Rob Terry on Going From Mr. Wales to TNA and Training With Team 3D

Fred: I’m here with former TNA Global Champion Rob Terry. How are you doing, sir? What brings you to the MMA Sports Extravaganza?

Rob Terry: I was invited to come to this event, and obviously you’ve got the MMA, and you just had the bodybuilding. This is definitely the place to be this weekend.

Fred: You have an incredible bodybuilding background as Mr. Wales. What led you to professional wrestling? Were you always a fan growing up?

Rob Terry: Growing up as a kid, wrestling was one of my biggest influences. When I started watching, you had Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior, and most of the guys then were just so big. I looked at those guys and thought, “This is the way I need to look.” That had such a big influence on the way I trained and the way I aspired to look. So when I eventually had my bodybuilding career and a certain company came to me and offered me a contract, it was a natural process. It was something I’d always wanted to do, and something I couldn’t do back home, so I was very blessed to come to the USA to fulfill my dreams.

Fred: I’m assuming you grew up in the U.K. You never got involved in British wrestling?

Rob Terry: Not really. I’m from a place called Wales, and there were one or two schools. I tried to wrestle there a few times, and the school actually closed down, believe it or not. So I sent off tapes to America. I guess they probably couldn’t understand a word I was saying. I hope you guys can. It was almost like destiny. I turned professional in natural bodybuilding, and straight off the bat, a company knocked on my door and said, “We’d like to take you to America and train you as a pro wrestler.” It was, “Wow, this is what I want to do.” Everything I’d done in my life worked up to that day.

Fred: You ended up in TNA, but before that, you signed a WWE developmental deal. Why didn’t that pan out? Was it a matter of them not having a spot for you?

Rob Terry: At the time, I was limited in experience, and I jumped straight into FCW, where there were guys who had been in the business eight to 10 years. I couldn’t expect to just walk in the door. Once that developmental deal ended, my thought was to continue and not quit, which I didn’t. I carried on, and I’m so proud to be with one of the biggest companies in the world. I’m the happiest guy in the world to be there, and I’m proud to be part of TNA.

Fred: How did you get involved with Team 3D? Did you train with them before your WWE developmental deal, or after you got to TNA?

Rob Terry: That was once the FCW developmental deal had finished. I moved up to train in Orlando, and I can’t stress enough to anyone who wants to get into the business that it’s one of the best schools you can go to. Bubba and D-Von’s knowledge and experience in the business is second to none, plus it’s more one-on-one tuition. Everything I didn’t get at other training schools, they made sure I got at Team 3D.

Fred: So you’d recommend that somebody not just go somewhere that teaches a couple of basic moves, but to somebody who’s been in the business and been a champion?

Rob Terry: I’ve heard so many stories about people going to schools where they’re basically just trying to take their money. Team 3D is pure quality. They want to push you in the business and make sure you can do the best you can, and that’s exactly what they did with me. I’ll continue to go there to better myself, because I want to be the best I can in this industry.

Fred: In TNA, you were part of the British Invasion as Big Rob Terry, the silent bodyguard. How was the transition from that to The Freak, showing more personality and charisma and actually being in the ring as opposed to at ringside?

Rob Terry: It was great to be with Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams. Doug Williams’ reputation precedes him, and he was always one to give me advice and guide me, and Nick obviously had great charisma, so it was a total package for me to learn from. I had a great time there. Now that I’m The Freak, Rob Terry, on my own, it can only lead to bigger and better things.

Fred: You became TNA Global Champion and had a great undefeated streak. What’s next for Rob Terry?

Rob Terry: Sheer and total domination. All I wanted to do the second I got into TNA was be a champion, and I did that. Now everything in my sights is the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, and I’m going to go for it.

Fred: Rob Terry, I don’t doubt you one bit. Best of luck.

Rob Terry: Thank you, man. Appreciate it.