North Carolina native Adam Scherr, who you probably know as forest murderer Braun Strowman, was recently interviewed by his hometown newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise. The Monster Among Men gave some very polite, very grateful, very non-kayfabe answers to their questions.
This non-kayfabe version of Braun Strowman was in awe during his first WrestleMania last year.
“I get goosebumps thinking about it,” Strowman said of his Wrestlemania debut. “When I went through the curtain, I saw 100,000 flash bulbs go off. It doesn’t really hit home until you go through that curtain what the magnitude of Wrestlemania is. I’m looking forward to doing it again.”
Non-kayfabe Braun didn't know until Monday that he was going to be in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at this year's Mania.
“I had no idea exactly 100 percent what was going to happen this past Monday. I’m excited to be a part of (the Battle Royal). Any opportunity this company gives me, I take the ball and run with it. Any opportunity you get, you need to make the most of it, and that’s what I plan on doing.”
Roman Reigns has gotten a lot of people talking about his lack of reverence for the Undertaker, a sentiment that non-kayfabe Braun doesn't seem to share.
“Being in the ring with The Undertaker — I don’t know how to put it in words. When his music hits, it makes every hair on your body stand up, and everyone in the arena stands up. I definitely want to see more of Taker,” Strowman said. “I want a program with Taker. I’m going to be selfish. I’m envious of Roman Reigns. That’s the Undertaker. That’s his yard. Who doesn’t want to have an opportunity to have to work with the Undertaker? There’s nothing like it. He’s the Phenom. I’m really hoping he wants to come back and do one more (Wrestlemania). The people want it, and I want it.”
Non-kayfabe Braun views himself as a role model--it keeps him grounded.
“It is what makes me work so hard,” he said. “The money and fame are cool, but you can get that doing anything. I was just at Walmart buying socks the other day, and just because I’m on TV doesn’t mean I don’t still shop at Walmart. I ran into a group of kids in the store, and I could tell they noticed who I was. They were whispering behind me, and they followed me around the whole store and were peeking around the corners. It was the cutest thing in the world. It melted my heart. Sometimes that stuff slips your mind because we are so busy. You get caught up in the hustle and bustle. It’s those little things like that which keeps me grounded.”
Braun, of course, broke into the main roster as the newest, largest recruit in the Wyatt Family, and this non-kayfabe version has nothing but kind words for his former stablemates and his mentor, Bray Wyatt, who is now the WWE Champion.
“He deserves it so much. That guy has worked so hard. He’s such an unbelievable talent, character and wrestler. He has everything. It’s about time they did that for him and let him run with the strap and let him be Bray Wyatt. He’s a main event talent and has been one ever since he walked in the door. When I was with the Wyatt family, I’ll hold that near and dear to my heart. They helped me get to where I am now with my wrestling ability, my talking ability and how I carry myself.”
Now that he's got that whole wrestling and talking ability stuff down pat, he's got some pretty lofty goals for the near future.
“Here in the next year or two, I hope to main event Wrestlemania,” he said.
Braun also talked about how he came up with the nickname "Monster Among Men" and how the other, older big men in WWE have taken him under their wing.
Read the rest of the interview here.
