FanHouse Undertaker

Are World Wrestling Entertainment stars the secret behind Manny Pacquiao's success? Probably not, but one thing's for certain, the consensus pound-for-pound boxing king loves having them around.

Current WWE star and former world champion, Batista, told The Sun (UK) on Friday that he will accompany Pacquaio to the ring prior to tomorrow night's IBO light welterweight title fight against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

It's not easy being the bad guy in professional wrestling. Just take it from one of the legends of World Wrestling Entertainment, Honky Tonk Man, who drew the ire of thousands of fans as an infamous "heel" throughout the late '80s and early '90s.


I had a chance recently to talk with Honky Tonk Man about his thoughts on pro wrestling, Sunday night's 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania and THQ's new Legends of WrestleMania video game. We also touched on sensitive topics like heated feuds and pro wrestlers dying before their time.

By now, almost everyone knows that Joel Zumaya is a huge Guitar Hero guy (by the way, I'll sheepishly admit that that game is awesome). If you hurt yourself playing a video game as Zumaya did, well, you're a hardcore gamer.

When it comes to actual rock, Zumaya is just as dedicated:

Q . So what CD is in your car right now?

A . Right now, I have some All-American Rejects and some Rage Against The Machine. I've got some hard stuff and then the Eagles.

Q . I thought you were old school?

A . When I'm coming to the field, it's mainly hardcore rock. And then when I'm off the field and want to relax, I'll go home and put on the Eagles and all those other guys -- Peter Frampton, and all those guys.

Wait, sorry. I thought you said "rock," Joel. The Eagles and Peter Frampton -- especially Peter Frampton -- absolutely do not classify as rock. Peter Frampton. Pshh.

After delineating his music preferences, Zumaya addresses what professional wrestler he most admires:

A . Undertaker.

Q . Why him?

A . Just because he is crazy, man. He's nuts and he's a phenom of wrestling. All of the tattoos he has and all that stuff and his music and all that, he's crazy. That is something I have inside of me, too. I have that craziness inside of me.

We don't doubt you, Joel, not for a minute. Shine on, you crazy hard-throwing diamond.

(Via Baseball Primer Newsblog)