Undertaker, very publicly, recently made some comments about how in his opinion,
some of this generation is a bit softer than in the past.
You came into the ring on Monday Night Raw several weeks back and told Drew McIntyre,
Drew, I know how talented you are.
But you don't have the respect yet throughout the business.
Is that something that you feel is permeated the business these days as well?
>> I think so.
I mean, when you hear the comments about me coming back and doing one or
two matches a year, how people were like, he doesn't deserve it.
He never paid his dues, and he was never on the road.
These people are on the road doing their, hey, man, people forget very
quickly what all of us did back in the day to earn the spot that we're in now.
And again, I'm one of the luckiest guys in the world.
But yes, I believe comparatively, the business is soft.
But the business is in 2021.
So things have to change, and things have to be different.
Mega superstars that are bigger than life,
it's hard in this generation, seemingly, to build those people.
There are a couple people who have made it beyond relying upon the public to do that.
And they forced their way up.
And they've earned their shot.
And Drew McIntyre is one of them.
I think mainly when I was talking to Drew in the beginning,
I was speaking to the locker room.
I was speaking to everybody.
And he's the leader, right?
So you gotta go to the leader.
And you gotta make sure that everything is taken care of in the right way.
I mean, like I said, times are quite different than they were back in the day.
But people are soft.
People take offense to things way too quickly.
I mean, you get a little thicker skin, boys and girls.
That's all I can say.
And when legends came in when I was in the business, in the beginning,
I was greatly appreciative of the eyes that they brought to our product.
And one day those young kids are gonna be in a position just like me.
>> [LAUGH] >> And
I hope that karma comes back to bite them in the ass.
That's all I can say.
Because at 54 years old,
I don't know one of them that could be doing what I'm doing.
>> I love it, man. You're not gonna get any argument from me.
[LAUGH] >> That's why I love you, Corey.
>> [LAUGH] >> We always talk about respect between
Corey and I, and the way we both were brought up in wrestling.
Me not as an in ring performer, me from the outside.
But when I was put in a car, that was our home, to get back to the car.
And what was said in the car stays in the car, and-
>> Not anymore.
>> It's true, though, it really is.
And I told Corey, I go, I was brought up, and it was if you can't say what
you wanna say in front of them, they don't go in a car with you.
Drive by yourself.
And it's weird to be the new generation but still have that old feeling.
I mean, Graves, you and I talk about it so much about different things.
>> [LAUGH] >> But if anybody can see it and
pass judgment on it correctly, it's you.
Because you're of the younger generation.
You have the old school heart.
And you see what's going on.
And it's disheartening, it really is.
Because what it does is it breaks up the camaraderieship of the guys and
girls in the backstage.
It really does.
There's not much trust left.
You can't confide in people without them trying to get likes and
putting it on their social media.
It's a ridiculous day, it really is.
>> I always call it instant gratification.
People want instant gratification now.
It's like, what am I doing?
I'm having a rice cake.
Who cares that you're eating a rice cake?
I don't need to post that online.
So what, I get 50, it's very odd to me is that new generation.
And even Graves, we get into TBL.
And when I started, Booker T, Mark Henry, Kane,
those were the guys that were in this locker room.
And I would go get my bag and put it underneath the table and come changed so
I didn't take up any space.
And so I see it.
>> But that's you being a caring person and
understanding that you treat people the way you want to be treated.
Period, end of story.
Everybody's gotta pay their dues.
They pay it in a different way.
I came from the NFL where guys, every 18 seconds,
I got two 350 pound guys trying to rip my face off.
If you think that I hadn't paid dues, you gotta be crazy.
So it was a little different when I came in.
Because I was a professional athlete, but yet I stepped back.
And I did whatever I could to make sure that I solidified my place
correctly as opposed to just stepping in and saying here I am.
There were a lot of badass dudes in that locker room.
And when I came in, I mean, the heels and
the babyfaces never were seen in public together.
Things have changed exponentially, I mean, and I can't say it's for the better.
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