WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi recently discussed the importance of respect adn discipline in shaping the backstage culture during his wrestling career.
Speaking on his Off The Top podcast, Rikishi detailed the unwritten rules that governed the locker room, particularly for new talent in his era. he highlighted how influential groups like BSK and The Kliq established a serious atmosphere, emphasizing that newcomers were expected to exhibit humility and professionalism upon entering.
Rikishi stated that most new wrestlers were already aware of the need to be cautious, recognizing they were entering a highly respected and often intimidating environment.
“No, there isn’t Joey. I can’t even tell , because you know, the people that came through was already smart, was already prepped. As when they, when they walk into that dungeon of a locker room where you got BSK, The Kliq , the whole nine is in there, they were already walking on eggshells already. So nobody ever came with a loud mouth. Nobody ever came like they already knew it all. Everybody was they were already prepped and understand.”
He further explained that veterans expected rookies to learn by observing and listening rather than speaking out of turn.
“ItS that old school mentality. You come in there, you respect. There’s a word called respect , ‘Shut the fk up. You don’t know what the fk you’re talking about. Okay, you got a job here. Now, just sit in the corner and learn why.Watch the OG’s, watch the pros that know and just learn.’ The only time you really should open your mouth, if you got a question, open your mouth up and then we will probably want to teach you.”
“But if you’re the type that talk a lot and just , that’s those types of people, that’s their fear. They don’t know any way but to run just their mouths like. Almost like they’ve been bullied in school, right? So now they take that and they try to run [their mouth]. It gets to a point where it’s like, ‘You know what, I ain’t working with you no more. I’m not working with you out there.I’m damn sure not gonna work with you in the locker room. I’m just gonna tell you, shut the fk up. That’s it. Knuckle up or shut the fk up.'”
