A Harold interview:

Harold: Well today folks we're joined by Hall of Famer and current SFT World Champion Dave Van Dam, thanks for doing this Dave. I know you’re a busy man.

DVD: Not a problem anything for the fans of the SFT.

DVD: By the way

Harold I'm not in the SFT Hall of Fame.

Harold: But you are SFW HOF and in my eyes SFW is a better era than today. So let’s begin with the past. How long you been wrestling and where did you get your start?

DVD: WOW let's see I got my start 9 years ago in a small fed called the CWA me and a friend you all probably know named ICON started together. We wrestled there for about a year then one day I had lunch with SFW legend James Flame. The rest as they say is history.

Harold: Well there’s way more than that. But I would have to give you 5 interviews to cover half of your career. Let’s take a brief walk through it though; you've been world champion I don’t even know how many times. Which run was your most memorable?

DVD: I think right now is the most satisfying. I went through a rough time there for a long while in my career. I remember when I was told I never could accomplish this goal again. Well here I stand with The World Title strapped around my waist. With all of the RWA garbage I feel honored to carry the SFT through.

Harold: Yeah lets not talk RWA, I feel dirty just saying those letters, I'll need a shower now, thanks Dave! Anyway SFT in its history has never really had a stable World Champion, it is the hardest title to hang on to. Why do you think the World Title has become a merry go round? Is it ego to think they won’t lose it? Is it overconfidence or underestimating the opponent?

DVD: I think honestly people lose focus with the World Title. I am guilty of that my self. This is the 14th time I've held the title. You never are a great champion unless you defend your title against the best. I hope to add stability to this title. For two reasons. One: Further my legacy, and Two: To enhance the SFT.

Harold: Well this current run is somewhat out of the blue, you’d been retired for I don’t know how long, then all of a sudden out of nowhere you return. How did that come about and why?

DVD: It really was. I found my self working an 8-5 bank job. Does that sound like some thing I enjoy? Then all of the sudden in walked an old friend. A man I go way back with. Shadow, told me some of the things that were going on in the SFT and I figured a little blast from the past couldn't hurt the fed.

Harold: Ahh yes Shadow. Well since you brought him up, all I have interviewed are asked, what is your relationship with the old man and how do you two get along? And we all know how he judges the world champion allot harder than others. Do you as a wrestler feel it’s fair to be put on a different level than normal wrestlers?

DVD: Shadow is some one I call a friend. We go beyond the mat. He was there when Kelli passed away. He was there for me when I was drinking my self into a hole. He was there when my son Aaron was born. As for him judging the World Champions harder. I wouldn't expect anything less from an owner. You have to expect more from a champion, he is the face of your organization. I think he does a fine job and takes improper criticism.

Harold: Well he takes the weight of the fed upon himself. Just as you’ve taken the weight of its roster on yours as champ. But with all family’s we are a bit dysfunctional. You're known as a great champion, and have done everything there is to do. One might say, what’s left for you to do? And why keep doing it?

DVD: Passion, Devotion. Loyalty. To Shadow, the fans and my self. The SFT is home.

Harold: Well love of the game isn’t what it used to be. We get older, move on. Forget. Time has a way of fixing all. Tell me some of your most memorable matches and why they are special to you.

DVD: My most important match in my career was when James Flame and my self took to the streets in a Philly street fight for the SFW World Title. I went toe to toe with a legend and came out victorious, but that wasn't what made it special. What people don't know is that Flame and myself shared an ambulance that night and a hospital room the next few days. Our bond grew and that memory isn't something some one can take away from myself. Another special match to me was when Icon beat me to become the World Champion back in the days of SFW. Me and Icon have had our ups and downs but seeing him ascend to the top was impressive.

Harold: Well besides Shadow you are the oldest remaining wrestler. James Flame had just joined when Legion entered SFW. And when Legion entered he brought in Shadow. After a few months you arrived and as well as ICON. With Legion dead, Shadow is the oldest remaining member, after he goes one day, that'll leave you. Is sad knowing the SFW past is now almost completely gone? Its like looking back on the past and realizing it’ll never be that way again. What do you feel or think when you think of those old days?

DVD: Those were the days when everyone wrestled for fun. You stepped into the ring with your opponent and beat the living hell out of each then after the match all bandaged up you go and buy a drink for one another. Things have changed. The business has changed. Evolution as they say. The fact of the matter is...Shadow isn't going any where, Dave Van Dam just turned 24 on Wednesday I'm still young and have allot of SFT life left in me. The past will live through us.

Harold: So Dave what do you feel is the biggest difference between SFT now and SFW back then?

DVD: This is now sport's entertainment. Back in the days of the SFW people prospered because they were the best wrestler not the best showman. The business has really changed.

Harold: If you could face any 3 wrestlers past or present who would it be and why?

DVD: Reginald Royce...Me and him always had epic battles. We brought out the best in each other. Shadow in all the years we've been in this business together we've never met one on one. Just to see who the better man is. And last prolly Icon. We have a friendly feud. Always fun fighting your best friend.

Harold: Interesting choices, so lets talk bout here and now. Who if anyone do you enjoy watching, whose promos or work does a legend and world champion follow?

DVD: Right now the guys from the past. Glen Owen, Radiant, Messiah they are extremely impressive. And I've always been a fan of Shadow's rps. Always takes you from beyond character makes you think about your life..Also I like St. Jude’s stuff.

Harold: You face Glenn at the ppv. Your thoughts?

DVD: Match of the Year. Don't you agree?

Harold : Definitely, now There is a feeling in SFT now that its just not the same, maybe its the wrestlers, maybe its the new attitude, maybe its the egos, but all seem to agree something is different, something is missing, can you put your finger on it?

DVD: See people come and people go. There have been 4 constant's in the SFT since it's inception. Shadow, Harold, Glenn, and DVD. Opinions are like assholes Harold everyone has one and the majority of times they are shitty. Shadow has ran this federation for 8 years. Feds have come and gone and the best talent always ends up in an SFT ring.

Harold: You've pretty much been carrying SFT on your shoulders for the last 2 months, is that allot of pressure? Do you like that or feel it an unnecessary burden? With all eyes and hopes on you and very few.

DVD: No it's not allot of pressure. This has been a home to me for a long time. Every time I've needed some where to go I've turned to the SFT. This is my home. I'll take the fed on my back for as long as I need to, some where down the line though there will be some one to take those reigns. As there always is, but don't worry I'm not going any where for a long time.

Harold: Well that’s great to hear. Well DVD I want to thank you for this honest and in-depth interview. Thank you for taking time to do this.

DVD: No problem any time Harold. Thanks for the invite.