Donald Wood sent this in.
Fellow columnists Mike Chiari, Brandon Galvin and myself had WWE Superstar Adam Rose on the show this week, and it was a great episode with plenty of exclusive content.
YouTube interview: http://youtu.be/dL1OPgFQlHI
Donald Wood: Smackdown is coming to Philadelphia on Tuesday, October 7 at the Wells Fargo Center. Talk about what Philly should expect from Adam Rose and the Rose Buds and what kind of reaction you are expecting from the hardcore Philadelphia crowd.
“Well, as you just said the hardcore crowd and I love the fact though that they are such a different fan base. They are their own types of people, its really exciting. I expect many Rosebuds and I do expect to hear some lemons, but that’s alright that’s how life is. You’re going to always have lemons. You are gonna get the full Adam Rose and the Exotic Express experience and of course the one and only Bunny will be there. Its gonna be a party that does not stop once we hit Philly.”
Mike Chikari: You’ve largely been a singles competitor since getting called up to the main roster, but lately you’ve been competing in some tag matches with The Bunny against Slater Gator. What are you hoping to accomplish when it comes to your partnership with The Bunny? Could we see you go after the Tag Team Championships?
“Well of course anything is possible so I would not say that’s out of the question. At the end of the day Bunny and I go so far back. We’re best friends and kindred spirits. I’m just happy to see him finally stepping forward. I know how hard he has worked to get to where he is now. Its not easy being a bunny and breaking ground like that. People don’t understand that and that he has had a hard journey. I’m really proud of him and really excited for him. Who knows what the future holds for Adam Rose and the Bunny and the entire Exotic Express and all of my Rosebuds. Anything is possible in the WWE.”
Brandon Galvin: Your high-energy theme song and entrance with the Rose Buds has become extremely popular within the WWE Universe. Could you explain the inspiration behind the Exotic Express?
“When Adam Rose finally did finally step foot within the WWE the whole point was to make an impact, to be different, and to bring something that has never been brought before. To bring the party to the WWE and that’s exactly what we’ve done with the Exotic Express of course, my party party full of all my happy Rosebuds who want nothing more than to have a good time. So its an experience and I think that’s what people need to realize. Its an experience and you want to be a part of it and be a part of the totally different exotic experience we are bringing.”
Donald Wood: The Adam Rose character came to fruition quickly. You debuted as Rose in March on NXT and were on the main roster by May. Has developing a new character quickly helped or hindered your transition to the Raw and SmackDown?
“I think at the end of the day the Exotic Express is on Raw and SmackDown and in the WWE. If you look at it, it is a perfect fit. At the end of the day the party keeps on rolling and we are rolling onto SmackDown this Tuesday in Philly and its going to be one heck of an experience. It’s going to be the entire Exotic Express with Adam Rose and the Bunny. Of course October is the month where WWE is partnered with Susan G. Komen and its going to be all pink, everything, its going to be an explosion of pink. There going to have the pink ramp, pink rope, and pink everything. So of course October is going to be a very exciting month for everyone involved.”
Mike Chiari: NXT has really become a breeding ground for WWE’s future Superstars. And as someone who came up through the NXT system and underwent a character transformation during that time, what do you believe is the biggest benefit that wrestlers are afforded when they’re developing down at NXT?
“I think NXT is becoming so much more now than just a developmental territory. I think the greatest thing at your disposal is all the knowledge. There is so many people involved there with so many years of experience. So many different wells of knowledge you can dip into that it really is amazing. You got so many great coaches like Bill Demott, Norman Smiley, Nick Dinsmore, and Terry Taylor. If you work out the amount of years of experience in that building at one given moment its incredible. You have everything at your fingertips – seven rings to practice in, training ground, rehab center, places to practice promos and commentary, even Dusty Rhodes is involved. Everything is at your disposal while you are there and there is no excuse really to not achieve or not be the best superstar you can be coming out of there. It is where you want to be. NXT is so much more than just that now. Its growing into its entire own thing. It is really exciting to watch NXT and the Superstars coming out of there.”
Brandon Galvin: Having worked extensively with NXT and now working on Raw and SmackDown, what are the main differences between working NXT and the other top shows?
“NXT definitely prepares you for whats to come and that’s one of the main purposes of NXT is to prepare for whats to come on Raw and SmackDown. It’s much bigger once you get to Raw and SmackDown, everything is far more intense. You’ve practiced the dance and now its time to perform the actual dance. Its time to take that stage and all that you’ve learned, all the years of experience at NXT and make them work for you. It’s different but it definitely prepares you for it.”
Donald Wood: Many fans really enjoyed the Leo Kruger gimmick and the work you were doing. What caused the changed and what was your initial reaction?
“I’m just going to answer this with this comment: “The best characters are those that are extensions of yourself.” I think Adam Rose is most definitely just an extension of the man behind him.”
Mike Chiari: One of the things that you’re best known for is your entertaining ring entrance where you’re joined by your Rosebuds. If you could make any current or former WWE Superstar an honorary Rosebud, who would it be and why?
“Oh most definitely Khali. I’d love to get my hands on Khali and get him in the Exotic Express. We all know he can dance but I think we have only scratched the surface of Khali’s potential to party and that’s why I would love to get my hands on the Great Khali. I think that would be amazing.”
Brandon Galvin: The Bunny has proven to be a pleasant surprise for fans when the two of you work together in the ring. Is there anybody else on the Exotic Express that you feel would surprise fans when they step into the ring?
“That’s the thing, I don’t want to say anything too quickly. At the end of the day you will have to watch and see. There is still a lot of tricks in the Party Express. There’s still a lot of Rosebuds that the world has yet to meet. Who knows what the future holds.”