Catching up with Bo Dallas, WWE Superstar

from: actionfigureattack.com

One of the young superstars that some say has the most potential within the WWE is a man named Bo Dallas. A former NXT Championship holder for 280 days, Dallas is a third generation superstar who was proceeded in the family business by his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, his uncles Barry and Kendall and Windham and his father Mike Rotunda, who was known as I.R.S. during his run in the WWE in the early 90’s.

In addition to his NXT Title run, Bo also held the FCW (Florida Championship Wrestling) Heavyweight Championship on three different occasions and the FCW Tag Team Titles with his brother Duke Rotundo (now Bray Wyatt) twice. Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked Bo number 73 on their list of the Top 500 singles wrestler in 2014. Needless to say, Bo Dallas is on his way to big things in the WWE.

Double G Sports had the opportunity to interview the “most inspirational wrestler in the WWE” and talk to him about his time in NXT, whether he though the brand would become as big as it is now and his thoughts about sharing the ring with The Rock a few weeks during a live event. Be sure to check out Bo and the other WWE superstars at the WWE Live Summerslam Heatwave event this Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark. The action begins at 7:30 p.m.

Did Bo and the other NXT stars ever think that the brand would get as big as it is today when they were there?

“There’s never been a developmental system like this and when it started happening, we could all feel that we were part of something very, very big. The first NXT event on the Network (NXT Takeover), we knew we were part of something huge. We didn’t know how big it was going to get but it was an amazing feeling in the locker room that we knew we were part of something really big.”

What was some of the knowledge that was imparted to Bo from his family, who are considered a facet of the wrestling industry?

“I’ve got thousands of lessons that I’ve learned from my family along the way. The main lesson we got from our family is that if you want to succeed in this, you have to have the passion, the drive and the determination to do it. You don’t get in and go halfway. You have to go all the way. That’s the main lesson I learned.”

How did Bo handle the transition from FCW and then NXT to moving to the main roster with a heavier schedule?

“There’s not much difference from NXT to the WWE main roster. They have so much to prepare you down at the Performance Center. You have everything in the palm of your hand. They’ve got rings, an amazing weight room, and promo classes with Dusty Rhodes where I learned so much. So much went into NXT so the transition was not that big of a difference.”

You mentioned the late Dusty Rhodes and he was a major proponent of NXT and getting the next generation prepared for the big time. What were some things you took from Dusty, especially on the promo end of things?

“Without Dusty Rhodes, I don’t think I could talk on a microphone today. When I came into FCW, I was 18 years old and Dusty took me under his wing and taught me so much. When I came in I had the athletic ability in the ring but I was shy. He took me out of my shell and molded me into someone who can grab a microphone and talk at any time. I owe all of that to him. He taught me more than I could ever imagine.”

Going into that first NXT Takeover event and knowing that he and Adrian Neville were headlining the show in a Ladder Match, what was running through Bo’s and Neville’s head knowing that you two would set the tone for the brand with that match?

“I was honored to have that opportunity. We knew that we part of something big, we didn’t know how big, but we knew it was something special. As it got closer to the date, the nerves turned into excitement. I kind of threw away the nerves and was like ‘This is my time to make a mark in history on the first NXT special on the WWE Network.’ I was grateful and honored to be in the main event and when it came time I was ready. When we got out there, there was no nervousness to it. We were excited and ready to go to war.”

How did Bo handle the move from a happy go lucky character to almost a heel-like annoying character in what seemed like overnight?

“It just kind of happened (laughs). I came out with a positive message and the crowd down at NXT in Full Sail just started to hate it. So I kept doing it and kept doing it and they just started hating me more and more and it just morphed into what it is. It was really cool to see how it happened and turn into what it is.”

A couple of weeks ago in Boston, The Rock made a surprise live event appearance and interrupted Bo’s promo and consequently gave him The People’s Elbow. What was that moment like for him to be in the ring with arguably one of the greatest names in WWE history?

“First and foremost it was an honor. That guy has been on my birthday cake as a kid and I’m standing in the ring with him right in his face with a microphone. It was an amazing moment for me. I dreamed about that moment as kid and for that to happen was unbelievable. It was a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.”

As one of the most inspirational superstars in recent history, what would Bo say to his Bo-lievers who waiting for him to ascend to the top of the WWE?

“A man isn’t measured on how many times he gets knocked down. He is measured on how many times he gets back up and dusts himself off and that’s exactly what I do every single time and I will not quit doing that. I will prevail and keep fighting until I make it and I know I will make it because all I have to is…BO-LIEVE.

Be sure to check out Bo and the other WWE superstars at the WWE Live Summerslam Heatwave event Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark. Action begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets begin at $25. Here are some of advertised matches for the show and remember, the lineup is subject to change.

• Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins in a Newark Street Fight for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
• United States Champion John Cena takes on Kevin Owens days before their Battleground encounter
• Cesaro vs. Mr. Money in the Bank Sheamus and much more