(Image: © WWE) [19659018] Let's go back to the origins of Knight Fight, because the concept is unique and a little different to say the least.
I was presented with the opportunity to animate the show, which comes from an American league called the Armored Combat League. They fight everywhere in the United States and around the world. The show was therefore crafted from a clandestine cult sport, and we wanted to make it known to the world.
Despite its popularity, was there any concern about how this could be translated into television format?
No, I do not think so. I was not involved in the production but, for me, they did it well. They really have an intimate atmosphere, a bit like a fighting club. It's a very small, intimate crowd that sits right above the action and has a hectic atmosphere. I think this has been added to the series and, with the action that these Knights bring, I think that has translated very well. The clairvoyance was at the rendezvous because nothing else was the same on television.
Members of the Armored Combat League participating in Knight Fight
(Image: © A & E Television Networks)
It's so unique that people who see it for the first time might forget to forget that the combat element of the series is real and competitive – these guys go there!
Yeah, sure! There is a restaurant here called Medieval Times, it's a themed restaurant where there are jousts and medieval fights, but it's obviously no longer a play. This idea insinuates perhaps in the mind of someone who sees it, but when you watch the show, you realize that these guys are real life-size weapons , which you would see in medieval times.
These weapons are obviously. blunt so that no one cuts the limbs, but their weight and size are very real! When you are touched, you feel it, so yes, it is physical. This is not unlike anything you would see in MMA, boxing or American football, any of these contact sports or action.
And, while watching TV, you would also lose the feeling that it is difficult to move, even to move. in the armor?
Yeah, you get an appreciation as a spectator during the show. You can see how fresh they are at the start at the Grand Melee and go to Team Melee. By the time they approach the Duel, these guys are pretty tired and have to do their job and do what they want. They carry at least 80 more pounds above their body weight at least, and having to go out, be offensive, defend themselves and move around, it's a heavy burden on the body.
(From left to right) Andre Sinou, John Clements and Jay Reso, the stars of Knight Fight
(Image: © A & E Television Networks)
We, British, have the Reputation of being a little eccentric – given the unique format of the series, is it easy to see how this could be a success in the UK?
Yeah, I hope so. Coming from a wrestling background at WWE, I know how much fans love WWE. They go out every time we are there and there is a huge crowd and they are always so friendly and are among the best fans in the world. I do not see why it would be different with regard to the kind of things that they bring, as well as the pageantry.
What I found interesting to watch some of the episodes, is how you and the judges played a role throughout the film.
Fortunately for me, I am with some experts [on the judging panel] including Andre Sinou, who launched the Armored Combat League here in the United States. He is a legendary figure of this world and the other gentlemen, John Clements, who is a renowned instructor in martial arts of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages. I was therefore with two geniuses of this type of art and I could be almost like a sponge.
As far as I am concerned, I tried to be an extension of the public by asking myself "why is this guy doing this" and "why does this guy choose this type of weapon? Regardless of the type of questions the audience asks, I have tried to be this extension and get an overview of its observations so that the public can see what is going on in front of them.
Members of the Armored Combat League participating in Knight Fight
(Image: © A & E Television Networks)
Regarding your own role and your body of work at WWE, what is the link with all this? In the sense that you would not say it's a random choice, but that's a good start in many ways?
Yes, I was really trying to get out of the world of struggle and to house a bit. I wanted to do something different and take on a new challenge. I talked to my agent about wanting to do this and he had a relationship with Matador Content and History, which produce the show. He showed me the pictures of me and what I did and it was: "It's our guy", and that's how it looks 39 is pbaded.
I could not have been more excited about the platform that History has given these Knights for them to come out there from a relatively underground type of sport. . In terms of wrestling, it's their WrestleMania, their chance to perform in front of this type of audience, so they really benefit. Believe me, each of them leaves everything in place, making it a great action and a great drama.
Christian and his partner, Edge, at their heyday in the WWE
(Image: © WWE)
Entering the Presentation World – You've Already Visited the WWE and names like Michael Cole, but now that you're facing the camera, how did you find the transition?
It was fun, it was a fun challenge. As I said, when I stepped out of the ring, I wanted to do new things to challenge myself by doing things for which I was not necessarily the best. Without looking too full of myself, with the struggle, I felt like I was one of the best in the world and I have long competed at a very high level.
To enter now into something that I am learning and still working on. To, it's a fun challenge. Fortunately, by listening to guys like Michael Cole and Jim Ross, it's a different type of call to action and I'm just trying to be myself – but it was not about me, it was how could I help the Knights, the competitors, their stories.
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Did you find that this allowed you to better appreciate this type of work?
It's very difficult, and it shows how excellent the commentators are. To get there, it's a really hard job.
You never say that never in a fight – do you see a Fight Knight gimmick match at the WWE so soon ?!
[Laughs] I do not know! It would take a couple of wrestlers with a Knight character to make it work. I do not know exactly how it would work, so it's probably best to leave it separately and in its place, I think.
It would not be the weirdest thing you saw in a wrestling ring …
[Laughs] No, no, not at all!
Edge and Christian won a triangular ladder match at WrestleMania 16
(Image: © WWE)
Touch wrestling, especially in wrestling team that played such a big role in your career; the first female team champions will be crowned Elimination Chamber. How do you feel?
It feels good! The team fight is what put myself, Edge, the Hardys and the Dudleys on the map. That made us become WWE superstars, and without that, I do not think my singles career would have been in the places she went. For me, team wrestling will always occupy a special place in my heart and I hope that it could have been more highlighted.
But now, it seems that the struggle is intensifying for both men and women. could not be more excited for women to have these team championships. There has never been a better time; the training is stacked and so talented, and now more than ever, you have a sufficient list of women to be able to do that and it really has meaning.
Every opportunity they had, whether it was their first female TLC match, Hell in a Cell or Royal Rumble, they took her out of the park and, most often, stole the show. It is therefore a testament to their hard work, their ability to accomplish very good things.
Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch will compete at WrestleMania 35
. (Image: © WWE)
On this subject, is there really a more important candidate for WrestleMania's main event than Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair, if that ends well?
I do it on the podcast with Edge, we've talked a lot about it in the last six months or so, that would not shock us – and that might be the best time to hold a main event with women's matches, WrestleMania. Becky Lynch is the most fashionable actor currently in the business community. Ronda Rousey has done a great job since coming to WWE. It is therefore time to strike while the iron is hot. It must be the year.
How were you impressed by Becky? She has not been mbadively reconditioned or represented, but she has simply added an extra attitude and has been able to express herself more – she has exploded for her, is not it?
Yeah, and I think a lot That's confidence, and I can talk about an experience about it. When you go out every night and believe in what you say or do, it translates and resonates with people. I think she just feels that she can not do anything wrong and that once you have that confidence, you can not stop yourself anymore.
WWE legend, Chris Jericho, signed with AEW
Was you I'm surprised to see Chris Jericho opt for a permanent position with a wrestling company in the US that n & # Is not WWE?
Yes, I was surprised by this. I think everyone was. But Chris is a smart guy and a smart businessman. I did not talk to him for a while, but he would not have put himself in that situation if he did not see great things.
You say great things, do you finally see AEW – but not immediately – change the landscape of the fight?
Oh, of course. Especially if they get a contract with the television. I do not think there will be direct competition with WWE, but there will be competition and that's fine. I think it makes everyone better.
For AEW to succeed, I think they need to focus on what they want and what they seem to do. I think you will see something completely different. In the TNA, a few years ago, while I was there, the traps and traps in which they had fallen worried too much of what the WWE was doing instead of doing what they were doing. They wanted.
The fans support them a lot, but you
Exactly, they will find their audience and they are very motivated, but I think that, as you said, there must be patience.
WWE legend, Christian, by his real name Jay Reso, hosts Knight Fight
(Image: © A & E Television Networks)
Back to Knight Fight; There will be a lot of things in terms of theater and production that will appeal to wrestling fans who watch – what would you say to them that they are waiting for?
I think if you watch the fight, you watch it for the action, the competition and the theatricality of it. Knights have real personalities. We conduct individual interviews with them and their personalities really stand out. Just like the fight, the viewer will say "I love this guy, I hope he wins." Or "I do not like that guy so much, I hope he gets beaten!" There are a lot of similarities with the fight, so if you like punchy and action packed programs, then you'll love the show.
And whether for a punctual or special event, what chances of success do we see you in armor and get involved in a match or two ?!
[Laughs] Well, it's more like them than me – my days of punching in the face are behind me! I leave them that! It's like asking someone who has never participated in a wrestling match to make the jump with Brock Lesnar. It's the same type of sensation. These guys really have talent, so I do not think so!
The movie Knight Fight will premiere on the History channel on February 19th.
You can watch History on Sky channel 130; Virgin Media Channels 270 and 299 (HD); and BT 327 and 379 (HD) channels.
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