Former WWE and ECW talent Erik Watts recently spoke with Wrestling Epicenter on topics such as how he was the inspiration behind The Hardy Boyz’ in-ring gear after he designed an outfit, which WCW turned down.
Erik Watts said:
“I ran my own show for charity in Tulsa, Oklahoma.” “I got some WCW guys, I got some other guys, and I called Vince McMahon himself. Everyone says Vince is impossible; he’s not. I got all the WWE guys I wanted. I do all the promotions to do the show. From Atlanta, Georgia, I flew in for one night only to do a show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We did $38,000 in ticket sales. To the rafters! I brought back ‘Dr. Death’, Terry ‘Bam Bam’ Gordy, Michael Hayes, all these people! So, Vince goes ‘hey, I am going to send down some other people to get some work.’ I go ‘sure.’ Prince Albert with the nose ring comes down, nicest guy in the world. He says ‘E Watts! I have these two kids. Can they come and talk to you?’ I’m like ‘sure.’”
“So, now I know there is something they want to talk about but I don’t know what the hell it is. So they go to me ‘sir, we have been taught not to steal moves or steal things. Would there be any way that you would allow us to use your outfits up in WWE?’ Bro, when I say I was laughing so hard. Listen, they’re not Matt and Jeff Hardy yet. They haven’t even blown up yet. But I’m thinking to myself that I didn’t give a s--t if they made it. I was just so happy. So, I was like ‘sure you can! I’ve got some more designs!” So they came out in the shirt and pants. That was all off my character! So I called Page one time and said ‘ask Bischoff what he thinks of the Hardy’s outfits, mother f***er!'”
Watts then spoke about how his tenure in WCW was short-lived.
“I was having some success with speaking engagements and different business ventures but I went to WCW as long as I could do and dress how I wanted.” “So, I went to a place called Hot Topic. I got some jeans with the zipper down the side. As a matter of fact, I was in the best shape of my life! So I don’t know why I chose to cover up some. But I wanted my jeans, my tight shirt, and I loved my boots from Tekno Team 2000. So, if you see some of those matches from WCW, you’ll see the last 0 at the bottom of them. So, I’m on board. I signed on. I’m excited! Bischoff’s excited. Everyone’s excited.”
“Two shows in, I get a call. ‘Can you change your outfit?’ ‘After all of this?’ At this point, I’ve been to WWE. I’ve got myself in incredible shape. I’ve got my hair in a double ponytail. My glasses on, came out as a heel. I’m just having a freaking blast. And, that is your response? It was actually Dallas Page that called me. Eric asked Dallas to call me because he knew me and Dallas were tight. I said ‘I’ve got to be honest with you, I’m not changing s--t.’ He goes ‘bro! Bro! They love everything you’re doing.’ I said, ‘they don’t love everything I’m doing. I’m the one who designed the outfit, I’m the one who came up with the outfit. And, I’m the one wearing the outfit! That is what I’m doing! They’re not WWE. They didn’t design the costumes. They didn’t trademark anything. They didn’t do s--t. This is Erik Watts now!'”
You can check out Erik Watts' comments in the video below:
