Recently I was granted an interview with UWF superstar Scott "Hotspot" Daniels. I was surprised by how much this ring vet opened up. We ended up talking for well over an hour. The only reason it broke off was because Scott had to go to the ring for a match. It didn't seem like the standard Q&A that a reporter usually goes through. This was more of a conversation, a really captivating and intimate conversation with a real ring veteran, who has practically seen it all during his ride through the Universal Wrestling Federation.
LZ: Thank you Scott for taking time out of your schedule, for this interview.
SD: Hey, you managed to get past security, so I may as well give you what you came for.
LZ: Well, I appreciate that. Let's give a quick run down of your career, shall we?
SD: Sure. I started out wrestling about fifteen years ago. My first big break was tagging with Greg "Iceman" Smith back in GWF, which eventually split off into six pieces. Greg and I were drafted to UWF, and that�s where I've been ever since. Fire'N'Ice didn�t last too long. We managed to win the World tag titles though.
LZ: And it was in that tag team that you got the Hotspot name, correct?
SD: Yeah. They wanted this fire and ice... hot and cold kind of gimmick. So since Greg looked better in blue, they gave him the Iceman gimmick, and that left me with fire. Heh. They tried to give me the nickname "The Flamer". I just thought to myself, Oh yeah, I�ll go real far as The Flamer. So I quickly axed that brilliant idea, and just came up with Hotspot myself. It just goes good with the name Scott.
LZ: And from there, you moved on to singles and ended up suffering a back injury that kept you out of action for six months.
SD: Yeah, ironically, it was Iceman that did it to me. But I've gotta tell you, that turning me heel then was the best thing for everyone. I didn't really like being paired with Smith, and they had me running as the calm, cool and collected one. They wouldn't let me be me. They wanted me to be the nice one. Well, that obviously just didn't work. But back to your question, I got hurt and had to have corrective surgery on my back. I couldn't be in the ring for months, so I came up with the idea of letting me get behind the mic and sit at the commentator's desk with Dave Rogers and Sam Steeley. That went well. It sucked not being in the ring, but at least I was still involved.
LZ: But you eventually did make it back to the ring, where you and Brett Greene set up the UWF's longest running heel grouping, The Pride. Tell me about that.
SD: Ohhhh those were the days. You had these four guys... Youth Gone Wild, Tim Vexton, Alex Kidd and Tom Landis running as Legion, the heroes. They were in a program with Chalmers Corp, and that was quickly fading fast, so they wanted something new. My back was all healed up, and Brett was raring to go. See, Greene and I worked the minors together. We were trained together. The guy is like family to me. He's my best friend, and he and his wife are even the Godparents of my daughter Samantha. That tells you how tight we were. So you have us doing our thing, and they bring in a natural like Dan Kidd. Dan could just rile up a crowd so well. And luckily, Tim Vexton had a brother who was competing over in Japan, so we brought in Shawn Vexton and the rest is history. The Pride � Legion wars carried the fed through those rough start up years. We helped establish that this is UWF, and this is what you should come to expect when you see guys like us on the marquee.
LZ: And the Pride roster quickly grew.
SD: Of course. We were hot. So we then brought in Matt Richards and Ricky Reno as No Fat Chicks, and kids like Joey Valachi, who would benefit from the rub. They were all great and helped contribute what they could. Eventually, even "Crimson" Joe Reed was brought into the group. Pride has really been a who�s who of UWF.
LZ: Indeed it has. And the faction gave you a lot of individual success.
SD: The original intention was to have Brett be the guy going for the World title, and me go for the North American. And in the mean time, I managed to get a record setting number of world tag title reigns under my belt. I'm the only guy to have had those belts four times. And throw in the North American Tag Team title, and you can say I had quite a run. But while people were coming and going in and out of our fed, I was just getting passed up for the World title scene for guys like Dan Kauffman, Bishop or "Playboy" Ronnie D. Guys that worked at that level in other promotions, but came over to UWF expecting the same sort of treatment. Never mind the guys that have been busting their asses off for years to make that title worth a damn.
LZ: Well, you had a brief run in EMWC. Not too many people remember that.
SD: I don't blame them. Things just didn�t click right with me being in EMWC. They wouldn't let me be "Hotspot" Scott Daniels. They tried to water me down, and be something I'm not. But it was still a good experience. I got to see for myself what UWF's competition was like. And I met a few good people, like Mark Langseth. It was fun working with him, as long as it lasted. But yeah, that quickly fizzled, and I realized that I belonged in UWF.
LZ: So, back to UWF, the Pride and Legion stables eventually merged, to form Tradition. Correct?
SD: Ugh. Yeah. Not the best of ideas.
LZ: You didn't like Tradition?
SD: It's not that I didn�t like the guys involved. Everyone was great. It's just UWF was moving in a different direction creative-wise, and John DeWolfe had left his behind the scenes position with the company... He was one of the fed's best idea guys. They kept him around on camera for a while, until his contract expired. Anyway, so they were scrambling to come up with something big, so they put Legion and Pride, two factions that have been fighting for years, and they put us together. It just didn't make sense to me. But it was around then that I was aiming for the World title. I decided it was my time, and I was going to earn it. So I told everyone, I'd start from the bottom and work my way up, and that is exactly what I did.
LZ: And you eventually broke off on your own, for the first time in your career.
SD: They wanted to bring in Rick Styles. "Top Dog" Rick Styles. He had no business being in that group, and I�ll go on record with that. So I said, that�s it, I'm out. I proclaimed that there was no Pride left in Tradition, and I quit the group. I think that was the first time I've ever really had the fans behind me.
LZ: How was it to run as a fan favorite in your chase for Michael Augustine's world title, when you spent the majority of your career being a hated heel?
SD: It was awkward at first, I admit. It took some getting used to. I just kept saying to myself, I can't believe they're cheering me! It was surreal at times. But it definitely added some sentiment to the moment, when I went up against Augustine, and won the World gold. To have the fans behind you for such a pivotal moment in your career... wow. What a feeling.
LZ: Now, I wouldn't be a good reporter if I didn't bring this up...
SD: The painkillers...
LZ: Yeah.
SD: Hey, I don't hide anything. Go ahead.
LZ: Well, it was around this time that your back injury was flaring up, and you had issues at home involving your wife, correct?
SD: I took some time off, about a year before that, to take care of my wife who had a tumor. She recovered, and I got to go back to wrestling. But unfortunately, it was too late, and it turned to cancer. So I had a sick wife at home who I had to look after, and I was running at the top of UWF as the number one contender. To say I had a lot going on is an understatement.
LZ: For sure.
SD: I should have just asked for more time off. Take care of more important things at home. But I didn't, and I tried to juggle both. And then in that match with Augustine... he damn near killed me. He practically broke my back and undid that corrective surgery I had years before. But now I had a problem. I had finally reached the top, I had the belt, and I could barely get out of bed. So yeah, someone I won't name, hooked me up with this doctor, and I started taking serious pain killers. And it seriously affected me. I started to crash and burn, and I can't even tell you how painful it was to have a sick, dying wife at home, and being so burned out that I could barely lift a finger to help her. And my poor daughter, Samantha, she had to watch all of this go on. I'll never forgive myself for the pain that I put her through, and for not being able to be there for Christina when she needed it most.
LZ: Your wife, Christina... She lost the battle with cancer.
SD: Yeah...
LZ: We can change topics, if you wish.
SD: No, no. It happened. I can't change that. I lost my wife, after sixteen wonderful years of marriage. And here I was... this single father. This drug addicted, single father, who just so happened to be the UWF World champion at the time. That's just not a situation that is good for anyone, especially Samantha and my family. God bless UWF though. They knew it. They could see what was happening. So they offered to put me into rehab, and offered me a chance to go home and sort my life out. I ended up dropping the belt to Courtade, who was the real flavor of the month at the time... I don�t even remember doing that match. All I cared about was getting beat, so I could get that World title off my waist, and I can go home and clear up my life. UWF took care of me, when I needed it most. I'll always be grateful for that. We didn't know how long I would be gone, it never mattered. They knew, that once I was ready, I would be back.
LZ: There's not many promotions that would invest so much in one of their wrestlers.
SD: I don't think of it in those terms. I mean, I know everyone in the offices up in Toronto. I know everyone by name, and there is a real sense of family and community. I think that is why UWF has been so successful. So I never had to ask for anything. It was just offered to me. And the same goes for those people that have other problems. How many people have been released from their contracts early, so they could go compete elsewhere? With UWF, no one is trying to hold people back. There's no malicious intent. Every employee is valued, and they really go out of their way to accommodate people.
LZ: Any regrets?
SD: Getting hooked on painkillers. Dropping the belt to Courtade... Yeah, I've got regrets. Who doesn't? I don't dwell on 'em though. What's done is done. I'm lucky enough to have had many more up's in my career, than down's.
LZ: How did it feel to make your big UWF comeback, right in your hometown of Minneapolis?
SD: Oh God, what a rush that night was. No one knew that I would be there that night. The internet never found out. Half the boys in the back didn't know I would be there. I just remember, coming out through that crowd at the top of the show, and the response it got from the fans. It felt good. As soon as people saw me, they knew something was up. Something special was going down. I've never been one to like being a fan favorite... but that night... wow. It just put all my hard work in perspective, ya know? Coming back from rehab... Coming back after losing Christina... Just hearing and looking out at that crowd just made me feel good. I knew I made the right decision to come back.
LZ: After coming back, it didn't take you long before getting back to the World title picture. How did it feel to compete in that historic four way match at Gold Rush 2003, against Edmond Winston IV, Michael Augustine and Quinn Brown?
SD: Just to even compete once again in the main event meant the world to me. I was lucky enough to have one Hell of a run setting myself up into that match. Turning me heel, that was planned since day one of my comeback. It was just a matter of time and seizing the right opportunity to make an impact. And I think we did that pretty well.
LZ: I'd say so. Everyone remembers the night that you hit your own daughter, Samantha Daniels with the Pridebreaker.
SD: Funny thing is, no one remembers me taking Quinn Brown out just before that. It's like one single act of child abuse totally overshadowed the two months of drama we built up before that. Ah well.
LZ: Many people credit that as setting a new standard for lows.
SD: Hey, whatever gets people talking, right? I've gotta tell you though, Samantha loved doing that. She had so much fun during all of that. She's got wrestling in her blood, and how often does a fourteen year old girl get to be inside the same ring as Scott Daniels and the World champion, and be a part of the show? Sammy had the time of her life.
LZ: I understand that she's actually starting training to get involved with wrestling.
SD: Yeah, like I said, it's in her blood. I told her once she finishes high school, which will be this year, then she can look into it. You know, typical responsible parent stuff. I�m not sure I want her getting involved in this lifestyle, but I'd be a hypocrite if I told her she couldn't do it. But she's gonna have a Hell of a time living up to the family name of Daniels.
LZ: How would you compare today's Pride, to the original grouping of you, Brett Greene, Shawn Vexton and Daniel Kidd?
SD: The Pride of today is a lot more focused... a lot more intense, if you know what I mean. Back in the day, we were the cream of the crop in the UWF. We were having one Hell of a run on top. That was before there was groups like The Youngbloods and Amity. Pride were the uncontested dominant heel group. Today, we've got lots of competition. The 'Bloods. Amity. New Era. Sabbatt Justice. We're still number one, don�t get me wrong. Another thing is there was always a comedic edge to some of the stuff we did back then, ya know? A not-so-serious tone to a lot of our vignettes and promos. For God's sake, our number one selling piece of merchandise was an official Pride toaster! And while I had a blast doing that, it doesn't really compare to the level of seriousness the Pride are at today. Today's Pride, is a lot more focused. More deadly. We're not cutting any six minute comedy scenes to get a few laughs. We're doing what we do best, and that is taking care of things inside the ring. I couldn't ask for a better grouping.
LZ: What is it about the grouping that you like?
SD: Geez, it�s just the way we gel together, you know? I bring the leadership. I can go at it with anyone. Bob and Trevor, they just bring such a physical intensity with them. Team Canada just commands your attention in and out of the ring. Tom Landis, he's a seasoned vet. The guy can still go. He doesn't get the due he deserves. And Kari Stevens. What can I say? She brings a whole new side of female sexuality. She's hot. She�s rich. And Kari can kick your ass. That's a whole lot more than Cameo ever brought to the group. Kari's done an amazing job since coming in, and I'm just glad she's enjoying such a good run. She deserves it.
LZ: Any thoughts on expanding the group?
SD: Nah, not really. No Fat Chicks are representing us over in UWF Eurasia... Right now with Tom's leg injury, I realize that we�re down a man. We offered up a spot to "Dead End" Derek Martin, and well, he made the mistake of a life time in turning it down. Other than that, I don't see anyone on the roster that frankly deserves to be in Pride. Maybe Kinsey. Or if we could bring over Langseth, I'd give him a spot if he wanted it.
LZ: Over your career in UWF, you've really worked with a certified "who's who" list of superstars. Who are some of your favorites to get in that ring with?
SD: Well, all of the earlier stuff was a blast. Especially when Pride got rolling. It was just an honor, and a real hoot working with Brett (Greene) either together, or against each other. Any time you get to go out and perform with your best friend, you�re going to have a good time. Same goes for working with "Crimson" Joe Reed. Hrmm. "Diamondback" Chris Myers and I, we could really tear it up together. When they brought in Alex Martinez, I volunteered to be the first guy to go up against him. I've always heard people talk about this guy, and I was curious what all the hype was about. I always heard how hard he hit, but man, let me tell you, those stories didn't do him justice. That guy hits probably harder than anyone. And it's not out of sloppiness. That's just the level the guy brings it at. So when you're in the ring with someone, competing at that level, it brings out the best of what you have. I'm really proud of what me and Alex did in that ring.
LZ: Any one you didn't enjoy working with?
SD: ...
LZ: Scott?
SD: That's a list that may be better off not said. Yeah, there's some people I didn't enjoy working with. That doesn�t mean I didn't do my job and go out and work with them. It's a business. But let me tell you, it really pisses me off to be in the ring with someone that doesn't give a damn about the place. I've busted my ass off for nearly ten years to help make UWF the place to be. And when you�re in there with someone who doesn't care about the promotion... Doesn't care about the product, and only cares about getting himself over, then yeah, I have a real problem with that. It's a slap in the face to guys like me. I'll work with anyone out there in the ring, but I admit, I don't mind taking a few pot-shots at someone who I think needs an attitude adjustment. "Playboy" Ronnie D is someone that comes to mind.
LZ: What matches are you most proud of?
SD: There's a few that come to mind every time someone asks me that... the UWF's first ever Cell match I had with Brett Greene back at Live and Interactive 1997. That was my first real big singles break, and was just an honest to God pleasure to work. Winning Road to the Gold was about as big a break as anyone could ever get. That is UWF's big specialty match. The other big one is the Iron Man match I had with Quinn Brown at last year's Evening of Destruction. We really set the bar for Iron Man matches. To go out and put on a full throttle, sixty minute war, and in the last two minutes, still have the fans on the edge of their seat... That tells me we told one Hell of a story. Brown isn't my favorite person in the world, but when you put that stuff aside, the kid can go. And of course, the right man won that match.
LZ: For sure. One thing I've noticed is that throughout your career, singer Chris Cornell, formerly with Soundgarden, has done a lot of your theme songs.
SD: Yeah, Chris and I are pretty good friends actually. We were doing a show up in Seattle years back, and afterwards, Wild (Youth Gone Wild) dragged a bunch of the guys to this concert. He got us all backstage, and I met Chris Cornelle there. He was still a part of Soundgarden back then. We just ended up shooting the shit with him, and we just got along real well. So, our people contacted his people, and he did up a special version of "Your Savior" for my music, and it just really fit. I stayed in contact with Chris through the years, and when I made my big return, I knew that I wanted "Cochise" for my new music. It just sounded right. And then not too long ago, Chris gave me a call and said he thought he had the perfect song for The Pride, and before you know it, we�re using "Set It Off". He's a hell of a singer. Great guy.
LZ: Here's an interesting question. How much of what we see out there is the real Scott Daniels, and how much is just character, for the show?
SD: Hrm. Well, what you see is what you get. There isn't much difference between the on-air persona of Scott Daniels, and the guy behind the scenes. Maybe I turn it up a notch when I'm out there, in front of the cameras. Sometimes I like to see what I can get away with... But it�s never with any real malicious intent. Yeah, I can be hard on some of the new guys, in the ring, or backstage... But I'd like to consider myself a locker room leader. Like I've said, I'll work with anybody. I don't let the ego get in the way of business. Do I have an ego? Hell yes. You have to in this business. But I keep it in check. That is the key.
LZ: You mention you're considered a locker room leader. Have there been times either in the past or at present, where you have taken a less experienced athlete and offered him some advice. Took him under your wing, per se?
SD: Geez. I helped trained Brett's nephew, Colby Greene. Showed him how to do things between the ropes. Through my whole career in UWF, there's been instances of where I'd offer up advice to people if they wanted it. And I've asked for help myself. That is how you learn. And of course, you have to be willing to listen to criticism, good and bad. I've had shitty matches out there. I'd be even more pissed off if I came to the back and had everyone kissing my ass and telling me it was gold. We don't have that in UWF, with the current roster, and the group of agents we have. And you know, it's not always inexperience in the ring that matters. Sometimes, people have trouble adjusting behind the scenes. They come from a place like EMWC for example, where chaos ruled backstage, and they come to a much more laid back locker room in UWF. It's quite a change for them. Take Underwood for example. He rubbed people the wrong way when he first came in. So I took him aside, and told him how it is. Here's a kid, and this is the biggest break he's ever had in wrestling, and he doesn't want to blow it. I won't say I've taken him under my wing or anything, because I don't have the time or patience to do that sort of thing. But if someone acts up or gets out of line, I have no problem with letting them know about it. I'd expect the same if the shoe were on the other foot.
LZ: How does UWF compare now to when you first started nearly ten years ago?
SD: Well, it's a whole new group of guys. There aren't many people left that have been there from the start. There's Annis, Kidd, Landis, and myself. But yeah. Even with the constant changing of the roster, it has always been the family environment backstage that has stayed the same through out the years. I guess that sort of changed when the Invaders were doing their thing... but that quickly fizzled out, and I wasn't really around then anyway to have to do deal with that. When UWF contacted me to sign with them, I could really tell that this would be my home. Nine years later, I still feel that way. I�m a walking clich� for saying it, but I'm UWF born and bread, and I�ll be UWF dead.
LZ: Would you mind doing some word association?
SD: Yeah sure. Fire away.
LZ: Legion.
SD: Pride. The two go together like salt and pepper.
LZ: Ronnie D?
SD: Vermin.
LZ: Chris Courtade.
SD: Lucky. REAL lucky...
LZ: "Crimson" Joe Reed.
SD: A legend. An honest to God legend. Reed's one of the best, ever.
LZ: Quinn Brown.
SD: Someone that believes too much in his own hype.
LZ: Luke Kinsey.
SD: Has real potential. I'm watching him. I know he's done things elsewhere, but we'll see how he does in UWF.
LZ: Jason Keening.
SD: The future. He has that boy scout routine down to perfection, and I think now that he is out on his own, we're going to see big things from him.
LZ: Edmond Winston IV.
SD: Smart. He knew what he was doing when he set things up for his power trip. I don't love the guy, but I can respect what he's done.
LZ: Marshall Law.
SD: Something that's got people talking. It's been interesting.
LZ: The best Pride unit.
SD: Team Canada, Kari Stevens, Tom Landis and Scott Daniels. And if you could somehow throw Brett Greene in there, I couldn�t ask for a better group.
LZ: UWF.
SD: Home.
LZ: Scott Daniels.
SD: Biggest asshole around.
LZ: I notice you are smirking when you say that.
SD: Hey, nowadays, I try not to take myself too seriously.
LZ: What is next for Scott Daniels?
SD: You tell me. Right now, I am just thankful for the opportunity to contribute. I love working with the guys we have right now. I've loved working with guys like Martinez, Douglas, Martin and Keening... And right now, this thing between Amity and Pride looks to be real promising. There's been a real influx of people that I want to go up against. I think One Winged Angel is one hell of a talent, and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can get out of him in that ring. I'd love the chance to go at it with him in a street fight or something.
LZ: Why is that?
SD: Just show people that Scott Daniels can still go, any way you want to do it. I did that with the Iron Man. People didn't think I could go sixty minutes, and I damn sure proved them wrong. I think a lot of people are wondering, well, we know he can still wrestle, but can he still fight? I want to show them that Hell yes, I can still fight. And Angel is the kind of guy that I can do that with. And you know, I wouldn't mind another run at the World title. I never got the chance to enjoy it when I had it... And that belt is something that motivates me and drives me. Right now, Winston's banned me from going for it, because he wants it for himself. But that can't last forever. I'll have that World title gold again, someday, you can quote me on that. The people want it. I want it. I just need the opportunity.
LZ: Okay, one last question, if you don't mind.
SD: Go ahead.
LZ: When your career is over with, and you're no longer competing, what is the one thing that you want people to remember about Scott Daniels?
SD: I want people to remember, that I was the guy that could go at it with anyone. Doesn't matter who I�m up against, I want the fans to remember that if they ever saw Scott "Hotspot" Daniels, then they saw a five star match. Main event, or opening match, it doesn�t matter to me. As long as I am remembered as someone who gave it his all, and left the fans entertained, then I'll be happy. And when my career is over, I'm hoping that I will at least be able to contribute some way. Behind the scenes, or whatever. I just want to be involved.
LZ: Well, I'm sure fans will have much more to say than that, regarding the legacy of Scott Daniels when it's all said and done.
SD: Thanks.
LZ: Well, that does it for my questions. I know interviews aren't your normal cup of tea, so I'd really like to thank you for doing this.
SD: Well, I don't mind doing it. Not sure anyone's gonna want to hear all about it, but hey, whatever works for you. Now if you will excuse me, I've got someone's ass to kick out in that ring right now.
LZ: Who are you up against?
SD: [Big smirk] Does it matter?
- Lenny Zefring is the lead announcer for Tri-State Internet Wrestling and head interviewer for Just The Facts! 3001. If you wish to setup an interview with Mr. Zefring, please e-mail us at [email protected] with the details