I grew up watching 'Taker, and he used to scare me as a kid, so I think it would only add to the excitement to be in a casket match with a guy like that. There's definitely some jealousy.
I've always been a guy - I ran my mouth in NXT about the little guys who come through, and they are tough and feisty or whatever it is. To me, they're no more dangerous than a little chihuahua.
It was great to get rid of the long hair. It's such a pain that, if you look at it, it's always wet when guys wrestle: you dump gallons of conditioner in it to keep it wet so you're not choking on it. You have all kinds of stuff in it, and just maintaining it is a lot of work.
Metal fans have a connection. There is something there; just like the wrestling world, they are die hard about wrestling, and it's that passion that makes you enjoy what you do. That is why I go to metal shows; you watch these dudes on stage just shredding and letting loose. You can't help but love it.
I think it's just in my nature to irritate people and push things as far as I can. It's really benefited me in WWE.
It's the fun part of this business: you never know what your day is gonna hold. Some things could be very, very last-minute. It could be at that very last second. So, it's pretty wild, and it keeps you on your toes. That's for sure.
What you see of me on TV and all of that, that is me - that's truly how I feel. I'm just multiplying it. It's that arrogance, that confidence, the belief that I'm the best, and there's a true attitude that I don't care what others think.
It's two guys in particular. Norman Smiley, he got his hands on me the day I walked in the door - started teaching me the fundamentals and teaching me things that I use - but Billy Gunn, that guy has helped me evolve more than anyone.
I think, ya know, he's called out a few WWE Superstars; I wouldn't mind taking a crack at Conor McGregor, and he's, like, 165 pounds, 185 pounds soaking wet. So, I would like to slam him on his head a few times.
One time, I was practicing against the Tennessee Titans, and one of their defensive linemen took a cheap shot at our running back, so I planted him.
My dad brought me up not to accept second place. I lost a karate tournament once and got a trophy for fourth place. My dad tossed that trophy out the window on the way home.
