The cool thing about this business is taking the knowledge you've gained that people have passed onto you and then you pass it along to the next generation.
I always said when I was wrestling that you have tunnel vision because it's all consuming. It's hard to focus on anything else other than what you're doing. When I stepped away from that, I wanted to have my hand in a lot of different pots.
I think the free agent process is a little bit different because other major pro sports like the NBA or NHL, you're looking at 30 teams. You have 30 options. You don't really have that in this industry. There is one name that stands above all else, and that's WWE. So to really be on top, that's where you have to apply your trade.
When I moved to Tampa, Florida I remember going to a Kid Rock concert and I was in one of those sky-boxes. When I walked into the sky-box I didn't know he was there, but I hear a, 'Hi, brother!' I turn around and it's Hulk Hogan. I just got 'brothered!'
It's cool to talk to the fans and get some one-on-one time and shake hands, sign autographs, take some pictures and have conversations with people.
Obviously, there's nothing like being in front of a live crowd. That's what makes a wrestling show - getting that instant feedback and taking them on an emotional journey through what you're doing in a ring. Nothing will ever replicate that.
There wasn't a huge focus on tag team wrestling when it was Edge and Christian v The Hardys v The Dudleys, but we forced it. We went out there with something to prove every single time and forced everyone to see that we needed to be on the show every week.
Wrestling used to be land of the giants and I think MMA has opened he door for smaller, more athletic competitors to climb up the card in wrestling and be top draws and main event.
I retired when I was 40. I started when I was 19. I never wanted to be a guy who was a shell of his former self and have people say, 'He's not as good as he used to be.'
It's funny, I do think I've been somewhat overlooked, but I've always viewed that as a challenge. Everyone else seems to get more upset about it than I do.
I had worked with The Shield quite a bit, live events and things like that so we had good chemistry in the ring.
I think people know that every time I go out there, I leave it all in the ring, regardless. So I think there's a certain respect with that and I think that's just grown over the years because I feel like over the course of my career... people know that I never take a night off.
For me, tag team wrestling will always hold a special place in my heart and I do wish it could have been highlighted more.
We dreamt of that as kids growing up. Like, main eventing, being world champion, walking down that aisle at WrestleMania as the last match, as the main event, as the headliner.
You have to look at your situation, and 'how do I make the best of my situation every single night?' That's what I looked to do.
TNA has been great as far as allowing me to have more input creatively on my character and the direction of my character and promos.
Growing up, we were pretty much focused on becoming WWE superstars.
If I had a nickel every time someone asked me if I was going into the Hall of Fame, then... I could buy a lot of stuff.
I never doubted that my talent would shine through in the end, no matter what.
The word dream match is thrown around quite a bit, and I mean if you think about it. There's all these possibilities, like what if Edge could face Roman Reigns or Seth Rollins? Or, a guy like AJ Styles.
