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This interview is to be used for entertainment purposes only.
SNS: Okay fans, I am standing here with one of the greatest mat technicians of all time in my eyes, Dean Malenko. Dean, thanks for joining us here tonight on Saturday Night Slam.
Dean: I’ve seen your eyes, and I’ll take that as a compliment.
SNS: Yeah, it is. How are things in the World Wrestling Federation? You’ve got to be happy with the direction right now.
Dean: Yeah, after 20 years in the business and I’ve done everything that I’ve wanted to do, I’m finally where I want to be right now at this point in my career. I am having a good time with my fellow comrades that I jumped ship with. Just enjoying life and enjoying doing business with the WWF.
SNS: Can we go back a little bit and talk about jumping ship?
Dean: It’s pretty basic and simple. It’s just that there comes a point in time in everybody’s life where they have to do what they have to do to make themselves happy. I prefer as an employee to work for an employer that believes in what I do and that the money that they are paying me is worth the money that they are paying me. A few people tend to forget a lot that even though we are wrestlers and these people that you see on TV, we’re still human beings that have jobs and work for a company. I don’t care who you are or what walk of life that you do out there that you have to be happy with what your job is, what you chose to do with your profession.
SNS: And, I can tell a difference between your last part of your tenure in WCW and where you are at today. I think it shows up in your work. What I have seen in the WWF has been impressive.
Dean: Yeah, I think everyone has. I am speaking for the other three guys, too. We’re just all happy. You know you spend about 80% of your life in the wrestling industry, being on the road 200 days a year and being away from your family, and you’ve got to make the best out of the best situation possible. Right now, at this point of my career and what I am doing, I am happy. I think people are finally seeing a smile on my face that they haven’t seen in quite some time.
SNS: In the WWF, name off three guys there that you would like to work with in the…
Dean: Three guys that I would like to work with in the WWF? Mae Young, Moolah, and The Kat.
SNS: Oh, you’re on tonight. You’re on.
Dean: No, I’ve worked with pretty much everybody…I wouldn’t mind working with Triple H. Hunter’s a class act. He’s probably the best heel I’ve seen in quite some time. I think Perry Saturn put it right when he called Triple H the Ric Flair of our era. And that’s true because Ric, I mean Hunter’s really making a lot of the young guys and pushing them up. He’s one guy that I haven’t gotten in the ring with and I’d be interested in stepping into the ring with him.
SNS: Let’s talk briefly about the show you are here for tonight. The Brian Pillman Memorial Show. It has to be a tremendous honor to be here.
Dean: Unfortunately in our business you can be in the business for 20 years and never cross paths with certain individuals. I was fortunate, I got to know Brain through WCW really and spent a lengthy period of time with him, but from the time I did know him and had conversations with him and I think I had one or two matches with him. I enjoyed that and Brian was one of our peers and someone that sacrificed his family and stuff to be on the road on a daily basis. Brian was a great competitor and gave it 110% every time he stepped in the ring. I think that is the reason why all of these guys are here today.
SNS: Well, I know you are busy, you have to run back, but thanks Dean for joining here us tonight on Saturday Night Slam. We enjoy watching you every week on the WWF and keep up the great work.
Dean: I appreciate it.