Dolph Ziggler On If WWE Has Issues With His Stand Up, How His Body Is Holding Up, His 2015 So Far
Dolph Ziggler spoke with Isaac Kozell of Savage Henry Magazine earlier this year and they've just now published the piece. It should be noted the interview was done before he re-signed with WWE. The full interview is available at this link. Below are highlights:
Isaac Kozell: 2014 was a big year for you. You were sole survivor for the second time in your career and were named Wrestler of the Year by Rolling Stone. How do you feel 2015 is treating you so far?
2015 is actually going pretty well. A lot of this business is timing and luck. There are hundreds ? maybe thousands ? in the world who are better than me, yet here I am 11 years later, just a step outside that coveted gold circle, fighting for my career every step of the way. It's not always about wins and losses, but winning two Survivor Series matches is something I will never forget.
IK: I imagine that you rarely have breaks in your schedule. Give me a Reader's Digest version of your daily routine.
I measure my time off in hours. Usually 36-40 a week at home. Friday morning [I] fly out to show. Land. Get rental car. Find food. Find a gym. Find food to go, get to arena. Do show. Drive on to the next town and repeat until Wednesday morning. That day I fly home, only to fly out Friday morning again. It's nonstop and there's no off season. We never stop! WWE does over 300 live events a year and that's not counting charity events and outside appearances.
IK: You've been wrestling since high school. At 34, how is your body holding up?
I've actually been wrestling since five years old. The first time I saw a WWE show, I told my dad I wanted to start wrestling. At five, I wrestled once or twice a week. It became much more vigorous and nonstop going into high school and all through college. I'm 34, and except for two concussions and some teeth knocked out, I've had no serious injuries. I've been very fortunate. Several other superstars have had countless injuries and taken time off, but I have not. I think I've missed maybe 3 weeks in almost 11 years ? because of said concussions ? which is probably the least amount of time of any WWE superstar ever ? that's been here for 11 years. Google it. (Laughs) My body holds up because of my core workouts. I have been circuit training and intense cardio training since college, years before CrossFit became a thing.
IK: Does the WWE have any issues with you pursuing stand-up?
WWE has no issues with my stand-up. I do not miss work for any reason and will continue to work around my schedule because I'm a professional and do not allow complacency or laziness.
Source: Savage Henry Magazine
L.O.S. The Butcher contributed to this article.