How was I ever going to learn if I wasn’t on the road? It was so reverse pathetic! But I was also the only guy on the road, and I don’t know if it ever happened again afterwards, I got a bonus in my contract if I worked more than 23 days in a month.
So, when we would do the Twin Cities I would try and get booked on the Saturday morning show and then on Saturday night. If I could get two shows in on one day, I was the happiest guy you would ever see in your life! I wrestled over 305 events my first year.
I was having some success with speaking engagements and different business ventures but I went to WCW as long as I could do and dress how I wanted, so I went to a place called Hot Topic. I got some jeans with the zipper down the side. As a matter of fact, I was in the best shape of my life! So I don’t know why I chose to cover up some.
But I wanted my jeans, my tight shirt, and I loved my boots from Tekno Team 2000. So, if you see some of those matches from WCW, you’ll see the last 0 at the bottom of them. So, I’m on board. I signed on. I’m excited! Bischoff’s excited. Everyone’s excited.
Two shows in, I get a call. ‘Can you change your outfit?’ ‘After all of this?’ At this point, I’ve been to WWF. I’ve got myself in incredible shape. I’ve got my hair in a double ponytail. My glasses on, came out as a heel. I’m just having a freaking blast. And, that is your response? It was actually Dallas Page that called me. Eric [Bischoff] asked Dallas to call me because he knew me and Dallas were tight.
I said ‘I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m not changing sh*t.’ He goes ‘Bro! Bro! They love everything you’re doing.’ I said, ‘they don’t love everything I’m doing. I’m the one who designed the outfit, I’m the one who came up with the outfit. And, I’m the one wearing the outfit! That is what I’m doing! They’re not WWE. They didn’t design the costumes. They didn’t trademark anything. They didn’t do sh*t. This is Erik Watts now!’.
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