Xavier Woods has shown he has impressive moves on the gaming sticks as he does in the ring. In a recent interview with Filipino sports publication spin.ph, he opens up on the success of his video game series UpUpDownDown and how it began to bring his peers together within the WWE locker room.
Here are a few highlights from the interview, which can be read in the link above:
On having creative freedom producing UpUpDownDown:
“WWE has a say, obviously. It’s within the WWE umbrella. It is its own thing though. So, I would say I have 92% creative control. I am lucky enough to now have a team of editors and producers. We’ve gone from me and two other guys to now me and six other people. So, it’s creating jobs within the company. There isn’t much they take out. The biggest thing is just cursing and that’s because people get heated…I bring my studio with me everywhere I go. It’s a briefcase with my laptop, my DSLR, a microphone, my mouse, and rechargeable batteries. I could set up right here and film an episode if I wanted to. And that’s how I like to keep it, small and compact, so I can do it anywhere in the world. That lack of production helps me create more content.”
On UpUpDownDown boosting the morale of the WWE locker room:
“It’s a complete 180 because video games weren’t allowed. And then once the YouTube channel was generating money for the company, it became okay. When we set up a Playstation or an X-Box, we call it the Lab, because when we’re in there, we’re cooking. At its height, you might see eight Playstations going on at one time in the locker room and it’s a rotating thing. We have the shows to worry about and we need a way to relax. Back in the day, it used to be cards.
For us, it’s upped morale by a hundred percent! There are guys who might not have been as close to each other and now, they’ve got a tight-knit battle they’ll want to get to when they get to the arena. So it helps in that respect. And honestly, that boosts everyone up so once we’re in the ring, performing, we’re a lot more comfortable with each other. It’s very healthy for the locker room, I think.”
On the possibility of transisition into e-sports:
“Oh, 100%! Definitely! I, throughout my life, wanted to be a wrestler. I also wanted to be a kickboxer. And I also wanted to make video games. Obviously, kickboxing: not happening. Ever. I do not want to get Muay Thai’d in the face! So, I’m okay without that. But video games are a huge part of my life and being able to work up the amount of skill it takes to be part of WWE, especially as one of the smaller guys in the company, it’s definitely a unique grind to get there and to be successful there. So I feel very lucky and honored to be in the position I’m currently in, especially with Kofi and Big E, The New Day; being able to do what we’ve done so far. At the same time, I want to be able to use that platform to propel myself into the gaming world.
On some very real levels, seeing what has happened to guys and girls who have been in the wrestling business when they have to transition out is hard. It’s very difficult. Being wary of that struggle, it’s one of the reasons that I created UpUpDownDown so that I can create a lane for myself in video games. I currently have two jobs. And once I’m done wrestling, I’ll have time for my other job. That will make it a lot easier, mentally on myself, and I won’t have to start from scratch.”
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