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#Post#: 30359--------------------------------------------------
Chat with Drew Galloway
By: ChrissiCalvert Date: April 10, 2015, 5:01 pm
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I think I speak for many fans when I say, I'm glad to see you in
TNA. Many of our readers were hoping that you'd sign with the
company so it's good to have you. Let's begin with your thoughts
on TNA prior to signing with them. What was your perception of
TNA, let's say, a year ago? And has that perception changed now
that you've been with the company for a couple of months?
I am a fan of professional wrestling, good professional
wrestling and wrestlers. I followed every company pretty much
from the very top to the smallest independents and certainly had
my faves in TNA that I enjoyed watching. Now I have the
opportunity to work with them, it's incredible. The only way my
perception has changed is that I'm on the inside seeing how
driven everyone is from the guys and girls in the back making
everything happen, the bosses, the wrestlers, all way to the
network who is 100% driven to take TNA to the next level. It's
extremely motivating to be surrounded by that kind of passion.
Tell us about the process that led to you signing with TNA. What
was it about TNA that appealed to you and ultimately convinced
you to sign a contract?
I was in Scotland wrestling for ICW, where I'm currently the
champion, on a Sunday. On Monday, I started receiving calls from
a Tennessee number I didn't know, so I ignored it, until Tommy
Dreamer texted me, informing me that TNA were looking to talk
with me. To be honest, I had no goal of getting back on US TV so
quickly but after talking with the bosses and hearing their
vision for me and the company, I quickly changed my mind. I have
the opportunity to be part of something and help it grow with
the show moving to Destination America, also with TNA I can keep
my independent commitments and most important I get to be Drew
Galloway 100% inside the ring and out. I signed the contract
only hours before appearing on TV.
Soon after you arrived, you asked TNA President Dixie Carter to
allow you to take over the company's social media accounts for
an entire weekend in order to spread your message for wrestling
fans to #StandUp, and your request was granted. Tell us a little
about this movement. How did it come about? And how much input
did you have in terms of its implementation?
I'm the craziest fan that grew up obsessed and took it so far
that it became the only job I've had in my life. I was granted a
microphone, an idea and freedom to speak my mind. All I said was
how I feel as a fan and the fans were so responsive because they
feel the same. We simply want wrestling and if we like someone
because they entertain us in the ring then we would like to see
more of them. In the end, it's the fans that pay and allow me to
live my dream and dictate television ratings. It's really simple
when you think about it but sometimes you gotta speak up or
nothing will change. We have some very creative writers and
social media workers and I work directly with them and I love
it. The more hands on I can be the happier I am and the #StandUp
movement really turned some heads. I have to thank Dixie once
again for that platform because we really made people say, wait,
what's going on over here?
Fans were genuinely excited to #StandUp with you. Do you feel
the movement has had a tangible effect on wrestling fans? Have
they truly bought into your message?
It's not a case of buying into my message it's a case of me
talking as a fan and fans agreeing with me because they're
passionate about wrestling. My attitude isn't
sunshine/lollipops, let's do this, guys. It's if you're with us,
awesome and if not, we do not care. We are many, we are no
longer the silent majority and we will have our voices heard.
I'm not trying to be a leader, walk with me side by side and
let's make a change. Sounds gimmicky but I really mean
everything that I say.
Judging by the responses you received on Twitter and Facebook,
I'd say that most fans seemed to want more wrestling on Impact,
less talking, and more X Division. Am I way off base or did you
get different results?
You are just about right on the money. We have the feedback and
keep it coming because plans are being implemented to make
things happen. I didn't grow up saying I want to be a
professional talker. I loved watching professional wrestling. I
wanted to be a professional wrestler, it's that simple. Talking
is necessary at times to connect with fans and express
yourselves but it should not come close to dominating a show.
Fans want action and we are going to give it to them.
Let's talk about your feud with the Beat Down Clan. It seems
your objective, when you first came in, was to disrupt the plans
of the BDC. Were they your targets or is this part of a bigger
plan? In other words, what is your endgame?
They are what I'm referring to when I say forcing ideals down
fans' throats. Every show doesn't have a clean finish with them,
they're all over the show and thinking they can tell us who to
like and dislike. This is phase one, I've had an endgame since
day one in this business at 15 years old. Now at 29, I have the
outlet to achieve it and trust me, I will.
I think I would be remiss if I didn't ask about the pipe shot
that every TNA fan was talking about after your debut. That pipe
shot on Low Ki almost looked like an accident on TV, but it
seems to have triggered a super-heated rivalry between you two.
I'm curious, what was Low Ki's reaction towards you backstage
afterwards?
It was a blood feud the second I stepped into the building.
Things happen in wrestling, intentional & unintentional, and
sometimes they enhance everything. Let's just say it's good for
business, because there is legit heat between us and when we get
in the ring you are going to feel it at home. Probably put the
kids to bed as it will be a war and it is real.
Last week, we witnessed as Shaun Ricker and Tevita Fifita came
out of the crowd to back you up and the Rising was essentially
born. Before we continue, could you share with us their TNA
names?
Micah [Fifita] and Eli Drake [Ricker]
Let's talk about your work in the indies a little and
specifically Gabe Sapolsky's promotions. You are currently the
EVOLVE and Dragon Gate USA champion. How's that experience been
for you? Would you like to see a working relationship between
TNA and Gabe?
I've been so lucky with people giving me an opportunity to
showcase the real Drew. I currently hold 5 titles on three
continents (ICW, Evolve, Dragon Gate, Danish and Australian).
I'm currently the busiest wrestler in the world and couldn't be
happier.
Along with ICW and many others, Gabe and Sal helped me massively
once I was gone from WWE. They gave me a shot and in my first
match I won the Evolve title. A company with some of the best
wrestlers with the most unique styles in the world, it really
created a buzz for me and showed everyone what I'm capable of in
the ring. I'm a 6'5, 250lbs long haired Scottish guy, an ideal
candidate for a professional wrestler but I worked my ass off to
excel between those ropes not just look the part and they
believed in me. Winning the Evolve vs. Dragon Gate title match
against Johnny Gargano in San Jose was one of the greatest
moments and matches of my life and really felt like I really
have cemented myself as one of 'the guys' currently on the
scene. Once I made my deal, an agreement was made to bring in a
couple of other guys from TNA to Evolve and a working agreement
is very likely. If I had or can have any part in wrestling
growing then I have truly succeeded. All I want is wrestling to
grow while living my dream and if I can help then that's beyond
my dreams.
Could you share with us, how happy are you right now with your
wrestling career in comparison to where you were during your
time in the WWE? As far as TNA, how have they been treating you?
I will never say anything negative about WWE. How can I? I was
with them 8 years, since I was 21, grew up there living my
dream. Was FCW developmental tag champion (with Wade Barrett)
twice, heavyweight champion, WWE tag team champion,
Intercontinental champion, Vince McMahon's Chosen One, multiple
Wrestlemania's, made great friends and I'm still under 30. That
is unreal. I thank my stars I was there and truly grew into a
man. From a boy who left university as a student straight to
WWE. Those experiences, those ups and downs in life and work
shaped the wrestler and man I am today.
Right now, I am so happy with TNA. As I've mentioned, the guys
and gals have such unique ideas and big goals. I'm the most
obsessive passionate fan in the world and it can sometimes be
taken as an attitude issue, but they channel my passion and
creativity in the right direction and that's whatever you see on
screen
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