Jim Duggan On Being The First Royal Rumble Winner Ever

This past week WrestleZone Radio proudly presented an exclusive interview with WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. Jim’s interview is to promote his appearance for Legends of Wrestling yesterday in Miami, Fl.

You can find the full audio from the interview as well as some transcribed quotes from it below:

On whether or not he thought the Royal Rumble would become the force that it has when he won the first Royal Rumble ever in 1988:

JD: No, I don’t think anybody could have seen WWE becoming what it’s become. Back then we did the Rumble, got in to a car and headed to another show. It was just another deal. Who would have thought that WWE would become the universal power that it has? I do a lot of charity golf games with the NFL and stuff. I always ask those guys, “World Champions? Where in the world have you boys been?” (Laughs) WWE goes everywhere. Nobody knows Peyton Manning over in Barcelona but they’ll all go, “HOOOOOOOOO!”

On whether or not we could see him pop up in this Sunday’s Royal Rumble match:

JD: You never know. With WWE I’ve had them not be able to get you a ticket so they get you a first class. The most expensive ticket because it’s the day of the deal. You get on the plane. You get to the show and by the time you get there it’s changed. You never know what’s going to happen. Everything is very fluid in wrestling. I figure what a lot of folks don’t understand about wrestling is how competitive the business is. I do a lot of Comic-Cons and autograph sessions and stuff. They say, “My son really wants to be a wrestler!” I say, “Well, that’s great. Chase your dreams because who ever would have thought Daniel Bryan would become a star?” There’s a guy that had “it”. He’s got the desire and the heart. Look at him. They said, “There’s no way this guy is going to make it.” He worked hard enough to get it done. I say, “Chase your dream but realize there’s 1,500 NFL players playing this year. 1,000 NBA players. There’s maybe, what? 100-110 on the WWE roster?” It’s an extremely competitive business. We all compete. We all compete for the same money. We’re real good friends. (Laughs)

Subscribe to WrestleZone Radio on iTunes

During the interview some of the topics Jim talks candidly about include:

How today’s pro wrestling style compares to the pro wrestling style from his generation
His upcoming stand up comedy shows
Performing for the troops in conjunction with Wounded Warriors
Whether or not he thinks fans and the public are willing to give Hulk Hogan another chance
Becoming close friends with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper on the set of Legend’s House
His thoughts on the other Legends on Legend’s House
Whether or not he has been contacted about appearing at this Sunday’s Royal Rumble PPV
Daniel Bryan’s success against all odds
Whether or not he thought that the Royal Rumble match would become the phenomenon it is after he won the first one ever
How not making it in the NFL led to his pro wrestling career
His feelings on the concussion issues in the NFL and WWE
If he is a fan of how pro wrestling training has changed
His love of chess
The surprising name who he used to play chess with backstage at shows
More…