Thanks to James at WorldWrestlingInsanity.com for sending this in…
Whether you ask a fan or a performer, he’s one of the most respected names in wrestling. Now on the heels of his pro wrestling Hall of Fame induction, WWE Hall of Famer “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff has joined ClubWWI.com for a rare 49 minute shoot interview that hits harder than a jumping piledriver.
Paul Orndorff’s list of accomplishments and contributions in wrestling is massive. From WrestleMania 1 to the 2005 WWE Hall of Fame, Mr. Wonderful has made a living of making memories. You can hear him discuss his entire storied career with James Guttman on ClubWWI.com including such topics as: Timing His Steel Cage Match Tie Against Hulk Hogan, His Feud With Hogan, Main Eventing WrestleMania 1, What Vince McMahon Has Done To Wrestling, Crazy Fans Attacking Him, His Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction vs. His WWE Hall of Fame Induction, The Best Matches of His Career, Not Being a Fan Before Wrestling, Today’s Lack of Psychology, Getting Heat and Keeping It, “Short and Fat” Oliver Humperdink, Advice He Did and Didn’t Take From Bobby Heenan, Paul Roma, Hiro Matsuda, Tito Santana, Bob Backlund, and More.
Retired now, Mr. Wonderful tells James about spending time with his eight grandchildren and his family. Although he’s happy to be away, Paul admits that he’s “bored.” After years on the road, it’s hard to break away from the industry, even if it’s not the same as it once was. Ornodorff has a reputation for being both outspoken and straight to the point. It’s evident when discussing monthly pay-per-views. Guttman asks if it’s negatively impacted the business and Paul couldn’t agree more.
“It killed it. You can’t have a pay-per-view every month. That’s stupid. I’d rather have two or three a year and draw three times as much. It’s like it don’t mean nothing anymore. There’s nothing to look for anymore. The angles they do now are very quick. They don’t give the people time enough to let it sink in. Before you know it, it’s over with. That’s not how you do it. That’s not the way it used to be done. I mean, my God. Look what this President (Obama) is doing nowadays. I mean he’s turning everything upside down and he’s doing things that aren’t right and this country’s going to pay for. It’s the same way with this business.”
Orndorff goes on to talk about today’s product, writers who think they’re “smart,” lack of psychology in wrestling, who’s to blame for it, and much more in-depth discussion of how wrestling has changed. It’s gotten so bad that Paul can’t even sit through a full show. He explains this to ClubWWI.com listeners…
“I haven’t really watched a whole show in 15 years because it’s pitiful. I hear this every time somebody talks to me and I’m not joking about this. Every time somebody gets to talking, all they remember is back in the 80s and early 90s. That’s what they remember because we, basically at that time, everybody knew how to work to a certain extent. And now – no. And (today’s guys) don’t know how. All they do is a punch of bumps coming from the ceiling. All this crazy stupid stuff that don’t make a bit of sense. There’s no rhyme or reason and now they’re supposed to cover up the actual art of a wrestling match.”
Paul goes on to talk about the art of wrestling including how he went about creating his character, working on his facial expressions, advice he was given early on, how veterans didn’t help out young guys as much when he broke in, helping younger stars like Paul Roma, and so much more.
Read all the topics from Paul Orndorff’s interview right now on WorldWrestlingInsanity.com and listen to the full 49 minute uncut shoot on ClubWWI.com.
