WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash ready for Legends of Wrestling Night at Marlins Park
Kevin Nash joins Mick Foley, Tyrus (WWE’s Brodus Clay), Bushwhacker Luke, JoJo and the Nasty Boys for Legends of Wrestling Night on Friday, July 31 at Marlins Park, when the Miami Marlins host the San Diego Padres.
Nash, a WWE Hall of Famer, is happy to return to South Florida for such a unique event, which benefits Up2Us Sports.
“I’ve done a lot of things, but this is a Major League Baseball [ball park],” he said. “I’m definitely looking forward to it and getting a chance to see the new [ball park].”
The festivities, organized by Louis ‘Uncle Louie’ Gregory’s Legends of Wrestling, is expected to attract fans spanning many generations.
“With the network now I go to signings and there are as many eight-year-old kids, as well as 35-year-olds because the network plays all the old stuff,” Nash said. “To them, it’s basically this live stream. They meet you and you maybe don’t look like you do on the network, but they understand who you are and what you do. So the network is really nice to have.”
The former WCW and WWE world champion isn’t just known for his successful career in pro wrestling. The Florida resident has also amassed a respectable array of acting credits.
“One day recently I got off the plane, and I thought the person was going to say Kevin Nash, but they knew me as Guard Engleheart on ‘The Longest Yard,’” Nash said. “I said, ‘Yeah, that’s me.’”
The imposing figure’s big screen career can be traced back to his role of Super Shredder in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze.” More than 20 years later he was picking up parts in projects like “Rock of Ages,” “Punisher” and “John Wick.” Nash finds pro wrestling helpful when it comes to acting. There is always the motivation to stay in shape and a sense of preparation when the phone rings.
Among his most high-profile role to date is as Tarzan in the popular “Magic Mike” movies. This summer’s “Magic Mike XXL” sees Nash reunited with Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello and other cast members. Although the film is about male strippers, Nash believes there is more to it and can appeal to a certain demographic.
“The core guys came back,” he said. “The only disappointing thing to me is we’ve done really well box office-wise, but this is really a buddy bromance movie for guys to see, too. It’s also the perfect date movie, but I think guys missed the boat that it’s a funny road trip movie above anything else. I just think people prejudge it based on the last one. The last one took place in the club. This is taking place across the country. We are on our way to a convention, so it’s a road trip movie. I think guys sell themselves short by not bringing their significant other to this movie.”
Will “Magic Mike” become a trilogy?
“I wouldn’t think so,” Nash said. “This was the only story we didn’t tell in the first one that Channing wanted to tell.”
Much like in the pro wrestling business, you can always say never say never. Speaking of wrestling, Nash remains a fan.
“I watched ‘Taker [The Undertaker] come back,” he said. “I’m sure the ratings went through the roof, which was the reason he was there.”
The veteran is a fan of not only the main roster but WWE’s developmental system. It’s a different time than when Nash broke into the business, after his time playing basketball ended.
“They have built a basic farm system,” Nash said. “There isn’t anybody in the realm in competing with them. They have taken the market. It now goes Raw, SmackDown and NXT. There are now three brands. There are a lot of guys I watch today. I’ve been a fan of [Dolph] Ziggler since day one. I saw the big 6-foot-8 kid down at NXT. [Big Cass], I think really has a chance. He is a big guy and athletic. I think he has a chance to make it.”
Nash was part a boom period in pro wrestling from his days as Diesel to becoming a founding member of the nWo. He believes the business is in an up cycle right now with the talent performing.
“I think a lot of the credit has to go to Paul Levesque [Triple H],” Nash said. “He really understands the business. One of the most poignant things he ever said to me was, ‘It’s not only the fact we have to replace the guys in the ring, but we have to teach the guys with the handhelds and steady cams. I’ve got guys who have been carrying cameras for 30 years now. They aren’t going to be doing this forever.’
“What they’ve done with NXT and Full Sail [University] is basically also focus on the production. People don’t realize how important the cameras are. This is a hands-on experience and proving ground, A to Z, from people in the truck and all the way up. It’s about pushing this product and having it continually grow.”
Nash was recognized for his contributions with an induction into the 2015 class of the WWE Hall of Fame.
“It’s an incredible honor,” he said. “For me, I was probably more excited to walk down the aisle in front of almost 80,000 people in the stadium, but it was an incredible honor. I’m in the cream of the crop.”
At WrestleMania 31 Nash was part of the surprise run-ins during the Sting and Triple H showdown. He doesn’t rule out another match.
“If asked, I would,” Nash said. “Let’s put it this way next time I won’t forget to bring my knee brace Last year, I forgot my knee brace.”
Does the superstar alum still have a dream match?
“Not really,” Nash said. “There isn’t much left to do. I mean I would love to, for s---- and giggles, to wrestle [Hulk] Hogan again. We would do the best we can do and bring the best we got.”
- NOTE: The interview was conducted prior to that Hulk Hogan issue going public, causing Hogan’s ouster from WWE.
- For more on the Legends of Wrestling event at Marlins Park, visit
http://www.thelegendsofwrestling.com/.
Follow them on Twitter @LGNDSofWRSTLNG.
- Visit www.KevinBigSexyNash.com
and follow Kevin Nash on Twitter
@RealKevinNash.
- Follow me on Twitter @smFISHMAN.
Legends of Wrestling at Marlins Park
The Miami Marlins baseball team, including Tom Dino Koehler and The Mexicutioner AJ Ramos, is hosting Legends of Wrestling Night, benefiting Up2Us Sports, on Friday, July 31 as the Marlins face the San Diego Padres at Marlins Park.
Meet WWE Hall of Famers Mick Foley and Kevin Nash along with The Nasty Boys (Knobbs and Sags), Bushwhacker Luke, JoJo and Brodus Clay/Tyrus.
Also, the best dressed wrestling fan will win an official Marlins Championship Wrestling Belt.
Check out www.worldchampionbelts.com
About the LoW
Entertainment mogul Louis ‘Uncle Louie’ Gregory, the president of Legends of Wrestling, will bring The LoW experience to Miami during the Miami Marlins game, and it features several big names in pro wrestling, headlined by Mick Foley (aka Cactus Jack) who is joined by none other than Big Sexy himself Kevin Nash.
http://www.thelegendsofwrestling.com/
Uncle Louie said: “The July 31st show at Miami’s Marlins Park is great because Miami is where I call home. This LoW experience will feature fan interactions with autographs and photo opportunities and who knows; a Legend of Wrestling throwing the first pitch? A Big Foot from Big Sexy to a Mascot? I will also be presenting a very special championship belt custom made by LoW’s own Rey Rey to the Marlins’ José Fernandez because July 31st happens to be his birthday. I have a lot planned for Miami, but you'll have to visit the 305 and come out to Marlins Park to see what happens for that one.”
Visit
VIP Special Event Package includes:
Pre-game meet-n-greet with Legends of Wrestling
Legends of Wrestling Night T-shirt
Lexus Legends Level Game ticket
VIP Pregame Party with DJ, games, prizes and more from 5:30- 6:45 p.m.
Amazing post-game fireworks display
Go to
Up2Us Sports is an official charity partner of the Miami Marlins.
Twitter @UncleLouie
- Pro Wrestling On the Web
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting
This story was originally published July 30, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash ready for Legends of Wrestling Night at Marlins Park."