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WWE Hall of Famer Hacksaw Jim Duggan made an appearance at Sunday’s NWA Elite Championship Wrestling event at the East Houma Recreation Center.

After signing autographs and taking pictures with fans for more than an hour leading up to the start of the show, the wrestling legend sat down with Tri-Parish Times reporter Richard Fischer for a few minutes.

Here’s what the Hall of Famer had to say.


Oh yeah, in true Hacksaw fashion, after the interview, he took the ring and competed against the local competitors.

Richard: “This area has always meant a lot to you, hasn’t it? A lot of loyal fans here. How great is it to come back to an area that loves you so much?”

Hacksaw: “It’s been a while since I’ve been back to Houma. Actually I come to Louisiana quite a bit. I lived up in Pineville for five years so I know the area pretty well. But Houma, Thibodaux, Morgan City, great wrestling fans down here and it’s great to come back. So many folks came out. They said, “Hacksaw, I’ve been watching you since I was my son’s age,” so it’s nice to meet a new generation of fans.”


R: “Why do you think you’ve clicked with this area so much?”

H: “It’s hard to say. I think the people see that when I’m out there chanting USA, it’s genuine. I think so many guys they try to get the flag to go out there and it’s not really from the heart and I think these folks realize it. I’m not some big star coming here. I’m one of them.”

R: “You’re so great with the fans to the point that the show was about to start but you were still out there making the days of not only adults but kids too. What does it mean to you to put smiles on all their faces?”


H: “I’m genuinely happy that they remember me. It’s a very competitive business, professional wrestling. It’s hard to stay current in any profession. Doing it for 35 years and still have fans is great. I’m very appreciative to have those folks out there. It just takes a couple more minutes to be nice. So many guys sit there and just sign autographs and don’t interact with the fans. This folks are coming out giving their hard-earned money to come watch it. The least you can do is be a little personable.”

R: “In today’s WWE landscape, who are you the biggest fan of?”

H: “I’ve liked Dolph Ziggler for quite a while. To be the marquee guy, he’s a good looking guy, good body, white hair, a lot of big teeth, he’s kinda the marquee guy. But the guys who really impress me are the bad guys. The Wyatt Family. I think they’re a throwback to the 80s days so it’s nice to see them doing well.”


R: “What was your favorite WWE match that you’ve ever had?”

H: “Without question. Being from upstate New York, as a kid I would go to Madison Square Garden with my pop God bless him. My main event at Madison Square Garden versus Andre the Giant. So not only did I pull up in front of the marquee and see Madison Square Garden Hacksaw Jim Duggan versus Andre the Giant so it was two big plugs.”

R: “What’s your wildest and craziest story from the road during your stint in the WWE?”


H: “You gotta buy the book for that! But actually it’s been a good business for me. I did write a book. You hear the stories of guys like Scott Hall, Jake the Snake Roberts. I’ve been doing it for 35 years, been with my wife 30 years. I’ve never had to go to rehab for booze or drugs. I’ve never had a felony arrest. I have two daughters in college. I’m active in the community. It’s been a good profession for me. I was tired of so many people thinking we’re Scott Hall clones. Tito Santana is another one that’s done well, my good friend Roddy Piper has done well. There’s good and bad in anything, but there are a lot more good wrestlers out there than people realize.”

R: “Among the three former Shield members, which one do you think has the most potential to be a big-time WWE superstar to lead the next generation of wrestlers?

H: “Roman Reigns, but actually I don’t watch too much wrestling at this point. Folks say, ‘Hacksaw, did you see what happened last Monday night?’ I’m like, ‘After 35 years, the last thing I want to watch is pro wrestling when I’m off duty.’ That’d be like a butcher watching you cut meat on his day off.”


Wrestling legend Hacksaw Jim Duggan is always ready to step in the ring and take on all comers. The WWE legend stopped by Houma this past weekend to compete in Elite Championship Wrestling’s Super Show. Duggan competed in a tag team match, wowing the crowd hungry to see him in action. In a Q&A with reporter Richard Fischer, Duggan said he loves the sport, touting that he’s a fan of the current WWE product. 

RICHARD FISCHER | TRI-PARISH TIMES