Post by scott on Oct 27, 2008 19:40:54 GMT -5
Hello again, ladies and germs. Welcome to the 2nd episode of 5 questions. As anyone with a pulse knows, America is facing some pretty historic times. One end good, one end bad. We have within a months time the chance to change history in voting the 1st Afro-American man to the nation's highest office. And then on the other hand, the country's facing a financial crisis as the Dow Jones continues to plummet. Kinda' reminds me some people's careers in XWA. *Heh heh* Anyway, keeping with that, this edition of 5 questions is going to politically themed. So without any more delay...
Question One
Hey Scott,
What's your political alliance?
Catherine, Las Vegas NV.
As much as it would shock everyone seeing the lifestyle I live, I'm a democrat, Cat. I came from a working class home. My father was a Bus Driver of all things and my mother was a stay at home wife. Kinda' had no choice in the matter. People seem to get the wrong impression when you say you're from Venice Beach. But the fact is I grew up twenty minutes away from Compton. My neighborhood was full of Irish, Italians and Mexicans, so naturally we were Democrats. I might be a high roller now, but bet your ass unlike some guys in the biz, I know here I came from, and it's because I know this, that I am the man I am today.l
Question Two.
Dear Scott,
With the economy looking as bleak as it does now, does it change or will it change your jet setting lifestyle?
Mike, Tuscon AR.
In a word, Mike. NO. A big, fat resounding NO. I've busted my ass for five years to get where I'm at now. People tend to forget where I've come from in this business. Yes, I was All-State as a Wrestler in High School, and an NCAA National Champion my senior year at USC. But there's no "Pro Wrestler Draft" when you graduate. Most guys either move on to Wrestling Gyms to try and make it as a Pro Wrestler, or Jujitsu Gyms to get into MMA. After College, I started Body Building Pro-Am AND training in a Wrestling School in South Central. I spent the 1st two years of my career wrestling in Community Centers and School Gyms. I'm not one of these guys who was handed everything in their careers. And OH BOY can I drop some names on that one. I paid my dues, busted my ass and made myself into what I am right now with my own hands. That's the American Dream, is it not? Every cent I have right now I've earned. And bet your ass I'm gonna enjoy spending it with no regard.
Question Three
Dear Scott,
There's rumor that you still don't have the respect of some superstars in XWA. Is it true?
Jesse, Dayton OH.
Is it true? Hell yea. Do I care? Hell no. You see, just like in any business, there's those who are jealous but choose to deny it. Especially when someone's amassed so much success in a short amount of time. The wrestling business is no different. I look at it like this. Every guy on roster has a shelf life, and a shelf value. Some guys just can't for the life of them increase either. I increase mines every night I show up for work. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. Wrestling's my one and only true love. But I, unlike some of said guys still trying to grab that brass ring, realize that in the end, it's a business. And the guys who find the most success, are the ones who acknowledge that end. I'm a world class athlete. A two time World Champion. I am, the face of XWA. Whether anyone, and I do mean anyone wants to admit it or not. When this place was just a blip on the radar with 20 guys on roster, who carried the torch? Me. Go ahead, ask around the Blogosphere. Ask anyone who knows anything to name an XWA Superstar, 9 out of 10 of them are gonna say Scott O'Dell. My name is embedded into the genetic code of XWA. And the same goes with XWA embedded into me. There would be no Scott O'Dell without XWA. And bet your ass there'd be no XWA without Scott O'Dell. There's a reason why I was scouted the 1st man in. Rodolphe Gallas saw potential in me, and I've more then broke even in that investment. So let some of the other guys on roster not like me. I'll take not being liked and having my star continue to rise then be one of those guys who everyone likes but is still stuck on neutral.
Question Four
Yo Scott,
We all know that there's politics a plenty in wrestling. Have you even benefited from any corporate favors in the past?
Ohgi. Osaka, Japan
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! That's a good one. Seriously. I've heard that argument a thousand times. "Your on the take blah blah blah". If that's the case then answer me why I had the World Title stripped from me and damn near got fired in 2007? Would someone on the take have that happen to them? Granted, Mr. Gallas had a hand in keeping my contract from being snubbed, and as result of the incident that forced the executives hands I have to stay off the sauce during the season. But that's far from having favors done for me. Not like some people in some other places in the past...or present. Fact is it happens all over the industry. Whether it's guys being chummy with GMs or sleeping with CEOs or whatever other madness happens. I stay above all of that because the only line that matters to me in the end is the bottom line. I make XWA money. LOTS of money. Promotional events, TV spots, guest appearances on TV shows, the works. I'm a cash cow, and I know it. And they know it. And that's the extent of my corporate relationship. I'm not on the phone with Carmella Blackheart shooting the breeze or having lunch with Mr. Gallas. Employers/Employee. End of story.
Question Five
Dear, Scott
There are plenty of guys throughout the business who want to knock you down a peg or two. One of them is Osh Vaughn, former Owner of ICWL. Would you face him if he were to sign with XWA in 2009?
Halle, Tampa FL.
*Breathes deeply* Osh Vaughn. Yea, I know who he is. Another guy who couldn't keep his company running, and is now running his mouth about taking me on to keep himself in the limelight. Sad state of affairs. All I have to say is the same thing I said about anyone else who wants a piece of me. Show up and I'll show you how it's done. Simple as that. You might have Lionel Xander as your liaison here at the moment, but once you get here...if you even have the backbone to do so. Your negotiating is gonna be with me in the middle of the ring. I'd like to see what kind of talking you'll do then.
And on that happy note, that's been 5 questions. I'm still Scott O'Dell, and you...are now in the know.
Question One
Hey Scott,
What's your political alliance?
Catherine, Las Vegas NV.
As much as it would shock everyone seeing the lifestyle I live, I'm a democrat, Cat. I came from a working class home. My father was a Bus Driver of all things and my mother was a stay at home wife. Kinda' had no choice in the matter. People seem to get the wrong impression when you say you're from Venice Beach. But the fact is I grew up twenty minutes away from Compton. My neighborhood was full of Irish, Italians and Mexicans, so naturally we were Democrats. I might be a high roller now, but bet your ass unlike some guys in the biz, I know here I came from, and it's because I know this, that I am the man I am today.l
Question Two.
Dear Scott,
With the economy looking as bleak as it does now, does it change or will it change your jet setting lifestyle?
Mike, Tuscon AR.
In a word, Mike. NO. A big, fat resounding NO. I've busted my ass for five years to get where I'm at now. People tend to forget where I've come from in this business. Yes, I was All-State as a Wrestler in High School, and an NCAA National Champion my senior year at USC. But there's no "Pro Wrestler Draft" when you graduate. Most guys either move on to Wrestling Gyms to try and make it as a Pro Wrestler, or Jujitsu Gyms to get into MMA. After College, I started Body Building Pro-Am AND training in a Wrestling School in South Central. I spent the 1st two years of my career wrestling in Community Centers and School Gyms. I'm not one of these guys who was handed everything in their careers. And OH BOY can I drop some names on that one. I paid my dues, busted my ass and made myself into what I am right now with my own hands. That's the American Dream, is it not? Every cent I have right now I've earned. And bet your ass I'm gonna enjoy spending it with no regard.
Question Three
Dear Scott,
There's rumor that you still don't have the respect of some superstars in XWA. Is it true?
Jesse, Dayton OH.
Is it true? Hell yea. Do I care? Hell no. You see, just like in any business, there's those who are jealous but choose to deny it. Especially when someone's amassed so much success in a short amount of time. The wrestling business is no different. I look at it like this. Every guy on roster has a shelf life, and a shelf value. Some guys just can't for the life of them increase either. I increase mines every night I show up for work. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. Wrestling's my one and only true love. But I, unlike some of said guys still trying to grab that brass ring, realize that in the end, it's a business. And the guys who find the most success, are the ones who acknowledge that end. I'm a world class athlete. A two time World Champion. I am, the face of XWA. Whether anyone, and I do mean anyone wants to admit it or not. When this place was just a blip on the radar with 20 guys on roster, who carried the torch? Me. Go ahead, ask around the Blogosphere. Ask anyone who knows anything to name an XWA Superstar, 9 out of 10 of them are gonna say Scott O'Dell. My name is embedded into the genetic code of XWA. And the same goes with XWA embedded into me. There would be no Scott O'Dell without XWA. And bet your ass there'd be no XWA without Scott O'Dell. There's a reason why I was scouted the 1st man in. Rodolphe Gallas saw potential in me, and I've more then broke even in that investment. So let some of the other guys on roster not like me. I'll take not being liked and having my star continue to rise then be one of those guys who everyone likes but is still stuck on neutral.
Question Four
Yo Scott,
We all know that there's politics a plenty in wrestling. Have you even benefited from any corporate favors in the past?
Ohgi. Osaka, Japan
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! That's a good one. Seriously. I've heard that argument a thousand times. "Your on the take blah blah blah". If that's the case then answer me why I had the World Title stripped from me and damn near got fired in 2007? Would someone on the take have that happen to them? Granted, Mr. Gallas had a hand in keeping my contract from being snubbed, and as result of the incident that forced the executives hands I have to stay off the sauce during the season. But that's far from having favors done for me. Not like some people in some other places in the past...or present. Fact is it happens all over the industry. Whether it's guys being chummy with GMs or sleeping with CEOs or whatever other madness happens. I stay above all of that because the only line that matters to me in the end is the bottom line. I make XWA money. LOTS of money. Promotional events, TV spots, guest appearances on TV shows, the works. I'm a cash cow, and I know it. And they know it. And that's the extent of my corporate relationship. I'm not on the phone with Carmella Blackheart shooting the breeze or having lunch with Mr. Gallas. Employers/Employee. End of story.
Question Five
Dear, Scott
There are plenty of guys throughout the business who want to knock you down a peg or two. One of them is Osh Vaughn, former Owner of ICWL. Would you face him if he were to sign with XWA in 2009?
Halle, Tampa FL.
*Breathes deeply* Osh Vaughn. Yea, I know who he is. Another guy who couldn't keep his company running, and is now running his mouth about taking me on to keep himself in the limelight. Sad state of affairs. All I have to say is the same thing I said about anyone else who wants a piece of me. Show up and I'll show you how it's done. Simple as that. You might have Lionel Xander as your liaison here at the moment, but once you get here...if you even have the backbone to do so. Your negotiating is gonna be with me in the middle of the ring. I'd like to see what kind of talking you'll do then.
And on that happy note, that's been 5 questions. I'm still Scott O'Dell, and you...are now in the know.