The Wrestling Guys: He’s back home in Florida, and I am sure if I was in Florida right now, I wouldn’t want to be on the radio either, especially after being on a long road trip. But, the Ice Man will be with us in a few minutes. We’ll be talking about the Brian Hildebrand Fantasy Camp. Dean Malenko, welcome to The Wrestling Guys. How are you? {Technical difficulties} How are you doing, Dean? Are you with us?

Dean Malenko: I’m here.

TWG: Finally, geez. We’ve got to apologize, Dean. We are training Joe tonight, our producer, so…

DM: Remember, you just want to start with sit and roll over.

TWG: So, how are you doing? Rough weekend weather wise coming back home.

DM: Probably the weather wasn’t as bad as the schedule this week. This week was probably the worst schedule I have had since coming to the WWF having to go to London for one day and then travel back and stay on the road and do the RAW and SmackDown tapings, but it was pretty rough. I am not used to the overseas traveling. It’s been awhile.

TWG: Dean, how were the crowds over there in London for the pay-per-view?

DM: It was incredible. The place was sold out. I think it was sold out in a few minutes from what I understand. They are really hungry for pro wrestling. I guess they have been getting the WWF shows for quite some time now. I am not really sure the last time the WWF went over there, but it was a great crowd to work in front of.

TWG: Were you able to drink in the London scene? Drink some tea? Fish and chips?

DM: The closest thing I got was, let’s see…

TWG: A pint of Guinness?

DM: I got some of those. A little bit of sleep, wrestle, and come back. That is about it.

TWG: Hey Dean, we want to talk about coming up May 24th, you are going to be in Cincinnati with the Brian Hildebrand Memorial Camp and a really great opportunity for anybody that wants to get in the ring with yourself, Chris Benoit, and a ton of other guys.

DM: Actually that is why I am going because I want to get in the ring with Chris Benoit.

TWG: See I thought you wanted to get into the ring with Marty (Note: Marty is one of The Wrestling Guys) because he is going to be down there too.

DM: Marty and Chris Benoit, they are one and the same.

TWG: Hey thank you, I am a legend in my own mind. Give us a little itinerary, what you are going to be doing at the Fantasy Camp. What guys can expect.

DM: This is a thing I had in my mind doing several years back when my dad was living. Me and Les had talked about this a while back, trying to do something for a very close friend of ours, talking about Brian Hildebrand. Brian lived his whole life for the industry that I am in and so many of his peers. I think it is such a fitting thing. Brian’s fantasy, wish, and goal in life was to get into the wrestling business and here we are putting on the Fantasy Camp for people that want to come in and that have always wanted to meet a Chris Benoit or a Marty. There are so many fans in the United States that watch the TV and I am talking about all of the shows, ECW, WCW, and the WWF, and if there is a favorite guy out there that they have always wanted to meet and really get to know that person, besides the squared circle and what they are really about. This gives somebody an unbelievable time to do that and also to interact with other wrestlers and other fans. As far as I know, this has never been done before and if it has, I have never really heard about it. I know it has been done in baseball and hockey and stuff like that. Wrestling is so popular right now, there is such a big fan base that is out there and I just hope everybody gets an opportunity to come to this. The more people the better. I know Brian would be looking down on this with a big smile.

TWG: Well we know Pam is coming in about a week early to assist with the technical things of getting everything ready with that. We also know that this was kind of your brainchild early on. Les had mentioned early on that last year you had mentioned doing this and running with the ball to try to put this thing together. So, I know that everybody is excited. Les is excited. A lot of people are talking about it. We’ve also found out just recently that they are including a ringside ticket to the Pillman show and some other things: cutting a promo, a chance to be in the ring with your favorite superstar, an array of superstars, a dinner that evening with David Penzer doing a question and answer period with everybody. So, I know and everybody understands you are going to be giving up a couple of days out of a tough schedule to come in here for a great cause Dean.

DM: Yeah, it’s not just me. It’s the other guys from the other companies. This is an opportunity where you throw the ratings outside and you say, ‘Hey, listen, we are all in this together.’ We all do what we do and we jump over the barriers of the companies for a worthy cause. I am excited about it. I just wish I could have helped Les a little bit more, but he knows my schedule and it’s really rough. You are right, it is a sacrifice for a lot of the guys, but you are talking about doing something for a friend of ours, so I think we all kind of put things aside for that day.

TWG: Speaking of your schedule, how do you like things now in the World Wrestling Federation?

DM: I tell you, at this stage in my career, 20 years in the business, I have done everything I wanted to do and accomplished everything I have wanted to. I am really excited, I have kind of been given a new lease on life a little bit. I like the way the company does business. I like the way they treat their talent with respect. You have a lot of input as far as storylines go down there. Business is incredible.

TWG: To say the least. Slightly.

DM: Yeah, slightly. I am not one to check the ratings Tuesday afternoon or Monday. To me, I just go out there and do the best I can. I contribute, as much as I can to Vince McMahon and his company that’s what they are paying me for. It’s given me an opportunity to wrestle with some guys I have never wrestled with like the Hardy Boyz and Christian. I have got to see some old faces such as Chris Jericho. It’s exciting. At this stage in my career, if I can just contribute and help the younger guys out, unlike some of the other guys that are in their later years in the business. I want to give back a little bit what the business has given me for twenty years.

TWG: You know we don’t want to give anything away…

DM: I’m going over.

TWG: But are you interested in the Latino Heat?

DM: Excuse me?

TWG: Are you interested in a little Latino Heat or what Dean?

DM: Latino Heat. Yeah (sarcastic). Actually you’ll see that on SmackDown. I am working Chyna in a singles match.

TWG: Oh, okay. That’s great. Hey Dean, we appreciate it. We can’t wait to see you coming up for the Brian Hildebrand Camp and then of course the next night, the Pillman 2000. We know you are tired, so get some sleep. Dean, you are coming in this Saturday for the show in Cincinnati?

DM: Yeah, we have a show in Cincinnati there with the WWF. It’s a house show.

TWG: Just to let everyone know, Dean and a lot of the boys are bringing in different items for the Hildebrand auction and the Pillman auction and we look forward to seeing them. And, Dean, I look forward to seeing you Saturday.

DM: Yeah, I’ll see you guys Saturday and please everybody, it’s an opportunity to either do the Fantasy Camp or come by the Pillman Show. Please do, I think it’s worth it. A, number one, it’s for a great cause, for both Brian Hildebrand, Brian Pillman, for their families. It’s an opportunity to see all the guys from all the different companies in one night.

TWG: Okay, Dean. We appreciate it. Get some rest, we know you need it.

DM: I’ll try to.

TWG: Okay, Dean. Take Care.

DM: Thanks a lot. Take Care. Bye-bye.

TWG: Dean Malenko, part of the Brian Hildebrand Fantasy Camp and of course Pillman 2000.

See pictures and reports from the first two Brian Hildebrand Fantasy Camps and Pillman 2000 & 2001 here.