How did you break into the wrestling business and what have you been up to recently and since your WWE departure?

Redd Dogg: I broke into the industry back in 1996. I was playing football at the University of Arkansas, when the legendary Junk Yard Dog came into town for an autograph signing. I was always a HUGE wrestling fan as a kid and JYD was one of my heroes, so I was thrilled to have an opportunity to meet the legendary Dog! A short while later, I was on my way to Wal-Mart to pick up some groceries and ran into JYD once again. He said I had the build and look of a professional wrestler and recommended that I learn more about the industry, to see if it would be a good fit for me. JYD was extremely generous with his time and I learned so much from him. Later on, I went to a wrestling school in Louisiana, and the rest is history.

Since being released from the WWE, I first began working with the independent promotions. I worked with an NWA territory for a while, but more than anything, I wanted to play an active role in a management capacity with an emerging promotion who shared my vision on what this sport should be. You see, Im a fan of WRESTLING  not sports entertainment  and sought an opportunity to follow my vision by incorporating the old school-style of wrestling in front of todays fans. This eventually led me to XCW, whose style I dearly love. In sports entertainment the matches are only a few minutes long  and cute little skits and silly promos are relied upon to advance storylines. In XCW, the wrestlers are talented enough to tell a riveting story inside the ring, with brutal contests that feature mat-grappling, death-defying aerial assaults, and long matches that truly test the skills of our superstars. Basically, we beat the hell out of each other, tell a compelling story, and cater to true wrestling fans. Being based in Texas, people sometimes make comparisons between us and the glory days of World Class and the Von Erichs, which I consider a great compliment.

You know, Id really love for wrestling to go back about 10 years and return to that style& its something that fans truly crave, but arent getting from the WWE anymore. And if you feel the way I do, please check us out at www.xcwonline.net!

Andy Steven: You were previously known as Rodney Mack in WWE, how did that character and name come about and how did you get in the WWE?