Bill DeMott has been in the wrestling business for many years. He’s been loved, he’s been hated, he’s been criticized, and he’s been ignored. What many wrestling fans may not know is the fact that DeMott’s daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 2015.

It’s a tragic story and, since his daughter’s death, DeMott has spoken out against drunk driving as often as he could.

DeMott even created ‘The Keri Anne DeMott Foundation’ in order to raise awareness of the issues, and to advocate for other families who have been affected by similar tragic circumstances.

The Pandemic of Drunk Driving

DeMott recently spoke a local news source in his hometown in Florida. He talked about the foundation, and tried offer advice to people who may be thinking about getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking.

“This time of year – the holiday season – things have changed,” DeMott told My News 13. “Someone made a decision that took my daughter’s life, and every day we have to make a decision to get up and make that not happen for someone else.”

So, that’s what he does.

According to My News 13, DeMott drives his vehicle, one adorned with his daughter’s face, across Florida to spread their message and to tell their stories.

“[Drinking and driving] has become socially acceptable,” DeMott stated. “I think people are numb to the fact that this is happening, and as long as it’s not happening to them, it doesn’t exist.”

It does exist, though.

• Mark Henry & Bill DeMott Want Sunny Removed from WWE HOF

It was reported that in 2019, there were 10,142 fatalities due to drunk driving. This is not a new problem, and it’s not one that will go away until people start taking it seriously. That’s what DeMott aims to tell people with his foundation, and it’s a message worth hearing.

Jeff Hardy is once again in trouble with the law, after being arrested last weekend and driving under the influence.

After being tested by police, who at one point had to pull guns on the AEW star, Hardy’s blood-alcohol level was over triple the legal driving limit at which point he was arrested.

A lot has been said about Jeff and who should share responsibility for his actions, but one former WWE Superstar has taken aim at Matt Hardy.

Matt Hardy and Bill DeMott

It’s been reported that Matt Hardy was with Jeff hours before his arrest, and after AEW President Tony Khan issued a statement about Jeff’s arrest, one fan asked whether action will be taken against Matt.

“What about @MATTHARDYBRAND who was getting drunk with him and let him drive knowing he was drunk and doesn’t have a license full accountability @TonyKhan right @BillDeMott”

DeMott responded by saying “it’s a good question.”

Matt responded, unhappy about DeMott’s insinuation that he bears responsibility for his younger brother’s arrest.

“Understand your passion on this & agree that DD is unacceptable. I expect speculation from fans, but not you. I haven’t touched a drug in over a decade, haven’t drank since I’ve been a Dad. Saw Jeff last on Sun night & flew early Mon w/@RebyHardy. I can’t be with Jeff every min.”

DeMott responded by saying he has nothing but respect for the former ECW Champion.

“No disrespect or anything toward you Matt. Utmost respect, we are all accountable for ourselves.”

DeMott’s tragedy

Jeff and Matt Hardy aren’t the only people that Bill DeMott has been especially critical of regarding driving under the influence.

Earlier this year, DeMott called on WWE to remove Tammy ‘Sunny’ Sytch for the Hall of Fame following her own arrest and being charged with DUI manslaughter.

Sytch is accused of killing 75-year-old Julian Lasseter via her drink-driving, and DeMott knows what it’s like to lose a loved one.

In 2015, DeMott’s daughter Keri Anne DeMott was killed by a drunk driver. She was 20 at the time.

In response, DeMott founded the Keri Anne DeMott Foundation, which looks to reduce the risk of drunk drivers on the road.

WWE Hall Of Famer Mark Henry agrees with Bill DeMott, that Tammy Sytch (aka Sunny) should be removed from the WWE Hall Of Fame.

Recently, The Keri Anne DeMott Foundation sent out a press released and called for Sytch to be removed from the WWE Hall Of Fame. The release called for WWE to remove “repeat DUI offender and now killer of an innocent man, Tamara Sunny Sytch from it’s Hall of Fame.”

Bill DeMott Tweeted out the release along with the following message.

“When do we start holding people #accountable BEFORE they kill themselves or someone else? When do we decide as law makers and judges that we DO NOT get to decide who should and shouldn’t be punished? When do organizations speak up for EVERYONE not just influential cases? #WHEN”

All Elite Wrestling’s Mark Henry followed up with a response, agreeing with DeMott.

The DeMott family notably lost their daughter, Keri Anne Demott, to a drunk driver in 2016.

Sytch was arrested last week and charged with nine felonies. One of those included DUI manslaughter which left a 75-year-old Julian Lasseter dead. A toxicology report found that Sytch’s blood-alcohol level was 0.280 (g/100mL,) three-and-a-half times the legal limit while behind the wheel.

As of this writing, Sytch is scheduled to be arraigned in Volusia County Court on May 31. She posted bail this past Saturday and is not allowed to leave Volusia County, Florida.

Sytch was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2011. WWE has yet to comment on the situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvsTJNyEhFA

Former WWE performer and trainer Bill DeMott recently took part in an interview with PlanetaWrestling where he names his time working with Triple H in NXT as the greatest time in his career. DeMott feels that working with the talent in NXT was his greatest accomplishment.

“There is no denying what [Triple H] and NXT are doing is successful,” DeMott said

Demott was a trainer for the third season of WWE’s Tough Enough reality show back in 2002, and ended up landing head trainer positions at several developmental territories. DeMott was a trainer on Tough Enough during the seasons that brought us John Morrison, The Miz, and Ryback.

“I was so grateful for the first opportunity to coach on Tough Enough, it turned into the biggest part of my career and I was part of the most successful shows WWE ever did,” DeMott said. “I am truly proud of everyone that competed, because win or lose I spent every day with them and know what they went through.”

DeMott was the head coach of NXT while Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Neville were all there, and says they are changing the face of the industry now on the WWE roster. He says he’s particularly proud of those three, and gets a “nervous energy” when he sees how well they’re doing on TV.

DeMott resigned from WWE in March of 2015 following accusations of misconduct and abuse by several ex-trainees. DeMott denies the allegations.

• Bill DeMott Breaks His Silence Regarding WWE Resignation, Rants About Entitled Millennials

Ethan Carter III crashed Saturday night’s EVOLVE 61 event at the end of Drew Galloway vs. Johnny Gargano — and cut a promo on Triple H, NXT, his time on the show and former head trainer Bill DeMott.

EC3 bragged on how he and Galloway went on to become world champions and Triple H blew it.

Video of EC3’s appearance can be seen below via Periscope. It appears EVOLVE is building to some matches with Galloway and EC3 vs. Gargano and TJ Perkins, who qualified for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic earlier on the show.

https://twitter.com/DeathToAllMarks/status/729115030113947648

https://twitter.com/GallowaySpeaks/status/729119213617557505

Drew McIntyre. Derrick Bateman. This means war. #EVOLVE61

— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) May 8, 2016

Lucha Underground star Ivelisse recently spoke with Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard blog as part of their “Five Questions with…” feature. The 27-year-old athlete is currently out of action with a broken ankle (two fractures) and a torn ligament.

Walking better & better each passing day ??

— IVELISSE?????La Sicaria (@RealIvelisse) May 3, 2016

After breaking into the business as a contestant on WWE Tough Enough (2011) and spending time in both WWE and TNA, she finally feels “at home” in Lucha Underground. Here are some highlights of what she said about:

Her Journey To Lucha Underground:

“This business hasn’t been easy. I still struggle to hold onto that positive force that keeps me going. I’ve scratched and crawled, and I obviously don’t have the best luck, being injured again, but I find a way to keep going and persevere. I learned that what I wanted to focus on bringing to the table wasn’t what WWE wanted. It sucked, but it was something I was not willing to compromise. There is a certain integrity to my work that I am so obsessed over–I want to be the best at what I do in every sense possible. There is the politics side, but I can’t be something other than who I am. That is something that hurt my soul, and I tried it but it just wouldn’t work. As long as I can work on perfecting my craft, then I’m happy.

When I left WWE, I tried to find that in TNA, but it didn’t work, either. Thankfully, Shine gave me the chance to show who I am really and what I can actually contribute to wrestling, and that’s something for which I am eternally grateful. Now I have that chance on a bigger scale with Lucha Underground. My message is to be a strong female competitor. I don’t get attention for what I wear or what I look like–I get respect through my hard work, and that’s all I’ve done my whole life. As long as I get a chance to do that, I’m happy.”

Dealing with Bill DeMott in WWE developmental (FCW):

“Obviously, I’m not the only one who ran into numerous big problems with Bill DeMott. In my personal experience, [his presence] was a big obstacle and big problem. I tried and tried my best to deal with it, but there was only so much I could do when he was in such a position of high power. I am not the type of person to blame someone for any type of failure, but it was a very big obstacle during my time there, especially during the last three months when he was placed in power of the developmental territory.”

It’s a great read that you can check out at SI.com.

Former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott was recently interviewed by the crew from The World According To Wrestling and spoke about the state of women’s wrestling, Bray Wyatt setting the benchmark for the main roster, glass ceilings, overexposure and that he’d only return to WWE after a long conversation with his wife. Here are the highlights of what DeMott said about:

His Role in the Success of NXT: “It’s an honour to have been involved in the beginning stages of it. I had a small part in the Performance Center and NXT and I’m happy and so proud to see where it’s going. They are just going crazy and from Paul / Triple H and everyone involved up-and-down and all the coaches, the work ethic is crazy with NXT. Watching them grow to the main roster and seeing what the girls were doing, it’s just been awesome and I couldn’t be prouder of how it worked out. It’s got to light a spark. I imagine that everyone who is at the Performance Center now or anyone who has a notion of wanting to join the Performance Center, that’s got to be an incentive because it’s all happening from there. It’s all happening from NXT.”

The Evolution Of Women’s Wrestling: “I’ve been in almost every development system there’s been and I remember years and systems where there were no women. The difference for me now is that these girls are athletes and they want to wrestle. Not only do they want to entertain but they want to wrestle. I think if they are given the opportunity to headline Raw, they are going to run with it. They are changing the face of sports entertainment now and the hard part is telling them they don’t have to do it all at once. And I think that’s what helped escalate NXT because two years ago the women’s division at the time wasn’t getting the opportunities on the two and three hour shows but on NXT they were featured. They answered the bell and when I was there I would put the women in that locker room up against any men’s locker room in the country.”

His Favorite Talents In The Business: “I absolutely think that Bray Wyatt will be around for the next 100 years. I think we haven’t seen the surface of Luke Harper, guys like that. I think Ambrose is yet to see his highest level. And then you have guys like Rusev but to me Bray Wyatt is the benchmark for creative and that’s all him. Of the set he’s one of the most intelligent men, he does his homework and he’s all in, and its guys like Owens and Bray Wyatt. I think The Miz is brilliant and the flag bearer is Cena. So Bray Wyatt for me is the benchmark for those guys coming in: how can you get in the ring with a character like Bray Wyatt and be relevant?”

If He Would Return To WWE: “Sure, I’m not the guy who says I have one more match in me. I don’t think I’d ever be that guy. I don’t think I’d turn it down if someone said “Hey we got the gimmick Battle Royal, do you wanna do it?” Yes, because it’d be fun but I’m not the guy who says I have another run in me. I am the guy who would love to be in the ring. I love to be around young talent. I love to be around talent that’s looking for another way to fix things or try things and I love training. I absolutely love wrestling and I take advantage of every opportunity from seminars to tryout camps and things like that and, if the opportunity ever comes again, you never say you’re not gonna do it because I’d be a liar but if it ever came up it’d be a serious conversation with my wife.”

We are very sad to report that former WWE head trainer Bill Demott’s daughter Keri DeMott was killed on Saturday morning in a head-on car crash in Orlando, Florida. She was 20 years old.

According to the Sgt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highwway Patrol, Keri Demott was driving onState Road 407 around 12:30 am early Saturday when another vehicle veered into her lane and hit her head-on. The crash is still under investigation and charges are pending.

Here are some reactions from the wrestling world:

https://twitter.com/ebischoff/status/653635453589983232

My Prayers go out to @BillDeMott and his family. There are no words to describe what He and his family are going through #PrayforBill

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) October 12, 2015

https://twitter.com/therealxpac/status/653637511823101955

My thoughts and condolences go out to the @BillDemott family

— ??Rodriguez ?????? (@RRWWE) October 12, 2015

My thoughts and condolences go out to @BillDeMott who's going thru a tragedy that no one should have to. Completely heartbreaking.

— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) October 12, 2015

– Former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott recently spoke to the Miami Herald about his departure from WWE following widespread allegations of misconduct on his part:

“It was just time to move on. Everything has a shelf life, and you have to realize what you’ve done, and if what you’ve done is more important than what you think you should be doing, then you have to make that decision. I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’m proud of the system.

“After 28 years, I don’t think you’re ever really done, and that’s why the seminars like on Oct. 2 at the Main Event Training Center are cool. I really haven’t spent too much time sitting, thinking about [WWE departure]. I just consider it another chapter in what I’m doing.”

– Several fans noted that The Rock’s WWE.com profile has been moved from Alumni to [current] Superstars.

– Speaking of The Rock, he’s teasing a ‘huge announcement’ coming this week.

https://instagram.com/p/8Mbrx0ohw1/

Former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott will be holding a tryout training camp at the GXW Wrestling Academy in Richmond, Virginia in August.

Below is a press release that was issued on Monday with all of the details.

Superstar Seminars
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
June 15th, 2015

Press Release

Superstar Seminars presents The Bill DeMott Tryout Training Camp. Aug 8th & 9th at the GXW Wrestling Academy in Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, VA – Superstar Seminars, in conjunction with GXW Wrestling and The Bill DeMott Experience are pleased to present the Bill DeMott Tryout Training camp on August 8th and 9th at the GXW Wrestling School in Richmond, VA. This camp will give aspiring pro wrestlers a chance to be trained by one of the world’s most renowned pro wrestling trainers and experience first-hand the challenges that they will go through during a tryout for a major pro wrestling company.

Bill DeMott has over 25 years’ experience in the wrestling business, wrestling for ECW, WCW and WWE. Bill is well known as the former head trainer on the WWE series Tough Enough, and was the head trainer for the WWE Developmental programs Deep South Wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling and most recently, NXT. Bill has been extremely influential in the rise to stardom of many of the current WWE Superstars as well as many WWE Superstars of the past decade.

As a member of the team who devised the testing and tryout process by which a current WWE hopeful is evaluated, Bill’s knowledge and expertise are incredibly valuable to anyone serious about making it in the world of Sports Entertainment. This camp will give students an authentic, first-hand experience of the tryout process, and Bill will teach all enrollees every aspect of how to be a better performer and provide the qualities that the big companies are looking for. The camp will cover many aspects including:

– – In-Ring technique and execution
– – Verbal skills
– – Conditioning
– – Character development and presentation

Assisting at the camp will be former WWE Women’s, WWE Divas and TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James, one of the most popular female performers of all time, Nick ‘Magnus’ Aldis, the first British Wrestler to hold the TNA World Heavyweight Title and former IWGP and GHC Tag Team Champion, and legendary senior referee Earl Hebner, who has decades of experience working with the biggest stars in the business.

The camp will take place at the GXW Wrestling Training Academy, a fully insured, air-conditioned, multi-purpose facility featuring a full-size ring, classrooms, green screen video room for promos/interviews and changing/restroom facilities. With easy access from major highways I-64, I-95 and I-295 and just 5 minutes from Richmond International Airport, the Academy is easily accessible for students from all over the US or Worldwide. Given the nature of the camp, we require that anyone wishing to attend must be at least 18 years of age with a minimum of 1 year experience in wrestling. Exceptions may be considered for applicants with a significant athletic background. Proper wrestling training attire is required. All enrollees will receive detailed instructions and information via email as well as video footage of their training for future reference upon completion of the camp.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be trained by the man who knows what the big leagues are looking for! Enrollment is $250. To apply, please visit www.superstarseminars.com and fill out the application form. If accepted, enrollment fee is required in full to secure your place. Enrollments are limited to a maximum of 30. Apply now to get your spot!

• CM Punk “Super OK” If UFC Debut Doesn’t Happen Until 2016

– Chris Jericho announced on Twitter that former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott will be appearing on this week’s episode of Talk is Jericho to discuss his departure from WWE. The show drops this Friday.

This wk on #TIJ:
Wed- @MarkTremonti talks new album @alterbridge & #Creed
Fri- @BillDeMott talks resigning from @wwe http://t.co/2R3OnCmGx4

— Talk Is Jericho (@TalkIsJericho) June 8, 2015

– Former WWE Diva Chyna has launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance a new documentary about her life titled, “The Reconstruction of Chyna.” She’s seeking $10,000 and as of this writing, has raised $185 with 29 days to go.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/792672781/the-reconstruction-of-chyna

Former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott appeared on this week’s Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling Podcast to discuss his 28-year career in the wrestling business .

From his days beginning as Crash the Terminator, to mastering his craft in Japan and Mexico to his rise through the ranks of the Dungeon of Doom and in the crazy world of WCW through his controversial time in WWE Developmental, one thing you will take from this interview is Bill DeMott is a passionate and old school student of the game with a lot to offer the next generation of the wrestling business.

Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Transitioning from Wrestler to Trainer:

“If I had my choice now, I’d be wrestling. It came from in WWE. Before the shows, I’d be in the ring with younger guys who wanted to try and learn things and break a sweat. I had the opportunity to start training guys because I wanted to be there and I think John Laurenitis, Jim Ross and the “powers that be” saw that. I’ve found every transition easy. You have to be open to change. Change is the biggest part. It doesn’t’ mean you are not doing your job, it doesn’t mean you are not prepared or not capable of becoming a bigger star you just have to be open to change. In front of the camera, behind the camera, with new people, with people you know. My transition every time, I’ve found easy. The thing that constantly needs work is perception. We are in a politically correct era and just because I am talking to you guys one way, someone is going to listen to this podcast and take what I said the wrong way and I’ll be all over the internet again by tonight and I’m America’s darling all over again. You have to love what you are doing in this time of ‘Sports Entertainment’ to be a part of it and then you have to love it enough to know what is working and adapt.”

The Difference of “Training Old School” vs. “Being Old School”:

“There is a big difference between ‘training old school’ and ‘being old school.’ It’s just a philosophy that I have. Training old school means taking what we did and what helped make us successful and brought us into the business and bringing that training into what we are doing. Being old school is not differing from all that and telling people to shut the hell up and do it this way because its the only way. I train old school, I’m not old school. I am old school at heart but I train old school with a new mentality. The thing for me as the ‘heat guy’ is that my reputation comes from Reality TV. So as soon as people hear the name Bill DeMott they don’t think of Hugh Morrus or Crash (The Terminator) or Hugh G. Rection people in this generation hear Bill DeMott and say “oh shit”. But until they get to know me, I train old school, I don’t think old school. Because your job is to make people better and help them move on and at the end of the day if you are not doing that then you are not doing your job.”

His Favorite Match and Feud:

“I main evented against Hulk Hogan and I got the classic back rake and leg drop and I was like a kid in a freaking’ candy store. I will never forget the conversation that Hogan had with me after that match and it just solidified that I should be wrestling. I got to do it with one of the best and that is not to be-little the fact that I’ve been in the ring with The Undertaker, Ric Flair, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and I’ve been in the ring with Brock (Lesnar) and side by side with Paul Heyman. My favorite feud was definitely with Lance Storm, it was incredible. Lance has a theory of in ring stuff and putting things together and I enjoyed Lance, one; as a person outside the ring and also in the ring because it was two guys who wanted that opportunity and we weren’t afraid to push each other. It was great communication and two guys being honest with each other and I think we told a hell of a story for the time we were together.”

The Legacy of Bill DeMott and the Bill DeMott Experience:

“My legacy will be defined by who you talk to. I will stand by this. I’ve done what I was asked to the best of my ability. Good, bad or indifferent, my coach always said if they are talking about you it was good, so I think I’ve done that. As of late I’ve been a huge topic of conversation by people who probably don’t know a thing about wrestling. I am a kid from New Jersey who did something he fell in love with and became very good at it and had a 28 year career. I am starting this project of the Bill DeMott Experience (BDE) because my legacy has been Bill DeMott “the hard ass” and I am going to bring that same guy and try to experience other things. I want to meet other coaches in life, pastors, all kinds of people and I want to get their take on life experience, dealing with others, guiding people and having fun. I will never change the perception of Bill DeMott, but hopefully I will open the doors to people and let them see Bill DeMott. For anyone that’s never worked with me and seen the guidance counselor, the big brother, the father, the boy scout leader all these things that you have to be when you are put in a position to lead a group of talented people. Bill DeMott talks extensively about his career in WCW, working with Kevin Sullivan and the Dungeon of Doom, the purchase of WCW by Vince McMahon, working in Japan and Mexico, Tough Enough and the success of NXT.”

Former WWE head developmental trainer Bill DeMott was recently interviewed on Vince Russo’s podcast and discussed his resignation from WWE following widespread allegations of abusive behavior towards his students.

Here’s what DeMott had to say about ‘millennials’ and their sense of entitlement:

“I always use the term it’s never the quarterback, it’s the coach. Millennials, I think right that’s what this generation is called the millennials. I think it’s in the whole world. So what I can say and what I will say is as a dad as you are, as I am, I try to figure that out to keep my children away from that entitlement.

I guess it’s old school that you get what you earn and you try to earn what you want. I think that’s all I am going to say about that because I think no matter what the case, Walmart, Publix, IBM, I always use IBM I don’t know why, I go to a lot of management seminars and that’s a lot of the conversation, the opening conversation: ‘What do we do when they don’t like that?’ And I want to walk out because I’m not going to learn anything if I’m still trying to figure out.

It’s tough, it’s going to be tough for whoever has to figure out what they want tomorrow.”

– WWE’s Chief Digital Officer Lou Schwartz, who has been with the company since October 2014, left WWE a few months ago. Schwartz is now working as the Chief Strategy Officer for over-the-top company “WorldNow.”

– NXT live events scheduled for June 11th in Columbus, Ohio and June 13th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are sold out with approximately 1,500 seats for each show. The 5/14 show in Philadelphia is close to being sold out, and the 5/15 show in Philly has just under 800 seats remaining. Philadelphia is being set up to hold about 2,000 seats per show. The 5/16 NXT event in Albany, New York has only a few hundred seats still available.

– Backstage morale at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida is said to be much higher ever since former head trainer Bill DeMott resigned. New head trainer Jason Albert has apparently been a pleasure to work with thus far.

• CONFIRMED: CHAEL SONNEN Signs With GFW — What Will His Role Be?!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

Ring Of Honor wrestler ACH recently praised former NXT head trainer and controversial personality Bill DeMott while talking about his WWE tryout experience during a recent interview on The Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On attending WWE’s NXT tryout camp in 2014: “Bill DeMott was there and he was not a jackass, he was actually one of the nicest trainers, but really all of them were nice. He was just very nice and it sucks that people came out and he lost his job with these allegations. It was one of the most intense trainings or boot camps I’ve ever been to. It really all comes down to heart, wrestling is based on heart and the mental, they just want to see if they can break you and see if you can hold on, because only the strong survive in this world.”

On feedback he received from the NXT tryout: “They just said to me not right now, which I understand. Look at the guys they’ve got there right now, good things happen to those that wait and it’s truly true. I am a firm believer in when it happens it’s supposed to happen. I can patiently wait and honestly I love the Indies. A lot of guys don’t like the Indies because a lot of guys want to hot shot and go right there because thats the big bucks and where I don’t blame them, I love what I do. I love wrestling and before I go there I want to get all that I can out of Ring of Honor, I want to be the best wrestler for Ring of Honor that I can be. I want to learn all I can right now so that I am ready.”

On facing Samoa Joe in ROH: “There is no way I ever thought I would be in the ring with Joe, so to actually wrestle Joe was such a cool experience. But I had to fight Joe. I watched Joe knock out Kenta, so my mentality going into that match was; I am going to bring it and I know that I brought it.”

On some of his favorite matches to date: My time limit draw with (Jay) Lethal I really enjoyed. My match with Cedric (Alexander) from Mike’s (Bennet) Bachelor Party was one of my favorite matches with Cedric, who I think does not get the props that he deserves and then my match with Jimmy Jacobs. Jimmy was someone I always wanted to wrestle and when I was going through a lot of my early issues in Ring of Honor, Jimmy was always there whispering things in my ear that kept me going. So he has been a really big help to me and I genuinely look up to him, he’s got such a great mind and is a really cool to be in the ring with.”

Check out the complete interview at Podomatic.com.

• Which WWE Star Convinced UFC To Let Rousey Work WM31? + Rousey/WWE Update!

Former NXT star CJ Parker recently spoke with Inside The Ropes Radio regarding his departure from the company, his last day at WrestleMania 31 and more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

What Led To His WWE Departure:

“It was something that….It wasn’t an overnight decision. I began to feel that I needed to step away from NXT for a while and broaden my horizons and earn my stripes. Get some experience all over the world. Over the past couple of years, I’ve seen guys come in who are great friends of mine that have made names for themselves all over the world and then they come to NXT and you name it, the rest is history, they take off they do great things. I wanna say a lot of it is prior to their experience in NXT and I wanna go through that. I wanna live out of a suitcase for a while. I wanna wrestle in front of different types of crowds and try to get over all over the world, start from the ground up. I finally said, I’m 25, if I’m gonna do it, I gotta do it now.

His Final Day With WWE, WrestleMania 31:

“It was a beautiful thing actually, my last day and I watched my best buddy in the world win the World Heavyweight Championship. What a great day. To see him go out and accomplish that and just to know how hard he worked and as long as I’ve known him. I felt good. I was happy. I’m really excited about the future so there was no sadness.”

His Experience Working With Bill DeMott in NXT:

“The one thing about Bill that nobody can argue about is that he was extremely, extremely, extremely passionate about NXT and he was always… you could ride up at 7am, think you were early and he was there. You could think you were leaving late, he was still there. He put everything he had into the Performance Center and he put everything he had into NXT, he helped it get off the ground and he was truly… He was proud to be a coach and that’s all I really wanna touch on.”

TNA performer Ethan Carter III recently spoke to the folks at WhatCulture.com about his experiences training under former NXT head coach Bill DeMott.

EC3 stated the following about working with DeMott while in the WWE developmental system.

“(Worked with him in WWE developmental) Having been there at that time, I witnessed a lot of it. This industry is extremely difficult and, to achieve success in it, I 100% agree it needs to be hard. It needs to be earned. Preparing for the demands of the industry, both physical and mental, are essential. It requires a special psyche that all may not possess.

Having said that, I feel there is a big difference between a hard-nosed individual pushing you to the limit to become great, and blatant bullying.

It is an unfortunate scenario that transpired, as that position holds great power in many peoples careers and physical well being. I feel that in this day and age, with what we know about concussions, someone being slapped in the head while possibly suffering from one is unacceptable. Asking talent to conceal injuries that your “training tactics” are responsible for is unacceptable. Leading the charge on an anti-bullying campaign, while that very thing is taking place under your watch, is unacceptable.

A company making a statement that the accusations “fully investigated” when they were not, well, that is just is very disheartening.

Then again, it is not my company to run. I don’t know the inner workings. Perhaps I am wrong. Our generation has been labeled “unmotivated and lazy,” which I can’t disagree with more. Some of the hardest working/creative people I know are putting in maximum effort for just an inkling of success.

Saying that this entire group has “a feeling of entitlement and a certain level of defiance” (which has since been recanted) is painting very broad strokes and not looking at individual talent. Plus, I believe it was a “level of defiance” that made people like Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, The Rock, HHH and John Cena some of the biggest stars this industry has ever seen.

In the end, if you believe or enable homophobia, racism, and bullying as coaching methods, we strongly disagree.”

• BACKSTAGE UPDATE: Samoa Joe Signing With WWE SOONER THAN YOU THINK!!

– Multiple sources are reporting that former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott wants to give his side of the story after resigning from the company a few weeks ago following a lot of controversy. DeMott, however, has been asked by WWE to remain quiet for the time being due to legal reasons. As noted, WWE is expecting lawsuits to be filed as a result of the DeMott controversy.

– The following are some recent WWE live attendance figures:

March 12th in Largo, FL for NXT drew a sellout of 500 fans
March 13th in Abbotsford, BC drew 5,000 fans (Roman Reigns tour)
March 14th in Seattle drew 6,000 fans (Roman Reigns tour)
March 14th in Milwaukee drew 7,000 fans (John Cena tour)
March 14th in Citrus Springs, FL for NXT drew 225 fans
March 15th in Portland drew 3,200 fans (Roman Reigns tour)
March 15th in Minneapolis drew 5,500 fans (John Cena tour)
March 16th in Des Moines, IA for RAW drew 9,300 fans

• BACKSTAGE UPDATE: Samoa Joe Signing With WWE SOONER THAN YOU THINK!!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

TNA star Ethan Carter III spoke with the Journey Of A Frontman website while at Tommy Dreamer’s “House of Hardcore VIII” event in Philadelphia last weekend. Below are highlights from the interview.

On working with top guys such as Sting and Kurt Angle: “Looking at it from the perspective as a fan growing up watching wrestling, it’s surreal to be in the ring with guys I considered heroes, guys I watched every week. From being a little kid to a teenager, I would see a thing Kurt Angle did in a match one time and pause the TV. Then I’d look to my dad and say, “Someday I’m gonna do that.” And he’s like, “Okay.” Then someday I’m doing it and I’m in the ring with a guy that inspired me. As a fan, that’s incredible. As far as a talent or performer, you only get better being in the ring with people that are better than you. The only way to improve is to be in situations you’re not accustomed to and being taught through hands-on training. Being in the ring with Sting, Bully, Angle, even all the other veterans in TNA like Eric Young, Austin Aries, Matt Hardy, Abyss, you’re always learning with all those guys. You always learn with everything you do. Guys that have been around longer have learned from some of the best too. It’s the trickle-down effect. Trickle-Down Economics, Ronald Reagan style.”

On having freedom with his character: “I think being locked into a verbatim script is hard for a wrestler because we’re not professional actors. If we were, we’d be getting paid not to get hurt. The thing about being a wrestler and a character is that it’s an extension of your personality. It’s hard for somebody to write who you are. It’s easier to be given a scenario and a situation where you can act in it. You get a script in both places, there’s a difference in that sense. In the sense of TNA, I’ve been able to take scripts and feel it out there. I’m not deviating from the important things, but I’ll put it in my own words. And I think that’s helped me greatly because I’m the best me that I can be and every talent is the best they can be. It’s also the talent’s responsibility to incorporate themselves into their character and not be apprehensive by saying that something sucks and they don’t want to do it. You have a segment on national television, take that as an opportunity to make it something special. Every time you have a chance, do something special.”

On the Bill DeMott controversy: “It’s an unfortunate situation that happened. There’s varied opinions. As far as wrestling training, it should be difficult a hundred percent. You’re in a place where you’re supposed to represent the best. During my time in developmental, I had some of the best coaches in the world. I had Dr. Tom Prichard, Steve Keirn, Norman Smiley, we had Billy Kidman for a time, Ricky Steamboat, and all these guys push you. They push you to be better constantly. I would be dead dog tired from those practices, but it was never at the expense of my humility as a human being, at the expense of being made an example of, it was to get better. I was pushed to get better. I firmly believe that fully. As far as that scenario, what’s come out are things that did happen and it isn’t a place for that. Not in 2015. Not in wrestling in general. It’s not bettering you as a wrestler.”

Check out the complete interview at JourneyOfAFrontman.com.

• WWE Planning Very Special Ring Entrances For Sting & Rusev At WrestleMania 31

Former WWE Superstar Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers) recently spoke with Alex Obert of the Journey of a Frontman website while at Tommy Dreamer’s “House Of Hardcore VIII” event in Philadelphia last weekend. Below are highlights from the interview.

On what he took out of House of Hardcore VIII: “Probably the most fun and most unpredictable good time that any wrestling fan could ever have at a show. I have a blast doing this because I love it. It’s my job and all that, but sometimes these shows are so fun and exciting, I almost wish I could go back in time and somehow be sixteen and go to these shows. It reminds me of how much fun ECW was when I went to the shows live as a kid.”

On Rey Mysterio leaving WWE and appearing at HOH: “Rey Mysterio is hands down the greatest luchador of all time. If you want to dispute that, tweet me. I don’t think anyone else is comparable. He’s the most successful, he’s the most talented, he is an absolutely special performer. I think it’s a huge loss for WWE and a huge gain for all of us wrestlers that get to be around him and have him on our shows and learn from him and work with him. It’s just a win.”

On the Bill DeMott controversy: “I trained under Bill and he is what he is. He’s a drill sergeant and he’s tough, it takes a lot out of you. I wasn’t there for all the new allegations, so I’m not too sure what happened.”

On Zack Ryder being in the Royal Rumble: “I hope the world of him, I’m always pushing for him. He deserves it. He’s a great guy. I don’t think we’d be anywhere without each other. We were very fortunate to find each other and go through this business together. I’m thrilled to see him and I’m glad to see he got the reaction that he got. I always hope for the best.”

Check out the complete interview at JourneyOfAFrontman.com.

• WWE Planning Very Special Ring Entrances For Sting & Rusev At WrestleMania 31

– Joey Ryan recently tweeted the following, leading to speculation that he has been threatened by WWE lawyers not to speak out against Bill DeMott anymore.

https://twitter.com/JoeyRyanOnline/status/577253526830612480

– Former WWE performer Joanie “Chyna” Laurer deleted some of the controversial videos she posted on YouTube where she said she was “coming for Triple H” and called Stephanie McMahon a “total b*tch.” She posted the following video after deleting the others.

https://youtu.be/lINeWuG3Yvs

• CM PUNK Reveals What Advice BROCK LESNAR Gave To Him About Fighting In The UFC!

While many of the accusations that have come out against Bill DeMott took place in early 2013, some of the stories reportedly date back to his first run as developmental coach, which ended in 2007.

Issues with DeMott in the past is one of the reasons WWE had cameras installed in the WWE Performance Center, and are also why all practices are filmed.

WWE reportedly wanted proof to defend themselves in case any lawsuits came up in the future. As noted recently, WWE is expecting lawsuits to be filed as part of the recent DeMott controversy.

The issues surrounding DeMott were well known within the company, so much so that many were said to be surprised that he still had a job. There was said to be a feeling that the controversy was a time-bomb that could go off at any point.

Additionally, there’s a feeling that some of the stories that came out about DeMott in recent weeks were exaggerated by those who were telling them.

• UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis Comments On His Teammate CM Punk’s Attitude!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

Former WWE NXT head trainer Bill DeMott has been speaking out on Twitter about his departure from WWE and all of the allegations being made against him.

In response to Dr. Tom Prichard releasing a scathing rant about him earlier this week and refuting WWE’s claims that they conducted a “thorough investigation,” Demott wrote:

@gerweck I’ve said it before and still stands, I’ve never had an issue with Tom and everyone has an opinion.

— Bill DeMott (@BillDeMott) March 12, 2015

Orlando reporter Matt Grant reached out to DeMott asking for a comment/interview regarding the allegations, but he declined.

https://twitter.com/BillDeMott/status/575051720700510208

Vince Russo sent him an encouraging message:

https://twitter.com/BillDeMott/status/576132707761131520

He also denied the “jelly donut stinkface” incident and denied being racist or homophobic:

https://twitter.com/BillDeMott/status/576203743512809472

https://twitter.com/BillDeMott/status/576206457588224002

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted a new blog update, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:

Projects He’s Working On: “We had some productive meetings in LA the past couple of days and my itch to get back into some form of play by play needs scratching. Boxing and MMA folks are speaking with us and where that goes is anyone’s guess but I’m told that it looks positive multiple fronts.”

Potential Lawsuits Over Bill DeMott: “Contingency attorneys must be licking their chops on the thought of expected litigation on the allegations directed to the Bill DeMott matter. If I were them I might not spend that money just yet. ”

NXT: “Smart move by WWE to tour outside their home base of Florida as it helps the talents in a multitude of ways. Poor travelers don’t make great roster members in my view. Plus, by booking some experienced talents with the younger ones the ‘rookies’ will improve exponentially faster. Fact: rookies cannot improve as needed working only with other rookies.”

Global Force Wrestling: “Getting lots of questions about what’s next for Global Force Wrestling and I expect Jeff Jarrett to address this matter after WrestleMania. However if he does to a series of TV tapings I do think that doing them in Las Vegas is a splendid idea. Begs the question, if Jeff actually is planning on taping TV, could a network deal be too far behind? Yes, Jeff and I are talking but there is no “deal” on the table at this time.”

The belief is that former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott, who resigned from WWE last week, received a significant severance package on his way out of the company.

WWE is apparently expecting lawsuits to be filed as a result of the controversy surrounding DeMott and their developmental system, which is why they were careful in making it clear that they admit no wrong doing in their official statements regarding the situation.

Additionally, there was said to be a feeling that some WWE employees were aware of the complaints, but didn’t expect so many people to come forward because generally everyone aims to stay in their good graces, as it’s everyone’s dream to work and/or return to WWE one day.

It’s also being said that some of the people speaking out right now, while they were still in WWE, they were asked about the allegations and at the time, they said the stories were untrue.

• MIKE TYSON Admits RONDA ROUSEY Could “Kick His Ass” In A Real Fight! [READ HERE >>]

(Credit: F4WOnline.com)