Kayfabe Commentaries Timeline Series: 1995 WWF as told by Kevin Nash, Disc One

Disc 2 will be posted tomorrow. 

The length of the first disc was an hour and forty-five minutes

JANUARY

 

Nash is asked about Jim Ross being named the Executive Producer of RAW and to help out with the storylines. Nash brings up that Ross broke into the business as a referee and that Ross became a fan of his by having him on his radio show when he was in WCW. Ross realized that Nash was funny, Nash saw him as an ally and it helped him out. Sean asks Nash if Ross was a creative guy. Nash says that he doesn’t know but he did know what worked and what did not. He then says that when he became booker himself, no matter how good of an idea you have, if two guys botch it completely and do not do their jobs, you lose money and get labeled as a bad booker.

 

Sean brings up Bob Backlund. Nash puts over his strength and recalls a story during a match against him in Sacramento in which Backlund called for Nash to perform a sunset flip. Nash said that he went along with it as Backlund was the heel. When the match ended and they went backstage, The Undertaker jokingly told Nash that if he ever saw him do that move ever again, he would put the boots to him in the middle of the match. Taker said it looked ridiculous as he was way too tall for the move. Nash is asked about guys calling the match. He says there are guys like, Steve Regal, who he calls a great hand, but would want to grapple. Nash said that watching him work that style is like watching paint dry and that he needs a guy who can move around him. Nash says that Bret Hart could work both of those styles.

 

Next, they are asked about William Shatner hosting the January 9^th edition of RAW. Nash says that he and Scott Hall took a picture with him. Nash says that Shatner caught on after a couple of scotches.

 

Mantaur debuts on the January 16^th edition of RAW. Nash says that he was a fan of a Moose character in the Sheik’s territory and saw where the gimmick was coming from. Nash then tells a story that took place during a dark match when Mantaur took off his mask, Hall slapped him as hard as he could.

 

Kama debuted on the January 28^th edition of Superstars. Nash is asked if the Kama character was a result of UFC starting out. Nash said that it was not and a creation of Kama himself, who worked as a bouncer at a strip club in Vegas, where a lot of UFC fighters hung out.

 

He is asked about Matt & Jeff Hardy as enhancement talent. Nash said that they used to call Jeff “Vanilla Ice" but that Scott Hall saw something in them and would give them a little bit of offense, which would drive Vince McMahon crazy.

 

At the Royal Rumble, Jeff Jarrett defeated Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental Title. Nash recalls a story that Scott Hall told him about him breaking into the business, no one wanted to help him out because he was a big, good looking guy and they were afraid that he would take his spot. Hall wrestled in the AWA and had a match against Larry Zbyszko. During the day, Larry blew off Hall but during their match, Larry went ten minutes with him, because he saw something special in him. Hall told Nash that he never would forget that and wanted to give that chance to someone else. Nash calls Larry a class act.

 

Nash calls his match at the Royal Rumble with Bret Hart as his first match of any importance. He says that going into this match, they had been on the road for 22 straight days. He remembers walking past Lawrence Taylor at 4am at the “Doll House,” and Taylor was surprised that they hung out that late when they had to work the next day. Nash then says that back then, they always went into a PPV hungover, because if you went in feeling miserable, you could maintain focus easier than if you came in happy.

 

Back to his Rumble match, Nash talks about how three years prior he was almost out of the business. He then says that he did not go over on his first PPV, comparing it to a manager holding him to a 30 pitch count. He said that when he first got the belt, Vince told him that he wanted him to keep the belt for three years, stressing the fact that it was Vince who came up with this. He also said that Shawn Michaels was lobbying for the belt at the time too and with the trial going on and people getting off of steroids, he was clean the whole time. He said that one night backstage, Lex Luger told Nash that they were going to give him a big push and shortly after that, he got the Intercontinental Title.

 

Still on the Royal Rumble show, Sean asks Nash when he heard about the angle between Bam Bam Bigelow and Lawrence Taylor. Nash said that back then, the company was much smaller and said when he came back for his last run, he compared the backstage atmosphere to an Eagles concert, with tons of buses and guys running around. He said that back in 1995, there were a few production trucks and guys driving Chevy Lumina’s. He also said there was no downside guarantee back then and said he recently looked at his first WWF contract, which said he was guaranteed ten shots for $150 per appearance. He puts over how Lawrence could keep up with the craziness of the wrestlers and that was how it worked.

 

He is asked about the Blu Brothers debuting at the Royal Rumble, which Uncle Zebekiah (Dutch Mantell) as their manager. Nash recalls meeting Dutch during his first ever road trip in the business. In the car were Nash, Mantell, Sid, and the Iron Sheik. Sean asks Nash to talk about this as Nash said that Sheik lit up a joint as soon as they drove and would always stop and get Heinekens. Nash does a funny impression of the Sheik. He said that they would go to the gym and Sheik would have the Persian clubs going wearing a stocking hat, benching 130 lbs. He then looked over at Sid, who was doing an intense workout then at Dutch, who was in the lobby reading the “USA Today” and at that moment, Nash realized that these are the people in professional wrestling. Nash then talks about how when you are starting out and green, you would always feel good after the show having a few beers listening to the boys swap stories. Sean asks him about the stories and Nash said that if he had to break into the business like guys did in Calgary, he would have went home.

 

They now discuss the Rumble match and if Shawn blew the ending. Nash said they showed the replay and thinks that he might of. Sean asks him about Pamela Anderson, who was the guest ring announcer. Nash said that she was nice and they did a photo shoot in Malibu. He said that Tommy Lee was with her and that her dad was a nice guy.

 

Sean brings up a radio interview in which Nash said that he did steroids once in 1986 but when he signed with the WWF, he knew that they were clean there, unlike when he was in WCW. Sean asks him about this and Nash said that he was brainwashed at the time and that it was bad. He said that there would be guys collecting urine specimens at the Philadelphia Spectrum then when they worked in Hershey the next day, they would have to produce another sample.

 

 

FEBRUARY

 

Eddie Gilbert’s death is brought up, as he died on February 18^th due to a heart attack. Nash then uses this to bring up how he looked at pictures with himself and several other wrestlers from years ago and he is the only one who is alive. He then talks how he looks back on what he did back then and doesn’t want to be remembered as a drug abuser when he passes. He says that his dad passed away at 36 and he did not use any drugs at all. Nash himself says he doesn’t expect to see 70 years old. He then talks some more about the lifestyle and how you would have to fly from Boston to Anaheim, the longest flight in the continental United States, and you better make sure you are ready when the bell rings and have your gimmicks in your system before the landing gear goes down. Nash said that you would be lucky to even get a cup of coffee in the arenas, joking that you couldn’t get coffee in Madison Square Garden if you had a winning lottery ticket. He said catering then, you had ham sandwiches and if you go today, it is unbelievable how much that you have.

 

On the February 20^th edition of RAW, Sid returns as the bodyguard of Shawn Michaels. Nash said that they had to lobby for Vince to bring in Sid due to his stabbing of Arn Anderson. Nash then claims that they had a meeting with Vince in the locker room and sold Vince on the idea of bringing in Sid. Nash recalls how Vince once told Sid that he was going to give him Hogan’s spot as the top face but Sid declined and wanted to be a heel instead and how Vince soured on Sid from that situation but told Nash and the others they had to care for him.

 

Sean asks Nash about his involvement in the NBA All-Star Weekend. Nash said it was fun but that there were no more limos left in Vegas to take him around. He then blames Lisa Wolfe for that, then calls her a bitch and says “fuck you” to her if she is watching. He then goes on how people from other entities have no idea how wrestling works. Nash said that she had power and was third in charge and they all tried to get her gone as soon as possible. He then brings up how Vince got pissed at him for showing up on “Regis & Kathy Lee” wearing a suit, instead of his gear and belt. He said they got her to quit after an appearance at the NFL 50^th anniversary, when she got Nash a cheap suit that was three sizes to big and he refused to go out dressed like that, so they had to bring in tailors to fix it up. 

 

Nash talks about Lex Luger. He says that they liked Lex the person but as a wrestler, he was no good.  He tells a story how backstage at a show, Lex accidentally knocked over a bunch of equipment. Sean brings up and interview in which Shawn Michaels knocked Lex for having crappy punches and that he could only clothesline. Nash calls Shawn passionate and that he was not afraid to make you look back if you screwed up.

 

Nash is asked about Chief Jay Strongbow. He said that he helped him out and thought he did good as an agent. Sean brings up how most people usually have bad things to say about Strongbow. He then asks Nash if Strongbow was good as an agent and Nash said that in his matches, he did shit, but the fans never sat on their hands in his matches and ate everything up. Nash brings up how he once told Lawler that he was happy to learn from him and Lawler said “fuck you” to him and that he has been wrestling for 25 years and still learning, so he could learn on his own. Nash then jokes about the match with him, saying he was sorry for the “potato.”

 

Next, is the WrestleMania press conference. Sean asks if the press was snarky to them and Nash said yes then jokes how they will gush over the Masters Tournament for six hours, stating they should be sponsored by Ambien.

 

 

 

MARCH

 

On March 12^th, Brian “Crush” Adams was arrested for possession of steroids and unregistered guns. Sean goes back to the press and Nash said that the WWF was lucky that he was a mid-carder at the time so it wasn’t that prevalent in the press. Nash said he was a great guy and had a sense of humor similar to Bob Newhart. He then talks about how they would go to the gym and said that no matter how many bad addicition you have, you at least had one by going to the gym.

 

Sean brings up an in-ring interview with Shawn Michaels conducted by Vince and how Shawn said that he was “going over” at WrestleMania. Nash said the Kliq was trying to push the envelope because at that time, every wrestler was based off of an occupation and how that doesn't sell tickets. Nash brings up boxing and how guys fighting against guys will always sell. He says that if Mayweather fights Pacquiao, no matter how impressive of a card UFC could run against it, everyone will buy the fight. Nash also brings up the angle in which Owen Hart knocked out Shawn with a kick, saying that they went over it in the car the night before and Nash said that he wanted to make it seem as real as possible and suggested the announcers not say anything so the moment could sink in with the fans. 

 

Nash talks about fans, stating that they will always have smarks but that they need to appeal to other fans. Nash has fun with smarks, joking that he is a darling to them before making fun of how they will say how a certain PPV was the worst ever and they will never buy another one, until next month. 

 

 

APRIL

 

At WrestleMania XI, Diesel retained the belt against Shawn Michaels. He said that for the first time in five years, his wife saw him wrestle. He said that Linda McMahon wanted her there as Nash did not, because he didnt want his wife near the "Pirate Ship." He also said that he knew Shawn was going to try to blow him up. Sean asks Nash what they talk about before the match. Nash said that back then, they only had an hour of TV on RAW and rarely was it a match of any significance. Also, they would work with each other for a month at house shows and when they wrestled at a major show, they knew what to do. He also adds that he watched him from ringside as his bodyguard for several months. He then said that Shawn was lobbying for the top spot but Nash joked how he was the biggest guy at the airport and Vince still thinks it is a big man's sport. After that, Nash brings up how Shawn took the worst bump off of a powerbomb in the history of wrestling on purpose. Sean asks why and Nash said why not as they were both "1099's" and had to protect their brands. He also adds that if you cannot fuck with the guys you ride with, then who can you fuck with? He also denies that there was an incident between Tommy Lee and Shawn. 

 

Nash is asked to compare Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Nash said that Bret was born into wrestling and bought into it as it was real, saying that he wrestled that way and was genetically engineered to be a wrestler. He also brings up  how Shawn was suplexing is friends in a pool as a kid and even John Cena made his own title Belt at age eight. Nash said he was different as he saw it as a way to make money when he could no longer do his first love, basketball. 

 

Sean asks Nash about the match between Bam Bam Bigelow and Lawrence Taylor. Nash said he and Shawn should have been the main event at Mania, as it was the title match and you didn't know what type of match they were going to have. Nash credits Bam Bam for the match being a success and calls him a great worker, despite the fact that he was "anti Kliq." 

 

Nash then tells a story about how he and Hall found out that Shawn got $60,000 for his payoff at Survivor Series while they only got $45,000 despite doing most of the work in the match. Nash then calls J.J. Dillon all pissed off so, according to Nash, J.J. puts him on hold and tells Vince "They're fucking talking" so Vince gets on as Nash does a funny impersonation of him and after their conversation ended, Nash said that he immediately called his wife and told her that a package containing $15,000 was arriving to the house and to put it in the bank. 

 

He also tells a story of the Kliq meeting with Pat Patterson and Vince McMahon, after they flew in when the Kliq voiced a lot of complaints, and they hashed it out and finished by drinking beers at Chili's. He said that they told HHH to sit in his room that night, as he was new and didn't want him to get major heat. When asked if the meeting took care of their grievances, Nash said they did. 

 

Nash tells a story of when he knew he was done with the WWF. At the IYH show in Louisville, Nash was supposed to beat Bret clean with the powerbomb, before the Undertaker interfered, but Bret refused. in the locker room,  Bret kept saying that it didn't make him look good so the Undertaker, who Nash said was generally mild-mannered, got up and told Bret "Motherfucker, it isn't always about you." After the match, Nash said that he got in the shower then told Hall that he was calling Bischoff. 

 

Next, is the angle from the April 3rd edition of RAW when Sid ran out and powerbombed Shawn three times, leaving him out for six weeks. Sean asks Nash if it was legit and he said no and that Shawn "lost his smile" again at that point. He calls him a teacher saying he worked nine months with the Summer off, because business was slow. 

 

Sean asks Nash about the overseas tour and the flights. Nash said if you fell asleep on the plane, you were fucked. He recalls a time when Savio Vega cut a little piece of hair from both Shawn Michael and Scott Hall, who brought Savio into the company. He asked if they flew first class. They said no and one time, he flew sitting between Undertaker and Yokozuna. Nash said Yoko would have to take up two seats. Nash then said they bused through most of Europe and would be exhausted from that. One day in the locker room, Waltman brought in a full bottle of Phenobarbitol and no one had a clue as to what they did but Nash saw they had caffeine and came to the conclusion if they took 4-5 pills, they should at least feel awake. When asked what they did, Nash said he had no idea as there was so much stuff in his system. 

 

Hunter Hearst Helmsley debuted at the end of the month. Nash said that HHH was always different, he wore slacks and dressed nice while they were wearing fanny packs and gimmick t-shirts. When HHH worked his first match, Nash said that they all watched on the monitor and were impressed, then went up to him and asked who he rode with before saying that he could ride with them. Nash said that you could immediately tell that he was money. He puts him over for being really intelligent and for knowing the business. Sean asks him how did he fit in, seeing as he did not party at all. Nash said they were relieved that someone clean could drive and that HHH saw it as an opportunity to align himself with powerful people. 

 

 

MAY

 

The In Your House PPV starts. Nash said they were branching out at the time, doing stuff on MTV and Nickelodeon. He also puts over Shane McMahon for pushing it in a more realistic direction instead of a cartoon. 

 

He is asked about Sid. Nash thinks that he is a better worker than him but that their styles are too similar and the match was boring. He says there was no excitement at all. 

 

Nash hurt is elbow in a double clothesline spot in a match against Kama. Nash said that he got up in the middle of night and took a piss and put his arm up and in tremendous pain. He put on the light and was black and blue all over and even bleeding out. He then said that he decided to do some incline presses, like an idiot the next day then went to see Dr. Andrews and was initially told he tore his triceps and would be out for nine months but was back working in three weeks. Nash said that he couldnt take time off as he was on top and wasnt going to get paid at home. Nash recalls talking to Paul Orndorff in WCW, asking him why he never took time off when he hurt his elbow and Orndorff said that he was on top working with Hogan and that they were printing money so he didnt want to miss out. 

 

On May 18th, WWE had a meeting at Titan Towers with all of the wrestlers in an attempt to show them how impressive their facilities were. Nash said it turned into a grievance meeting and recalls how Bam Bam stood up and yelled at Shawn for traveling on the same bus and cars as Nash, the person he was wrestling , and how he wasnt protecting the business. Shawn stood up and started to yell and swear then Nash said that Hall stood up and told Bam Bam that the same cars following the wrestlers have been traveling around, seeing the same matches for the past two weeks and that they probably get it by now and getting into same buses aren't going to stop them from buying tickets. 

 

Final Thoughts: Well, this was excellent. Nash goes off topic a lot but is such an engaging story teller that it doesn't seem to make a difference. Half of the disc was spent on January and February too. A few of these stories have been told before, from his other shoot interviews, but if you have not seen a Nash shoot, pick this up by all means.