2. Beyond The Yoga Mat
WC: You retired from WWE at the age of 46 but returned to the ring two years later. What influenced that decision and how big of a part did DDP Yoga play in that comeback just two years after what you thought was career-ending? DDP: I was doing it completely to show what I could do at 49 years old. They (TNA) paid me really good money as well; but I wanted to show what I could do. The only time I really did anything that was really worth anything in WWE was my first day there and the last PPV at WrestleMania X8, when I had a hell of a match with Christian. So I really wanted to end it the way I really wanted to, so I thought Why not go over here and let me show you what I can do two and a half years later. I hadnt been lifting weights at all at that time. I was still trying to hold my weight but I was just pretty much doing the workout at that point, which helped with the cardio. Chris Jericho, without really knowing he did it, really put over the cardiovascular conditioning of DDP Yoga when he took six months off and came back at the 2013 Royal Rumble in the #2 spot and went 47 minutes and 53 seconds. He doesnt do any other workout except mine, so that right there proved everything. WC: You talk about Chris Jericho as a big proponent of DDP Yoga and there are plenty of others within the business how does it feel to know youve had such a positive effect on, not only your friends and colleagues, but the sport in general? DDP: I never thought any of the guys were ever gonna do it! (laughs) Theres a lot of ego in our business and you need to have a strong ego to do what we do. But for Chris, he was in the same position as I was he was done. He couldnt even sing in his band, Fozzy, anymore cause he couldnt bounce around the stage or even hit the high notes he needed to hit. So giving Chris the amazing opportunity to not just come back, but come back and perform at this amazing level in his forties; every time he comes back, he blows my mind and I love it! And he also turned so many guys onto DDP Yoga. Take Goldust; look at him today and how he moves around the ring at almost 45. Hes moving around better than he ever has in his life! Its amazing. Jerry Brisco is one of my biggest advocates too. He snatched me out of nowhere when I was at WrestleMania a couple of years ago and I was like Holy s**t, Jerry and he said, DDP, thank you for giving me my life back. He couldnt do a single push up and all of a sudden hes doing the five and ten second push ups. And, of course, you look at Jake and whats happened to Jakes life its amazing, man. WC: It definitely seems like DDP Yoga has had the fountain of youth effect on many of your peers, so I wouldnt be doing my job properly if I didnt ask this question; do you think well ever see you back in the ring one more time? DDP: (laughs)...No. But Ill tell you what you will see. If Im in a building, whether its an appearance or a signing or whatever, if theres matches going on, chances are someones getting hit with a f***ing Diamond Cutter out of nowhere before I walk outta that building. How long can I continue to do that? Well, my first goal is my sixties. Once I get to my sixties which aint too far away then my goal will be to hit the Diamond Cutter in my seventies. Watch this space...
Martyn Grant
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Occasional wrestler, full-time gym rat and lifelong lover of the grapple game. Would probably buy you a shot of Jack at the bar in exchange for witty banter...and preferably more Jack.
@MartynGrant88 for more wrestling-related musings and weight room wisecracks!
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