Interview with Bill DeMott

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At times, he’s a red-faced, snarling maniac ripping a contestant’s self-esteem to shreds on Tough Enough 3. But backstage at Sunday’s non-televised event at the Nassau Coliseum, DeMott was smiling and laughing shortly before participating in a six-man tag team match. WWE.com took advantage of his good mood and sat down with the veteran to discuss the transition out of his Hugh Morrus character and how Tough Enough revitalized his career. </div> <bR> <div> WWE.com: What do you think about the new character?</div> <bR> <div> DeMott: I still don’t know what to think. To me the best part about it was the interview with Funaki (last week on SmackDown) because I just got to speak. I was just Bill. I enjoy it because it’s just like Tough Enough. There’s no pulling punches every week. They want Bill, they’ve got Bill. It might not be too long before they ask for Hugh back, because he was a lot easier to get along with (laughs).</div> <bR> <div> WWE.com: In that interview with Funaki, you said you deserve more after being in the business for more than a decade. How much of this character is really you?</div> <bR> <div> DeMott: All of it’s me. That’s why I had no problem saying it. When SmackDown! aired, I got calls from my folks, and they asked, “Wow. How’d you get away with that?” I don’t think I deserve more. I just think I deserve a chance, and that’s what I’m getting now, a chance. </div> <bR> <div> WWE.com: Before Tough Enough came around, how difficult was it to not be highly involved in WWE television? </div> <bR> <div> DeMott: It was getting tough to not be a part of it. It took me a long time to become a part of WCW, even though I was there six and a half years. That last nine months to a year, I became part of the company where I contributed more than just doing basic stuff. It was getting tough. Then I got to go to (a developmental camp in) Cincinnati, which was good because I got to help the younger guys come up. Then my house shows started tapering off, and no TV because the creative team has a lot to handle. You’re not forgotten about, but they have to deal with the weekly product. So that was the toughest part. When you feel like you can go, and you’re sitting. You just want to be part of it. I can’t see myself doing anything else. </div> <bR> <div> Tough Enough just revived me. Being with those kids who don’t know anything makes you remember what you got in it for.</div> <bR> <div> Tough Enough is a breakaway for Maven and Chris (Nowinski), who didn’t win, but the trainers come out of it and it’s almost a double standard. All of a sudden you’re recognized, but you’ve been doing it for so long. It’s been real good for Tazz. Al Snow’s made his claim. Before Bob (Holly) got hurt he was on his way. Chavo Guerrero’s taken off so strong. Tough Enough was the first time people have seen Bill DeMott. They’ve always seen a laughing man or a little comedy here and there. If I had known Bill DeMott would have gotten a chance, I would have came into the business that way (laughs). But not too many people like a 300-pound mad guy all the time. </div> <bR> <div> WWE.com: Talk a little bit about where we are right now in Tough Enough 3. Of course, you mentioned how Jonah’s rib was one of the top five you’ve ever seen. </div> <bR> <div> DeMott: It’s one of the top five in my 11-12 years now, and just to see the kids try to figure out how to get him back because they were just emotionally destroyed. To me it was the funniest thing. When I watched it again last week on TV I laughed all over again, even though I knew what happened. Just seeing them go back and forth and getting Jonah back with the Ex-Lax. They showed that part on TV, but they didn’t show the mental stuff these kids go through. Mentally and physically at this point in Tough Enough, they’re beat up. They’re worn out. They’re questioning themselves. They’re questioning what they’re doing there. It’s hard to portray in 21 minutes what goes on during a week. So the ribs came at the right time which made me enjoy it more because the kids took a deep breath and realized the trainers are human, and the business is a great place to be in if they get the opportunity. Al, myself, Big and Ivory showed them there’s a human side. There’s a fun side to the business, but then again, that’s not why they were there. It’s good everybody got to see the rib, and it was better to see them take a breath and realize there’s a fun point. </div> <div> It was great. I couldn’t imagine what I’d be doing if I didn’t do (Tough Enough). If I did Tough Enough for the rest of my career, I’d be so happy. It’s really given me a second chance at my career. </div> <bR> <div> WWE.com: What direction will Tough Enough 3 take from here on out? </div> <div> DeMott: It gets more intense, more mental now. Now it’s more about understanding what’s being said and then doing it. Understanding why, and when, and how they’re being taught this.</div> <bR> <div> There’s guys in developmental areas who don’t have this one-on-one opportunity so it’s being brought across a lot more. I think the group of kids we have gets it. And how could you not get it? You’ve got Al with 20 years and whatever I can add with my 11 years, and you have Ivory and Big and the Superstars that came. To me that was great because every Superstar had the same message. What it broke down to was listen and learn this. This business is great. It’s what you make of it. But you have to want it. </div> <bR> <div> WWE.com: How did Scott manage to stick around as long as he did? </div> <bR> <div> DeMott: I think – and no disrespect to Scott because he really is a great kid – Scott made for good TV. He made for good reality TV. He was a good little piece of the puzzle in the house because he offset a lot of different things. The kid came every day, and he came and tried hard. When he looked at you with that blank stare, he didn’t get it. But he didn’t get it because he was a dummy. It’s just not him. Will he make it? I still talk to him once a week, and he says he’s trying this. But Scott’s just a kid. Al said it best: he’s 21 years old but with a 12 year old’s mentality. I think what kept Scott going along in my opinion was that it is a reality show. It is still entertainment. Wrestling-wise, nothing kept him there. </div> <bR> <div> WWE.com: If there is a Tough Enough 4, how afraid of you should the new cast members be? </div> <bR> <div> DeMott: When I first walked in, I told the kids there’s nothing to fear. Just respect what you’re doing. Now I have a better feel for what we’re doing and I remember why I got in the business. So hopefully, knock on wood, I will be in Tough Enough 4. Yeah, I guess they should be afraid, because I was the no-nonsense guy. I was the bad cop. </div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>