There aren’t many men in wrestling who you could call smarter businessmen than Diamond Dallas Page. Having only broken through in the wrestling industry after hitting the age of 30, Dallas wouldn’t just go on to become a World Champion – but also since cemented his legacy of one of the business’ greatest entrepreneurs through DDPY.
But who does Dallas think is the smartest businessman in wrestling? He told Inside The Ropes‘ Lead Writer Gary Cassidy that Kevin Nash is in the “top 1%” and “probably the smartest businessman in the business” in a recent interview.
“Kevin Nash, when he went in the Hall of Fame, he literally thanked me because he said, ‘Probably the reason I own my beachfront condo is DDP.’ Because he was frustrated, he wanted to quit and I was like, ‘Dude, do not let these people, these bookers, these riders, don’t let them pull you down. Don’t let them beat you. You’re going to be one of the biggest names in the business.’ There’s not many names that are bigger than Kevin Nash, and what he did. Then you add the business in, Kevin is in the top 1% of 1%. Probably the smartest businessman in the business. Period.”
DDP would also go on to reveal how one current champion, Drew McIntyre has some similarities to Kevin Nash – not in the ring, but in the way he carries himself as a champion – adding John Cena and Shawn Michaels into the mix.
“If you look at Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Rock, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Kevin Nash, DDP – it’s all us amped up. Unless you have to play a character, like Scott Hall.
“A lot of guys don’t want to do, outside of the ring, something they are not getting paid for, which is all the promotional stuff. Like, when you’ve got the mantle, when you’ve got the belt, and you carry the company, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, they did non-stop PR. Drew is like, “Bring it.” Some guys complain about it. Drew is like, “No, give it to me. I WANT to do it. I WANT to be the face of the company.”
You can read our full interview with Diamond Dallas Page here.