The pro wrestling business is often a rollercoaster ride where performers can go from highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Names including Buff Bagwell and Muhammad Hassan can attest to this. The two are among the initial set of guests on Robbie E’s podcast “Why It Ended with Robbie E.” The show on the MLW Radio Network sees the former Impact Wrestling star and co-host Matt Koon speak with top talent delving into their journey within the business and beyond.
Here Robbie E takes time out to talk about how the podcast came together, his own career and family life.
Where did the concept of “Why It Ended with Robbie E” come from?
I just came up with the idea because if I wanted to do a podcast I wanted to do something different. I just find a lot of guys are on the same type of podcast telling the same stories. I wanted to do something that would intrigue me. So, a lot of the guests that we have had on and are going to have on are people’s story that I want to hear too. I want to entertain myself, so I know I’m putting 100 percent into the interview, and I think the fans will be interested also.
When you approach the potential guests on the show about the topic, has it been hard to get them on the show? Or do they like the idea of being able to use the platform to share their side of the story of what happened?
It’s not really a bad thing. It’s more of, “Hey, why did it end?” It’s not a knock on them or anything. It’s telling the story of what happened. And in 2018 people find out things anyways. It’s been easy to get guests, but I see where you are coming from. I think it’s easier for guys, knowing that I am in the wrestling business and they know me a little bit, to share their story. They know I’m a wrestler too, so I think they are comfortable talking to me because of that.
What is the criteria or boxes that must be checked to be considered for a guest appearance on your show?
That when fans hear a guest is coming on they go, “Holy s—! I forgot about that guy,’ or, “Holy s—! I remember that guy.” They want to know what happened.
I recall listening to the Buff Bagwell episode, and you mentioned how the feedback you received for the Chris Harris one was that a lot of people didn’t know who Chris Harris even was before they even listened to the podcast. So, it kind of introduces a lot of folks to some fans.
Yeah, there have been names who have been forgotten about or just people who vanished and aren’t around anymore, and they don’t know why they aren’t around anymore.
Is there a reason why you chose Glacier to be your first guest?
We just wanted something that would kind of pop. I think Glacier is one of those, “Holy s—! What happened to him?” guys. Even though he is still doing independents and locally in Georgia, he is kind of this guy who has been forgotten about. I’ve been around 18 years, and I’ve probably been on one show with him. He is not around much, so not many know his story. I think his would be an interesting one.
Do you have guests laid out the next few weeks?
We have a list. I’ve been hit up by people who have reached out wanting to be a part of it. We are trying to keep names that have the holy s— value. A bunch of guys have reached out who want to be a part of it, but we want bigger names for the next episodes.
So, you’ve turned down people?
Not turned down. Just we’ll do them eventually. Before I even started this thing, I made a list of about 100 guys I wanted. I don’t see why they all wouldn’t want to be a part of it. The thing is all the podcasts have a happy ending because they are talking about what they are doing now. We wanted guys to talk about how they are in a happy place now in whatever they are doing. Plus, the ones we have had on so far have reached out saying after appearing they’ve gotten more followers. They have gotten a booking or two out of it because it’s getting their name back out there. MLW Radio Network is a big platform, so it’s helping guys a bit. People are going to want to be a part of it.
Will there be a Virgil episode?
Of course, he is on the list. Whether we end up doing it, we’ll see. We want guys who haven’t done a lot of podcasts before. He has. Same for Buff, but if they have been on before, we want to approach the talk from a different angle. We want to get questions asked that haven’t been asked before.
What have you learned now being on the opposite side of coin where you’re the one asking the questions?
Well, I have to tell you about my guests. I learned that Glacier is the nicest human being in the world. I’ve learned that Zach Gowen is the meanest human being in the world, in a joking way. But if you listen to his interview, you’ll see what I’m talking about. He was so meanwhile he was in WWE to everyone. He laughs about it now. I’ve learned that it’s interesting finding out these guys stories. I didn’t think that I would have enjoyed being a podcast host as much as I have.
How much research or time do you put into preparation?
Matt Koon, my cohost, does a lot of the geeky, dork, research questions. I try to go off it and flow. I just like conversating with guys. I don’t want to want to read from a question. Like Zach Gowen there was a bunch of stuff I didn’t remember what he did. I had no clue. I like hearing about it for the first time, so I can ask questions that I know fans who knew nothing about it want to ask. I am just reacting to a lot of it as we go.
Now that you are a dedicated father and seem dedicated to your children, how has that mindset changed the way you look at the business? I know for WrestleMania weekend you weren’t there because you had other bookings elsewhere. How has having children changed what you feel is most important and managing priorities?
To be fair, WrestleMania weekend didn’t have anything to do with my children. I was in Detroit for something else. It’s just so crazy WrestleMania weekend with all the wrestling and fans. I feel like everywhere you go you are bombarded by fans. I kind of enjoyed being booked elsewhere. It’s too much craziness. But like you said I am 34 and have baby twins, so to go to New Orleans, I’d probably get myself into trouble. Then it wouldn’t be worth it. I hate going away now. I travel every week almost, and every time I leave I’m excited to come back because I’m missing them.
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Do you see yourself signing with another company full-time?
I hope. I mean I’m 34 and in the best shape of my life. I still feel like I have a lot to offer. I would hope in 2018 I would be on someone’s television.
Looking at how the landscape of Impact Wrestling has changed in the last year and two, is that a place you would want to go back to? Or do you want to venture to more undiscovered lands?
Of course, never say never. It is what it is. But the reason that I left was because of their money situation they were in. I don’t think much has changed. I love Impact. They’ve given me the platform to become Robbie E. I have so many great memories there. However, it’s not the same place it was. Again, would I ever go back? Anyone would go back anywhere if the situation was right. Though with them, I left for a reason. It seems like it’s still the same.
Where do you see yourself then right now within the landscape of pro wrestling? It’s an interesting time now.
I just want to be wrestling full-time. I want to say my job is wrestling. I drive a nice car, live in a nice house. I want to stay busy traveling the world wrestling. Of course, everyone’s number one is WWE. Again, if the situation is right. I’d be happy to be anywhere. There are so many options out there.
Would you see yourself reuniting with the BroMans or do you want to do your own thing?
Jessie [Godderz] is doing his acting stuff and modeling. He is based in Cali, and I’m in Jersey. We are far from each other, so for people to book us, flying in would be hard since he is West Coast. We do still talk regularly. He still loves wrestling, but for him to leave California with so much going on there, the situation has to be right. That’s why he hasn’t been doing much with wrestling. But would we be open to it. Yes.
With MLW having its own promotion, what are your thoughts on how Court Bauer has been able to parlay his success with podcasting and bring this promotion back on a new television platform?
I mean add it to the list. WWE, Lucha Underground and the NWA resurfacing. Add it to the list to the options of where guys can get their names and faces out there and make money. If the situation is right, I would love to be a part of it. And our podcast is getting way higher numbers than I think anyone thought it would. I’m already in MLW through the podcast, which is a great thing.
Do you still have the Muscle & Fitness gig with your video diaries?
Yes, Mondays on all Muscle & Fitness social media channels. Their website at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, the “Dad Bod Destroyer” videos drops where I do the weekly workouts with my kids.
That’s great. Are they going to become wrestlers one day you think?
If they grew up wanting to become wrestlers, of course I’ll never tell them they can’t. I’m not going to be one of those people either who says I like wrestling, so you have to like it. I don’t care. I have no interest in them watching me wrestle until they’re older. I find it very odd when guys bring their kids to wrestling shows to watch them wrestle if they are getting beat up and stuff. I don’t want my kids in the audience watching me get beat up. When they are five or six, maybe they can come to one local show where I’m beating up the guy 90 percent of the match. Then I look like a super hero to them. I have no interest of them coming early and watching form an early age. I don’t think it’s necessary.
I can understand that. So, when do new episodes of the podcast drop?
Every Wednesday at 6 a.m. ET it drops on the MLW Radio Network. Then of course it’s on iTunes, www.whyitended.com, and everywhere else you can get podcasts.