Slam’s Alex Podgorski is in St. Petersburg, Florida, for this year’s Royal Rumble. Bronson Reed talked to Alex about his chances of winning the Rumble tonight.
Alex Podgorski: How do you feel about being in the Royal Rumble event this year?
Bronson Reed: I’m very excited if I am! Royal Rumble is something I’ve always wanted to be a part of and this year potentially will be my first Royal Rumble match, hopefully, and I want to throw as many people over that top rope as possible.
Alex Podgorski: I heard Otis say the exact same thing, he’s walking around here, somewhere.
Bronson Reed: (Laughs) He’s around here somewhere. I know, he’s a fellow big man. I feel like if anyone can throw that big man over the top rope, it’s me. I’m gunning for him. I said I’m gunning for anyone over 300 pounds because when it comes to super heavyweights, Bronson Reed is the alpha. There’s a reason “Big” is in front of my name and none of theirs.
Alex Podgorski: Apart from him, is there someone else that you think is the number one priority for you when you enter, should you enter the match?
MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 18: WWE Elimination Chamber at Centre Bell on February 18, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis)
Bronson Reed: 100 per cent. The man that has the Intercontinental Championship on his shoulder across the room from us right now, Gunther. I think he is potentially one of the odds-on favorites for sure and I feel like I have unfinished business with him. I pushed him pretty much to a breaking point in our title match and I won the other match we had so I toss him out of the Rumble and hopefully get another Intercontinental Championship match.
Alex Podgorski: Speaking of Gunther, you’re someone who has been in the ring with him. For someone who may not understand just how physically intense Gunther’s style, your style, and pro wrestling in general is. Can you try and describe just what actually you put your bodies through on a weekly or nightly basis?
Bronson Reed: I feel like if you were to walk through a car wash, not in a car, just a car wash with your body and have those things pound against you and clean you, then you walk out the other side. That’s what it’s like getting in the ring with Gunther so (laughs) it’s a hell of an ordeal.
Alex Podgorski: If things don’t go your way and you get eliminated, do you have a backup plan to get yourself into WrestleMania?
Bronson Reed arrives during The Miz Vs. Tommaso Ciampa (No Disqualification Match) at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on Monday, July 10, 2023, as WWE presented Monday Night Raw. Photo by Steve Argintaru, Twitter: @stevetsn Instagram: @stevetsn
Bronson Reed: I mean, there’s always a Plan B. What that is right now, I’m not too sure. I always focus on the moment. If Royal Rumble doesn’t work out I’ll find a way to make sure I get on that WrestleMania card.
Alex Podgorski: If you found someone who was a skeptic about what it is that you do, how would you sell your profession and what you do to them as a worthwhile time and money investment?
Bronson Reed: Easiest thing in the world. My finishing move is the Tsunami. It’s me, 340-pound man jumping off the top rope landing on people. Whenever I show anyone that doesn’t watch wrestling that, and they see me do that, they’re like “Okay, I got, I gotta see this.” So there’s no way of not liking seeing a man get crushed by another huge man. So that’s what I’ll show them.
Alex Podgorski: The WWE is going to Oceania for Elimination Chamber is that something that you have your eyes set on as well?
Bronson Reed: Oh, 100 per cent. You know, Australia, my home country, I think has such a rich history in wrestling that people forget about. So I’m glad that WWE is going there and having not just an event but a PLE as well. Hopefully it has a resurgence in people realizing that our country per capita has such great talent. You look at the people that are here in WWE, myself, Rhea Ripley, Indi Hartwell, Grayson Waller and Duke Hudson. There’s only going to be more Australian talent, hopefully on the way.
