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Road Trip After Hours w/ WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long and Host Mac Davis
The Fastest 30 Minute Wrestling Show with WWE Hall of Famer TEDDY LONG and MAC DAVIS! It's FAST, It's FUN and it's FREE!
Road Trip After Hours w/ WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long and Host Mac Davis
Unexpected Journeys in Wrestling with GILLBERG!
Picture this: a storm leaves chaos in its wake, knocking out power across several states, and yet, we find solace in the world of professional wrestling. Hurricane Helene threw us for a loop, but nothing could dim the excitement of kicking off our "October Frights" series with the ever-entertaining Duane "Gilberg" Gill. Known for his parody of WCW's Goldberg, Duane takes us back to his beginnings—setting up rings, taking on the role of a "jobber," and eventually stepping into the spotlight as the beloved Gillberg character. Through humor and nostalgia, he shares how an unexpected neighborly connection with Barry Hardy launched his wrestling journey, and offers a peek behind the curtain at the wrestling industry's unique dynamics. It's a blend of resilience and passion, with plenty of laughs along the way.
But this episode isn't just about wrestling tales; it's about friendship and gratitude. Our conversation with Duane wraps up on a touching note, as we exchange stories and reflect on the unwavering support and kindness we've shared over the years. It's a testament to the power of meaningful relationships—both in the ring and in life. Despite missing a potential iconic storyline with the real Goldberg, Duane's reflections remind us of the entertainment in wrestling and the importance of connecting with the audience. Join us for a journey filled with heartfelt appreciation and laughter, as we navigate the stormy aftermath with stories that warm the heart and tickle the funny bone.
Hello Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Hey Teddy.
Speaker 1:Hey, good afternoon DMAX. Sir, here we are once again road trip after hours.
Speaker 2:Yeah, by the way, teddy, I think maybe we might want to mention this too. I had a lot of people send messages asking where the last show was. Last week, hurricane Helene came through Georgia and created just one hell of a mess. Power's still out in a lot of places as we speak today, a week later, and people are really needing help in a lot of places as we speak today, a week later, and, uh, people really needing help in a lot of areas, including in north carolina, florida, south carolina. So, wherever you are, hopefully you didn't sustain any major damage and that you're okay and, uh, hopefully, the power. If you don't have power yet or you know, you're just using your phone, watching this right now, with nothing else but your phone uh, we hope that you get your power on soon.
Speaker 1:Yeah, man, I appreciate you mentioning that too, man, because that was a real serious stuff happening out there and I happened to be over in the Carolinas when it first started, on that Tuesday well that Wednesday and I happened to leave that Thursday morning and got back home before it really got bad. So, yeah, man, I pray to go out to all those people out there that are still without power and you know suffering. So you know, just give it to God and just you know, and everything will be all right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and Teddy knows, I got a house full of people, I've got grandbabies here, I've got kids here because they still don't have power and they got to have somewhere to stay. So, needless to say, I'm going crazy and this is like a vacation for me to get away and talk to Teddy and our guests today.
Speaker 1:Well, we're going to get to our guests, but those grandkids, they just told you that they didn't have power. They got power. They just came over to get on your nerves.
Speaker 2:I wouldn't be surprised. To be honest with you, that's something they would do. Hey, this is October, and that means this is October Frights, and our first guest this month is a man that has a very frightening record. He was the vision of Vince McMahon, who was looking for a monster to compete against WCW's Goldberg, and he found that person, a beast with an unmatched win-loss record. That man is our guestoss record, that man is our guest and that man is gilberg. Hey, gilberg.
Speaker 3:How you doing brother, all right. How you doing brother, man, how's everything going?
Speaker 2:I mean it's going great. You know a lot of people probably wondering why I put you in the uh, you know, the october frights. The fact of the matter is they, when they brought you to wwe to be that, uh, that goldberg kind of character, that was frightening for a lot of people to see you come out, because you're coming out totally against what Goldberg was doing. Goldberg had all the pyro and crazy stuff going on headbanging and you would come out and he'd just have sparklers going off for you.
Speaker 1:I loved it. I loved it.
Speaker 2:I thought that was fantastic. First of all, tell me how you got into the business, Dwayne.
Speaker 3:I actually got into the business. I was a fan my entire life, from when I could walk till now you know what I mean. And me and my dad used to watch it every single week. It only came on once a week back then. Well, I used to.
Speaker 3:Barry Hardy is my partner, was my partner and he used to live right next to him at an apartment complex and I said, come on, barry, man wrestles on me. I ain't watching that stuff, man, I ain't watching that stuff. Well then we moved apart because we both got married and he saw Hulk Hogan live and then once he saw that, he said I got to be a wrestler, so he went to the monster factory and became a wrestler. Well, I'm watching wrestling one night and I go, whoa, hey, babe, ain't that barry, but a lot bigger. Yeah, that is. And you know, put his name up and everything. So I called his mom that's the only number I had and uh, she said he's home. That was pre-recorded. I was like cool, so I called. She gave me his number. I called him. He lived a quarter mile from me. Wow, I went over his house.
Speaker 2:And that night I started learning on a concrete floor with a piece of carpet on it. You know one thing I noticed when I was looking a little bit into your background and I don't mean any offense to when I say this, please don't take it when I was reading I didn't realize you had been with WWE for quite some time before you ever became that, gilbert character.
Speaker 3:Oh yes, sir, I was a jobber. I mean I'm proud to say a jobber because and Teddy man might even agree with me I'm not enhancement, enhancement, talent to me is a dog, a man, you know, a manager that doesn't wrestle, just enhances the match. You know what I mean? Uh, a piece of clothing, something like that, enhances the match. You know what I mean? Yeah to me a job. Everybody does a job, every match. Oh yeah, doing the job. So I was a jobber. I lost every match. I was out there doing the job.
Speaker 1:That was my job well, you, you understood exactly what your position was. And when we use the word, uh, enhancements, that's just a word that they dress up, yeah but at the end of the day, you still did that job thank you very much, teddy.
Speaker 3:I'm so glad to hear you say it. You know, I a jobber, that's what I was, and ain't nothing wrong with that.
Speaker 1:I put up the rings, took the ring down, I went and got jackets and stuff. So ain't nothing wrong with that. This is how you make it in this business. You started from the bottom. Now you make it to the top.
Speaker 2:And I don't care who you are, dwayne, if you've been in the WWE and you were there for quite some time too that's a hell of an accomplishment. I don't care who you are. There's not many people who get that opportunity and can work themselves to keep that opportunity sticking around, and which, I guess, is why you got promoted into that Gilbert character. They saw something in you that they knew they could trust you in the ring on the main roster. I mean, it's not like they said, oh hey, just grab this guy off the street and throw him in there. They knew they could trust you to do the job. Who came to you with the idea?
Speaker 3:Well, to be honest with you, I got my job. When I came up, they did the Shawn Michaels. Everybody thought it was Shawn Michaels, the secret opponent against Mankind. That's when I came back and I did the DO there and what happened was Ed Ferraro and all saw me go into the ring and they were like, man, look at this guy, he just likes being there. Yeah, why don't we put him in the job squad? Yeah, so I got hired in the job squad, I won the title and got, you know, inducted into the job squad and everything. And I was in the job squad and what happened was I was doing Gilbert on the independents, having fun.
Speaker 3:I was making fun of all the boys. I was doing Gilbert, I did Stone Old, I did the under faker. You know, I was making fun of all the boys just having a ball with it, right, fun of all the boys just having a ball with it, right. And, uh, I was talking to paul bear and kane back one night we were doing a house show and I was like, yeah, guys, man, I used to do this. You see this, I used to do gilbert and paul bear. I still remember he looked at me. He goes oh, duane, gill, you may have something there, boy yep. So the rest of the night, every time I walked by him and kane, they were going gilbert gilbert. So the next day we had tvs and I was at catering and everybody in catering at the time started going gilbert gilbert. So I slid him down my train.
Speaker 3:Well, when I came home three days later I get a call. Hey, you know, from the office, dwayne, what's this? Gilbert stuff, man, we want you to do it. And I'm like, well, I don't want to do it. And they said why not? I said I just won the title, I don't want to lose the title. And they said we'll call you back. And they called back about an hour later and they said we got it you back. And they called back about an hour later and they said we got it. How about if you wrestle heavyweights, because you're a light heavyweight, and the count begins oh and one, oh and two. I said I got it, man, let's do it that's what happened.
Speaker 2:that's incredible that it caught on. You know you would think that, uh, over time, because I've heard and seen stories where Goldberg hasn't been too kind to the Gilbert character he hates. Have you ever had a chance to talk to him one-on-one?
Speaker 3:Yeah, yes, sir, and the last time I saw him we were at the big event in New York. Yeah, and I said I want to go down and talk to Goldberg. I want to go talk to Goldberg. He said, all right, so I went down and I went to talk to him. What was it? Where? He was signing in a separate room. So as soon as I walked off, he pressed me above his head and all that and everybody got pictures and all. When he sat me down, I said brother, why are you in a good mood? What do you say? We do this match. I said I'll make a hundred grand.
Speaker 2:You'll make a million life. He goes. Nope, nope, wow, he really had. You had a real heat with him at one time, though, didn't you? I mean, because there were times I would hear him say things. It just sounded like he would kill you if he ever saw you I, I never knew the man or not.
Speaker 3:I like goldberg, he's charismatic and all he. I mean I'll say it, uh, nobody else. Well, he couldn't, but he was very charismatic and the crowd loved him. Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:And that's what really counts. You've got to connect with the crowd.
Speaker 1:Well, let me here's my take on that I met Goldberg great guy, rode with him and everything. Man, I mean, I'm a really nice man. When you first break into this business, you know sometimes like what Gilbert was doing, you know, was maybe to, in Goldberg's eyesight, maybe more of mocking his character, instead of Goldberg understanding that this is entertainment, this is a show, you know, and that's what I really believe, because sometimes when you break into this business you don't get that part of it. You know what I mean. You start believing in your own gimmick. So I think he might have thought that they were making fun of him, but that wasn't making fun of him, that was really making him hotter. And if they had done something together, say maybe if they had Gilbert down, you know they beating the dog shit out of him.
Speaker 1:Because hey we're sick of you. You're not the real Goldberg. You know they're beating him down and here comes the real Goldberg to save him. That you know. They could have got a little bit of run out of that, but maybe, you know, maybe there was no money in it. I don't know.
Speaker 2:Well, you know it's funny. So hot was man. It'd be great to see Gilbert get in there when everybody knew how much Goldberg was really pissed off about the angle. But to get you Gilbert into the ring, like Teddy says, in a situation where he comes down for the save, would have popped the roof off that place.
Speaker 3:Oh, yes, sir. And what about marketing? I mean, what about a Gilbert action figure set? I mean, what about a Goldberg action figure set? I mean, come on, everybody wants to beat them up against each other.
Speaker 1:You know what I mean? Yeah, well, you get the money while you guys are hot. See, that would have been hot right then. So that's when you start putting stuff out while you're hot Gilbert, let me ask you on the road.
Speaker 2:You know the name of the show is Road Trip After Hours, and I know you've been up and down the road yourself, especially at our age. I know you travel much more than most of the guys do now. Tell me any road stories you can share with us anything crazy or wild.
Speaker 3:Brother ain't no telling how many of them he got. That's what I'm saying. I really would was upkeep right here. You know I mean. But uh, now I just it. It's been so much fun, man, everything. You know what I mean. It it's been a lifelong dream. I ain't lying to you. I mean. You know the business, you know it is. But still, when I won that title in wwf, I went right in Vince's office crying my eyes out and thanking. You know what I mean. It meant the world to me. It's everything I ever worked for, I ever wanted to do. I won the World Series, I won the Super Bowl.
Speaker 2:That's what that was to me, dwayne, that a lot of people don't realize that when these guys or girls win a championship for the first time, especially in WWE, it's not just acting. What you're seeing in that ring for a lot of those folks is a real emotion that comes out, because they worked years and years for that moment and it finally came, and a rush of emotion hits them. And that's some of the best TV. When that happens, you see the real person which, teddy you tell me, hits him. And that's some of the best TV. When that happens, you see the real person which, teddy you tell me all the time. That's what Vince wants.
Speaker 3:He wants real Yep, that's the truth man. The man right there is Teddy Long. That man can tell you everything. He knows everything about this business. He's one of the smartest men I know in this business. Teddy, you have any memories of?
Speaker 2:working with Gilbert.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, man, let's put over James Ellward just for about five minutes. All right, We'll put him over for five minutes.
Speaker 2:That's all he needs. Sorry, James.
Speaker 3:He's allowing it a lot, man. We all work together on there, and the other thing too.
Speaker 1:You know, like Gilbert was saying, we worked a lot with James Ellsworth. He's got his own major company out there and he always calls me every once in a while to come in for him and Gilbert is always on those shows and to be able to work with him and just see him and talk to him. And it's a great honor and you know, great for me. I just enjoy going out, you know, having a good time and when you're with gilberg you're gonna definitely have a good time. Yeah, it's funny because I met duane.
Speaker 2:It was probably, oh god, five, six years maybe. We were at an event up in North Georgia I can't remember what it was Superstars or something like that and I got a chance to talk to you and get an interview from you and I actually thought I was like he's not going to give me the time of day and I was still trying to break into doing what we're doing now and you sat right there and gave me a great interview, as friendly as you could be and I appreciate that, because a lot of guys don't always have that kind of time and don't afford you that time and you were very welcoming to sit down and do an interview and you were still a really hot thing at that time, for sure.
Speaker 3:Yes, sir, the reason I'm like that is because, like I said, I was a wrestling fan from I can remember. You know what I mean, and there's been times I stood out back at the arena for hours waiting for my wrestler but he was gone, yeah, and I didn't know it. You know what I mean. Or you're standing there and you're holding up and they just kind of walk by and ignore you. I'm feeling so with me. I make sure that. And a handicapped person, to this day, a handicapped person, has never paid for an autograph, a picture, anything from me. That will not. That never happened. Because I know what it takes to get a handicapped person out there just to see us, yes, and take them home and have to deal with them the whole time and everything. You know what I mean, yes, and to me that's an honor that they came out to see me, you know.
Speaker 2:And especially if they're looking at you as one of their heroes, you know you don't want to let them down. You certainly don't want to let them down.
Speaker 3:Yes, sir, To me I mean, like I say, I'm not only a wrestler, but I'm a fan too, A big fan.
Speaker 1:I know we're running short. I mean I know we're almost out of time, but, mac, I want to run this by Gold Gilbert. You said that you was asking about a good story. Well, I just thought about something and he can tell you about this. Now here's a man right here that is certainly dedicated and really I mean, his whole life is dedicated to this business. Where did you drive from that night man? From Virginia, somewhere. It was a long drive. You drove from Atlanta back to Maryland or something. Tell me about that.
Speaker 3:Are you talking about the one night that I was in Atlanta? I drove to Atlanta wrestled, drove back to Maryland and I had to get back here in time so that I could wrestle an afternoon show and then go to New York right after.
Speaker 1:So now you tell me that ain't dedicated right there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's extreme dedication, dwayne Gilbert. I certainly appreciate your time today, brother, anything coming up for you that you want to let us know about, anything fans can know.
Speaker 3:I'm wrestling Redding Pennsylvania, saturday night.
Speaker 2:Oh, good, good, Do you know the name of the place or anything like that? Yeah, hold on for a second. Yeah, man, teddy Gilbert. I know you've had a lot of fun with Gilbert and folks. If you have not seen Gilbert in person, you've got to meet him. He really is a nice guy, but on top of that he's hilarious as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he's entertaining.
Speaker 2:He's real entertaining too, man.
Speaker 1:Yeah, great guy man. Yeah, and look what he just told us there's no handicapped person that's ever paid for an autograph. That's the first time I heard that from anybody. I ain't even heard that from some top guys. You know what I mean. Golly, you know that's. That's something to think about.
Speaker 2:Dwayne, you got information for us. It just says Reading PA. Okay, he's going to be in Reading Pennsylvania this weekend somewhere.
Speaker 1:Well, we already know why he can't remember where he's supposed to be.
Speaker 2:He's flying planes right now. Leave him be.
Speaker 1:Yeah, today is only Thursday and he's got to be somewhere Saturday, so you understand what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:Oh, I do understand, Dwayne Gilbert. Thank you so much for being a guest on the show, hey thank you so much.
Speaker 3:And, teddy, I want to take this time to say, man, thank you for all your kindness, all your knowledge and all your help over the years. No problem, I really appreciate it. Brother, having you as a friend means a lot Well you're very welcome, man.
Speaker 1:Thank you, and I feel the same way, man. God bless you.
Speaker 3:Thank you, yes sir, god bless you, man. Thanks for everything.
Speaker 2:All right, this has been a new episode of Road Trip After Hours. I'm your host, mac Davis, that is WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long and, of course, our special guest Gilbert.
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