SG> When did you start training with Ed Sharkey?
RWH> I would say early '82.
SG> How did you break into the business?
RWH> I took a trip out to Vancouver with Ravishing Rick Rude. I did three matches, got homesick, and came home. Me and Rick drove all the way out there, 1800 miles, and drove all the way back. About got killed a few times falling asleep at the wheel.
SG> Where you a wrestling fan growing up? And did you have a favorite wrestler?
RWH> I wasn't. I was working out at Jesse Ventura's gym, but I wouldn't say he was my favorite wrestler. If I looked up to anyone in terms of style, it was "Superstar" Billy Graham.
SG> Who came up with the idea of teaming you guys up "Precious" Paul Ellering?
RWA> Ole Anderson.
SG> What is your opinion of Ellering as a manager?
RWH> He was a legitimate shoot manager. He made three hundred and something thousand dollars just to walk down to the ring. He is a brilliant man. He has a 162 IQ. We didn't take the heat, he did. He took the heat because he knew how to deal with promoters because they couldn't outsmart him.
SG> When did you guys start using the "Ironman" entrance theme music?
RWH> Almost immediately. It was either going to be that or "Dirty Laundry" because we liked 'kick 'em when their up, kick 'em when their down, kick 'em all around' kind of thing. "Ironman" just seemed more to fit us. We wanted to be different. We didn't want to be black and white. We wanted to be noticed, and we knew that we would have to do different things. And we did it. We started with regular Harley Davidson hats and clothes. Paint came later, and so did the haircuts.
SG> You started in Vancouver, where did Animal start?
RWH> With Jim Crockett promotions. He got a break with Ole, and did Georgia Championship Wrestling. Matt Borne got in a trial, some capital case, I don't remember what it was for, and they let him go. Buzz Sawyer and him had the belts, so what they did was held a tournament in Chicago, and they put us over and we won the belts.
SG> When did you start working for Crockett?
RWH> Around early '84.
SG> When did you start working for the AWA?
RWH> We worked for the AWA and NWA at the same time after we were done with Ole. We had other contacts. We wanted to go back to Minnesota to work, where we were both living now, and our families were there. They both were fighting over us. We were really the first team that was working for two promotions at the same time. And then Crockett gave us an offer we couldn't refuse.
SG> You guys won the 1986 Crockett Cup. Do you think a tournament of that kind could work today?
RWH> It could, anything is workable. Depends on how good the talent is. I think something that would work better than that is the simple War Games again. I think there are things lacking in wrestling right now.
SG> When did you make your debut in Japan?
RWH> Late '85 or early '86?
SG> Do you have a favorite match of yours?
RWH> The first War Games.
SG> When did you first start working for the WWF?
RWH> Early '90.
SG> How did that come about?
RWH> They flew us out to his house, Vince McMahon, and we basically cut a deal. It wasn't a set deal, but he paid us well and things were good the first time around, expect I got disenfranchised since I was kind of a rebel and he was kinda controlling. I basically kinda walked, and then shortly after that Animal received an injury, and then we were apart for four years. I was in Japan with a new tag team partner.
SG> When did you leave the WWF?
RWH> August 31, 1992.
SG> I was always under the impression you split up because of Animal's injury?
RWH> We never really split up. I wished him good luck with his deal and knew he would do fine. I told him I'm sure we'll be together again, nothing is going to keep us separated.
SG> I assume you were still under contract to the WWF in August '92. Did you just ask for your release?
RWH> I called Vince's office, got his secretary, and she said he wasn't in and I just told them I quit.
SG> They brought you back in 1998 as LOD 2000. Did you think that was a good move, and who's idea was it?
RWH> Either McMahon or Vince Russo, I don't know. But it wasn't my idea, it wasn't Animal's idea. Believe me.
SG> How did the 'drunk' angle come about?
RWH> It wasn't my idea, it was Vince McMahon's idea, and he approached Animal and he said he didn't want to do it. Any time we turned down something anyhow, which we did a lot, and maybe that's why he came up with this scenario. But regardless, I did it because I was under contract, and basically, someone has to do it, and I'll have fun with it, I thought. Some people took it seriously. They tell you they see you drunk on TV, and you're trying to teach your kids, and it was tough. So we had a clause in our contracts that said that we had to be used in a positive light, we had forgotten about it, and our lawyers reminded us of it, and we spent the third year of contract at home and getting paid. He could have utilized us for autograph signing, but he chose not too, that's ok, no problem!
SG> Do you consider the Road Warriors as the greatest tag team in wrestling history?
RWH> That could sound pretty conceited, but I'm pretty bias. What I can say is that we won every title in every division in the top companies and in Japan. Me and Animal got the AWA belts, which you can't do anymore. The NWA belts, which you really can't do anymore, unless your on TNA. The WCW belts two or three times. Vince's belts, WWF twice. AWF and IWF belts, the Crockett Cup, we got tag team of the year six out of our first eight years. We were voted tag team of the decade and tag team of the century. You sum that up, and I'll let you answer it.
SG> Have you ever used steroids?
RWA> Yes.
SG> Do you think there is a steroid problem in wrestling?
RWH> I don't know if there is now, but there used to be. I don't keep in tune with the show, if I'm not working for one of the major promotions. Doing it all my life, I don't really enjoy watching it that much. I've seen enough, I've done enough, and I've enjoyed it enough. I really don't know any of the names who is there anymore. We are doing the Europe stuff, some stuff coming up in India. We are playing that independent game, and enjoying some nice non tension locker rooms.
SG> Have you had any side effects from using steroids?
RWH> No. I had hepatitis C, which I beat. I was very lucky I had very little liver damage. There are three sections to your liver. There is a main lobe, there is a smaller lobe, and there is the portal system which is like the vein system, and I just had a slight infection there. And that's when I was out awhile, that's a strong powerful drug. It makes you feel like you have the flu when you take a shot.
SG> Do you watch either WWE or Jarrett's NWA TNA?
RWH> I'm interested in the stuff I'm doing right now, not in the stuff anybody else is doing. I've never really been one of those watchers. If I did, it was when I had a bad match and I wanted to see what it looked like on TV. Sometimes they look better than you think, and sometimes you'll think you had a great match and be disappointed when you see it on TV.
SG> Do you have any professional regrets?
RWH> No, I don't think so. I pretty much played the game the way I wanted to. We're still doing it, and we're still good at it. I've been very fortunate.
SG> Have you ever refused to do a job?
RWH> Yes, but I don't believe in turning down anything, while under contract.
SG> Do you prefer wrestling babyface or heel?
RWH> I really miss being a heel, just because it's fun.
SG> Did you read Missy Hyatt's book, and is there anything you want to respond to in it?
RWH> No, I have been told about it. Our relationship wasn't a long one; she is right on that.
SG> When did you date her?
RWH> '92 or '93.
SG> Ever consider writing a book yourself?
RWH> Yeah, I will, I guarantee it.
SG> I know Animal and Johnny Ace (WWE Agent) are brothers. Ever consider using that to maybe get back with them?
RWH> There has been talk of it. I have called the WWF front office. At this point, we need to bury the hatchet. That's what needs to be done with me and Vince McMahon. I'm sure I got on his nerves, and he knows he got on mine. It's workable, anything is possible in this business. I won't say that I'm going there, but I won't say that I'm not going there. I certainly have not been invited to the WWF by any means, but anything is possible.
SG> Do you think the main reason you are not with them is your heat with Vince McMahon?
RWH> Some touchy subjects have come up over the past, yeah.
SG> Do you have an official web site?
RWH> Yes, roadwarriorsinc.com
SG> How does the Japanese wrestling fans compare to the American fans?
RWH> In Tokyo, they are not much different at all, they are pretty wild. In other smaller towns, they are very subdued. They respect it differently over there. Its harder way to make a living. I have had every one of my serious injuries occur over there. The business is stiff over there. That's the way I like any ways. I don't like when guys get in the ring and miss me with a punch, I'd rather feel it.
SG> What was your most serious injury?
RWH> I have had my shoulder separated twice, and broke my left leg. I think the most bothersome one I ever had was broken ribs.
SG> Do you have another job besides wrestling?
RWH> I do some work with God. I do some ministerial work, I'm a Christian, and I have been to some places where I talk to people. I consider that not a hobby, but a job.
SG> What does the future hold for you?
RWH> You just never know. We are up in the air because right now, I'm in great shape; Animal is in great shape. Vince McMahon got all mad at me when I got out of shape when I was acting like a drunk, and I said to him, logically, why would anyone want to go to the gym if they were a drunk? I'm in a good shape at 45. I can go up or down ten pounds in weight real easy.
SG> How much longer do you for see yourself in the ring?
RWH> Not much longer. It depends. My body is handling it pretty well, and as long as I can go and look presentable, I guess I'll do it because the money is good.
SG> Do you have a message for the Road Warrior fans?
RWH> Thanks for all the years! We definitely got some fans out there, its like a cult following. And to anyone that reads this, I have hardly ever turned down anyone for an autograph. I try to find time for everybody.
Name Association
SG> Vince McMahon
RWH> Complex.
SG> Antonio Inoki
RWH> Good business man.
SG> "Precious" Paul Ellering
RWH> Brilliant.
SG> Sunny
RWH> I have no problem with her.
SG> Missy Hyatt
RWH> I have no problem with her, I mean, I never think of her, that's for sure. (laugh)
SG> Jim Crockett Jr.
RWH> Was always good to us.
SG> Verne Gagne
RWH> Good payoff man.
SG> Road Warrior Animal
RWH> My best friend.
SG> Vince Russo
RWH> An idiot.
SG> Jake "The Snake" Roberts
RWH> I worry about him.
SG> Road Warrior Hawk
RWH> Just a regular guy with a weird job.
