Q. When did you start wrestling?
A. I started wrestling in Dublin, Ireland. I worked many jobs, but ultimately the jobs were not made for me. I worked at Coca Cola and Symantec among other jobs, but I had this ultimate passion to start wrestling and follow my dream. I remember waking up one morning and the WWE Desire video was on. Edge [Canadian actor and a retired professional wrestler] came on screen with the whole WWE backdrop, the entrance, the light, action scenes and then Edge fighting in the ring. I just got this overwhelming feeling that I could be doing this. A month later, Bret Hart was at the club and I spoke to him about this. It took some time to work out and I had to go back to work after an unsuccessful first attempt with a training company. I entered another wrestling company in Ireland and from there it just took off. I went to England and tried out professional wrestling. I then moved on to WWE after a while and brought my own new look — I did not tan like most other superstars. I retained my originality, crazy look, crazy attitude and now seven years have flown by.
Q. The kinds of fights we see in such games are risky as it can lead to physical imapairment. What makes you so passionate about such a potentially dangerous sport?
A. There is an element of risk to everything in life. Most things that we do everyday have some element of risk attached but that does not stop us from doing those things. Any sport has its share of injuries as does professional wrestling. At WWE, we have undergone years of training to hone our craft as WWE Superstars. Intensive training helps prepare us better for the risks involved. I’ve always been passionate about WWE and wrestling, and I love that it allows me to do something I am very passionate about.
Q. You represent your home country, Ireland in the ring. This must make you really proud.
A. I am very proud of my Irish culture and it’s something I have carried with me into the ring. Myself and Ray Senior, who is one of my best mates, were hugely into Celtic Mythology and we wanted to bring something different. So, I introduced the Celtic Warrior. Also my name, Sheamus is a very Irish name. It is simple and well-known and it fit my character and my look more than anything else.
“There is an element of risk to everything in life. Most things that we do everyday have some element of risk attached but that does not stop us from doing those things. Any sport has its share of injuries as as does professional wrestling.”
Q. How do you train yourself for these games and what is your idea of fitness?
A. I have a great diet by a company called Nutrition Solutions. I am constantly active in the gym and I work out seven days a week. Stretching also helps and knowing when to take the day off actually helps. Adequate sleep is another factor. It’s important to listen to your body and understand what it needs. Especially after two injuries I’ve learnt that is a key for having the healthy lifestyle.
Q. It is rumoured that WWE games are scripted and pre-decided. Is that so?
A. WWE is scripted entertainment, exactly the same as the great Bollywood movies or any action movie. WWE is a storyteller. It’s about heroes and villains, and engaging passionate fans in the inspiring saga of the hero’s journey. We tell those stories with incredible athletes in live events and TV programming 52 weeks a year, all interwoven with pop culture. While the results are pre-determined, make no mistake the action and athleticism are real, created by athletes who have undergone years of training to hone our craft as WWE superstars. The impact of every punch and kick remains real.
Q. Whom do you see as your biggest competitor in WWE?
A. I am my biggest competitor. I am constantly looking to get better and I have very rarely been beaten.
Q. Which is your favourite action film? Do you watch Bollywood movies?
A. My schedule is really busy at WWE and I’m constantly travelling so I have very little time to watch movies. Even though I have been unable to watch any Bollywood movies I know it is huge, even bigger than Hollywood and I’d love to watch one.
Q. Please tell us more about your visit to India?
A. My visit to India has been amazing so far. It has been one of the greatest trips I’ve been on so far and has been absolutely unbelievable. I was in Jaipur and visited the royal family at City Palace, got a welcome fit for a King. Got a VIP tour of the palace and got to see the beautiful city of Jaipur from the top of the palace. I saw some amazing sights and culture at the palace. I think there is so much of history and rich culture preserved in India. In a time when everybody is discarding or disregarding their culture and history and what they’re about, I feel India has preserved this and it’s incredible to see. I love the food in India. I’m especially a fan of the butter chicken here. I love the food so much I think I have eaten enough food for a month in one day. Mumbai is a beautiful busy city — it was an amazing experience. I was the referee of a football match between the Special Olympics Bharat Athletes for Play Unified. It was exhilarating interacting with Bollywood superstar John Abraham and seeing all my fans in Mumbai.