Make sure to check back tomorrow for the second and final part of the interview, where Brodus talks about his time in WWE, people moving down the ladder in WWE, John Cena saving his WrestleMania 28 appearance, pay-per-view payoffs, TNA and more.
Also, make sure to follow Brodus on Twitter @BrodusClay.
Wrestling INC: You've had several matches since your WWE release. Are these the first matches you've ever had while not under contract to the WWE?
Clay: Yes and I'm liking it as much as I did while with FCW, Deep South Wrestling, or the WWE Performance Center. With the smaller crowds, the fans are very excited with the entertainment, so there's not much of a difference.
Wrestling INC: How long were you a wrestling fan before receiving your first WWE contract?
Clay: I've pretty much been a wrestling fan my entire life. Wrestling, football, basketball, and baseball were the four things I was obsessed with as a kid. I enjoyed wrestling at night.
Wrestling INC: Who were some of your favorite wrestlers growing up?
Clay: There's so many, but I'd say Andre The Giant. I thought he was an awesome heel with Bobby Heenan. I was also a big fan of Paul Orndorff, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, King Kong Bundy, King Haku, British Bulldogs, Demolition, Powers of Pain, and Road Warriors. It'd be easier to tell you who I didn't like.
Wrestling INC: Fair enough, who did you not like?
Clay: I did not like The Missing Link—never liked how he pulled his hair. One of my guilty pleasures is George "The Animal" Steele. I didn't like him, but I couldn't stop watching him when he did the corner post thing. It was the most awkward thing I ever saw. I tried it at a house show once and it's not easy to do.
Wrestling INC: You've spoken about how you met Tommy Dreamer while working at the Saddle Ranch in Los Angeles. How much of an influence was Dreamer on your career and have you kept in contact?
Clay: We're both busy, but when we see each other it is best of love. I'm looking forward to working with him again. I was always a fan of his from ECW and how he conducted himself as a fan—he's always forthright which can be rare sometimes. He's one of the good guys and maybe eventually I can be in the ring with him.
Wrestling INC: After Dreamer signed you, you started with Deep South Wrestling. How would you describe the time there?
Clay: It was the best of times and the worst of times—but it was the best of times. I loved my time in Deep South Wrestling. We trained so hard and I got a crash course into the world of sports entertainment and pro wrestling. There were so many good guys to help like Dave Taylor, Bill DeMott, Dr. Tom Prichard, and Gangrel. Coach DeMott pushed me to want it. There was no free pass given or hazing of the big guy. They treated me like I deserved to be there and I will always be thankful for that. You got to earn your spot.
Read more at http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0723/579309/brodus-clay-talks-his-first-wwe-release/#t6zXHpPwmscdXVCD.99
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