Barry Windham Vol. 2 Shoot Interview

RF Video had the honor of revisiting one of our personal favorite Shoot Interviews. For the second time in RF Video history, we have sat down with one of the greatest wrestlers of the last generation. From WrestleMania to Horseman to Widowmaker, RF Video is honored to sit down for a second time with Barry Windham. Since our last interview, Barry joined the WWE as a producer/road agent. Barry brings us backstage into the inner workings of today’s WWE. Barry compares the psychology and intangibles of today’s wrestlers to his peers. Barry openly comments on several of the WWE’s current superstars. How has Barry’s relationship with Vince McMahon changed over the years? All of this and more is answered by the former NWA world champion. Barry talks about being groomed and the plan in the 80s to make him NWA champion. Barry also talks about the frustrations of several veterans, including one recognizable name who didn’t want to help put him over. Barry also talks about a Hall of Fame wrestler who had no interest in helping Barry get over in the ring in Florida. This is great and truly candid insight into unchartered territory from B.W. Barry talks a lot about the Four Horsemen. Barry talks about being angry with two wrestlers in particular who didn’t want to put the Horsemen over and what he did about it. Barry also talks about all of the complex relationships within the Horsemen. Barry talks about the grudges between Horsemen. Barry also talks about the partying and answers the question as to whether the years of partying took years off of his career. Barry’s rivalry with Ric Flair is argued by some as the greatest of all-time. Barry talks about the psychology of wrestling 60 and 90 minute matches with Ric. Barry also talks about his anger with Ric when Ric wouldn’t put him over and left the WWE with the NWA/WCW title. Barry also talks about the last years of Ric Flair in the WWE from a management perspective and how the office felt about Ric. Barry also talks quite honestly about the prospect of Flair wrestling again and being a part of his legendary retirement ceremony on RAW. Barry dodges no questions and we throw him some fast balls. Barry talks about steroid use in wrestling and his own steroid usage. Barry talks about when he did steroids and how they impacted him in the ring. Barry also talks about his various WWE runs as a wrestler. How would Barry’s career have changed if he never left the WWE in the 80s? Barry looks back and answers that question. Barry is known as being one of the best in the ring. Barry drops a surprising name of a wrestler he never gelled with in the ring. This is definitely not a name you would expect, or ever hear in this regard. Barry explains why they didn’t work well together and what he did to help fix this. Barry reflects deeper into his career than ever before. How did Dusty Rhodes help him throughout his career? What was his favorite time in his career? What would he have done differently? Did he like wrestling the gimmick matches in Florida? Who was his favorite tag team partner? Barry answers these in detail and his answers may surprise you. From the road stories, the ribs, the booking , being Ric Flair’s chauffer, and the classic battles, Barry Windham covers them all in almost three hours. Barry will do what he did best and take you on an exciting ride from bell to bell. RF Video is proud to present an all-new Shoot Interview with one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time, Barry Windham. We last spoke in 2002, what have you been up to since then How did you wind up in the WWE as a producer Can you describe your job duties How had Vince McMahon changed Was he approachable Thoughts on John Laurenitus How did the younger wrestlers receive you What was the biggest difference you found between these wrestlers and the wrestlers from your era What do you think of scripted promos Was there anyone you took under your wing How did you wind up back in the ring against Volkoff and Sheik Thoughts on the match Were you hesitant about doing it Thoughts on Steamboat’s comeback Were there ever any attempts to get you in the ring with Ric Flair for a match Thoughts on Flair’s retirement ceremony Thoughts on Flair wanting to come back How did you know when it was over How hard is it to adjust to life after wrestling Physically, what kind of a toll did your style take on you Do you think psychology is a lost art today Do you agree with some old school fans that say the guys today aren’t good workers Thoughts on John Cena Thoughts on how the Horsemen DVD came out Thoughts on Ole and Sid not participating Thoughts on Ole’s comments over the last several years Thoughts on Lex Luger today Has he really changed What do you think makes someone a good worker You called yourself overrated in the last shoot. Do you still believe that? Do you think a territory could work today Where do you see the business in the next few years How is your father doing Thoughts on his Hall of Fame ceremony Do you expect to go in at some point Thoughts on MMA and wrestling comparisons How important was it to know how to shoot when you broke into the business Who do you enjoy watching today How important was Dusty Rhodes to your career As a road agent, did you find the office open to your feedback Was it hard being back on the road and not wrestling What was the biggest misconceptio n you had about the job before starting it Why do you think wrestling can only draw 1-3 times a year in the same place as opposed to monthly in your day Do you think a WCW reunion could work similar to ECW Are you surprised Sting is still wrestling Memories wrestling in the War Games for MLW Do you think TNA can compete with the WWE at some point Who didn’t you get to work with that you wished you did Why were you released from your WWE gig Is there hard feelings there What do you do today to make a living Can you still make a decent living with signings and appearances Are you surprised as to how highly your regarded by your fans even today Do you plan on writing a book Thoughts on the lack of kayfabe today What do you remember about Brody shooting on Luger in the cage What was your worst blade job Which death surprised you most over the last few years Why do you think guys tend to get hurt more today Can 60 minute draws still work How were you and Ric able to capture an audience for 90mns Why do you thi nk Dusty’s TCW didn’t work Anyone in particular you are looking forward to seeing at the NWA reunion in August Why do you think tag team wrestling is struggling today Have you ever talked to TNA about doing any work there Do you think Eric Bischoff would still be in business today if he bought WCW JBL once told a story about you guys finding the Iron Sheik doing squats in his underwear, can you elaborate Any crazy Sheik stories from your run in the 80s What was your favorite Horseman faction Thoughts on Paul Roma’s comments on the Horseman DVD How important was it to your career to change your gim mick from Blackjack Mulligan JR Why do you think some second generation wrestlers get it where others don’t Memories of Andre the Giant Is it true that Adrian Adonis didn’t want to put you and Mike over Thoughts on Shane and Stephanie McMahon Thoughts on Triple H Thoughts on Randy Orton Memories of the Halloween Havoc angle where you dressed as Sting Do you think the WWE is too sensitive about its Wellness Policy as compared to your day where guys drank and took pills more often Do you think you and Hogan could have drawn money if the Widowmaker worked out Do you think you still have something to offer the business What was your favorite WWE run Do you think you ever got a fair chance by Vince Are you surprised that there have been 25 WrestleManias and how huge it has gotten Memories of the first WrestleMania Do you believe Vince would have been bankrupt if it failed How different is the WWE run today as opposed to 1985 Put 5 matches in a time capsule Any regrets Favorite tag team partner Was there a guy you hated workin g with because you just felt that you didn’t gel well Is there a guy or two still wrestling today that surprises you Did you ever refuse to do a job Ric Flair has said that he refused to drop the belt to you in WCW because of his contract situation. How different would your career have been if he did? Were you upset about that at the time? Would you have done the same thing? Billy Jack Haynes did a shoot and said he thought Eddie killed himself because Dusty stole his guys. Do you agree Your dad told a story on an interview about Ric Flair having you chauffer him around when you were 15. Memories of this… Any other good Ric Flair stories Do you think you would have made a good NWA champion in the 80s Memories of the Von Erichs Is it true that you had a fallout with Mike You came back in WCW at one point a lot heavier, what happened Favorite time in the business Favorite road story Favorite ribs