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Andy Steven sent PWTorch.com the following interview with Shawn Stasiak, formerly with WWE...

www.PWMania.com recently had the opportunity to speak with former WWE and WCW star Shawn Stasiak. Shawn Stasiak goes in-depth on why he was released by WWE, working in WCW, drugs in wrestling, becoming a WWE World Champion and what he could bring to WWE. Shawn Stasiak also speaks on the WCW Invasion, the politics backstage at that point and much more. Below is the complete interview:

Andy Steven: Firstly I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview for www.PWMania.com.

You are the son of former pro wrestler & WWF champion Stan "The Man" Stasiak, how was it growing up having a champion wrestler as a father?

Shawn Stasiak: It was very unique and dynamic. Everywhere we went whether it was the grocery store, restaurants, walking through a mall, a park, at the pool, etc. You name it; he was recognized and asked for autographs. I really looked up to him as a Father and as a wrestling hero. I idealized for what he did and ultimately that is what inspired me to want to get into the wrestling business myself. He also inspired me to want to become a doctor of chiropractic as when I was a little boy, I would jump up and down on his back as if it was a game, all the while his back would pop here and pop there and giving him some temporally back pain relief. And he used to always talk about how much he loved going to the chiropractor's office. He was such a character. So funny, he was like a big kid and used to always make me laugh. He was a very caring and loving father. He will continue to be missed.

Andy Steven: You made your WWE debut in April 99 and were released in December of the same year; reports suggested you were recording conversations with wrestlers. Was that the real reason for your release, and what were the alleged conversations about?

Shawn Stasiak: Apparently it was believed that I was tape recording some of the wrestlers' conversations in the locker room without their consent. The truth of it all is that I had no wrongful intent whatsoever as I played a joke in a car and in an airport with some particular wrestlers I was traveling with and was going to play back to them what I had recorded earlier of them arguing and acting like little girls as everyone was irritable and tired that day. The joke/prank back fired as the next day, someone went through my gym bag and found the recorder and played it back to only hear the people being recorded on it. It made me look real bad in everyone's eyes and looking back; I understand how everyone felt as I probably would have felt the same. I never had the chance to really explain myself as no one really wanted to listen. Two weeks later, the company (WWE)released me and I ended up going to WCW which I ended up being treated more fair and used more productive. So in essence, it was a blessing in disguise. Bottom line is is that there was absolutely no wrongful intent. It was a stupid thing to do looking back at it all but people make mistakes and if at the time if everyone could have only known that that was just me always messing around with tape recorders, video camera's, etc. They would know that I had been doing that for years growing up in high school and undergrad and that it was all just for fun. That's it, that's all. But you live and learn. And that's just life!

Andy Steven: You signed with WCW in 2000, how different was it from WWE, do you feel you were treated better their and why?

Shawn Stasiak: Yes, I actually enjoyed working with WCW better than with WWE because they gave me more good TV time, was a two time WCW tag team champion, used me more productively, made more money, got to be on PPV's, travel the world and have a fair chance to develop some on air on camera personalities that helped refine skills in the ring and on promos.

I never really got that with WWE. Ironically enough, my father worked for that promotion and that was the only wrestling company I ever wanted to work for as I felt a lineage and a loyalty for some reason.

I am fortunate and grateful to get my training and start with the WWE but ultimately at the end of the day, they never gave me the ball or the opportunity to develop my skills to the level that I know I can be at and where and who I have become today. I have found other means to get to my refined skills of what I have today. And a lot of those is being a real person as well as a wrestling entertainer.

Andy Steven: You worked with Curt Hennig in WCW & WWE, feuding and teaming with him. What were your experiences of working with him?

Shawn Stasiak: I always looked up to Curt Hennig. In fact, it was during one of his matches that I was watching when I was back in high school and knew at that point that I wanted to be a professional wrestler one hundred percent. He was a great wrestling entertainer, athlete, and character inside and definitely outside the ring. It was an honor for me to work both with and against him during my career.

Andy Steven: Was there much of a difference of drug use in WCW & WWE? Was it easy to cheat the drug testing?

Shawn Stasiak: To be honest. I didn't ask everybody what they were on or how much or if they were even on anything to begin with. It wasn't any of my business. It is obvious that there were larger than life human beings walking around back stage but I can't speculate as that wouldn't be fair. I feel personally that a fair share may have been used but once again that is purely speculation. I was tested at least once maybe twice with WCW and I can't recall if at all with WWE but I passed and no I did not cheat. I simply was clean. I know that the WWE has implemented a pretty strict drug testing policy as of late or even within the last couple of years from my understanding. That's all I know about that.

Andy Steven: When you heard that WWE had brought WCW what were you and the other WCW stars thinking? Were there different reactions to Shane McMahon's presence?

Shawn Stasiak: I didn't even see any of the WWE representies that day. I heard that they were there but never saw anyone backstage or anywhere until Shane McMahon walked out on live television during the broadcast. I think there were quite a few talent feeling a sense of insecurity as that would be normal if their jobs were on the line. But honestly, I felt confident that my contract would be of the ones that would be bought over and that I would be back with the WWE. I may have had a thought or two regarding my situation on why they let me go the first time and if enough time had elapsed for me to make a return. But I ultimately felt good about my over all performance with the year I was with WCW and felt that they (WWE) knew that I had improved and grew some wisdom being away working with the other company as that company gave me the time and effort.

Andy Steven: Was there any politics between the stars that were brought in from WCW and the WWE stars?

Shawn Stasiak: I am sure that there was. There is always politics involved in any business. Especially the wrestling business. Knowing the mentality of that industry, I am sure there were plenty of existing WWE talent worrying and wondering if their "spot" would be replaced by someone else, especially with a WCW talent. So I think that created a little tension and maybe some animosity among talent backstage. I also think it made some matches better too. When ever someone feels their job is in jeopardy and must perform to an up and above performance will usually create a better product. Whether it is for a position, ratings, money, etc…

Andy Steven: How do you feel you were treated by the WWE when you signed with them once again, and would you return to WWE again?

Shawn Stasiak: I am always grateful for any opportunity that anyone gives me. Especially when I signed each time with WWE. But it became very frustrating especially after the second time I was there. I came in shape all year around, I could speak well, I could have a good match, I had the size, shape, athletism, passion and determination and not to mention a built in legacy with my father being Stan "The Man" Stasiak. An original pioneer of the WWE and the fifth wrestler in the history of the WWE to become champion. Back in his time it was referred to as the WWWF. But same promotion. My dad worked mainly for Vince's father. My dad had nothing but good things to say about him as he treated my dad very fair. I don't know what happen to me and today's Vince McMahon. Maybe he didn't like my father and took it out on me???(lol) who knows! Although I am very grateful to have the experiences I had with the WWE good and bad, I am thankful. Because no one would know who I was if the WWE didn't give me the opportunity to start on the platform that I did. But looking back at my career with them, I didn't even scratch the surface of what my potential as a professional wrestling entertainer could have been. I never really got a fair opportunity to show case or even develop my talents to refine myself to a Shawn Stasiak level that fans would have really gravitated towards. I have so many people come up to me especially over the last couple of years and ask what happened? Why didn't they use you better? We really wanted something to happen as we dug you but just needed a reason to really care. Stuff like that. And today I get that more than ever as I am in the best physical shape of my life. I am also by far so much more mentally and spiritually stronger as well. I am definitely a much more refined and improved man both in the ring and most importantly outside the ring.

I would consider making a return especially with the WWE if they only gave me a fair opportunity. The contract would have to be right too. I don't need the wrestling business. I fortunately had another passion in becoming a doctor of chiropractic and that is what I have become today as I graduated last September. It took 4 years of chiropractic medical school and passing of all of my national boards and trust me it wasn't easy. In fact, it was the hardest thing I ever had to endure in my life as not only did I push myself mentally but pushed myself in the gym most nights and mornings of the week to stay in peak physical shape. So you can say that I had to reach deep down and find my character. It was humbling but I made it through and that is where I am today. I have another new passion and that is to develop my motivational speaking career within the chiropractic, health, wellness, and fitness realm. I want to be in an office about half the time working with my patients and the other half spreading good information about ways for people to live a healthier and enchanting life. I plan to do this on a world wide basis. I just finished being in a film documentary entitled Shawn Stasiak Determined. It has a lot of diversity and substance to it that I feel most people of all genders, ages, and cultures will be able to take from and make positive changes in their lives. That is my mission and one of my main purposes in this world is to make positive changes in as many of people's lives I come into contact with on a physical, mental, and spiritual plane. But I would definitely consider making a return to the wrestling business only if the terms were finally done right. I am a humble and respectful man but I will call a spade a spade and if given the right opportunity especially with TNA or WWE or any major wrestling promotion, just get behind me, give me the ball and see what happens. I can almost rest assure that any wrestling promoter will not regret their investment as I can make them a lot of money. Especially now at this stage of my life. Hey, here's an idea. How about not have me be the wild e. coyote running into walls and milk trucks and trip over everything and realize that if I were to win the WWE championship one day that I could actually make WWE history as that would be the very first time a father/son duo had ever attained that feat. Wow, what a great story line an idea that could be told to build to that pinnacle moment. But it was just a thought! Time will tell. Either way I will be ok with or without the WWE title. But it does have a nice ring to it. Shawn Stasiak, the winner and NEW WWE CHAMPION!!!

Andy Steven: You were released in September 2002, what was the reason for your released?

Shawn Stasiak: Don't know and probably never will. I would imagine backstage politics??? Hey maybe if I was I chiropractor back then, they would have kept me as they would have needed me for their necks and backs??? Just a thought! Boy do I bring so much value to the table!

Andy Steven: What is your opinion on drugs in wrestling and how do you feel the TV media are treating the Benoit case?

Shawn Stasiak: I think it has been a problem of the past. I think there is a difference between use and abuse. I think that their could be those who are abusing their bodies with what they could be taking and the amounts and combinations of what they could be taking but I don't know for sure and am not going to point fingers at anyone in particular. I have my speculations but it would not be fair to single out any one person because I don't know for sure who is doing what or if anything at all.

I think their should be off seasons in the WWE. Make it so that talent works the road for 3-4 months and then have a month to a month and a half off to help recover their bodies and be with their families. Create a contract so that maybe you make a little more when your on the road as business must go on but for those who are at home resting still get a pay check to support their families but at the same time get the rest they truly need both physically and mentally. Maybe this could cut down or even eliminate those who do use substances for whatever the reason.

Remember, the word steroids have such a bad stigma associated with it and is a term that is used so vague. In some cases and in more recent research, it shows that there are actually physiological and mental benefits in therapeutic steroid use. I am not condoning the use of steroids but just stating some facts supporting the therapeutic use of them for some people.

The Benoit issue is horrifying and very sad. But it happened and nothing can be done about it now. The media by nature seems to always look for the most negative in most stories around the world. That is what our society unfortunately seems to thrive on. Of course, people want answers. I want answers. But all that is ever going to come out of this whole situation as to why it happened and what ultimately caused it; we will never really know the answer. We can only speculate unless some hard fact evidence comes out to explain how and why. It could have been any one isolated reason or a combination of reasons why. But we will never really understand why. All we can do is pray for them and for their family and friends.

Andy Steven: I would like to thank you very much once again for taking this time to take part in this interview for www.PWMania.com, I wish you the best of luck in the future and do you have any messages to say to your fans and what is next for Shawn Stasiak?

Shawn Stasiak: Yes, I would like to say hello to all of my fans. A special thank you to all of those who supported me and would have stood behind me no matter what. I didn't realize how many fans I truly had until the last couple of years of being away from the mainstream.

My life has changed for the better and I know I am on a whole new path that is going to make a difference in many peoples lives in a good way. I hope that you all go to www.musculargalore.com to order my documentary film entitled "Shawn Stasiak Determined." I strongly feel that most of you will be pleasantly surprised with what you get out of it. You will have an opportunity to get to know the real Shawn that you never could have known from my past experiences on television wrestling. I hope you all enjoy it and pass the information on to others. I will have a website up and running within the next month or so that I would like everybody to check out. Right now I have a my space page. www.myspace.com/shawnstasiak and I am just learning how to use it so bear with me folks. And my website will be www.shawnstasiak.com www.musculargalore.com.

And if I ever get a real opportunity. A real fair chance to do something with merit in the wrestling business, I promise I will stand for who Shawn really is. A Shawn Stasiak that most if not everyone can relate to and look up to as a good role model especially for younger kids. That is my true love and passion. To contribute to a positive life that one will live. This is one of my callings in life while I am here.

Thank you for the opportunity in having me conduct this interview. Best, Shawn.

Interview Link: http://www.pwmania.com/post/specials/headlines/192136217.php

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