As a kid, he would admire WWE superstars and did everything possible as a crazy fan. Ryan Allen Reeves, popularly known by his ring name, Ryback told us very excitedly, how wrestling had always intrigued him and how he won all the contests on radio stations, watched the game and met the superstars when he was only 13. Not only did he manage to get a backstage access after winning the contest, but he also got a standing ovation from the crowd in las Vegas. looking down memory lane, he opens up about his work which he loves the most, his unusual workout routine and how he manages to get excited before each show.
Starteing his WWE career with ‘Tough Enough’, he was passionate enough to impress WWE officials to a point where they signed him. In his words, ‘The rest is history’. Dressed casually in a sweatshirt, with his pumped up muscles quite visible, we were thrilled to meet ‘The Big Guy’ of WWE.
Excerpts from the interaction
This is your second time in India, How does it feel to come backIJ
When I came here 14 years ago, with the WWE, one question that was constantly being asked to me was, ‘When is WWE coming back here’IJ Our Indian fans are passionate and love us, we are excited to come back here and give them a wonderful show. We came here on Wednesday so I have been working out and having a nice time.
So, do you follow any specific workout routineIJ
I have a very specific workout routine. I do stretching, little bit of yoga, we are trained in cardio muscular training. A lot of big guys in the past, they have the size but not the endurance to compete in the matches. That is why I prefer my cardio muscular training to fight in long matches and that is why I am able to do my power moves from the beginning to the end of a match. I am constantly changing my workout routine so that my body doesn’t get used to one specific thing along with maximizing my strength.
Were you aware of the immense fan following that you have in IndiaIJ
When I came here last time for the media, there were 30,000 people gathered in a mall to see me. It is till this date the most craziest and lovable moment that I have had.
One of the biggest target groups that WWE has, are kids. Do you feel a sense of responsibility being thrust on you because they follow whatever you do.
First and foremost thing that we say about WWE is that it is entertainment. It is like going to a movie and suspending your believes. This is the most physical form of entertainment in the world and it is the greatest. But, we always say, Don’t try this at home because we are skilled, trained, we have experience of many years. It takes a special mindset to be in WWE ring, we know exactly what we are doing. So, we never encourage anyone to try and replicate or duplicate what we do. But, it is an honour to have kids look up to you as a hero, we are larger than cartoon characters to them. I remember as a kid, looking at WWE superstars like that way. So, I am very thankful for the position that I am in, it is tremendous amount of responsibility but we all know what we signed for. There are times when I am out in public as Ryan Reeves but I have to remember that for the public, I am Ryback.(laughs)
You are indeed a big name in the industry now, but how did wrestling happen to youIJ
While growing up, I loved it. As a kid, I started watching it when I was six. My first big live event that I remember was in Thomas and Mack Center, las Vegas, I won all the local radio contests, I got to go at the backstage, meet the wrestlers, to go on the ring and be the bell ringer for the opening match, I got a standing ovation from the crowd in las Vegas, and then I decided that I wanted to be the WWE superstar. I grew up playing Soccer, and baseball. When you are a kid, you don’t think that becoming a WWE superstar is a realistic dream but in college, my baseball career came to an end. And then WWE ‘Tough Enough’ came along, and then I was given the opportunity to be on that and the rest is history.
But, are there times when ‘The Big Guy’ is nervous to go on stageIJ
After doing five shows in a week from last many years, you get excited but I strongly believe if you have put in the hard work for your preparation, you are always prepared. But, I get a natural excitement. There are times when we are tired because of the shows and travels. So, every night before a match, I pour two to three bottles of ice- cold water over my head and body just to wake up all my nerves. It gives me goosebumps usually, and I am ready to go. I love what I do, so I try to divert that energy into positive manner rather than making me nervous.
You know WWE is a game that you can never trust, one moment you are winning and the very next, someone comes in and beats you up. As viewers, it kills us, how do you deal with thatIJ
The best way to describe that is when you are in movie and if you are an actor, you are going to take up different roles throughout your career. Sometimes, you are going to be the main hero, sometimes you will be the villain and at times you will be playing a supporting role. And I try to take that same approach for the WWE. Sometimes, I am going to be the number one good guy and sometimes the bad guy. If Ryback is your favourite wrestler then you want me to be in that number one position always. I don’t let day to day happenings affect my mood because at the end of the day, I am a WWE superstar, I am living my dream, it is certainly that you have to adjust to. Because if you don’t, you are going to be here for a long time.
photo Sanjeev Kumar