A Harold interview:

Harold: Ok folks the interview to end all interview, the one I and everyone thought would never happen, Shawn Walsh! Shawn thank you for taking time to sit down with me and do this interview.

Shawn Walsh: Yeah, yeah. Hey, I figure I owe it to everyone to explain some things.

Harold: Definitely, well first question is how? By that I mean how did you finally manage to get back into SFT after such a long absence/banning? How did you do it? What did you tell Shadow? What was said, what wasn’t? I mean the amount of questions of how you ended back in SFT is quite allot, and Shadow has been kind of low-key on your return, so hopefully you can shed light on the subject and fill in all the blanks.

Shawn Walsh: Honestly, not all that much was said. It was more along the lines of I needed money, Shadow needed more talent at the time, he decided to give me a chance and give me a little credit. Gave me one more shot and so far, I have to say that I know I have impressed.

Harold: Well that’s sorta what Shadow said, but come on, after 2 years, you suddenly show up? How did that come about who made the first call? Cause the old Shadow would of said hell no to your return, but he's changed quite a bit and from your backstage attitude so have you? Have you both grown up allot? Or did you two just decide to leave the past dead and buried? I mean there has to be more to the story than meets the eye.

Shawn Walsh: I'm not going to lie, I made the initial call. As far as I can see of Shadow he has grown up tremendously and is a bit more lighthearted... And as you said, I too have done my fair share of maturing. We just decided to forget the past, it's over and done with. We're almost new people, it was time to grow the fuck up and act like men to one another.

Harold: Well since your return, it has sparked some interest in SFT, we've gotten some new faces and some returning veterans of yesteryear, how much of an impact do you think your return had with the renewed life SFT has acquired as of late?

Shawn Walsh: lot of these people were friends of mine backstage and have contacted me about trying to set something up with them... So not to toot my own horn here, but I think my return had a great deal to do with a lot of the now returning veterans.

Harold: Why do you think you carry such appeal then and now, though different stages in your career thus far, what is it about you that appeals to so many of the wrestling fans and wrestlers themselves?

Shawn Walsh: Well then... I was easily the most controversial wrestler in SFT at the time. People either wanted to be me, or they wanted to beat me.... Neither of which were feats they could accomplish. Nowadays I'd have to say it is simply because they just don't know what to make of me being back here. It was something nobody expected, including myself. It makes them wonder "what's different about Shawn Walsh - what's different about SFT?"

Harold: Well you said it yourself what in your opinion has changed with you and what changes do you see in or within SFT?

Shawn Walsh: Well, in terms of Shawn Walsh... I have been out of the business for over two years. I got a divorce from my lying, idiot, whore of a wife, and I am just plain happy now. Brandi held me back. She turned me into a whining, sniveling little bitch almost. I have broken free of those chains and I am back with a point to prove. I am Shawn Walsh, I am ready to climb the SFT ladder once more. I never got a full chance at the World Title here due to an injury, and I feel that in time I will get that chance. In terms of SFT, upon returning it wasn't much. I thought of it as a place I could run through like a freight train, destroying everyone. The staff had all changed and grown up tremendously. They were more accepting of me. Since returning though, much of the competition from my time in SFT has resurfaced and I am ready to show them all what this Shawn Walsh is all about.

Harold: Well you touched on your past, guide us through your history in the business, where you got started, how long you've been involved in wrestling, you know the History of Shawn Walsh through your eyes.

Shawn Walsh: I got started in a small time federation known as HSW. It was nothing special. For the first few years of my career I was mainly a Tag Team specialist. I teamed with Jay Gamble and the late Erik Martin for most of my career. I only held Tag Team straps for many years... But once I got my hands on my first singles title in FWF I found a new craving in singles gold. I wanted to be the best. I wanted to be a superstar. I had my first and second World Title reign in 2000 in CWF and it was all uphill from there. I went on to run a couple of successful federations and then landed in RWA. That is where I was absolutely skyrocketed into the man I am today. I was put on the shelf for a bit in 2003 just after winning the SFT World Heavyweight Championship but that didn't stop me. I came back with a vengeance and a point to prove. Sure I may have been an asshole, but nobody will say I wasn't great. After being fired from SFT RWA was reopened where I held the RWA World Title three more times and insured my position in the Hall of Fame. Just like the first RWA, though, Pettis screwed us all and left us high and dry. Thanks to Nathan Gust and Cody Berntsen we were saved. RWA did, however, close it's doors for a third and final time. I went on a two and a half year break after that and decided to resume my reign as king back here in SFT. That's a brief history of myself, anyway. If I were to tell you every tiny little detail, we would be here all day long. I'm sure you get the gist of it anyway.

Harold: Well you mentioned some pretty controversial names there, Gust and Berntsen, Gust has had many troubles in SFT and Cody B managed to get himself permanently banned from SFT last year after some pretty idiotic remarks said to Shadow and the fed, question is if Cody was allowed to return last year why weren’t you, or were you not trying to come back until just now? Cody had some people vouch for him and he got let back in only to be booted not long after that, I know from inside info that after your banishment you had many trying to get you back, caused the whole RWA revolution, so here are the questions no holds barred? What went wrong with RWA, what did you do for those 2 years after its demise, what were you up to during all that time you were gone from SFT. And do you feel that you’ll end your career here? As so many have come to the conclusion that this is where they’ll wrestle and end their runs in the biz.

Shawn Walsh: Well, to be honest... RWA ended only a week or two after I left. I left the federation and it was in the hands of Cody Berntsen and Andrew Foley. Foley was ready, willing, and able to do what needed to be done. Sadly, Cody was not. RWA disbanded. As far as coming back to SFT last year.... I am not exactly sure if I was allowed. I made one phone call just to see if it was possible... I am not even sure that the phone was answered, so I just simply said "fuck it" and got past it... I didn't really care then. In my time off I had been doing loads of paperwork, got fucked from my prenuptials... And then just basically ended up sitting around a lot of the time. Had a small part in a movie. Nothing big. I had a pretty boring life, I just didn't need any money... Until recently. As far as my career ending in SFT.... Well, as far as I can tell SFT is never going to close. That being the case, I'd have to say my last match probably will take place in SFT... But not for a long while. I have lots of shit to do here that I didn't get to do correctly the first time around.

Harold: Well you just beat Jason "The Joker" Jackson last week and you ought to be facing Nirvana next week for his HC title, how do you think that match will go? Many are seeing it as a preview of a possible World title match come August or September? And we know from your actions since arriving you have your eyes set on the IC title, but with so much on your plate, what time frame have you set for yourself in getting back to main eventing and the World title hunt?

Shawn Walsh: As far as the Hardcore Title goes, I realize it's not really my scene. The old me would have probably pissed and moaned about not already having a World Title shot... But now I just think of the Hardcore strap as holding another belt I have yet to hold in SFT. As far as the Intercontinental Championship goes... I know Shadow enough to know that he wouldn't immediately throw me into the World Title scene. I needed something to preoccupy my time while I waited. I'm ready to get back in the hunt for the World Title any time SFT is ready to give it to me. Whoever I face for the belt, I know I will beat. It's just a matter of time. I'm looking forward to having the reign as champ that I would have had back in May of 2003 had I not been injured. It's a waiting game. Nothing more, nothing less.

Harold: Well since you mentioned the old man, what sort of relationship if any are you two having? Or is it like it is with a few others who will remain nameless and is it strictly work relationship, he books you, you wrestle and you both stay out of each others way for the betterment of the fed? Cause many think its only a matter of time before you two butt heads again, some are just counting till the time you self destruct of say something wrong and all hell will break loose again. Do you think history will repeat itself or will most be proven wrong?

Shawn Walsh: It's safe to say that I will prove everyone wrong. I hold no ill will towards Shadow, although many might believe I am full of shit simply saying that. I have spoken to him a few times and we were rather cordial with one another. Mostly it's a business relationship... But at the same time, Shadow hasn't exactly been known for being the most social Owner. Whether I agree with him or not in the future, there is no reason to get myself fired again. I've come to accept that his word is law and there isn't too much I can do about it. Shadow can override any staff member's decisions so going to them with my issues with Shadow would be pointless. I just intend to play by the rules, maybe bend them a bit... But nothing to the point of Shadow hating me again as he once did.

Harold: Well we just celebrated our 8th Anniversary just a few weeks back, SFW/XCW, now SFT in all in all has been going almost 8 and a half years and like you many believe SFT will never close....well not as long as Shadow keeps it going, so we might be talking not too far down the road bout our 10th anniversary show, so here’s the question, what legacy do you want to leave behind, what do you want to be remembered for? What will your legacy to SFT and wresting be when its all said and done?

Shawn Walsh: When the fat lady sings, I want everyone to remember me as Shawn Walsh, the most charismatic, controversial individual to ever step foot in a wrestling ring. I want to be known as the guy that went from blacklisted, hated by all, SFT enemy to the man that accomplished everything and more and finally earn enough respect and contribute enough to get my name added to the Hall of Fame. That is my ultimate goal. I'm not going anywhere until I have done all that I possibly could do to be known as an SFT legend.

Harold: So your goal, a long term goal more than winning the World Title is getting in the HOF? SFT has had trouble getting any holder of the coveted SFT World title to hold on to it for any meaningful periods of time, in your opinion why is it so hard for today’s wrestler to not only win the World title but to hang on to it?

Shawn Walsh: I'm honestly not all that sure. It's probably something like they gain the belt and figure "well, I can slack off for a while, I'm on top." You can't just do that. Whether you're champion or not, you need to give it your all every fucking week. Anyone that knows me will tell you that no matter where I am in the rankings, I always come at my opponents with full force. There's no room for slackers in this business. I hate that.

Harold: The truth as only you can state it eh? Anyway a question I like to ask most I interview is, dream or fantasy matches, if you could face anyone past or present, from any fed, what 3 people would you like to wrestle and why?

Shawn Walsh: First off... My number one choice would definitely have to be Jay Gamble. I have faced him quite a few times in the past, sure, but the two of us always put on one hell of a show. We brought out the best in each other and I don't think I have ever had an opponent push me to the limit like he did. Another person that would definitely be on my list is Gary Mac. I have yet to have the pleasure of getting him in a wrestling ring. In RWA we were close to being pitted against one another but the booking fell through. I always wanted that match and I hope to prove that I can beat him one day. The final man, or men I suppose... Would be Damien Sparks or Sean Lane. I know that's four, but sue me. I have faced Lane probably about ten times and each time we gave the fans what they payed for. Some of my best matches were against Lane and with him being back, I look forward to some more of the greatest wrestling matches in history. As far as Sparks goes, he and I never saw eye to eye... Even though we co-lead the infamous Superiority Complex. Damien and were alike in so many ways. It only seems fitting that the two biggest egos in wrestling history collide in one epic battle.

Harold: Hmm some interesting names, there, ok now lets talk something completely different, who in SFT do you get along with and who do you not get along with? It's no secret I was a big voice in trying to make sure you were not let back into SFT, everyone knows there’s no love lost between you and I. But you are back now and we've been in your own words civil towards each other if not for our own sake at least for Shadow and SFT's sake, and I for one am not the type to forgive and forget, hell I still hold a grudge against Pettis, though im not the only one, so not counting me who do you get along well with and who do you not get along with?

Shawn Walsh: Nowadays I get along with mostly everyone backstage. It seems most people have been willing to give me the chance that Shadow gave me and accept me for who I am now. If I had to pick one person that seemingly does not like me, I would have to say Sean Rollins. That guy has a stick up his fucking ass for no real reason. I had been nothing but nice to him since my return and he always feels the need to make snide little remarks to me. It's okay though, those comments will cease after he beats Dryden and then loses the Intercontinental Title to me without even physically touching it, heh heh heh...

Harold: Hmm oookaayy. Now along with your return in the last week we've seen Schizo, Ace, and Sean Lane all return, there’s rumbles you might start a new faction with one or all of those. Is there any truth to that and who else might we see also make a return? Inquiring minds what to know! Spill it Walsh!

Shawn Walsh: I have talked to all of them, even Lane - although Lane and I had no discussion of an alignment.... I can't exactly say who of all of the returning superstars have attracted me to an idea.... But yeah, there is one. You'll just have to wait and see. As far as returning superstars go... Let's just say another married couple is preparing to return and I am trying to get them to drag Brandi's traitor ass along with them.

Harold: Well we'll leave Brandi out of this for now, but we'll only talk slightly bout your personal life, are you two officially divorced? Like is it final? Are you currently seeing anyone?

Shawn Walsh: Yes. We are divorced. She has already remarried and been knocked up by some guy she loathes. Doesn't make sense, eh? As far as seeing anyone, no. Not currently. I am playing the field, weighing my options. I have my eye on a few ladies but for now, I fly solo.

Harold: Well I kind of am thought of as the most controversial man in SFT due to my sharp wit and tongue, and telling it how it is, no matter what. But you're easily making a name for yourself as Mr. Controversy again, do you think controversy is a good or bad thing? And how do you handle the pressure that comes along with the expectations people have for you in and out of the ring?

Shawn Walsh: Controversy can be very, very good. As long as you're not a target for the staff to hate it works in your favor. It makes your name come out of everyone's mouth and puts you up there in terms of title opportunities. When it comes to pressure, I have never felt it. I do what I'm good at: wrestling. There is no pressure when you are as great as I am. I win - it's my thing. Fuck what people want me to do and say. I do whatever it is that I want and no one can change me. I use all of the hype surrounding me to my advantage.

Harold: Well Shawn I can easily say this was one of my most unexpected interviews and I am sure most will be waiting to read it, I want to thank you for doing this, any last words for our readers?

Shawn Walsh: Forget what you may have heard about me. Listen to these words very fucking closely. I am Shawn Walsh. I am back. Look for my greatness to shine through in the upcoming month. I will soon take my role as king once more.... And there is nothing that any of you can do to stop me.