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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