Several weeks ago, a news release bounced across the Internet of the death of Payton Scott.  An automobile accident apparently had claimed the life of this veteran of the squared circle.  Little did anyone realize, this was a clever storyline coming out of one of Scott’s wrestling federations.  His fans and some of the wrestling community had already started mourning for Scott, when he resurfaced. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Payton about his career and the unfortunate storyline gone too far.  Down in the interview, Scott has a personal message for his friends and family.  In the meantime, the Belle of the Brawl brings to the fans, Payton Scott.

Lekisha Oliver (Belle of the Brawl (BB)): Let’s start with the basics about yourself: stats, education, sports played, previous federations and titles held, who trained you and where, and home state or hometown.

Payton Scott (PS): 6’0 221 lbs, majored in chemistry at TCU in Ft. Worth Texas, I have had the fortune of working for several federations throughout the US. I have held various titles, ranging from tag team titles to heavyweight titles. I was trained by Tom Jones, Bad Brad Michaels, Angel Williams, Gary Tool and Chris Matthews. My hometown is Palestine, a rural East Texas town about 1 hour and 45 minutes southeast of Dallas.

BB: Why did you choose wrestling?

PS: I enjoyed watching wrestling as a child and really never lost my love for it. After moving to Oklahoma City, I had the fortune of befriending Dave Teague, formerly The Masked Superstar, who introduced me to the business. I chose to pursue a career because I have always been athletic and enjoyed competition. I felt professional wrestling would afford me the opportunity to pursue a childhood dream.

BB: With the injuries that most wrestlers have, what is your injury list and what was the worst injury that you have had happen and what are the specifics of the injuries?

PS: I have been fortunate. My injury list has been shorter than most. I have hyper extended my knee, broke a rib, and had a slight tear in my quadriceps right above the knee, similar to what Triple H suffered but not near as serious, however it did require some surgery. But two injuries that stand out in my mind is when wrestling in Ocala, Florida, I was low bridged and as I cleared the top rope I went to post on the apron and my hand slipped and the outside of my thigh came crashing into the side of the apron, it was all I could do to stand up. I remember having tears in my eyes; it still is a vivid experience. But hands down the most painful injury I have ever sustained was when taking and arm drag I slipped on the canvass and my head was driven into the canvass. I was hospitalized three times for that one injury. I remember lying on a hospital gurney and a doctor leaning over me and telling me following an MRI that a neurologist was on the way because my brain was bleeding. And yes the doctor explained it just like that. I was day to day in regard to surgery. I felt like my head was in a vice literally. I was throwing up for days. And I have had some serious injuries in my life but that was the most painful.

BB: What problems, if any, did you have when you first started in the business?

PS: I don't know if this would be considered a problem or not but when I first arrived for training at Mid South I had come from a rival academy, which I was unaware of at the time. I was in pretty good physical shape and I think some of the students at Mid South, as well as some of the seasoned roster members, assumed before they got to know me that I was going to have an attitude and I felt a little tension in the beginning, but things worked out and now some of those same individuals are family to me.

BB: What was your best and worst moment or memory of wrestling?

PS: I have two memories to date that would qualify as a tie for my worst memory. As fate would have it, both happened in back to back matches for the New Mid South. The first came when I low bridged Thunderbear in Oklahoma City. He missed his post and his head bounced off the apron. It was the most sickening thud I have heard in the ring to date. Thunder Bear, who wrestles today as one half of the Sharpe Brothers, is a huge and tremendously stout individual. I followed him out of the ring and as I proceeded to beat and kick him he was not moving, when I went to pick him up and he did not move, he had blood coming out from his ear, mouth and his nose and I thought he had broken his neck. Five hours later, at Saint Anthony's ER his diagnosis was a severe concussion and severely pinched nerve in his neck.  The second worse moment came when I pedigreed the Blonde Bomber and I rolled him over for the pin and I could see the capillaries in his eyes were severely dilated and he told me he was hurt and he could not move. The ring had to be partially dismantled so emergency workers could remove him from the ring. Several hours later, he was released from University Hospital also with a severe concussion, a stinger in his neck and shoulder, later revealed a pinched nerve in his neck. My best memories would probably be when I wrestled Beautiful Bobby Eaton, The Honky Tonk Man, and Kamala accompanied by Skandar Akbar. Another pleasure for me was when I wrestled Hector Guerrero

BB: In and out of the ring, who was your inspiration?

PS: My main inspiration in and out of the ring is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and my two beautiful daughters. From a professional wrestling stand point; I have always been a huge fan of Jeff Jarrett, Terry Taylor, Jamie Nobel, Rick Rude, William Regal, Rick Martel, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, the late GREAT Billy Joe Travis and Christian.

BB: If you could wrestle anyone in the entire sports entertainment/wrestling world, who would it be? Why?

PS: Most likely if my hand was forced for an exclusive answer to this question it probably would be Jeff Jarrett. I grew up as I said in Palestine, Texas. And every Saturday night from 10pm to 12am I would watch World Class Championship Wrestling. I would never miss a show. Often I would attend the shows at the infamous Sportatorium in Dallas America. And Jeff just had that captivating charisma that could hold your attention. I just felt, and still feel today, he is among the elite. I remember when he was a disciple of the Von Erich’s and then he turned on them and went Nashville on everyone. Outside of being a great entertainer, the guy is simply a ring general, both from a technical aspect as well as from an innovative standpoint. I just enjoy his wrestling ability.

BB: What are your plans for the present/future?

PS: I believe if your serious about this business then the only goal you should focus on, in my opinion, is that ever so elusive, for most, contract with the WWE. I plan to continue to wrestle as often as I possibly can and continue to meet as many of the right people as possible. This business, in my opinion, is about self-promotion. You have to get your name out there and bring something unique and different to the table if that is still possible at this point...lol.

BB: Who do you think has caused the most commotion in the business? Why?

PS: Probably Vince. He has really pushed the envelope on over the years. But if anyone has the capacity to live on the edge and pull it off consistently it is Vince.

BB: If you had one wish pertaining to your wrestling career, what would it be and why?

PS: I have to acknowledge the obvious here, it would be to secure a contract that would enable me to wrestle full time, to make great money and perform regularly for a national television audience. And in addition, I would like to secure longevity in my career, establish a character that would become a trademark in the profession and eventually a household name respectfully.

BB: Do you have any regrets, and what are the hopes for your career?

PS: My only regret is that I did not get started earlier. I had an opportunity several years ago to train with Chris Adams, but my military career was not conducive with their training schedule. My hopes in regard to my career is to continue to have the opportunity to meet a lot of serious promoters, make the right and necessary impression to earn a position to become a part of their product.

BB: For the readers who cannot get coverage of your federation, would you tell them about your character and who came up with the concept?

PS: I would say with true and sincere modesty and respect, classic "Rick Martel" with his arrogance spray and "Double J" when he was marketing his hit records in Nashville.

BB: What kind of exercise program and/or special diet do you have to keep in shape?

PS: I work out Monday through Friday. I hit the weights for about an hour followed with about 45 minutes of cardio. I travel to Houston to see a private dietician. Eighty percent of what you get from your efforts in the gym is what you consume, so I see the best, Keith Klein in Houston, Texas.

BB: With the recent publicity about wrestling, what would you like to say to children and teenagers about wrestling?

PS: I think like everyone else that when you read or hear something you are getting someone's opinion about a specific topic. Sometimes facts are distorted for the benefit of the author. I would encourage anyone, especially children and teenagers, NOT to take what they see on TV or a live wrestling show for granted. You should never practice anything you see in regard to professional wrestling without professional training WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

BB: You were recently part of a disastrous “death rumor” fiasco orchestrated by Brandon Bishop, I understand none of which was your idea. Please go on record about this situation and the repercussions of it that came back on you.

PS: First and foremost I want to say I love Brandon like a brother. He is a very aggressive and ambitious promoter. He has been a professional entertainer in several capacities for a number of years. Although his wrestling career is still young, he is truly a Maverick. He doesn't really concern himself about what other promotions think about ACW (Asylum Championship Wrestling). However, in respect to that he has the utmost respect for all promotions and the tradition of professional wrestling. His "going against the grain" approach is sometimes a little different, but it does not constitute arguments that support that he does not care for his fans nor is he pimping his product so to speak. Brandon has secured a consistent and loyal following in Wichita Falls for ACW. To answer your question, the death angle turned out to be admittedly a bad decision. I have had several people who are still very disappointed with me about the controversy but none of those that are upset with me have had all the facts. With the exception of this article I haven't exhausted a lot of time trying to explain my position on this. I never thought and I'm sure I speak for Brandon as well when I say he never thought that this situation would manifest into national attention. I would like to close with this. As the subject of this controversy I feel as a professional that I should take my share of responsibility for this misjudgment. For any and everyone who reads this whether wrestler, fan, production or any other capacity of the wrestling community I failed to mention, please accept my sincere apology for any and all disappointment you may have felt as a result of my participation in this. Please feel free to contact me at anytime at paytonscott@asylumwrestling.com or vipernms@yahoo.com