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WWE News
WWE News: Bobby Lashley says he planned to take a different career path before WWE; says why he got into pro wrestling Nov 21, 2008 - 4:52:52 PM
Former ECW champion Bobby Lashley will make his MMA debut in December, a full four years after he expected to make his mark in MMA.
Lashley says he was planning on entering MMA out of college after spending most of his life as an amateur wrestler, but much like Brock Lesnar, WWE came knocking with a lot of money and an offer to become a pro wrestler.
"I was in a transition phase, and I'd have to say the money was a big deal,'' Lashley told Jim Varsallone in the Miami Herald. "I was a professional wrestling fan when I was younger. So when I had the opportunity to go and try it and actually be a professional wrestler, of course I had to jump on it at the time. I didn't know if that opportunity would ever come by again.''
Lashley says he was making the transition from amateur wrestling to MMA, but he decided to take a break from MMA training when Jerry Brisco sold him on using his amateur background to become a successful wrestler.
"He said, 'Look, you've been training so hard with wrestling, 18 years of wrestling. You're a three-time national champion. You took second in the world in amateur wrestling. Why not start getting paid for all that hard work that you've done.' That was like the first big thing," Lashley said.
Lashley praises Booker T and Finlay for helping him improve as a pro wrestler in WWE. He was also complementary of other wrestlers in the locker room for helping out.
"It was a business where there were no real selfish people," Lashley claimed. "Everybody was trying to help and trying to make the whole business better."
Caldwell's Analysis: Interesting commentary from Lashley, taking the high road on discussing the locker room atmosphere. We read so many interviews from wrestlers discussing politics, but Lashley seems to have walked away from his WWE experience with a positive take on the wrestlers behind the scenes. Good for him.
FYI: Lashley's first MMA fight is December 13 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. He'll be competing under the Mixed Fighting Alliance banner.
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