บทถอดความฉบับเต็มของ Hebridean Hammerlock - Big Rig Bryan Colton

And now my kids understand, you know, never too late, always follow your dreams. If it doesn't work out, ⁓ you at least you could say you tried. GraEME: How did go down when you said to your wife, know, I'm really, I'm at a place, I wanna do this, let's try this. bIG rIG: She was very supportive actually, cause you know, she, she doesn't know wrestling well. Like when we first got together, she was not a wrestling fan at all. You know, she, she knew certain people, you know, like John Cena, Randy Orton, et cetera. But, she's not still not a wrestling fan, but she like enjoys it. And it's because, you know, I kind of got her into enjoying it more because of me. But, she's been very supportive, you know, like there's times where I traveled to Alabama. I've been to Tennessee. she went with me when I went to Indiana, cause you know, her family's from there. So, but ultimately, know, she's very supportive, thankfully. And, know, I'm old, getting, you know, I'm older than most guys when they start, you know, but I'm able to do full-time job, the wrestling, you know, helping raise the kids and the family. So it's kind of one of those things where I do wrestling as fun. Um, but I make money doing it. it's like one of those things. How often do you get to make money doing something that you enjoy? So it's, it's one of those things where she's kind of like, you know, go ahead and do it until you can't anymore. GraEME: Yeah. Kenny: Yeah. GraEME: Uh-huh. Cal: Kenny will bring you in there. Kenny: Two of my questions have been answered. Was there a certain wrestler or match you saw when you were a kid that just made you go, this is what I want to do, at some point this is what I want to be? I want to be like them performing in front of people. bIG rIG: So that's good question because so there's different scenarios. So like Dusty Rhodes, ended up stumbling on him because of my my my my mom. She was a big Dusty Rhodes fan and the big Dusty versus Ric Flair feud was one of the first things I've watched. And I was like, if that guy Dusty can do this, you know, because I was never I was always an overweight kid. So seeing him doing GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: this, I was like, I can do that. And then I stopped watching wrestling for a little while. When I got back into it, it was a Rey Mysterio and Kane match. And it just stuck with me. And that's one of those matches that I always reference back to when I talk about why I wanted to be a wrestler. And it was that match. And then one of the Dusty versus Ric Flair matches, which Most people know those who feuded for years, but it was just, you know, the blue, you got the blue collar guy versus the rich guy, you know, and it was just one of those matches that stuck with me. Those two matches there stuck with me the most. GraEME: you Kenny: Yeah. Cal: And you're saying they're like, you know, obviously the blue collar thing is that obviously inform your character later down the road. That's where you want it to be. The blue collar guy in the ring. bIG rIG: it wasn't just that it was more of the like dusty roads just ⁓ like his size because he was never like the most athletically built guys on the roster ⁓ So like if that guy with his size can do it then I can do it but you know, I was still like ⁓ seven so It was I was like no I got time but then They said I stopped watching wrestling after for a while I turned it back on Randall. I mean, it was a Ray versus Kane and you got the short guy versus the big tall guy. So, you know, I'm not the tallest guy in the ring usually. And so I was like, if this, if he can do it, then I should be able to do it. And so that was one, I was like, I want to do this for a living. But like I said, you know, it just didn't happen until later in into life. So, know, So like I said, those two scenarios, like, you know, the out of shape style guy, and then you got the short guy. Those, that's what kind of stuck with me was because I related to both those sides. GraEME: then when you started training, am I right in saying that you trained under Francisco Tiazo? left us a couple of years ago. bIG rIG: Yes. GraEME: Yeah. What was the best piece of advice he ever gave you? Is it something that still sticks with you to this day? bIG rIG: So... I'm not the most creative guy when it comes to designing a character. And he, he told me, you know, stick with what you know. So when I started developing a character, you know, we shot out different ideas, what I should do. And he was like, you know, study Steve Kern study. GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: black top bully, Dick Murdoch. And so when I started studying them, I noticed that the three of them actually are similar with the blue collar thing. He's like, you are a blue collar guy. You know, you work for a plumbing company, you drive a truck. He's like, stick to what you know. So that's when I started incorporating the, the blue collar, the, you know, the trucker character. And then I kind of abandoned the blue collar side because truckers. our blue collar. So I mainly focused on the trucker thing and that's, and like, there's a story behind the flannel. There's a story behind most of the aspects of my character. And so the idea he gave me was stick with what you know, and that's how I've built this character that you see, you know, so I probably wouldn't have been doing this character if he didn't guide me in that direction. Cal: With that like when you finally got to your first trade it's like what we ask all that What was that first bump like? How did that feel when you got your first bump? bIG rIG: So when I started training with Frank, I kind of had started training a little bit with someone else it didn't work out. But when that bump, I didn't know you were supposed to exhale. And so that first bump, it knocked the wind on me and I was hurting for like a week. it doesn't feel good like the first time, especially when you're not used to. ⁓ GraEME: Yeah. bIG rIG: purposely falling on your back.

so like, it feel good at all. Like, I can't like it's hard to explain, but like it's don't realize how much it hurts until you until that first bump happens. GraEME: done it. you've of transitioned from fan to in-ring later in life. ⁓ What were the kind of biggest challenges you going from being on this side of the barrier to your side? bIG rIG: What do mean, like from going from not wrestling to wrestling? GraEME: Yeah. bIG rIG: I mean, it's not much. It's just like trying to understand the psychology ⁓ know, the in-ring stuff. That's more of the, you know, problem I've had. But I said, once you train and once you start doing it enough, you know, the repetition, ⁓ builds you up and ⁓ not as hard anymore. So like, even when I go to work and then a week as I do the wrestling, It's much different. my body's just used to it at this point. And, it's. ⁓ I don't see it. There's not really much of an issue for me anymore. Like when I first started, man, was I tired and like, cause my full-time job in the sun and then traveling to like Georgia for four hours to wrestle and then turn around and drive four hours back. Like basically no sleep. That was tough. Now I'm just getting more and more used to it. And you know, after a while you just get, your body just gets used to it. Cause you're like, said, you get tired and Cal: Yeah. bIG rIG: whatnot, but you know, I'm, I'm used to it at this point. Cal: Yeah. Cause I was going to say that's gotta be like a huge demand in your time, like a trucking job, which I'm guessing like the hours aren't always as straightforward as like maybe us, work very set hours. So then trying to squeeze your training, must have been a huge challenge. Trying to get your training down regular when you're trucking during the day. bIG rIG: ⁓ yeah. Cause I was, ⁓ yeah. Cause I was doing my full-time job. Then I was doing the training, hitting, you know, in the gym training. And so I was doing all three of these basically daily for like 14 months. So basically a year. so I'm not, I can't lie. My body was exhausted from it, but you know, it worked out luckily. GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: It's worked out for me at least for the last three years, come on four years. So I can't complain. GraEME: as well, know, having kid is a full-time in itself as well, massive respect to you for being able to get everything in. bIG rIG: ⁓ yeah. GraEME: Was there anything, are there things that you do particularly to try and stay grounded, connected to home to keep yourself mentally well while you're on that ground? bIG rIG: So mainly my family that keeps me, you know, mentally there because ⁓ they're a big support system and I don't know ⁓ if be able to do everything I've been doing without them because they keep me grounded. You know, when I have, when I'm too tired, you know, they, take care me in, know, like I can't. I had no complaints in regards to. know how they treat me. luckily, you know, I have a great support system. Cal: And I've got to ask, you've mentioned having kids, have they been to the shows and always curious how do they react when they see their ⁓ getting thrown around the ring sometimes? Are quite invested when they're watching you? bIG rIG: Well, ⁓ So they gave into it. My son, cause he's, he's young. He doesn't like when they get beat up. So he's trying to get in the ring to, you know, help me out. So my wife's chasing him around, trying to stop him from getting in. My daughters are booing everybody. So like they get into it and like that was one of the big surprises for me because I didn't think they'd be into it as much as they are. But I get a kick out of all three of them because like I two of them they cheer for me and then boo everybody else. And then my son tried to get in there to beat everybody up for beating me up. So it's great. Cal: And ⁓ curious, ⁓ you've had a loss, are they upset? ⁓ Do take it quite badly when they have to see you lose? bIG rIG: No, I always tell them, you can't win them all. And they understand that, you know, that's how life is, you know, you can't win everything. So they understand they're not happy because usually when I, when I lose someone has to cheat to beat me, but you know, ⁓ hate that more when they cheat to beat me. Cal: You Yeah. know, you were saying like earlier about the age you were when you ⁓ how did you find, because obviously you had to step into the ring probably with a lot of talent that was much younger than you. Were they quite supportive to you and accepting like, you know, obviously an older guy coming in much later in life? bIG rIG: Yeah. mean, I haven't really ran into many people who, you know, are those, you know, unsupportive, like they understand, you know, there's some guys who were younger than me, but been doing it like six, six plus years. And so the amount that I do and the amount that I know in the short time I've been doing it, like they're impressed, but also, you know, they support that I don't know as much as them. So we don't try to push. the boundaries of let's do this, let's do this. We can do this. And I'm like, I don't know how to take, you know, do any of this. So, you know, we back it out and, you know, we, we figure things where it makes sense. It it more believable for someone who doesn't have as much experience. So, you we're able to build around the fact that I'm not as experienced as everybody. GraEME: ⁓ huh. bIG rIG: or then a lot of people that I face, but they also understand. you know, it works out. Cal: Yeah. And from what you're saying, it sounds like it's an environment. You also teach each other and learn and everyone's happy to pass their knowledge around. There's no kind of, this is just mine, don't leave it alone kind of thing. bIG rIG: Yeah. Yeah. Like, so hell, like, for example, I've given advice to certain people and cause they, you know, they go, Hey, what'd think of my match? And I'm like, well, you know, from what I saw, you know, it was a great match. This part, you

know, I had issues that I saw whatever, and then they take it and they listen. then, but when you, and then if you flip that same thing to me, you know, they're younger than me they have more experience. I asked them, Hey, what'd you think? Was it good? Like, did you see something that I messed up on? You know, and a lot of times they say, Hey, watch your footage. So I watched the footage and say, Oh, now I know what you're talking about. Now I know what he was talking about. And so I'm all about listening, learning, you know, soaking that in, in to improve because I'm always willing to improve and listen, which, you know, in this business, that's what it's all about. So I mean, It's kind of a two, like a two way street. You know, they listen to me, I listen to them and then we all, we all get better. Cal: Yeah. All right. Kenny, you want to come back in? Kenny: all training and you told this is your first match, what was it What ⁓ was going your right before you went through the curtain for your debut? bIG rIG: ⁓ more, it was more about being nervous. Like I still had some self doubt because like I just graduated and they said, Hey, having you do this match. I'm like, ⁓ well, okay. ⁓ it didn't go as well as I was hoping. But again, I just graduated. I'm, I was still learning the game and like, I kept saying to myself, you know, God, I hope I don't screw this up. And luckily I didn't. It wasn't that bad, but, um, but it was mainly, I was nervous because I never performed in front of an actual crowd other than, you know, going through school, you know, doing certain like, you know, presentations in front of a group of people. But like, this was a bigger thing. Like the room only had like 50 some people in it, but that's still big for a guy who never been a performer. someone who doesn't like in front of a group of people. But it went a lot better than I thought, but I was nervous as hell going through there. Kenny: And what was like after the match? How did you feel once the match was over and you go back backstage? Cal: Okay. bIG rIG: I hyped because I finally was able to say if this is it, at least I could say I had an actual wrestling match. And I was proud of myself for actually doing it because like I said, I've never been confident in front of a group of people, yet alone doing professional wrestling. then, you know, I thought I nailed it as good, best as I could. And I mean, I knew there was room for improvement. always is, but I was ecstatic because the guy I faced, I trained with him. we were comfortable with each other at least enough to, you know, do the best, ⁓ that we could more. It was more about the best that I could. And I was excited about it because it was the best that I could do at the time that I believe I could. But like I said, ⁓ GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: I was saying to myself, you know, worst case, if this is it, at least I could say I did it. Kenny: Yeah, yeah. GraEME: What matches or feuds are you most proud of? bIG rIG:

So, a few, I mean... I had, I did a match in Georgia where like they're pushing this guy as like this big giant monster heel guy. And he's like, I think was like six to something, but like, I felt like we, the story that we told was probably the best story I've told an inside of a ring ⁓ I've been doing this and like. My storytelling has gone incredibly better compared to when I first started and so I was very proud of this match So I show promoters this match because of how good it was at least in the aspect of storytelling and so I was very proud of this match Cal: It sounds like, I'm guessing it's more a thing like in the indie wrestling that you guys have more input into your stories. when we obviously watch the WWE, they're very much in control, but it seems like you have quite a lot of control over your storylines. bIG rIG: Depends on where you go. So like in Georgia I'm very popular in Georgia because of the whole truck driver the blue-collar aspect character but the promoter there he's based he's gives me full control over the direction I want to go with the character and know, he's like hey, what do you think about this? ⁓ You we could do this with it? I'm like, well, I don't think that would work. But what if we do this? He's like, yeah, that's fine. We can do it that way and so ⁓ Depending on where you go, depending on, you know, depends on how much control you have over your character. There's some promotions that said this is what we're doing. If you don't like it, you know, you can go. But I. When I said with Georgia, I'm very over there with the fans, so they kind of give me control over my character in this place, so. I'm happy with the way my character is being built there. I mean, because like I said, understand the character there. The promoter understands it. You know, the guys in the back, the women in the back, they understand the character. And so we're trying to build things there and help the promotion grow. And he kind of, they don't, I said, they don't really care as long as you're not doing stupid things. I said, I'm just a truck driver. So. ⁓ GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: It's not hard for me to have control of the characters, know, so. Cal: Yeah. GraEME: to. Cal: Yeah, because I mean, it is the one thing like when I was looking for guests for this podcast, know, obviously going through forums online, that's where I found you. And it was, it just jumped out at me. It's just, you look at that, your promo images and it's just instant. And that's quite a, I think that's quite a good gift to have that people can just look at one photo of you and I think they just understand your character from the off. It's so, it's so striking. GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: Yep, exactly. that's, that's what it's about. Cause like people give me a character or some promoters are going to character and they think it's like a redneck and it's not. I'm like, cause I get it. I'm like, you know, with the flannel people put think flannel and redneck go together, which, know, it is what it is. But I'm like, if you watch my, my matches, you could tell it's a truck driver thing and people understand it. I mean heck, name's big ready for reasoning. GraEME: Yeah. Cal: ⁓ Kenny. Graham. you're going to come in now. GraEME: Yeah, was just going to ask, that the Georgia promotion, that Old Skill Championship? Is that the name of it? Georgia Old School Championship? The promotion in Georgia that you do a lot of work with is that, am I right in saying Scott Armstrong was recently pitched up as commissioner there? Or reasonably recently, one of the Armstrong boys? Have you managed to get much learning from him? Yeah, he strikes me as someone that you can just... ⁓ bIG rIG: I'm sorry, what was that? ⁓ yes, yes. Yes he is. Scott Armstrong, yes sir. Yes, ⁓ the match. Yeah, he's I mean, he's he's awesome because the match that I was telling you guys about he he said good things about what I did. He's like, you know, you made him look like a million dollars the way you put the way that you guys told the story. You look like a million dollars. You may even know you got the win. You did it in a way where it still makes him look like a monster, you know, and the heel whatnot. He's like. GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: There's really nothing he saw that I did that was, you know, in a bad light. But anytime I have a match there, I'm like, Hey, did you see? Cause he's usually at ringside as doing commentary. so after the show, I'm like, Hey, what'd you think of my match? Can you give me some pointers? And he's, you know, he's in depth. He understands like, he's like, I get the character, you know, instead of doing this, try this next time. I think it'll work better. And so. Like I said, I absorb all this information from people who've been doing this a long time. I took that and I incorporated it into the next match and he goes, that's exactly what I was telling you to do. So he knows his stuff, obviously. And so anytime he gives me feedback, whether it be, you know, criticism or positive, I take that and I use, I soak it in and incorporate that in my next. match so he could see it and he is okay he is listening. GraEME: Yeah, that's amazing. Cal: Yeah. And on the flip side of that, I was going to say, have you run into any promoters or that that have, like you said, they've just thought, ⁓ you're the redneck character and you've really had to say, no, that's not who I am. Have you run into that problem? bIG rIG: Yes. Yes. So work, there's another promotion I work ⁓ the way they're using me, I'm like, I guarantee that they think that I'm a redneck character. And so I went to the promoter or to the match and he's like, well, you know, you were flannel. So I assumed I was like, did the big rig not give it away that I'm not a redneck? Like, I don't understand. was like, I don't understand. how that's confusing. And so we had to sit down and talk about the direction of the character. Cause he's like, you know, you're just a

redneck. like, I'm not supposed, my whole kid is not supposed to be the smartest guy, but it says big rig as a truck driver. So I don't, I was like, I don't know how you got confused when it's not like, Oh, I'm just going with Brian Colton. My name is his big rig. So I was like, I didn't know a redneck ever uses the word big rig as a thing, but GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: So it's happened to me more times than people would think. And you would think with the name Big Rig, it kind of says something, but apparently it doesn't. It's like, redneck, cool. GraEME: Uh-uh. bIG rIG: I'm like, okay, whatever. I'll just roll with it, I guess. ⁓ Cal: Hello. Yeah, and I'm just curious, you said, obviously you're a truck driver yourself, but with the character, like the obvious trucker movie as convoy and stuff, have you taken bits from there to incorporate into your character as well to add to it? bIG rIG: little bit. The movie I kind of incorporated was it was Roddy Piper and it was They Live. Cal: Right? Yeah. ⁓ classic. Yeah. Love it. Kenny: Yeah. GraEME: Amazing movie. bIG rIG: Yeah. So his character is kind of like, cause like I'm, don't really joke around like for my character. And so if you watch that movie, I kind of, I took elements from his character in that movie and incorporated into mine. Cause he's more of a serious, no nonsense style character. And so that's kind of like how I am. Like I'll have fun in the ring once in a while. If you you'll catch it. But. My whole character is basically the serious, no nonsense, I'm not here to play games kind of character. like, I'm right now, my whole character is going through a character shift. So I'm becoming more of a serious style character than a, like not doing a lot of fun things ⁓ more as I, as I'm moving forward, but I took elements from that character and literally incorporated into mine. Cal: All right, I'm also gonna, there's one, it goes back to like your first matches and like when you started this, is there a ⁓ that you've learned to do that you're really proud of? Like basically when you, you saw, could never do that, but now that you can pull it off, you're like, wow, I ⁓ believe I actually can do that move. bIG rIG: So. So I do, one move I do is literally ⁓ like the trucking elbow, which if you watch my stuff, you'll literally see me do it. I do the drive that truck and I dive ⁓ the elbow drop. ⁓ looks like I saw guys do it and ⁓ it easy, but ⁓ actually to hit them where I'm supposed to hit them was the hardest part. And so I'm very proud of that move because I Cal: we lost. you there? think we've... ⁓ sorry, there you are. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: I practiced the heck out of it just so can land it perfectly every time and I never win with it. It is what it is, but the fans get into it. So when I do hit it, they get into it and you know, and then, you know, my finisher, I finally got it down in, ⁓ you know, I call it the gear shift, which of my matches, if you see me win, it's like a, a form of a lariat clothesline, but Cal: Yeah. bIG rIG: I kept hitting people too low or too high and you know, that's a whole different kind of worms, but I finally got it down and like those are the two big moves I'm proud of the most. I practiced a heck out of each one of those just so I can get it perfect every time. And I'm very proud of those two moves. Cal: ⁓ Kenny, can we bring you in there? You've been quiet for a while. Kenny: Yeah, I'm just enjoying hearing. just wondering, is there anyone you've wrestled that you really enjoy being in the ring with? bIG rIG: Yes. there's one guy, I face him twice we click. Like we just under like, we understand how each, how the two of us work and like, we don't to talk about nothing. every time we go, Hey, you're facing him. I'm like, heck yes. And we usually, we have one of the best matches on the, on the card, depending on, you know, the show we're on. And if they go up to me and go, hey, you're facing him again. I'm like, awesome. I have no, no complaints. And it always works out perfectly. Every time I got faced him in twice, but once in two different promotions. Cause every time he's there, they find out that I faced him already. They go, Hey, you're facing him again. Cool. I have, I have no problem facing this guy at all. Cal: So I'm guessing with him being in the ring, you're almost like, you just get each other without even saying anything. It just flows, isn't it? It's basically like, I don't know, basically it's like you're just dancing almost in time with each other, is it? Yeah. GraEME: instinctive. bIG rIG: Yeah. Yep. Like me and him have really good chemistry in the ring and it's out. It's crazy. And like, there's another one I was teamed up with, Jules Bradley, ⁓ me and him were a team for a little bit and we just had good, good chemistry together. And like, we face each other, we were partners and every time face each other, like, Cal: ⁓ yeah, ⁓ yeah. Kenny: Mm. bIG rIG: People still talk about the one match for me and him had in a street fight and they asked me, was that your favorite match? One of them, yes. if go, Hey, you're facing him again. go, awesome. I ⁓ mean, have really good chemistry. We clicked very well. And like, I can't even complain about facing him ever. Cal: Yeah, that's really cool because just to give everyone a say, we are actually speaking to him at the end of the month. So you're the start of the month, he's on the last day of the month. So kind of that's fallen very well for us that we look forward to speaking to him. And Graham, I think you are going to come in there. GraEME: Yeah, I was just going to ask, pre-match rituals, do you have any interesting ones or... What does it look like before you go out? bIG rIG: What do you mean exactly? GraEME: So just in terms of, you mentioned before your first match, it was a lot of nerves before your music, whatever. What's it like now when you're waiting to go out? you stretching? just intrigued to know

what happens? bIG rIG: Oh yeah, I got you. Uh, so I do a lot of stretching, but most of the time I'm, I'm working on getting into my character. Like I get, I get a little bit of nerves still. I don't know how everybody is, but as soon as my music hits the nerves go away and like I'm not, I don't get nervous at all anymore. As soon as I go out that curtain, my nerves are gone. And compared to like I said, when I first had my match, I was, the nerves were crazy. Now it's more. I get, I'm nervous once the music hits, I'm, the nerves go away and then I see they go through the current and they're completely gone. And like, but I spent a lot of time getting into character, getting to my head, uh, you know, stretching whatnot, but the nerves, I had no, I don't even know that I have the nerves anymore. Like it's just one of those second nature things or I know they're going to go away. So it doesn't even phase me anymore. GraEME: On the subject of music, you have one of the best original theme songs that I have seen, particularly for someone who's working in these. Sorry, I had to get it in there. As well, you're, you know, just having a look, your merch is really well put together. Everything looks like it's a really nicely done package. So again, with having a full-time job, having a family, having everything that you do, how do you manage to get all that done as well? Cal: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. bIG rIG: How do I do it? GraEME: Yeah bIG rIG: It's I was always raised the way. if I want something, I have to work for it. And so my parents instilled in me when I was young, you know, nothing's free. You know, if you want something, you got to go for it, you got to work hard for it. And so like with my job, you know, I'm a leader. So I got promoted to that. then like I said, with the wrestling, I train in the gym. I work in a ring still. try to, you know, I worked my off to, you know, be the best version of me. can be in the ring. And so, you know, I got, you know, the gym working in the ring. I do my full-time job ⁓ and knowing that I can tell my kids that, you follow your dreams. It's never going to be easy to follow the dreams, but you got to work for it. And so that's how I raised them the same way I was raised. And so everything I do, I put 110 % into because I want it to be a success. Cal: Yeah. Yeah. GraEME: Yeah. Yeah. Cal: I'm also curious, like, that feeling you must have, like, when you've done a show, it's like you're going out to a group of strangers, but you've got them entertained and cheering. Like, how good is that feeling? bIG rIG: Honestly, the first time a kid asked to have a photo taken with me, it was like one of the most surreal moments I've ever had. Because I never even thought I was ever going to be a wrestler, yet alone actually doing it. And then, you know, all these people saying, hey, can you get a photo? Hey, can I have my size in your shirts or your hats, whatever. And just they want my autograph. They want a picture. It's like it's one of those. surreal moments that I never thought would ever be a thing. Like people want my autograph, people want a picture with me. I'm like, you know, my face isn't a moneymaker. I can promise you that. And so the fact that people want a picture with me or want my autograph, I never thought it would ever happen ever. And yet it has. And so I were to retire today, I can at say that I did it. And so, ⁓ know, I mean, like, It's one of those things where I never thought in a million years it would happen. Cal: Yeah, because I guess that's one of the great things with indie, especially indie wrestling is you have that direct connection with your fans that like, you know, the WWE you don't have. that must be a extra special that as well. bIG rIG: ⁓ yeah. And like, I, I, I'm friends with a wrestler who's retired, but he was back in the eighties and nineties and whatnot. And he watches my stuff and he goes, man, you were one of the most popular guys that I've ever who's worked on the Indies. And he's like, I've never seen, cause I went from like the lowest, like the of the totem pole. And I'm not saying like I'm one of the greats now, but like how, I was able to get my character over naturally instead of forcing it. And he's like, you got it over so naturally that cause people understand people, if people understand it, it gets over. so even he knows ⁓ my character is who I am. I'm not trying to force something. So fact that fans understand it, the fact that they go, this is our guy. ⁓ And I never thought I would get over naturally period, you know, over at all. And yet my character speaks to the people. So I can't complain at all. Cal: Because that's, that'll be the other advantage. You've got a blue collar character and indie wrestling just that has that blue collar crowd. So like you're coming in with such a huge advantage when you walk outside. I guess you're like, and also in Georgia, they're just going to connect with that so, so heavily. Yeah. bIG rIG: ⁓ they do. There's a lot of truckers that go to the show and they know, hey, our guy's going to be there so we're going make sure we're there. so because they mess with me and say, hey, you're going to be there? Yeah, we're going to be there to see you. I'm like, cool. the fact that truckers under, if truckers are understanding my character, that means I'm doing what the idea of the character is. And so they said, I'm not having to force anything. Anyone who's a blue collar or a truck driver or anything to do with. Cal: Yeah. bIG rIG: know that line of work, they understand it. I don't have to force it. And so it means it means I'm doing my job correctly. It the character is doing its job and I'm happy with it. GraEME: It's almost a full circle thing back to Dusty. know, Dusty was the Everyman blue collar guy. bIG rIG: Exactly. And that's, that's kind of where the character is also fed off of. kind of took inspiration from him, you know, cause my father was a truck driver. So, you know, he

always said that he's the son of a plumber while I'm the son of a truck driver, even though I am one, I'm still a son of one. And so it kind of, you know, it's that whole big circle, you know, he understood blue collar, but so do I. And so it kind of, took inspirations from dusty roads and I. GraEME: Mm-hmm. bIG rIG: Embrace it into my character and it kind of works GraEME: One of the things I saw, certainly you're advertised for next month, Champions for Inclusion. Tell us a little bit about that. bIG rIG: So I don't know what the game plan is for that. Uh, the promoter messaged me. Um, he, he's been watching the character. He's been watching it develop and he, he wanted, me on his show. And I was like, that's fine. I just don't know what the game plan is yet. I'm hoping I know soon, but you know, it's one of those things I'm just, I'm just chilling, waiting to find out, but I'm excited. Like I said, I've never wrestled in that town before. So. It's, it's going to be a whole new environment. It's going to be a whole new crowd. I'm that the character works over there, which it should, but you never know. Every crowd is different. GraEME: Certainly from where I'm sitting, it looks like a really positive thing. It looks like another area that you can use your platform as that character for supporting and inspiring other people. Which it sounds as if, between the lines, it sounds as if that's something that's quite important to you, know. Teach people the value of hard work, teaching people you, you know, you can reach your dreams, you just have to go for it. bIG rIG: Yep, exactly. Cal: Kenny, are you? Kenny: Yeah, you were saying that you have truckers coming to the show. I was just wondering what your colleagues thought when you first told them, I'm training to be a wrestler. What was their reactions? you know, they're supportive, they're going to the shows. I'm just wondering what was when you first told them. bIG rIG: So the irony, yeah, so the irony of that question is no one knew. So I trained for a year plus, but no one knew. I talked about it, but they never knew I actually was doing it until I made my first, when I had my first match and I showed them the footage and like, we didn't know you were training. like, well, I trained for a year plus, you know, and I lost a lot of, I lost weight to get into shape to do it. They just thought I was doing, losing the weight for health reasons, which I mean it was, but they had no idea until I showed him the first match and he go, how long were you training? Like a year, 14 months, but we didn't know. It's like, well, you do now. And now, now that they know I wrestle, they work with me because, you know, certain things like the weekends, I got to work sometimes, but if I have a show booked, they'll make sure that I'm off so I can wrestle shows. But no one knew I was training until I had my first match. Cal: and like and That's, yeah, it's so good to hear that because like, like, and Kenny will know like sometimes how workplaces try and infringe on that kind of, on your hobbies and passions. So it's really good to hear you get the support for doing stuff outside of your work. That's like, it's such a positive to have that as well in your life. It's like the stars kind of aligned with, for you to pursue this. Kenny: Yeah. bIG rIG: ⁓ yeah. And like I I have, I work with some good, good guys. So, I mean, they understand cause the position I'm in for my job, I don't really get time off. usually, you know, working 24 seven usually. And so they kind of helped me out. I said, you know, if I have a show booked and know about it, I tell them a week in advance, Hey, I got a show, you know, on this date, which is a Saturday. Like we got you. And so I'll wrestle do my thing. And then be available the next day and say, Hey, I'm back. know, if you need me, I'm here. And so they kind of work with me on the fact that I do wrestle. Cal: cream and yeah, coming in there. Kenny: you GraEME: No, must have just heard me thinking. Cal: do you think? ⁓ GraEME: Aye, in ⁓ the, you mentioned obviously body transformation, weight loss, sort of thing Brian, what was the biggest factor for you? Was it getting in the gym? Was it changing how you eat? What's the biggest single factor for that? bIG rIG: The, was kind of all of it. Cause like I was a gym. I liked the gym anyways, but I had to change how I approached it. And then the dieting, I did change my diet to, you know, fake the new workout program that I was doing. So it was kind of, they're kind of put together in the same way. So like, you know what mean? And so they said with the work. And then the gym and then the dieting and then the training, was all of them. had to change how I approach things to make, you know, a better success for me with the weight loss and then getting into better health, better shape. Like, honestly, like the shape I'm in now is probably the best shape I've ever been. Ever. And so like I took this, I rolled with it. You know, I was always told if you want to be taken serious, you got to look. like you're serious. And so I took that. lost the weight, you know, you know, Francisco Chiazza, you know, he was like, whatever you're doing, it's working, keep doing it. And so I stuck with it. And like, and like, people noticed it. Like, I know it helped get make me better in the ring. Like I was faster, more agile, which they said, I've never been the best this shape I've ever been. And like, I'm not like, I could keep going and I'm still going, but compared to where I was like four years ago, I'm in the best shape I've ever been. And so I'm proud of what I've done. said, but like I said, working out and the dieting, turning, you know, switching those in. to make them work together. That was the hardest part I had to figure out and I figured it out, but that was the hardest thing for me. Cal: Like, up ⁓ the iron marks. I think like this might be the question. So what's future hold for the big rig

and where are you going next with everything? bIG rIG: I'm just, slowed down a little bit for the last few months because I'm focusing on, you know, the family because I haven't had much time with them. helping out, you know, fulfilling some obligations that I've had with some personal friendships I've had or that I have. ⁓ And, I'm not giving, ⁓ I'm wrestling. I have a show coming up on the 14th and then April. I'm basically booked all through the month of April right now and but I said, I'm not, I just, slowed down a little bit more for like, you know, health, you know, I was getting exhausted from, like said, with my full-time job and whatnot. I was, I slowed down a little bit to recoup, you know, heal up, get, get rest. And now I'm getting back into it and I'm going to be. Hopefully getting a lot more bookings coming up in the next few months. Cal: So yeah, ⁓ just taking a day at a time and just being thankful for the journey. Is that your ⁓ at the moment for the future? bIG rIG: Yeah, just more like getting more resting because going basically seven days a week, nonstop every, you know, 24 seven every month going, you know, mean, seven days a week. It was adding up. So I slowed down to get some rest in just focus on my job, my family and my friends, whatnot. And now, but I'm going to get I'm getting back into it this month and I got a lot of stuff going on in April. So. GraEME: you Cal: All right. ⁓ So like I we're coming up on time guys if you've got a final question. Graeme, Kenny. GraEME: Nice. good, I've asked loads. Thank you very, much for your time, Brian. Kenny: I you're... Cal: Yeah, right. Yeah. So like to finish off Brian, we always just end up with a quick fire round of just some not very serious questions. So you up for that? It's just 10 very quick questions. Okay. All ⁓ Kenny: Yeah, I've- bIG rIG: Yeah, I'm always down. Let's go. ⁓ GraEME: I might have an 11th, but it might be ridiculous. We'll see what you come up with. bIG rIG: Yes. Cal: Okay, So, number one, your entrance theme had to be replaced with a children's TV theme, what would it be? bIG rIG: ⁓ joy. be let's be fun here. Sponge Bob. GraEME: Ha Cal: You bIG rIG: That's a much reliable song you can think of. Cal: Okay, what's the most impractical weapon you'd bring to a non-DQ match? bIG rIG: I've done it, a pipe wrench. Cal: You Kenny: it. GraEME: Ha Cal: If you had to tag team with a non-wrestling fictional character, who would your partner be? So anyone from fiction. bIG rIG: My son's a big fan of Spider-Man. Cal: Okay cool and the tag team name be then? bIG rIG: what is it? The trucking webs. ⁓ Trucking Cal: You Okay, what's the worst snack to eat before a match? bIG rIG: Well, don't, I can't eat because it makes my stomach hurt, but I would assume a big meal. I don't know. probably something, I would say something greasy. Cal: Okay, so if your gear had to be designed by a completely unqualified celebrity, who would design it? Kenny: Mm. Cal: and what would they create for you? bIG rIG: Who would design my gear? ⁓ GraEME: How do you do this? bIG rIG: ⁓ that's a good question. Shoot. Cal: like the worst person to design a big rig costume. Who could that be? bIG rIG: Let's go. Gorda Ramsey. Yeah, there you go. That's another one. Gorda Ramsey and Guy Fieri. There you go. ⁓ GraEME: Go Fieri! Ha Cal: Gordon Ramsay. ⁓ God. So what? bIG rIG: They probably make me like, they probably put me in an apron. Cal: what's pettiest reason you'd start a wrestling feud? bIG rIG: of all the pettiest. Cal: Yeah. bIG rIG: Someone stole my parking spot. GraEME: You Cal: That is worth, that's worthwhile, let's see. ⁓ bIG rIG: I drive a truck, they're big, I need the spot. Cal: if you had to cut a promo about a household object, which object would it be? And why would it annoy you so much? bIG rIG: C-uh... a household item? Cal: Yeah, if you had to cut a promo about it and why would it be getting the heat off you? bIG rIG: ⁓ my wife's kitchen counter! Because I run into it all the time because it sticks out. Cal: Okay. If you had to rename your finisher after your least favourite household chore, what would you call it? bIG rIG: see. Pressure washer then? Cal: Look ⁓ bIG rIG: Yeah, pressure wash because I got pressure wash in the house. I hate that. Cal: Yeah. And what's the most non-wrestler thing you're just insanely good at? bIG rIG: plumbing Cal: Alright, that works. question we ask to all our guests, if you got invited to come over to Scotland, would you come? bIG rIG: ⁓ definitely. Cal: Yeah, well, don't think you need to worry that the three of us at least have been the crowd there to cheer you on. I think you've got three good fans here. bIG rIG: That's that's that's what I need. That's all I need. GraEME: 100 % Cal: Alright. Well, you never know what can happen. Graham, you had a silly question to go there. GraEME: Yeah, I just had a thought. You mentioned that Francisco had sent you to study black top bully as one of your, as of the people way back right at the start. Would you ever do a King of the Road match? bIG rIG: Yeah. Oh, oh yeah. Um, it was unique. mean, I always said, I told him, if there was a stipulation created for me to do for my character, it would be that type of match. So, so insanely stupid, but it would work. GraEME: Hahaha Cal: you GraEME: Yup. ⁓ Yeah, I think you would make it work. bIG rIG: I'm I'd make it work, but man, was a bad match. GraEME: You Cal: And with that Brian, if people want to reach out and find you, where can they find you and if they just want to speak to you. bIG rIG: So I have a Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and threads. Basically Brian Colton or Big Rig Brian Colton, depending on what you're using. Facebook, Brian Colton. Instagram and TikTok are Big Rig Brian Colton. I respond to messaging on there to anybody, any fans. Cal: Yeah. Yep. bIG rIG: But then I also post matches or match information and upcoming events on all of those social media sites. So I'd say if you want to know where I'm going to be next, follow, go to Facebook, Instagram, and tick tock, and you'll be staying up to date on where I'm going to be. Cal: All right. that's great. think we're all followers and we've all become fans. So as we've spoken to you, I you've gained three fans in Scotland anyway. So, you know, the Scotty, the big rig tour of Scotland might happen one day. We look forward to it. yeah. Hopefully you never know, like I said, that anything can happen. Just to let everyone know, we've got some stuff coming up on the show. think up we've got Ruby. ⁓ GraEME: Yeah. Kenny: Yeah. GraEME: Yeah. bIG rIG: I will show. Hey, I'm down for it. Cal: Ruby the Butchslier, Scottish wrestler. Then after that, the well-known Mickey Knuckles is going to be ⁓ special guest. And the end of the month, of course, Jules Bradley, who seems be a good friend of yours, and we'll look forward to speaking to all of them. Thank you, Brian, much for taking the time out. I know you're working at the moment. It's been a pleasure an honor to have you, and we'll be following you. bIG rIG: Thank you. Cal: Hopefully we can reconnect in the future at some time to see how things have progressed. bIG rIG: ⁓ yeah, I'm down. Just let me know. Cal: All right and with that everyone we will see you all very soon take care and good night or good afternoon wherever you are. bIG rIG: was good meeting you guys ⁓ GraEME: Thank you. Kenny: Yeah, thank you very much. bIG rIG: See you guys soon.