Pro-Wrestling Konnan Q&A Session

Last updated 4 December 1999

This interview was conducted on 3 December by Jason Powell of the Pro Wrestling Torch.

Thanks to The Torch for allowing this excerpt.

Question: When Eric Bischoff was in charge of WCW, you were one of his more outspoken critics. What is your take on the new regime of Bill Busch, Vince Russo, and Ed Ferrara?

Konnan: Well, Bill Busch at least says hi to you. I think he has done an incredible job of trying to boost morale and trying to instill in people the idea that nobody is above the law. And that people aren't going to be able to get away with what they did before.

Before it was almost like the top stars got away with murder and let you know that they did. Vince and Ed are basically letting everyone know that they are not going to allow the same thing that sabotaged Terry Taylor's booking to happen, which was top stars vetoing what they didn't like.

And as you can see they've used a lot more wrestlers in the current storylines. I'm not sure what they're trying to do with veterans by having them in such important spots, unless they are going to help elevate the younger guys. But it's something that remains to be seen. It is too early to tell.

Question: What areas in WCW do you feel still need improvement?

Konnan: Basically, the wealth has to be shared on house shows. I think that Vince and Ed should try to sit down with people who are working programs together and explain to them what they want and where it is going because they're so fast–paced. It isn't so much that people are going say they don't want to do it, but you want to do it right rather than being told…

I'll give you an example. When the Filthy Animals first came out we weren't sure if they wanted us to be heels or if they wanted us to be faces or what they wanted us to do and it was very confusing for all us. I just think they should get together with the people working programs and let them know.

Because the agents, for the most part, are just giving you finishes and telling you… they're very superficial. And a lot of the times, I don't even think that they agree with some of the stuff that they're being told. And I don't think that they convey exactly what they want.

Question: Are you a fan of the WWF product? And if so, would you like to wrestle there before you retire?

Konnan: I'm a fan of the WWF product, but I'm also a fan of whoever was writing the show, which was Ed and Vince. I just feel that the WWF has always known how to make stars. They've proven that with Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, with Steve Austin, with Mankind. For whatever reason, WCW hasn't been that good at doing that.

I would like to be one of WCW's first (home-made) stars. Obviously they've done it with Goldberg, but I'm a fan of anything that is hip, that is cutting edge. That's what I'm a fan of. That's why I was a huge fan of ECW when they first started. And I was a huge fan of my own work in AAA when I was booking.

As far as working for the WWF before I retire, that would be great. I think it would be great if I don't get to where I need to be in WCW within the next two years.

Question: You brought up your booking days in AAA. Have either Russo or Ferrara sought you out for advice or are they open to listening to yours or others ideas?

Konnan: I've given them a couple of ideas. They haven't used them yet, but that's not to say that they're not listening to me. It's like moving into a new house. You've got to connect the phone and the electricity. You've got to put in the rug and whatever. They're still moving into the house and I'm sure they have a plethora of ideas. But when they need some of mine, I'm sure they'll come to me.

There are a lot of guys in the business who I admire like Chris Jericho and Raven, who have young, creative minds. All they do is think and breathe wrestling. I'm the same way. I don't watch wrestling all of the time; I actually watch a lot of entertainment shows so I can get ideas for wrestling. Maybe one day they'll use me.

I know Eric (Bischoff) actually offered me a job before he left. Last January, I remember it perfectly, he told me, "I've been told that you have a good mind for the sport and I would like to bring you in in March so you can book stuff for the cruiserweights."

I said, "Well, unless I'm going to get a raise, I'm not interested. I'm not going to do it for free." And I guess he didn't like that answer.

But I think sooner or later, I think when people see that you can get yourself over, sometimes that means that you can get others over and they'll come to you for ideas. I've seen that happen throughout history. But I think my track record is pretty good. AAA did phenomenal business and you've seen some of the talent that came out of there. I'm sure one day or another I'll help give ideas.

Question: How do you feel about active wrestlers booking?

Konnan: I think that I was very much like Hiro Hase or (Mitsuharu) Misawa, guys that were able to do jobs for the good of the company. I think most American bookers are like, "I'm going to make sure I keep myself over and keep my friends over."

One of the reasons I had so much heat in Mexico when I was a booker was because if you were my friend and you didn't have any talent, I'd let you keep a job, but I wasn't going to push you. If you weren't my friend like in the case of Vampiro or Pierroth or Mascara Sagrada, it didn't matter to me. It was money, so I pushed them anyway. After the show, we didn't hang out.

If you look back, you used to have guys that would to go to some of my matches like John Williams - I don't know if he still works with you guys - and that other "buckethead," Chris Zavisa - they used to go to the shows all of the time. And they saw that I was willing to put other people over for the benefit of the company. It's very hard, though. I think in America they have the mentality that once I take the book, I'm going to push me and my friends.

Question: I'll now throw a few names your way. Give me your thoughts on each. First, three wrestlers getting a big push by Russo and Ferrara - Goldberg, Bret Hart, and Buff Bagwell?

Konnan: Goldberg is extremely lucky, but at the same time he parlayed that luck into fame and money. He has a good heart. I think he's been given a lot of bad advice intentionally by people who wanted to see him fail.

You know what, Bret Hart once made a comment about me in his column in Canada that hurt me. [Editor's note: Hart wrote that Konnan should bathe more.] I've always had respect for him because when I was in the WWF he always treated me good. And his father gave me a tremendous break in Canada and treated me incredibly well. I saw that "Biography" on Owen Hart on A&E and it made me cry. Some of the comments Bret made made me have a new respect for him. I have a lot of respect for him now.

Buff Bagwell has all of the ingredients to be a superstar. I think sometimes his attitude gets him in trouble with the top guys. A lot of the top guys' feeling is that you need to do what they tell you and that you need to act a certain way and he refuses to do that, so he's got a lot of heat with the top guys.

Question: Vampiro?

Konnan: A very good worker. A tremendous mark for himself, but he seems to be getting better. I think it is because of this guy Jerry (Only) from the Misfits because he is such a nice guy. I think it is rubbing off on him a little bit, but Vampiro is definitely the kind of guy that when you first meet him, like a lot of wrestlers, will charm the pants off of you, but later on you will see who is really behind the mask.

Question: Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage?

Konnan: He never really did anything for me as a performer, even when I was a fan before I started wrestling. I always liked Macho (Randy Savage). I think he (Hogan) is very insecure and I think he really could have given a lot back to the sport that made him what he is. But he's done more damage than good. He's a guy that has managed to stay on top.

Savage is probably the guy that I patterned a lot of my outfits that I wore in Mexico. If you remember, they were the most elaborate and the most costly. I was very wild like he was when I was in Mexico. It's sad to see that he has turned into a Hulk Hogan of sorts.

Question: How about three guys often associated with each other. Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Dallas Page? How are they different from each other and how do you get along with them?

Konnan: Wow. Kevin Nash, even just talking about him breaks my heart. He's one of the funniest, cleverest guys that I've ever met in my life, but at the same time can be the most vindictive S.O.B. if you cross him. We'll never be as close as we were because he's a type of guy who holds grudges. Believe it or not, to me he'll always be a good friend.

Regarding Scott Hall, I have so much respect and admiration for him. I've spent hours just talking to him and he's one of the greatest guys I've ever met. I love him to death. He's one of the smartest guys I've ever met. He's been like my mentor and I could literally sit around and talk to him all day and party with him all night. I wish I could hang out with him more because he's a great, great guy.

Dallas Page is probably the hardest working guy I've ever seen in this business, especially at his age. I think he is also insecure sometimes because I think he knows time is running out on him. But I don't think he's really a bad guy. I think he just tries to protect himself from all of the sharks that tried to bury him in his career.

Question: Finally, your old boss, Eric Bischoff?

Konnan: Actually, sometimes very funny and very intelligent. Other times, just a repulsive S.O.B. He definitely has two personalities. Sometimes he could be a really nice guy and sometimes he could be the biggest prick you've ever met. That's basically all I can say about him.