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This is what we have here, folks.
To the only show that matters the queen of the crop.
Duke loves wrestling. And there is no one that does it
better than your. Host.
I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass the.
Duke. And I'm all out of bubble.
Hey, how you doing? This is Hall of Fame with Devon
Dudley here, and you're listening to Duke Live
wrestling. Oh, testify.
Brothers and sisters, we are kicking off this episode with a
huge treat here. I mean, legitimately, a man
who's on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest tag teams of all
time. Someone that you will be able to
see at the River City Wrestling Con coming up Sunday, June 9th
this year, and also one of the people who's the subject of the
upcoming edition of WWE Rivals on A&E.
So without further ado, welcome to Duke Loves wrestling the Hall
of Famer himself, Devon Dudley. How you doing there, Brother
Devon? I'm doing all right.
Busy morning for me. Got a lot of things going on.
But then again, that's just my life.
Busy. Busy.
Yes, Sir.
I mean, listen, man, you, you know, quote UN quote, retirement
doesn't really seem much like retirement at all because you
haven't stopped going, huh? Haven't stopped going behind the
scenes, and apparently I haven't stopped going in front of the
camera either. You know, with Bubba and I
coming back and, you know, doing our thing once again, I swore I
would never get back in the ring.
But I guess the theory holds true when you never say never,
you know, especially in the wrestling business.
But you know, I'm OK with that. But still, it's just, man, my
body has taken a beating and being that, you would think that
I'd have common sense to stop. But no, I'm not.
Well, Speaking of that, congratulations on WWE Rivals.
I mean, legitimately one of the bigger shows on A&E.
And this episode is interesting. First of all, Rivals, you have
everything from Hogan and Andre Austin and Rock.
So the fact that the latest episode, March 24th, 8:00 PM
Eastern Standard Time on A&E, the latest episode, Brothers and
Sisters, Party Boys versus Dudley, Boys versus Edge and
Christian, how does it feel all these years later to still get
this type of respect for that work that you put in back then,
bro? It's, you know, it's a great
honor that the WWE has recognized that six individuals
who were in their early 20s and now old as shit, you know,
recognized us for doing what we did best and that was go out
there and to perform. We basically went out there and
put our bodies and lives on the line.
We had a whole bunch of sacrifices away from our
families and things like that. Just to be #1.
And you know, I I'm honored and privileged that they recognize
that in putting it into the show, the WWE rivals, 'cause,
you know, we're up against so many others.
You know The Rock and Cena, you know, undertaken Shawn Michaels,
so many great people that have come before us and have had
tremendous matches of being told, you know, about the story
leading up to those matches and for them to actually want to do
that with the six of us, I mean, I can't be on any big of a high
than I am now. It's really cool because I know
that you have your wrestling Academy and we've had so many of
your wonderful students over the eight-year period that the Duke
Loves Rousing podcast has been around.
I mean so many great folks there, Casey Lennox, Scotty
Sosa, AKA Scotty Sparks, you know, just wonderful folks.
So for you to be on WWE rivals, on A&E, you can literally show
that to your students and say see.
So when I tell you to do something in the ring, just a
reminder, especially for the younger folks, I think I know
what I'm talking about here. I mean, how does that help you
in those situations? I do that now.
I tell them, you know, because you know, it's like your
parents, you know, your parents know best.
But sometimes because they're your parents, you would rather
take advice from somebody else because it's not your parents.
That's just the way it is. And it's always been like that.
So I got to look at them as my kids.
Where, you know, they are looking for me for advice,
wisdom and guidance, and I do that.
But sometimes, you know, they get a little bit of big head or
what have you and they got to go off and stray and do what they
got to do. But they always wind up coming
back, which is something that I pride myself on.
Not that they come crawling back, but they come back knowing
that what I was saying about things out there is so true, and
that they come back humbled more than they were when they came
in. That's great.
That's great stuff. And I mean, listen, the
foundation of a lot of those lessons go all the way back to
Gleason's Gym when I when I say Gleason's Gym.
What comes to mind when I say that to you?
Blood, sweat and tears. Gleason's was where I got the
knowledge and learn from the unpredictable Johnny Rods.
You know, I learned my craft five and a half, six years at
his wrestling school and didn't leave until he saw that I was
ready, 'cause he was the one that made the phone call to ECW
and to Taz and to say, hey, listen, I got this kid, I think
he would run circles around all of you guys.
And I remember when he told me, I said, why would you tell him
that? I was like, you know, have you
seen that show? These guys are killed.
They're they're freaking barbaric.
I don't feel like getting hit with a barbed wire bat just
because you ran your mouth, Johnny, and got me killed.
I mean, I didn't say it like that, all due respect to Johnny,
but I was nervous as hell when he made that phone call.
I didn't know what to expect. I remember Taz telling me,
Devon, don't worry about it. I know how Johnny is.
I was like, oh, thank God. But it was.
It was truly an honor to be able to go down there and learn from
one of the greats. And I say that because did he
win a lot of matches? No.
But did he make a lot of talent? Absolutely.
Roddy Roddy Piper, the late, great Roddy Roddy Piper, Hall of
Famer basically put Johnny in his book and thanked Johnny for
showing him the ropes during his younger days and said that if it
wasn't for Johnny, he don't know if he would have survived.
And so many of us have learned from Johnny, myself, the late
great big Dick, Dudley Mondo, Clean Hugh Morris, Tommy
Dreamer, Taz. I mean, he had a list of people
come out of his school, a Angel from the Baldies and ECW got so
many others and I'm sorry. Big Vito, Big Vito Lagrazzo.
The main one, Big Vito. He came out of there and if I
have omitted anyone, I apologize.
But he has. He is responsible for so many
people coming out of his school and the great thing about it is
I'm following right in the in his legacy.
I'm doing the same thing a host of students that have come out
of my school that have gone on to bigger and better things in
the wrestling business, whether it be WWE, whether it be NXT,
whether it be New Japan, All Japan, and even some in AEW.
But a lot of them have left the school learning with the
knowledge and gone on to be extremely successful.
Absolutely. And and the proof's in the
pudding, folks, so definitely check out devonacademy.com.
You can get more information about Devon Dudley's wrestling
school and how you can be part of that.
If you are an aspiring wrestler or even if you're a wrestler who
needs to go back to the toolbox, so to speak, check out Devon
Wrestling Academy you you will appreciate it.
I'm telling you And and again you just take a look at some of
the folks who have come through there and what they're doing
today to understand it's legitimate for sure.
Shout out to Johnny Rods, the the Hall of Famer himself, that
it's it's awesome that you still show him such respect and
reverence there. That's good stuff there.
Absolutely. He's like my dad and I tell him
that all the time. I call him at least two to three
times, maybe even 4 * a month to make sure he's doing OK and to
hear those Johnny Rod stories. You know, I can't go on without
hearing those stories. He is a man that knows the
business, knows how to present himself in a manner where he is
respected the way he is and I'm just happy that I was able to
learn under his learning tree. Absolutely.
And it's funny because and we talked a little bit about her
offline, but Scotty Sosa is somebody who is always putting
you over just as a as a great teacher, patient teacher and and
somebody who she takes a look at your body of work and that's
something that she strives for. And again, she's a friend of the
show. So it's cool.
It's really cool to have one of your kids put you over like
that, and then to have you won and you're putting over your
trainer. That degree of respect and
reverence is huge. Man, Absolutely.
You know, you call it Scotty. I call it Jordan.
When she came to my school, I basically saw the hunger in her
eyes. I basically saw how much she
wanted it, you know? Now the thing about it is you
can want it all day, but you have to prove it.
You know, this business isn't ballet.
So it's not going to be something overnight that you're
able to conquer and and be successful at.
You got to put the time, work and effort into it.
And you know, I've always said to her and so many others, you
know, if you ever need me, here's my phone number, call me.
It doesn't have to be during school hours.
It could be after hours, just not two or 3:00 in the morning.
And and other than that and some of them have used it, some of
them have done it. She's definitely has done that.
And whenever there was a personal problem, what have you,
she's come to me and asked me and I've worked.
I hope to work it out. I love that.
Again, that's that spirit of respect.
It's interesting, Devon, because I I did a write up about you on
my Facebook page for Black History Month.
I was, I honored, a different icon in wrestling throughout the
month and the the response that people gave to that was
tremendous because we don't normally get a biography of you
in that form and and I'm challenging everybody out there.
Listen, make sure you're writing about Devon because he is an
icon, he is a trailblazer. He is somebody who has paved the
way for so many, especially black and brown wrestlers, and
we need to make sure we honor our brother in that light.
Well, I thank you #1 for that because not even WWE has done
that for me. You know, there's been countless
times during Black History Month where they putting everybody
else on the poster or has acknowledged them but didn't
acknowledge me, which is fine, you know, I'm not upset or angry
about it, but it's just a fact. And I don't know, maybe because
my brother was white, I don't know.
I don't get it. But that is the truth.
I don't see, I'm sure some powers to be, but like, oh,
that's not true. Well, show me one poster during
Black History Month that you have put me on and I can show
you some that you have not. Well we're definitely putting
the challenge out there including to our friends in WWE.
Listen make sure you honor Devon you should be doing it
throughout the year and and and certainly WE Rivals is a is a
great example of doing that but black hair St.
Month. We got to shout our brother out.
I I bring that up, Devon, because I've never heard a bad
word about you. People have said nothing but
positive things about you on this show and to me personally,
and that's very rare because you can always find somebody that
has a problem somewhere. Make sure you don't ask any of
my ex wives. Say you got to get yourself in
trouble down, man. I was building you up.
See. Well, something weird happened
recently, and a couple of folks have reached out to me about it
because it was so outside of the ordinary where someone was
extremely disrespectful to you and in front of other folks in
front of your peers. And I got to ask you about it,
Devon, because it's not right. You know what I mean?
It's not right from what I was told, but I want to hear it
directly from you. So.
So there's a guy named Dylan Hines who is well known for for
doing bookings for wrestlers and things like that.
He said some not so nice things to you and and and you had to
respond to him. What happened?
Well, basically the people who brought me into the show in
Chillicothe, OH, basically we get there with Roberto Dorio and
we couldn't find the table. So they tried to contact Dylan
and pretty much said, hey, Dylan, you know, we can't find
our table. What's going on?
And people have already made their way inside the building.
So it was a little hectic. And he kind of brushed them off.
And he was like, I don't have time right now, you know, go
find my father and this and that, you know, find or find the
table yourselves. I can't find.
I can help you right now. And I was like, Wow said, OK.
And so there had been a few times after that where he passed
by, didn't say hello, didn't say anything or apologize for that
little thing. So no big deal.
So then he comes over and he just rolls some 8 by 10s, or
they were bigger than 8 by 10s, But he threw them on the table,
said tell Devon to sign these. Number one, I'm not signing
anything. You can't even come up to me and
say hello. But yet you're going to throw
something on the desk and tell the people that brought me in,
Just tell Devon to sign these. Number one, I don't work for
you, regardless if it's your show or not.
And it's not even your show. It's your father's show.
And he tried to pretty much tell me that, Oh, no, this is my
show. I said OK, without your father,
without Bobby, you wouldn't have what you have right now.
And he goes, you're not going to sign this.
I don't know when you act like that.
No, I'm not going to sign it. He goes, well, get out, pack
your stuff. And and you guys have to leave.
I'm not going anywhere. I was like, if if you want me to
go somewhere, have your father tell me, then I'll walk.
I was like, but you're you're dumbass and I ain't moving.
Well, I'll get the. I'll call the police and have
your score down. I think you better do that.
By the way. When you do that, you better
have an ambulance on the way. Because by the time the cops
come in to escort me, they're going to be.
I'm going to be in cuffs and your ass going to be wheeled off
in an ambulance. That I promise you.
And you know he started trying to be all tough and that.
And I told him, I said I will knock your head clear off your
shoulders. I was like, I you bet you better
back up. And then his father came over
Bobby and was like, hey, what's going on?
I said, Bobby, your son is being very rude and this and that
about signing something that I had no knowledge of signing.
And Dylan kept trying to intervene until Bobby told him
to shut up and be respectful. And basically at that point he
kept talking to the point where Bobby, his own father, threw him
out the building. And apparently he was having
problems with other people there as well.
Sandman, Francine, Guido, Jimmy Hart and poor Bill Abner was
only doing his job. Came in because of his fault
because of Bobby Fulton and Dylan.
Gets mad at him is and tells. Tells what's his name?
That you're fired. Don't come back here.
He fired Bill after the the legend Bill after.
Legend Bill, after he goes, you're fired.
Get out. Because he wouldn't bow down to
Dylan or wouldn't do what Dylan said.
So he fired him and then Bobby find that, found out about it
until he's like, don't worry about that, you're not fired.
Go ahead and do your thing. So he had to pretty much cover
up for his son. But again, these are incidents
that I'm hearing that has been happening a lot with him.
And you know, my thing is, you know, when is enough is enough
with this guy, you know? And then he had the nerve to
tell me you'll never work for me again.
I promise you that. I said good 'cause I don't work
for you. Now I go, what is your problem?
I said, what are you that deranged?
I don't even work for you. How the hell you Tomorrow.
I'm not gonna work for you ever again.
I don't work for you. I don't even like you.
And I told his father. I said, you know what?
I will do this for you. I will.
I will do this for you. I'll sign it for you.
But for Dylan, I have no respect for.
You know, it's it's interesting. The wrestling industry, so much
has improved, thank goodness, from what it used to be.
And and yet you have some of these, dare I say, carny figures
who don't know when to realize, hey, that that's not the way to
do business for For him to make demands of you and to be so
disrespectful about it, it's crazy to me.
Yeah, I mean regardless if him and the people who brought me
in, if he said that, I mean like Bobby Fulton said, he goes,
Devon, you know, we gave you guys the table and we just would
like for you to sign a couple of these.
If Dylan would have came over and said that and just said
hello and how you doing and it's not thank you for coming to the
show. That would have been sorry about
earlier on. Things were so hectic.
You know I was running around and know what to do.
That would have been more. I would have had no issues of
signing. I never do.
You know, I've had people come to me before at these signings
and ask me to sign extra and I got no problems with it.
But when you're as rude as Dylan was and you do things like that,
that's where I have the problem. And when his own father tells
me, he goes, you know, this new generation now, they have no
respect. I'm so sorry for my son's
actions, Devon. He was like, you should not have
been told or treated that way and blah, blah.
I said, Bobby, it's OK. I said I'm not worried about him
right now. I said.
But please keep your son away from me.
Yeah, for sure. Because you know what I mean
that that wouldn't be a pretty situation for sure.
And listen, for everybody out there, you know, it's, it's tax
season. So, you know, you get all these
newly minted promoters and folks out there who have a couple
extra bucks and they want to spend it and want to be part of
the wrestling industry and that's OK.
It it could be a payday for somebody, which is always
welcome, but you got to do good business and you, you treat
people the way you want to be treated.
Don't don't disrespect anybody and don't disrespect the
wrestlers. Please.
These are our heroes. And if it wasn't for the
sacrifices they made, including Dylan's father, by the way, if
it wasn't for the sacrifices they made, God only knows where
most of us would be. Because I'm going to tell you
right now, Devon, the things that you have sacrificed in your
life to entertain people like myself, in the audience
listening, you saved our lives, man.
You you gave us something to to care about and something to pay
attention to. And and you know, for me
personally, I, I had to get my homework done so I could go
watch wrestling. I had to do the chores so I can
go watch wrestling. You kept me out of trouble.
You know. You and your peers, man.
So thank you first and foremost on behalf of all of your fans
and and again for all of you want to be promoters out there,
please just be respectful. Treat people the way you want to
be treated and and and don't put yourself in the position like
unfortunately Dylan Hines, who I hope learns his lesson did there
because that just is uncalled for anyway.
Once again, devonacademy.com folks, you can check that out if
you want to be trained properly. Definitely.
I I put my stamp on it because again we've had so many of
Devon's wonderful students on the show and we know what he's
all about. We've seen his body work.
You can't beat it. Also devon.dudley.96@gmail.com
for all bookings and things like that testify Devon and all your
social media if you want to reach out as well.
Devon you got a lovely wife, man.
I I'm I'm not going to let you get away without giving her a
shout out there. I.
Hate putting her over because then when I put her over she she
makes me pay for it. She's the real star in the
house. You know that, right?
Oh yeah, I know that she gets more followers and and people on
social media asking her questions than I do.
I'm like, damn, I said wait a minute.
Hello. I'm Devon.
Hello. See you.
See you chopped liver. Now man, that's the way it is
there. So, so once again, Rubber City
Wrestling Con. What can folks expect when they
see you this year? Because I know it's going to be
bigger and better than ever. Well, you know, I think it's a
bit bigger than better than ever again.
New merchandise, new pictures to sell, things like that.
And we have the new action figures coming out due to the
Legends deal with WWE. A big shout out to the WWE.
Thank you so much for even all the love and support over the
years. I mean, grant you minus the
Black History Month, but that's OK.
But you know, in All, in all, in all seriousness, you know, these
guys have been in my corner since day one.
They've made me the superstar that I am, where I was able to,
you know, do what you said, you know, help you stay out of
trouble and and so many other people and give you guys reasons
to want to get home and watch the show.
You know, that's all due to WWE and what they've done for me.
This whole Legends deal gave us action figures, T-shirts put us
on a new video game. So I'm very happy about that.
And I was just at the big event in Brentwood, Long Island and
somebody brought me A tag team belt that was made by the WWE
and has the Dudley Boys written all over it.
It's like a Dudley Boys tag team belt, which I was very happy to
sign. So it's merch, new merchandise
that's come out and if I'm not mistaken I think the what do you
call those Funkos, I think they'll be out next year.
So even more stuff that's coming out with the Dudley's, you know,
it's a very good year for us, for Bubba and myself.
And we're just, you know, we creating history once again.
And you know Bubba and I will be in a town near you getting
ready, whether it be back in TNA or WWE or where have you.
You know Bubba and I are back and we're going to be right back
doing the greatest hits once again.
What a great conversation there with the Hall of Famer himself,
Devon Dudley. Just a fantastic human being
there and and listen, you know he's putting WWE over, which is
awesome. The the, the new Legends deal.
So fantastic. Of course folks, you can catch
Devon at the River City Wrestling Con coming up by June
9th. That's Sunday.
So definitely bring all your things to sign and make sure you
get your pictures with Devon of course.
Obviously WWE Rivals Sunday. Let me say that again, Sunday
the 24th, 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on A&E.
Definitely want to check that out.
Devon and Bubba and other Dudley boys, they're in there and it's
all about their rivalry with Edge and Christian and the Hardy
Boys. So really should be a a huge
episode there. Can't wait to see that.
But what an interesting thing we we stumbled upon there.
I had written a Black History Month acknowledgement of Devon
just like I did for a lot of other folks throughout the
month. You know Rodney Mack and Jazz
and and Reggie B. Fine, shout out to Reggie B, the
rock. Whole host of folks Aja Kong.
You know, I just a whole host of wonderful folks.
Scoot Andrews, the black Nature Boy.
Great friend of the show as well.
Did a whole you know detailed write up throughout the days
there and you can check out the Duke of the Ras on Facebook and
and just use the hashtag Black History Month to see some of
those. There you can see the whole
listing did one on Devon and shared it with Devon and it was
interesting to talk about it here on the show and and he
points out that for the most part the WWE does not include
Devon when they are celebrating figures who they acknowledge
during Black History Month and that is just a a terrible
omission. Now look I I don't believe that
that's on purpose. I think that's just a a honest
mistake there, but it's a mistake that should be
corrected, you know and talking to people about Devon and and
even bringing that fact up, a lot of folks are like, Oh yeah,
that's that's a good point. We don't, we don't traditionally
see Devon Dudley mentioned during Black History Month when
we talk about great black wrestlers in history and and all
that good stuff there. Let me say this and you know
we'll, we'll make this a clip as well.
So you share this with everybody because I want to go strong on
this one and be very, very clear, OK.
When you talk about Devon Dudley, it's time for us to
stop. And I'm saying us, I'm putting
myself there included. I'm challenging myself in this.
It's time for all of us to stop under rating this legend because
that's that's essentially what we're doing.
We are underrating a legend. Devon Dudley is a Hall of Famer,
a WWE Hall of Famer. Devon Dudley is one of the
greatest wrestlers of all time. Devon Dudley is one of the most
accomplished wrestlers of all time.
Devon Dudley is one of the greatest black wrestlers of all
time. Devon Dudley is one of the most
accomplished black wrestlers of all time.
Devon Dudley absolutely should be acknowledged as the icon that
he is in. General tag team wrestler.
Wrestler in general, and he absolutely should be
acknowledged as one of the greatest black, Black.
Let me say that again, Black wrestlers of all time.
We are missing the boat by not acknowledging this icon for all
of the wonderful, great things that he's done, and I'm
emphasizing black for this reason.
It is only in recent memory throughout the hundreds, plural,
hundreds of years history of the wrestling industry, it is only
recently that black wrestlers are even afforded the
opportunity to compete on a on a somewhat even playing field with
their white peers. That's a fact.
And even to this day, there is still a lot of issues with
equity and and and diversity and inclusion and what have you
there. And yet, despite all of that,
Devon Dudley, because of his determination, because of his
skill, because of his greatness, was able to push through and
accomplish so much, we are missing the boat.
We have failed this legend by not uplifting him and
acknowledging him in the same manner that we do so many others
and and and when I say so many others, I'm just talking about
those who have risen to the occasion to be as accomplished,
to be Hall of Famers and what have you because they're part of
the 1%. But Devon Dudley as a black man
in an industry that has never been easy for a black man to
even exist in, never mind be a decorated champion and a Hall of
Famer. To be an all time great for
Devon Dudley to accomplish what he's accomplished.
It is incredibly poor on our part for not uplifting this man
more. We got to do it.
I'm.
I'm challenging myself to do it and I'm going to say something.
Devon's name was not one of the first names that came to mind
when I was doing my Black History Month acknowledgements
and by when I when I thought about it, I was like, damn, I
got to do one on Devon. Why?
Why haven't I ever done one on Devon before?
You know, it's crazy. So it's not like I'm calling
other people out and I'm not looking at myself as well.
I'm challenging myself as well. But seriously, brothers and
sisters, we got to do better than that.
WWE, you got to do better than that.
You got to do better than that. That's an icon, period.
Regardless of race, regardless of gender.
That's an icon, Devon Dudley. But when you look at the fact
that so few black wrestlers have ever even been afforded an
opportunity, it's not that they weren't as good or they're not
as great or they couldn't have done it.
The historically, the system has prevented folks from being able
to accomplish so. So for somebody like Devon
Dudley to even accomplish what he's accomplished, it's so rare.
He is literally a percent of the percent right?
He is a percent of the 1%. Devon Dudley is rare,
unfortunately. And that's why training the next
generations plural of wrestlers is so important, because he is
paving the way for other folks to have just a little bit more
of an easier time getting there, Which is just fantastic.
And so selfless of Devon to even take the time to do that because
he could just coast on his own legacy and say the hell with it.
But instead he's he's paving the way for others and helping
others and and guiding them. And we've had some of those
folks on the show. We know it and and when you turn
on TV, all the major promotions, you can see folks who've been
trained by Devon or you know, whether he was their main
trainer, they've actually gone to his school to get some
finishing, which happens a lot. And I don't think we acknowledge
that enough either. Just because you started
training with somebody, that doesn't mean that that's it.
A lot of folks go and get finishing as well, which makes
sense. So I I'm just, you know, I'm
disappointed in all of us, myself included, that we haven't
given this brother his flowers in an adequate manner because we
exalt so many others. And I'm not trying to take away
from anybody else. So I'm not going to name any
names in that regard. But I will say we got to we got
to speak Devon's name a lot louder and a lot more frequently
because he's earned that. We're not giving him anything.
That brother did it. He earned that, right.
So Devon, Dudley shout out to you brother, appreciate you,
respect you, love you. Thank you for all that you've
accomplished and all that you've done for us as fans and all that
you continue to do. You know, especially as we
continue to see your students go out there and make a way for
themselves as well and and listen, you heard them.
We haven't seen the last of of Bubba and Devon in a in a
wrestling ring. We're going to see the Dudley
Boys again in the wrestling room, whether it be T&A or WWE
Japan. Wherever the Dudley Boys are
open for business, they got that fresh WWE legends contract.
The Dudley Boys open for business.
So that's exciting, that's exciting.
But definitely we we got to give this man his flowers because we
shouldn't be waiting for people to pass on before we turn around
and say, Oh yeah, you know, so and so is great.
And I know some some humanoid out there is going to say, well,
he's already in the Hall of Fame, Duke, what's a big deal?
Well, it's a big deal because we don't mention him enough.
It's not a name that comes up enough.
Why? Because I'll tell you what, when
we start talking about great matches, period, great matches,
you know you're not going to get through too many matches before
you. You talk about a Dudley Boys
match, right? No one can say that the TLC
matches and and legitimately, the feuds with Edge and
Christian and the Hardys, hell, the matches they've had with the
Usos and what have you, no one can say that those weren't great
matches. And when we talk about great
matches, they get brought up and it doesn't even, it doesn't even
have to be tag team matches. Those matches come up in
conversation naturally, because they're innovative, because
they're some of the greatest matches of all time, because
they've sparked and inspired generations since, who are still
trying to replicate stuff that those guys were doing.
So give that man his flowers, please.
And certainly this was my this is me putting skin in the game,
so to speak, having Devon on and letting him know how much he's
meant to me and to us just in general as fans.
So great stuff there. Listen, we're going to take a
short break, but when we return, I told you last week, you know,
we started off with Kaylee and I said that I'm going to bring on
another wrestler who has made it to nationals, high school
nationals. And what's interesting about our
next guest is that he's just a freshman.
He's just a freshman and he's already made it to to wrestling
on the varsity team and now he's going to nationals.
It's just incredible. So quick break, When we come
back, we have the big A. That's right, let's talk
hydration. See, I carry something to drink
with me every single place that I go because I am concerned
about being dehydrated. It runs in the family.
Everything from dry mouth, dizzy spells, fainting.
It's pretty serious and I've tried all the different types of
waters and sports drinks. Let me tell you something right
now. Liquid IV that has been the most
efficient at keeping me hydrated and doing so pretty quick.
OK, liquid IV has five essential vitamins and is 2 times faster
at keeping you hydrated than water alone.
And I'm serious man. Everything from vitamin C to
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For all you folks out there with food allergies, this may be
right up your alley. And I know what you're thinking,
but how does it taste, Duke? Well, tastes pretty good.
OK, we're talking my favorite and pina colada.
We also have tropical punch, strawberry, new flavors like sea
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but don't take my word for it. I want you to stop what you're
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Stay hydrated. Most importantly, enjoy life.
That's right. Now let's get on with the show.
This is the big A Aiden squad, Trudeau, and I want you to start
following your dreams. All right brothers and sisters,
we are keeping this train going with highlighting some of the
top high school wrestlers in the entire country, especially these
folks who are going to the national tournament.
And on this episode we have none other than a young man who is
only a freshman. He is only been wrestling for
two years and Despite that fact, he's already gotten ten wins on
varsity placed seventh in the varsity states in middle school.
And that was just his first year, so he's already above that
this year, accepted into the national tournament.
Even took down the number 3 ranked wrestler in New England.
Not bad right? Most importantly, he's he's a
great young man and I'm so happy to have him on the show.
So, so without further ado, welcome to Duke.
Loves wrestling the Big A himself.
Aiden Squatrito. What's going on there?
Big A. Nothing much, Duke.
Glad to be on the podcast. Well, this is a long time
coming, man, because I met you and your mom.
Oh my goodness. It's been about 7-8 years at one
of the WWE pay per views and you were just this little scrawny
kid, you know, yelling and screaming at the wrestlers
there. Now Fast forward to today where
you're literally taking on the who's who, including #3, ranked
in New England and actually being able to take them down.
I mean, talk to me about that, man.
Talk to me about growing up being a pro wrestling fan and if
that has influenced you on deciding to actually wrestle in
school. Definitely.
When I was a kid, I was really interested in wrestling.
I had all the like figures and stuff and I, my step dad would
take me to all the wrestling events and stuff with my mom and
it definitely influenced me to be the wrestler I am today.
It definitely made me, you know, think about doing it when I was
in 8th grade. It's definitely inspired me.
And you know, seeing people out there definitely gave me like a
go to go do it, you know? Who are some of your favorite
pro wrestlers, though? I I remember The Undertaker
being my favorite, just 'cause you know how menacing he is.
If you're able to get the type of size that the Undertaker has,
Oh my goodness, forget about that.
The intimidation factor that the Undertaker was able to bring to
the ring, I can see that. I can see that in you a little
bit there, 'cause you're you're a guy that it's clear your
opponents don't know what they're going to get when they
first look at you, that, you know, you look like, OK, this
kids, not as big as I am, and he hasn't been wrestling as long as
I have. So, you know, this should be
light work. And then the match happens and
you just flip the switch, man, where you're you're literally
just trying to take people out right from the beginning.
Talk to me about that strategy of being so aggressive literally
right from the start of the match.
I think being aggressive right from like the start is
definitely a good way to you know, set the tone for the match
and you know, make sure that I know I'm in control.
Even if this person's better than me, he's ranked higher.
He weighs more than me. I don't mind because I know that
if I, if I can, like, put my mind to, I can definitely, like,
do something with the match. And just because they're a
better opponent than me doesn't mean that I can't win, 'cause,
you know, it's it's still possible.
And that shouldn't, like, shouldn't, like, throw me off
knowing that someone's better than me.
And I definitely, as I said, I just want to set the tone for
the match right at the beginning and make sure that person knows
that they're not just getting a free pin.
You got that right. There are no free pins when it
comes to the big A, OK, he means business here.
It's interesting because again, you you've only been wrestling
for a couple of years now you as a freshman in high school,
you've already gotten ten wins on varsity, which is just
unheard of. I mean, for the most part,
freshmen are supposed to do junior varsity, especially
somebody with a lack of experience supposed to do junior
varsity and and kind of get your legs under you there.
But you've been able to step up and and achieve some success and
certainly being invited to nationals where you're going to
compete on that stage, that just proves that, yeah, you know,
you've arrived so to speak there.
How does it feel, man? How does it feel to be able to
accomplish so much in in such a short amount of time?
It definitely feels great. I I feel like I'm wrestling
people that have definitely. They have a lot more experience
than me. I don't have the upper hand on
them because of that. But it's definitely like really
cool that I'm doing all this stuff and all these achievements
when it's only my second year and I'm looking around and all
these other people are have been wrestling like their whole life
and stuff. But I'm only on my second year
and I'm still, you know, keeping up with them and stuff.
Now I got to ask you here because you know with all of
that aggression, all of that speed, all of that determination
that you bring into your high school wrestling matches, you
better have a good diet to help fuel you up before you get out
there. And certainly I know that you
have Italian roots. So so talk to me about this
here. Aiden what is the the big A?
What is the Aiden squetrito meal that can get him ready to get in
that wrestling ring and and and get some pins.
My favorite meal that my mom makes is definitely chicken
Alfredo with broccoli. Like chicken Alfredo broccoli
pasta. It's like my favorite meal ever.
Anytime I anytime I'm presented with it is so good.
I love it. My mom definitely makes it like
at least one time a week because she knows how much me and my
brother like it. But yeah, that's definitely what
keeps me fueled. And every time I go to a match,
I bring either Liquid IV or Pedialyte to keep me hydrated.
Definitely like during a long day of tournaments, I I want to
stay hydrated. So that's what I'm mainly doing.
You hear that folks? Aiden is bringing his Liquid IV
to the matches, OK, and you know that Liquid IV actually is
sponsoring this episode. And if if you head over to
liquid-iv.com, you can save 20% off your entire order by using
the promo code. Duke loves wrestling altogether.
No spaces. Duke loves wrestling.
Save 20% off of that if it's if it's good enough for the big A.
He's out there competing as a freshman and he's making moves.
Ten wins on varsity already making it to nationals.
If Liquid IV is good enough to fuel him, it's certainly is good
enough to fuel you folks. So sharp.
Better hydration today. liquid-iv.com.
That's right. That's really cool.
Chicken Alfredo. So I'm going to talk to your mom
about that because I'm going to have to inspect this and make
sure that it's good. Because who knows, maybe I can
become a wrestler after eating some of your mom's chicken
Alfredo. What do you think about that?
Yeah, I think that's definitely a possibility.
You know, it's just keeps me fueled.
It's the it's the best way to be the best wrestler you can be.
Eat my mom's chicken Alfredo. I love it.
How is everybody responding to you as a freshman?
Not only, you know, making it up to to varsity and having matches
on varsity, but legitimately finding some success.
I mean, how are the older kids taking that?
They're definitely helping me, like in the room, like
definitely drilling. They're definitely pushing me to
my limits because they know my potential.
Same with my coaches. They're they they definitely do
believe in me and they see that. The second year wrestler who's
excelled in all all this stuff, like, you know, all my
accomplishments that I have and I've definitely proved to them
that I have a lot of potential and they definitely see that.
That's awesome. Now, I know that it's early you
you're a freshman, you got a long way to go, not just in your
your wrestling career, but in life.
You know, I got a long way to go there, but what are your goals?
I mean, if you look ahead to the future, what are you striving to
accomplish? With all this wrestling stuff,
I'm striving to get a scholarship to a school.
I really want to go to college and you know, just a scholarship
would. That's that's like my goal in
wrestling. That's what I've been working to
achieve and I definitely think I can do it if I keep up what I'm
doing. Well, certainly you stay
determined, you you continue to put the work in and as you see,
you know you'll get the results for sure there.
Do you have any advice for anybody out there who may be
considering going into wrestling but they're not too sure?
I mean, again, you're you're a person who you're only two years
into and you've already achieved so much.
What do you say to anybody else who's thinking about it?
I say that you, you do it, you know, you just commit to it.
You know right now, next season it starts like, 'cause right now
it's offseason. Maybe go find a a club or team
that's you can go practice in the offseason with and you know,
to prepare yourself to wrestle in the actual season.
It's definitely like, it's a great sport.
It's like your team mates are like family to you and so are
your coaches. It's just you need to like you
just need to do it. It's just such an amazing sport,
you know. It's just, it's just the leap of
faith. You just got to take it.
Take the leap of faith. The big A is dropping some some
gems on us today here. I love it.
That's good stuff there. Listen, if anybody wants to
check out some of your matches, I know that you just recently
started a YouTube and you're going to continue to add some
stuff to it. What's the best way folks can
check you out on YouTube? Definitely.
Just look up my name, Aidan Space SQUATRITO, Aiden Squad
Trudeau. And I'm definitely going to post
my matches more. And if if you want to, you know
support me too, you can go check that out.
That's good stuff there. And once again you you can catch
Aiden at the national championships for high school
wrestling. There, folks, it's going to be a
big deal. In fact, in the show notes, I'm
going to be leaving some information on how you can
donate with the national championships.
It is up to the wrestlers and their families.
They have to bear the brunt of that cost to get the athletes to
nationals so they can compete. So, and I've checked it out,
I've vetted it. I am giving my stamp of approval
on this. Once again, folks, you know I
don't do solicitations too often there, but this is legit.
And I know Aiden. I know his mom checked it out
100%. It's legit.
So again, in the show notes you'll see the information.
If you would like to assist Aiden on getting to nationals,
certainly there's a way to do that.
Aiden, listen, you're you're a great kid.
I am so proud of you, you know, being able to watch you grow and
and and see what you've been able to accomplish in such a a
relatively short amount of time. And I know that the Sky's the
limit for you. So I'm going to challenge you to
continue to just be the great person that you are, continue to
stick with your family and continue to have fun.
What do you say about that? I appreciate that.
I'm definitely going to stick to it.
This is Tony Cavani. And we're definitely out of time
on Duke. Love.
Wrestling.