Diamond Dallas Page on His Inspiring Story Told Through ‘Biography: WWE Legends’
Q&A
An undeniable work ethic and unwavering perseverance have always fueled Diamond Dallas Page. The Hall of Famer’s inspiring journey is the subject of the Biography: WWE Legends documentary series on A&E this Sunday (March 17). Despite starting his pro wrestling career well into his 30s, the master of the Diamond Cutter ascended to the top of World Championship Wrestling by winning the world heavyweight championship.
The can-do attitude caught the eye of would-be supporters of Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Being seen as the underdog who fought for every opportunity earned the respect of the fans, who dubbed him the “People’s Champion” before The Rock. It’s the growing popularity that translated into mainstream buzz thanks to bringing the likes of Karl Malone, Jay Leno, and David Arquette to the ring. Post-pro wrestling Page has dedicated himself to transforming, and even saving lives through his DDP Yoga program.
Here, Page opens up about how the project shows sides of him not seen before.
Your story has been told in several ways. What do you think stands out about this documentary?
Diamond Dallas Page: I think it’s important it be told on A&E through Biography because they do it a little differently than WWE. There is some stuff people don’t know about, which is cool. They found stuff from my club days. I was trying to be a wrestler at 23. Most people don’t know that. It didn’t work out for me. I had three matches, hurt my knee, and my doc was like, “Take off a month. Don’t rush it. I got a chance to run my rock-and-roll joint. I did so much in the bar business that I forgot about the wrestling. That was in 1979 going into 1980.
What brought you back in?
One day I was flipping the channels in 1986 and boom wrestling. Who walks through the curtain but some guy with a bag over his shoulder with a fu manchu. This man looked serious. When I got to really watch who was Jake “The Snake” Roberts, his stuff was real. Then he cut a promo and really scared you. He was so reality-based. As a fan, they sucked me back in. I got a big club in Ft. Myers at that time called Norma Jeans. They go into that in the doc. There are pictures of guys that came through like Luke “The Bushwacker,” who put a picture up of me with him, and Ted DiBiase not long ago on Facebook. But when Jake came to the club, I worked my way toward him and introduced myself. I asked, “What are you drinking?” We got pied that night. He told all the boys about the place, and they got taken care of. It isn’t just wrestling on the doc. It’s where I came from, and then today with DDP Yoga, which is next-level stuff.
WWE
I think it was awesome to see your sister talking about you. I also had no idea you were hit by a car when you were a kid. That set the path for you.
My sister Sally has been on the ride with me. There is a great picture of Sally, my mom, and two nieces. They are little girls at the time at the matches. I enjoyed having Sally’s perspective.
You also have your ex-wife Kimberly, who you’ve maintained such a great friendship with. How would you describe your relationship today?
It was really cool because Kimberly I just literally brought her on to be COO of my company. She has always been a partner, but I wanted her to come in to bring her expertise. She was a big COO of a building company. When you’re building homes, it’s nice, but it’s not like what we’re doing. She was getting more involved over the years, I was like, “Why don’t you just come in?” Let’s take this to the next level. There is a picture of me, and my wife Payge. Yes, my wife’s name is Payge. Her maiden name is McMahon. When Chris Jericho heard that, he spit the water out of his mouth, laughing so hard. There is a picture of Payge and Kimberly at our wedding, and they are both crying. My wife is thanking Kim for raising me. Having Kim involved in the doc was super cool.
Karl Malone sits down for the documentary as well. It seems you all formed a strong bond back from when you teamed up back in 1998, and that continues today. It’s amazing to see what wrestling with you meant to him.
He has never talked about this. Even with the Malone, Dennis Rodman, me, and the Hulk Hogan stuff. Nobody ever got to him. When they said they wanted to do this show, I knew I wanted some special things. Karl Malone is the third leading scorer in the NBA. When we met, I remember we were up about 20 rows in Houston. There was a timeout, and the Jazz were killing the Houston Rockets. Malone looks up and throws up the Diamond Cutter sign. My camera guy for WCW said, “Karl Malone did the Diamond Cutter. Get him to do it again.”
I don’t know him. He was like, “Well, he knows you. The next timeout I did it. We went from there. He is so real. He is the most down-to-earth guy you’ll ever meet. And he knows what a big star he is, but he is grounded. He has gotten to live every dream he has ever had. Like driving an 18-wheeler and wrestling. He didn’t want to be a basketball player as a kid growing up in Louisiana. He wanted to be a wrestler. His mom, who I got to meet before she passed, said I was her favorite wrestler.
Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone
DDP Yoga I feel they could have done another documentary based on that and all the people you’ve helped including Jake Roberts and Scott Hall. How is it for you to see the growth of this program?
It took eight years to be an overnight success. It exploded 13 years ago and never looked back. We’ve helped a lot of people who didn’t think they could be helped. Now I got Butterbean where he is at. He is getting ready to do a fight. We want him to have that last fight, but it has got to be a big deal… I have him in there with Anthony Ogogo. What’s happening is God’s work. It has turned into something. Then the whole thing with Scotty Riggs and Buff Bagwell. Those are the stories you all know about. There are a lot of ones we don’t film and are incredible transformations, too.
You’ve shown age is but a number. Now we are seeing guys in the 50s and 60s. You were there for Sting’s last match. Does that make you think about having one more match to put a bow on your career?
I feel like I got it in AEW. I wasn’t on WWE stuff for a long time because I was helping Cody Rhodes with AEW stuff. It wasn’t me helping AEW. It was me helping Cody. I wanted to help The one we did. That six-man we did. I was so live at the end of that match. I looked so good in that match. I came off the top rope and didn’t hurt myself. I thought it was the greatest sendoff you could have. Cody had asked me, “One more?” How do you make it better than how I left it?
Never say never. I’m still in shape. I can drop Diamond Cutters right now. Every time I do one though, I’m 68 in another couple of weeks, I would leave a little piece of my body in there. I’m the first DDP Yoga transformation. I broke my back at 42, and they said my career was over. I was on top of the world. I headlined 13 out of 24 pay-per-views, but I still didn’t get that one spot and be heavyweight championship. That’s where DDP Yoga came in. Yoga, rehab, and old-school calisthenics not only healed me but showed me how to help others. And I became the heavyweight champion.
You talked about Cody who is also on the documentary. This is shaping up to be the biggest WrestleMania maybe ever. Cody is on both nights. How does it feel to see his journey, knowing his dad so well? What does the thought of Cody finishing the story and being the world champion in WWE mean to you?
I was there for both his state championships. I flew from LA back to Atlanta to watch him. I have been on this ride. I’ve been a huge supporter. He is a brother and uncle, whatever he needs me to be, I’m there. I’m going from Mania to Bora Bora for my wife’s 50th. For me to do that, there is only one person to get me to go and spend four days working in Philly to then home in Atlanta to Bora Bora and 28 hours of flying. To watch him finish the story, it’s not just going to be emotional for me. It’s going to be emotional for so many people. I believe it is time. You finally have a true babyface.
The guy who walks the walk when the cameras aren’t on. This is the guy. What The Rock has done is brought it to a whole new level. Wrestling fans know who Cody Rhodes is, but now because of The Rock coming in, the biggest star in the world is wrestling at WrestleMania 40. The Super Bowl. He has taken it to a different level. It’s what happened to me when I was with Malone. It brought me to a different level. Rock is the biggest star in the world with Roman Reigns, who is one of the best champions ever, and Seth Rollins, one of the greatest technicians of all time. It’s going to be amazing. I wouldn’t miss it. If I don’t sleep for four days, I’ll be fine. I can’t wait to watch what happens.
Biography: WWE Legends, Sundays, 9/8c, A&E
