Post by ★Griffin Hawkins★ on Dec 18, 2015 11:51:12 GMT -6
Ace Hart: Hello ladies and gentlemen, this is Ace Hart. Hope you're all having a Happy Holiday. Today I am taking part in a special interview. Joining me right now is EWC Television Champion, Griffin Hawkins.
Griffin Hawkins: Nice to be here Ace.
Ace Hart: Normally I would interview stars about their goals, what they are doing at the moment, but it feels as if people want to know more about you. They want to know what's underneath the long hair...the leather...the chains..all the unconventional outfits..we want to know the real you. What got you here, what makes you tick.
Griffin Hawkins: I'm willing to ask all questions as honestly as I possibly can. Nothing is off limits to me, I have nothing to hide.
Ace Hart: First..lets talk about your childhood. You were born in Windsor Ontario Canada, what was that like?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, growing up in a family such as mine..seemed normal, at least at first. My Father started a successful Hotel chain called The Hawkins Inn. It started off as business in Canada...and soon branched out to America. I've moved about a million times in my youth due to having to relocate to a different state to do business. I've moved to Florida, California, New York, Texas, Vegas, Michigan, Chicago, and many other places. I've never stayed anywhere for more than a year.
Ace Hart: When did the wrestling bug bite you?
Griffin Hawkins: For me, I started watching it every weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. One of my fondest memories was watching Wrestlemania 3 where Hulk Hogan slammed Andre The Giant..another one is watching Rowdy Roddy Piper shave Adrian Adonis' head. When my Mom took me to Wrestlemania VI, I got to see everything up close and live. I looked up at her and told her..I want to be like that..when I grow up. And she just smiled down at me and said if its what I want to do, do it. Years later..here I am. I just hope I've made her proud.
Ace Hart: Was growing up in your family easy?
Griffin Hawkins: Not exactly..once my family became rich, status was an important thing, especially to my Father. Growing up I had to dress a certain way, associate with the upper crust of society, do everything I wouldn't want to do today.
Ace Hart: Why didn't you adapt?..
Griffin Hawkins: Because I haven't forgotten my roots. We weren't always the richest family in the world...before that we were poor. Living in a rundown apartment with no heat, waking up to the sounds of gunfire across the halls, we didn't exactly have it easy. I didn't want to just forget about that part in my life. That's why today I do my best to remain grounded, I came from nothing..and I can just as easily go back to nothing.
Ace Hart: How did you break into wrestling?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, unfortunately I didn't finish High School. After being expelled from School..I didn't really have many options..especially being kicked out of my home. An up and coming wrestler at the time..Marquis Laveaux took me in and began training me. When I was ready, he took me to The Hart Family Dungeon. It was there where I trained alongside Bret, Keith, Bruce, and the other Harts in becoming a Wrestler..it hurt like hell being stretched like a piece of taffy...but it was worth it. After a year of training I went to Japan to wrestle.
Ace Hart: Are there any bad habits you picked up in the old days?
Griffin Hawkins: Well...not many know this about me, but in the old days, I had a serious drug addiction. It actually started in High School and it snowballed from there. When my Father found out about it..I was kicked out of the house. I struggled for years to get clean, but I just couldn't. It took the near death of my then girlfriend to get me to realize I need to change. I've been sober ever since..I haven't touched one drug in a decade.
Ace Hart: In this business, have you lost anyone close to you?
Griffin Hawkins: Well...one. I was in my first American wrestling promotion here in America, Gods of Wrestling..it was after a match I had down in California where I just got a phone call that my Grandfather had just passed away.
Ace Hart: How close were you two?
Griffin Hakwins: Very close. He would always come and see us when I was a kid...he seemed to be more...understanding than my Father when it came to doing what we want to do. I wasn't making much money wrestling in the indy's...but he was always there to help me in my expenses. He wanted me to live my dream. When I got that phone call that he had passed...I just broke down and cried. He was someone who was really important to me, and I never forgot how much he had helped me out. When I won my first American title...I dedicated my victory to him. To this day I still feel him watching over me.
Ace Hart: What advice would you give the young upstarts of today?
Griffin Hawkins: Well..I'm not gonna lie. I'm the last person who should be giving anyone advice. I've made a lot of bad situations on the way here. I don't really consider myself a role model in the slightest, I'm not perfect. But if there was any advice I'd give to somebody, it's to never give up when you want something really bad. Sure you'll run into many roadblocks, but you can and will overcome them.
Ace Hart: Not many know about your private life away from the ring. You announced on Twitter a month ago that you're engaged..care to shed any light on this?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, usually I do my best to keep my professional life and private life separate...in the last relationship I was in, my personal business was everyone's business, so I guess you can say I'm smarter now. But yes, I am engaged to a gorgeous woman named Taylor Michaels. Former Playboy playmate and model. She has been my rock for the last six years. Me and her son have bonded over the years and we've grown incredibly close. We've yet to set a date for the wedding..but when the time comes, we'll announce it. I love my family..and I spend all the time I can with them when I'm not in the ring.
Ace Hart: Right now..you're the EWC Television Champion...you've remained Champion for four months now. You haven't really had an easy road in keeping that title with so many coming at you. Did you know it would be this hard?
Griffin Hawkins: I had a feeling it would be. Every time I have ever held a title in my career, I knew I'd be a target. Everybody and anybody coming at me from all angles. They want to knock me off my perch so they can take my title. But I like it...every night I go out there, I steal the show, I raise the bar, I prove that I am the best. It doesn't matter if I am opening the card or main eventing the show, I make sure I give the people something to talk about.
Ace Hart: There is no doubt you're one of the most exciting Superstars on the roster, what is it that drives you to go out there and put on a show?
Griffin Hawkins: The adrenaline I'm on..comes from those fans out there. I know it's not the "cool thing" these days to take in adulation from the fans, but I like to believe only I decide what's cool around here. Every night before I go out there, I ask myself what can I do to electrify the crowd? What can I do to make them jump out of their seats? What can I show these people that they haven't seen? What can I do to make sure when the members of the EWC Universe leave this arena..the one name that sticks out in their mind is Griffin Hawkins? All those questions are answered as I go out there and wrestle. Win or lose..I make sure to put on a show.
Ace Hart: One person you've had many run ins with..is Living Dead Karl, he's been a thorn in your side since the day you walked into this company. Do you think you've finally got him off your back so you can continue with your career?
Griffin Hawkins: I wish I could tell you that I've gotten rid of him for good..but that's the thing with him. He's like a bad rash, he always comes back. Just when you think you've gotten rid of him, he pops up again. He's made it clear that I'll never be done with him. But every time me and him have ever locked up, I've always gotten the best of him. Whenever he thinks he can beat me, his plan backfires and he's back to square one. The only thing I can do is continue to best him over and over and over again until he finally realizes that he just can't beat me.
Ace Hart: He was also part of the Four Way Ladder Match between you, Shelly Silver and Metal Black at Wrestlefest. It was a valiant effort, but in the end Metal Black retained her title. Has this discouraged you at all?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, I was disappointed I lost..but discouraged? No. I've been beaten before in EWC...but I never let it stop me. Every time I've lost in my career, I just picked myself up and got back in the game. Certain people around here would rather whine, cry or blame the powers at be whenever things don't go their way. That's not my style..I just take whatever happens and run with it. Metal Black is a hell of a Champion and I wish her luck in her defense against Alexis Morrison. But my goal to become U.S Champion has not wavered one bit. And I am confident in the future another chance will come my way.
Ace Hart: Just recently I spoke to Chris Kamikaze about this rivalry between you two and he had more than a mouthful of things to say about you. Sources tell me his hatred towards you...seems to be fueled by jealousy. What are your feelings on that?
Griffin Hawkins: Well...whenever you're successful, there's always going to be others envious of you. People who don't think you deserve everything you have. The green eyed monster is always around to bite them in the ass at any opportunity. Is Kamikaze jealous?..I don't know. A lot seem to think so. I don't hate the kid..seriously I don't. I just feel sorry for him. He's got all the talent anyone can have..yet he proceeds to waste it on this obsession with taking me down. But sooner or later, he's going to have to deal with me..and I am going to hurt him where it hurts the most.
Ace Hart: Kamikaze joined Anarchy'16..a group that's set on taking over EWC itself. As we saw they approached you, offering you a spot in their group..and you said no. What was your reason for that?
Griffin Hawkins: It's simple. I refuse to be a lackey. In my 13 year career, everything I've done..I've done it on my own. I never needed the help of anyone to push me there. I didn't kiss the bosses ass, I didn't sleep with someone in power, I did it all on my own hard work, and that is the truth. Joining with Anarchy'16 would make me a hypocrite...I refuse to turn my back on my friends and family to join some clique of bitter underachievers who are out of touch with EWC today. They say they are here to save pro wrestling..but if you look around, nobody needs saving. EWC is the best thing going today. So if Kamikaze wants to join with them because he feels he needs an extra boost to further his career..good for him. Me..I'm going to go it alone. Nobody was by my side when I won the TV Title..and nobody will be by my side as I continue to scratch and claw my way to the top.
Ace Hart: You've had some detractors in the past such as Flip Frields, Brett Black, Brenda Vixen and others knock you in the past, saying you're not as good as you say you are, you have any reply?
Griffin Hawkins: *laughs* Well..Mama always told me if you can't say nothing nice, don't say nothing at all, so lets just keep it at that. If I got haters then hey...I gotta be doing something right. For now I'm just gonna let the haters hate. All I gotta say to them is..be patient, because I always got more for them to be mad at me for.
Ace Hart: What is your ultimate goal in EWC itself?
Griffin Hawkins: Well...one day, I'd love to be EWC World Champion. If your goal is not to be World Champion, then you're in the wrong business. Of course many will tell me I can't do it...well, I've made a career..no...a life out of proving people wrong. People told me that I'm not good enough to wrestle anywhere outside High School Gyms and Air Bases. I was told by people that I would never become a World Champion..and I ended up doing it three times in three different organizations. When I got here I was told that I wasn't a wrestler, just a gimmick...and that I am not good enough to even be a Champion. People have been telling me that I can't do something for the last 13 years and each time I've proven them wrong. If..and when I do become World Champion one day..it will be because I believed in me, it will be because my fans and supporters believed in me, and it will be because I didn't give a damn what the doubters had to say.
Ace Hart: What does 2016 hold for Griffin Hawkins?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, I don't want to use some old cliche saying...2016 will be my year, because everyone says stuff like that. A lot of times they end up doing nothing...me, I'm just going to say this. In 2016 I'll do what I did 2015...and that's steal the show and prove that I am the best in the business today. Whoever comes my way...I'll deal with them.
Ace Hart: Thank you for your time Griffin...and good luck in all your endeavors.
Griffin Hawkins: Nice to be here Ace.
Ace Hart: Normally I would interview stars about their goals, what they are doing at the moment, but it feels as if people want to know more about you. They want to know what's underneath the long hair...the leather...the chains..all the unconventional outfits..we want to know the real you. What got you here, what makes you tick.
Griffin Hawkins: I'm willing to ask all questions as honestly as I possibly can. Nothing is off limits to me, I have nothing to hide.
Ace Hart: First..lets talk about your childhood. You were born in Windsor Ontario Canada, what was that like?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, growing up in a family such as mine..seemed normal, at least at first. My Father started a successful Hotel chain called The Hawkins Inn. It started off as business in Canada...and soon branched out to America. I've moved about a million times in my youth due to having to relocate to a different state to do business. I've moved to Florida, California, New York, Texas, Vegas, Michigan, Chicago, and many other places. I've never stayed anywhere for more than a year.
Ace Hart: When did the wrestling bug bite you?
Griffin Hawkins: For me, I started watching it every weekend on Saturday Night's Main Event. One of my fondest memories was watching Wrestlemania 3 where Hulk Hogan slammed Andre The Giant..another one is watching Rowdy Roddy Piper shave Adrian Adonis' head. When my Mom took me to Wrestlemania VI, I got to see everything up close and live. I looked up at her and told her..I want to be like that..when I grow up. And she just smiled down at me and said if its what I want to do, do it. Years later..here I am. I just hope I've made her proud.
Ace Hart: Was growing up in your family easy?
Griffin Hawkins: Not exactly..once my family became rich, status was an important thing, especially to my Father. Growing up I had to dress a certain way, associate with the upper crust of society, do everything I wouldn't want to do today.
Ace Hart: Why didn't you adapt?..
Griffin Hawkins: Because I haven't forgotten my roots. We weren't always the richest family in the world...before that we were poor. Living in a rundown apartment with no heat, waking up to the sounds of gunfire across the halls, we didn't exactly have it easy. I didn't want to just forget about that part in my life. That's why today I do my best to remain grounded, I came from nothing..and I can just as easily go back to nothing.
Ace Hart: How did you break into wrestling?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, unfortunately I didn't finish High School. After being expelled from School..I didn't really have many options..especially being kicked out of my home. An up and coming wrestler at the time..Marquis Laveaux took me in and began training me. When I was ready, he took me to The Hart Family Dungeon. It was there where I trained alongside Bret, Keith, Bruce, and the other Harts in becoming a Wrestler..it hurt like hell being stretched like a piece of taffy...but it was worth it. After a year of training I went to Japan to wrestle.
Ace Hart: Are there any bad habits you picked up in the old days?
Griffin Hawkins: Well...not many know this about me, but in the old days, I had a serious drug addiction. It actually started in High School and it snowballed from there. When my Father found out about it..I was kicked out of the house. I struggled for years to get clean, but I just couldn't. It took the near death of my then girlfriend to get me to realize I need to change. I've been sober ever since..I haven't touched one drug in a decade.
Ace Hart: In this business, have you lost anyone close to you?
Griffin Hawkins: Well...one. I was in my first American wrestling promotion here in America, Gods of Wrestling..it was after a match I had down in California where I just got a phone call that my Grandfather had just passed away.
Ace Hart: How close were you two?
Griffin Hakwins: Very close. He would always come and see us when I was a kid...he seemed to be more...understanding than my Father when it came to doing what we want to do. I wasn't making much money wrestling in the indy's...but he was always there to help me in my expenses. He wanted me to live my dream. When I got that phone call that he had passed...I just broke down and cried. He was someone who was really important to me, and I never forgot how much he had helped me out. When I won my first American title...I dedicated my victory to him. To this day I still feel him watching over me.
Ace Hart: What advice would you give the young upstarts of today?
Griffin Hawkins: Well..I'm not gonna lie. I'm the last person who should be giving anyone advice. I've made a lot of bad situations on the way here. I don't really consider myself a role model in the slightest, I'm not perfect. But if there was any advice I'd give to somebody, it's to never give up when you want something really bad. Sure you'll run into many roadblocks, but you can and will overcome them.
Ace Hart: Not many know about your private life away from the ring. You announced on Twitter a month ago that you're engaged..care to shed any light on this?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, usually I do my best to keep my professional life and private life separate...in the last relationship I was in, my personal business was everyone's business, so I guess you can say I'm smarter now. But yes, I am engaged to a gorgeous woman named Taylor Michaels. Former Playboy playmate and model. She has been my rock for the last six years. Me and her son have bonded over the years and we've grown incredibly close. We've yet to set a date for the wedding..but when the time comes, we'll announce it. I love my family..and I spend all the time I can with them when I'm not in the ring.
Ace Hart: Right now..you're the EWC Television Champion...you've remained Champion for four months now. You haven't really had an easy road in keeping that title with so many coming at you. Did you know it would be this hard?
Griffin Hawkins: I had a feeling it would be. Every time I have ever held a title in my career, I knew I'd be a target. Everybody and anybody coming at me from all angles. They want to knock me off my perch so they can take my title. But I like it...every night I go out there, I steal the show, I raise the bar, I prove that I am the best. It doesn't matter if I am opening the card or main eventing the show, I make sure I give the people something to talk about.
Ace Hart: There is no doubt you're one of the most exciting Superstars on the roster, what is it that drives you to go out there and put on a show?
Griffin Hawkins: The adrenaline I'm on..comes from those fans out there. I know it's not the "cool thing" these days to take in adulation from the fans, but I like to believe only I decide what's cool around here. Every night before I go out there, I ask myself what can I do to electrify the crowd? What can I do to make them jump out of their seats? What can I show these people that they haven't seen? What can I do to make sure when the members of the EWC Universe leave this arena..the one name that sticks out in their mind is Griffin Hawkins? All those questions are answered as I go out there and wrestle. Win or lose..I make sure to put on a show.
Ace Hart: One person you've had many run ins with..is Living Dead Karl, he's been a thorn in your side since the day you walked into this company. Do you think you've finally got him off your back so you can continue with your career?
Griffin Hawkins: I wish I could tell you that I've gotten rid of him for good..but that's the thing with him. He's like a bad rash, he always comes back. Just when you think you've gotten rid of him, he pops up again. He's made it clear that I'll never be done with him. But every time me and him have ever locked up, I've always gotten the best of him. Whenever he thinks he can beat me, his plan backfires and he's back to square one. The only thing I can do is continue to best him over and over and over again until he finally realizes that he just can't beat me.
Ace Hart: He was also part of the Four Way Ladder Match between you, Shelly Silver and Metal Black at Wrestlefest. It was a valiant effort, but in the end Metal Black retained her title. Has this discouraged you at all?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, I was disappointed I lost..but discouraged? No. I've been beaten before in EWC...but I never let it stop me. Every time I've lost in my career, I just picked myself up and got back in the game. Certain people around here would rather whine, cry or blame the powers at be whenever things don't go their way. That's not my style..I just take whatever happens and run with it. Metal Black is a hell of a Champion and I wish her luck in her defense against Alexis Morrison. But my goal to become U.S Champion has not wavered one bit. And I am confident in the future another chance will come my way.
Ace Hart: Just recently I spoke to Chris Kamikaze about this rivalry between you two and he had more than a mouthful of things to say about you. Sources tell me his hatred towards you...seems to be fueled by jealousy. What are your feelings on that?
Griffin Hawkins: Well...whenever you're successful, there's always going to be others envious of you. People who don't think you deserve everything you have. The green eyed monster is always around to bite them in the ass at any opportunity. Is Kamikaze jealous?..I don't know. A lot seem to think so. I don't hate the kid..seriously I don't. I just feel sorry for him. He's got all the talent anyone can have..yet he proceeds to waste it on this obsession with taking me down. But sooner or later, he's going to have to deal with me..and I am going to hurt him where it hurts the most.
Ace Hart: Kamikaze joined Anarchy'16..a group that's set on taking over EWC itself. As we saw they approached you, offering you a spot in their group..and you said no. What was your reason for that?
Griffin Hawkins: It's simple. I refuse to be a lackey. In my 13 year career, everything I've done..I've done it on my own. I never needed the help of anyone to push me there. I didn't kiss the bosses ass, I didn't sleep with someone in power, I did it all on my own hard work, and that is the truth. Joining with Anarchy'16 would make me a hypocrite...I refuse to turn my back on my friends and family to join some clique of bitter underachievers who are out of touch with EWC today. They say they are here to save pro wrestling..but if you look around, nobody needs saving. EWC is the best thing going today. So if Kamikaze wants to join with them because he feels he needs an extra boost to further his career..good for him. Me..I'm going to go it alone. Nobody was by my side when I won the TV Title..and nobody will be by my side as I continue to scratch and claw my way to the top.
Ace Hart: You've had some detractors in the past such as Flip Frields, Brett Black, Brenda Vixen and others knock you in the past, saying you're not as good as you say you are, you have any reply?
Griffin Hawkins: *laughs* Well..Mama always told me if you can't say nothing nice, don't say nothing at all, so lets just keep it at that. If I got haters then hey...I gotta be doing something right. For now I'm just gonna let the haters hate. All I gotta say to them is..be patient, because I always got more for them to be mad at me for.
Ace Hart: What is your ultimate goal in EWC itself?
Griffin Hawkins: Well...one day, I'd love to be EWC World Champion. If your goal is not to be World Champion, then you're in the wrong business. Of course many will tell me I can't do it...well, I've made a career..no...a life out of proving people wrong. People told me that I'm not good enough to wrestle anywhere outside High School Gyms and Air Bases. I was told by people that I would never become a World Champion..and I ended up doing it three times in three different organizations. When I got here I was told that I wasn't a wrestler, just a gimmick...and that I am not good enough to even be a Champion. People have been telling me that I can't do something for the last 13 years and each time I've proven them wrong. If..and when I do become World Champion one day..it will be because I believed in me, it will be because my fans and supporters believed in me, and it will be because I didn't give a damn what the doubters had to say.
Ace Hart: What does 2016 hold for Griffin Hawkins?
Griffin Hawkins: Well, I don't want to use some old cliche saying...2016 will be my year, because everyone says stuff like that. A lot of times they end up doing nothing...me, I'm just going to say this. In 2016 I'll do what I did 2015...and that's steal the show and prove that I am the best in the business today. Whoever comes my way...I'll deal with them.
Ace Hart: Thank you for your time Griffin...and good luck in all your endeavors.
