When Antonio Cesaro visited GamesCom 2013 in Cologne to promote the new wrestling game WWE 2K14, he also took the time for a telephone interview with the German Sky commentator Sebastian Hackl. Of course, the Interview is in German, and you can listen to hit here.
For every non-German fan of him, I took the liberty to (very roughly) translate what he said. Read about him talking about NXT, his training, the chances of The Real Americans winning the Tag Team Titles, and his similarities with Jason Statham!
Hackl: I just returned from the commentary box where my colleague and I commentated your match against Sami Zayn on NXT. I'd like to hear your opinion about the match, and of course your opinion about NXT and the stars there, like Sami Zayn, Kassius Ohno, Adrian Neville...
Cesaro: With NXT the WWE found the perfect up-and-coming platform with a great opportunity for young talents to show what they have in store. In my opinion, NXT is the must see product of the WWE in some weeks. You can watch the stars from tomorrow, a must see for every fan, and I am very happy that NXT is broadcasted in Germany as well.
I haven't seen the match yet, so I can't really say something about it. What I know is that it was wonderful how the crowd went along with it, and also the reactions after the match on twitter, on facebook, from the people backstage. It's really great that I can go there and show off what I am capable of.
H: My colleague told me t o tell you that he wants to see an Iron Man match of you and Sami Zayn.
C: [laughs] Well, for now, it's over with this feud, after I defeated him so nicely. It may be that there will be a rematch on a bigger stage at some point in time.
H: You're at the GamesCom in Cologne at the moment, and my question of course: Are you a fan of video games, are you a gamer?
C: I've been a dedicated gamer, yes. I say have been because lately, with travelling, I don't find the time to do so as much anymore. I still like to play a lot and I am really excited about GamesCom.
H: I think your hashtag you're using on twitter is pretty funny, #Landvogt. How come you're using this one?
C: Ah, that's a long Story. A friend and I watched a Bud Spencer movie once and (in the German translation) he had this cool line: "Mach mal Platz, ich bin der Landvogt." I just randomly started using it in a promo and the feedback from the German fans was that good that I decided to keep it.
H: In November, WWE live returns to Germany, Austria, and of course Switzerland. It must be nice to wrestle in your home country again, but do you fear that the fans might take offence at you aligning yourself with Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger?
C: Nooo! I am certain that the fans like me nevertheless, and when I come back here it's always like a home game. I am really excited about returning to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria after such a long time.
H: I already mentioned that teaming with Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger. The tag team division is rather strong at the moment, with The Shield, The Usos, The Prime Time Players, just to name a few. The question is, will Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger succeed in winning the tag team titles once?
C: I think we can achieve anything we want. Jack Swagger is a great wrestler, I'm playing on a different level, and if we set or goals we will surely manage to achieve them.
H: On television we always stress that nobody at home should try what you as trained athletes do in the ring. I happened to notice that until quite shortly, you tend to really thickly tape your fingers. What exactly happened there?
C: Ah yes, I torn the ligaments in two fingers. I hat to constantly put them in splints, not taking it off for three months, not even in the ring or in the gym. I am pretty glad that time is over but things like this happen. We are all trained athletes... Well, Tons of Funk not so much. [laughs] Ah, well... no... They are not thoroughly fit maybe, but they are professionally trained. [laughs]
H: Back to the fingers, we saw training videos of you on youtube, and you have an incredible grip strength. How did you managed that with your fingers taped up?
C: Well, I just love fitness, I love wrestling, and when you tore a ligament you put it in splints, tape it up and move on. It's a man's thing. A man's and a woman's thing.
H: Right, because there are the diva's as well. Who's your favourite, that's what I always wanted to know?
C: In my opinion, Natalya is the best female wrestler in the WWE.
H: And looks-wise?
C: I guess we have someone for every taste.
H: That was a very diplomatic statement.
C: Haha, yeah, that's the perk of being Swiss, you can be wonderfully diplomatic.
H: Awesome. The name of your current entrance theme is "Miracle". Do you sometimes think it is a miracle how far you have come? You've been a wrestling fan since you were young, how does it feel to wake up in any city, thinking that you have a match in front of thousands of people that night? Is it a bit strange at times?
C: Miracle is the wrong word here. It didn't happen over night and not without a lot hard work and devotion. But it's wonderful for me. I live my dream. I'm at the GamesCom right now and on Monday I'll be back in the States, in Phoenix with Raw, performing in front of 10,000 people. It's quite unbelievable for me and an incredible feeling!
H: We talked about training before, and looking at your stature it's pretty obvious that you have to keep a close eye on your diet. Does Antonio Cesaro tend to eat ice cream or a chocolate bar, on Christmas or the holidays, or is it really non-stop discipline?
C: [laughs] Yeah, once a year even I eat ice cream or a chocolate bar. No, seriously, I love chocolate. I always have a stock of Swiss chocolate in the fridge at home. It also gives me a bit a feeling of home, which is pretty important, especially if you travel as much as I do.
H: So the one or other bite is okay?
C: Absolutely. If you work hard you have to give yourself a treat as well.
H: There are many people out there that have some problems with their weight. As a very fit person, do you have any advises?
C: The most important thing is exercise, going out, doing sports, having a balanced diet... It's important to eat all natural and maybe reduce three big meals a day to five small ones.
H: The next PPV is Night of Champions. My question is: You've been United States Champion, is it about time to reach out for another championship then? The tag team championship perhaps?
C: Yes, definitely. The sky is the limit. We can reach out for the Tag Team belts, or the United States Championship, the Intercontinental Championship. It's still open what role we'll play at the PPV, but I think the tag team championship is definitely an option.
H: One of our fans on facebook and twitter wrote the following: Antonio Cesaro should get the lead role in a sequel of "The Transporter" because he has striking similarities with Jason Statham. Hands down, Antonio, would you not be averse to becoming an action hero or taking part in a movie?
C: No! That would be awesome! I'd love to be in a movie once, or maybe I can do the German synchro. [laughs] Or The Swiss one.
H: Another question concerning movies was, which kind of movies Antonio Cesaro watches in his hotel rooms, when he wants to distract himself.
C: Lately, I had to travel a lot, to Japan, to Hong Kong, Australia, China... What did I watch? Oblivion with Tom Cruise which was pretty good, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone was very funny I watched it twice. [laughs] What else did I watch. Oh, Parker with Jason Statham.
H: And we're back to the similarities. Maybe a sequel of Parker with Antonio Cesaro?
C: Haha, yes, as the bigger brother.
H: Who would win inside a wrestling match between you two?
C: Ah, come on, that's not a question.
H: Neutralizer and finish?
C: Absolutely! You watched my match against Sami Zayn, you know who'd win there! [laughs]
