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Cactus Jack Prodigy Chat - October 1995

Do you think that youll ever face Sabu again?

We just had our first match as teammates in
Chicago...That was more fun than wrestling him.
But, if any promoter wants the match, I'd be happy
to do it anytime.

What is your greatist accomplishment?

CJ: The fact that I'm still around and making a
living, and still feel good enough to play with my
kids. I feel better now than I did several years
ago. For people who wrote me off as a guy who'd be
done soon...I guess I proved them wrong.

What are your views on WCW and WWF ?

I am watching more than I used to. I watched the
Nitro and Raw, and I think it is better than it's
been in a long time. Obviously there are some
things that I don't like, but those groups aren't
catering to guys like me. They have a diverse
audience.

What is your greatest accomplishment in ECW?

CJ: The time I spoke about the Cane Dewey sign. I
think if I retired today...I'd have to say that
was the best and most emotional thing I've ever
done. It was all true.

Cactus, tell us about your more serious injuries
you have suffered in the ring. I hear there have
been many

There was a chart in PWI listing all my injuries.
I guess there isn't room to go into how many there
have really been. The worst one from an athstetic
standpoint was my ear because I'll look like a
freak when it comes time to get a real job. But my
knee and torn stomach muscle hurt a lot worse.

Cactus, will you ever become a face again?

I'm whatever you want me to be. Will I ever go out
of my way to be cheered again...I don't know. It
got to the point in ECW where I would become so
damn mad at the audience that I was thinking about
leaving. A lot. So, what I'm doing now is my way
of saying...I'll stay but I'll do it my way.

Why did Ole Anderson dump you out of WCW?

I think you have your facts missed up. I left WCW
on my own in 1990.

I actually had a long talk with Ole before I gave
my notice. Some people were mad at Ole for his low
opinion of me...but if I had stayed even without
Ole in charge, I would probably be out of
wrestling now. Thanks Ole.


Will you ever sell out to Bischoff?


CJ: What do you mean sell out? I made a move with my heart when I left...and found out that your heart shouldn't get involved in your business decisions. People criticize Ric Flair for selling out. The only difference between Flair and the fans saying so is that Flair's price is a helluva lot higher.


What is the best match you have ever had?


CJ: Best match I've ever had...barbed wire match in Japan with Funk. It was my first tour there, and it was kind of a tone setter for credibility in IWA. Even though it was the only time I wrestled Funk until the recent show, people talked about it and kept interest in it.


How do you come up with your interviews? Do you just think about it and then do it, or do you have another system?


CJ: I usually just have a couple of thoughts. Then just go with it. Sometimes I don't have any thoughts, and those interviews probably aren't that good. People seem to like the ones I'm doing now...and if they are as good as people think they are, it's simply because I feel I have something to say.


Would you ever team with Raven to form a formidable force and go for the ECW tag titles?


CJ: I'd love to. Raven and I have hit it off since the day we met. He's never quite forgiven me for not inviting him to my son's first birthday party, so I feel like I owe him. Besides, I just had to get in on this Dreamer thing. He's such a hardcore brown noser.


How do you see the sport of wrestling in say,10 years from now?


CJ: I see it continuing the way it's happening now. You will have hardcore fans, the ones wanting violence. Despite what most people think...I don't think they are the same thing. With UFC a strong style wrestling, anybody that wants to see wrestling has a choice.


Cactus, how is your son and wife?


CJ: Don't you like my daughter? They are all doing very well, and are happy to be moving back to Atlanta.


What is your opinion on Stevie Richards?


CJ: I think Stevie is great. It's great to see the change in reaction to Stevie. The respect that people are gaining for him. To be honest, when I first saw where they were going with Stevie....I didn't think it would work. I guess that is about the most wrong I have ever been.


Will you ever be in another barbed wire match?

CJ: Probably several hundred. I'm doing 18 tours in IWA next year, and chances are probably decent that I'll see barbed wire again. I'll take barbed wire in my flesh than that Steve Williams suplex in my head any day.


Kick ass match in Chicago last weekend. How do you like working in front of a Lucha-oriented crowd, and do you plan on working for AAA/IWAS on a regular basis in the future??


CJ: I thought it was great. I have no problem with the different crowd. I have confidence that what I do will work anywhere. Even the challenge of throwing fans out of our dressing room, and dodging bottles was kind of fun.


What do you regret most about your career in pro wrestling?


CJ: The night in 1988 I was supposed to wrestle Bruiser Brody, but they changed the card...I got Atlas, and Brody got Johnny Valiant. He would probably have beaten the hell out of me, but at least I could have said I was in there.


Do you think you'll ever wind up in the WWF?


CJ: Yes, I'd like to. I grew up watching WWF and I think everybody in wrestling wants to at least see what it's like there. I've always said there was nothing wrong with being there. Some of the matches they have are as good as anything in the world. If done right, it would probably be a helluva run.


How is your ear?


CJ: Still MIA...if you see it, let me know.


Who do you think is the best champ right now? Hulk Hogan or Diesel?


CJ: Well, Hogan is the biggest draw in the history of the sport. My feelings for Diesel are a lot more personal because I've only met Hulk a couple of times. I think anyone who has ever known Diesel is happy for him, because he always wanted to improve...and made the dressing room a funnier place to be.


Why are you so up on WCW and Bischoff? They are the ones who almost ruined your career.


CJ: Do you have any idea how easy it is to be a WCW wrestler right now?

I work 3 times more, am away from home at weeks at a time, and make less money than I used to. What's not to like. Believe it or not, Eric Bischoff is a friend of mine. A young wrestler is a fool if he doesn't consider WCW. What is your opinion on the former ECW stars that have switched to the Big 2? Do you think this was a wise choice?


Foley finished on how he felt about the crowd's great reaction to the hardened heel after the match, when assorted fans were clearly audible, calling him "the best there is", "the greatest of all time" and chanting his name ("Foley") in a truly touching moment in respect for his sacrifice and passion. "It was kind of touching. People chanting my name... I wasn't really coherent then, it was the next day when we watched the match in the catering room, where we eat lunch around tv tapings, the guys all clapped.... It made me feel pretty good!"