But if I get beat in the process I just hope it's a good fight. So all that pressure's gone. So yes it's still fun. It's fun for me to get out there and entertain the fans. And at the end of the day I'm making my living what I chose to do to provide for my family.

And the pro wrestling, yes, you know, it'll be a lot of pressure like out there with the best like Hulk Hogan and Sting and Kurt Angle and, you know what I'm saying, all those guys yes, you know. I think it's like a dream come true. Like that's what I wanted to do. Like if you're going to let pressure stop you from fulfilling your dreams then, you know what I'm saying, you robbing yourself. So that's the last thing I think about is losing and pressure and not doing this and not doing that. I just go and do it.


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