Answering the 10 Count: Dan Spivey

Brian Damage

Today, we briefly chat with ‘Dangerous’ Dan Spivey or as many of you know him formerly as ‘Waylon Mercy’ in the WWF. We discuss his career and certain incidents that occurred during it.

1. Who or what inspired you to become a professional wrestler?

Growing up we watched Florida Championship Wrestling.  I grew up watching Dusty, Eddie Graham, Mike Graham, Steve Keirn the Brisco Brothers and of course Superstar Billy Graham who was great on the mic

2. What are your memories of teaming with Scott Hall?

With Scott we got into the business together with Dusty and most of my memories are about paying our dues.  Hitting the ring ropes incorrectly, moving to Charlotte and taking bumps on a mat as thick as a yoga mat.  Driving 1000 miles to get to Harleys territory nearly starving the entire time

3. How did you end up teaming with Mike Rotunda as Barry Windham’s replacement in the US/American Express?

I just got into the WWF, with the help of Ricky Steamboat, and Barry left  they needed a tall blonde and I happened to be it.  It was great to be able to team up with Mike, he taught me a lot

4. Who and why were you given the nickname of ‘Golden Boy’ in the WWF?

I am 6’6”, with long blonde hair and a golden tan – one day someone called me the Golden Boy and it stuck.  Arnie Skaaland was the original Golden Boy, because of his speed and agility in the ring, so who knows why they picked that name for me.

5. Your thoughts on competing in the Wrestlemania 2 wrestler/nfl battle royal?

WrestleMania was still in its infancy at that time.  It was still a big deal and had great matches with Hulk, Bundy, Dynamite, Andre.  We received a good payday, so that’s always good, but really anytime walking down to the WWF Ring is an awesome feeling

6. What caused the infamous fight you had with Adrian Adonis?

Adrian was a bully to me and I hate bullys.  He constantly took advantage of the “under card” guys and that was bullshit.  He tried it on me and I wasn’t having it, which caused a DQ because I changed the finish on him.  He then proceeded to come back stage to “finish” the “match” and I beat him down

7. Were you ever able to mend fences with Adonis afterwards?

Not really and that is a regret.  Wrestling is wrestling and we had our infamous fight, but at some point you let all that go

8.. What were your feelings teaming with Sid Vicious as the Skyscrapers? Were you disappointed in that run considering how hard you two were initially pushed?

No it was all good.  Sid and I were two big guys, so we looked good.  When Sid left they put me with Mark Calloway, which was just as good.  He was “green” so we thought, so regardless the Skyscrapers was a good run over all

9. What were your feelings of joining the Varsity Club?

The Varsity Club was great with Mike, and Dr. Death, we were all legit athletes so it was believable

10. You had a pretty successful career wrestling in Japan. What were your fondest memories of wrestling there?

I really enjoyed Japan, especially the older generation of Japanese, walking through the streets, going into their shops, they were awesome people to be around and how respectful and polite they were.  

In regards to wrestling, like I said working with Stan, Terry Gordy, and Dr. Death, we all had great matches, stiff, believable and always in sync with each other, so they were great matches

11. Did you prefer competing in Japan over the United States?

Japan for sure, they were stiff just the way I liked it, just the way it should be, much more believable and realistic..

12. You have been open about your struggles with addiction. Could you tell us how bad it got and how you were able to overcome such a dreaded disease?

I ended up at death’s door honestly and lucky to survive.  I have a book coming out over the Holidays and it really talks about my life of addiction and how many times I should have died, but didn’t.  Again its in the book and there is a lot about it.

13. Being one of the few that Vince hired back after a long period in between stops, Vince must have really respected you. Did he enjoy working for Vince?

I had no issues with Vince or the WWF and vice versa.  I was in Japan and did a lot of work for them over the years and it was time for me to “come home”.  Vince and I always got along

14. The Waylon Mercy gimmick is still talked about today. Was it one of your biggest regrets in wrestling that you physically couldn’t continue with the character?

It is a big regret, its a great character and so much could have been done with Waylon.  Who knows what can happen

15. Did Vince McMahon ever suggest any other gimmick or character to play before the Waylon Mercy gimmick?

Not really, we had a meeting and bullshitted for a bit and coming up with the character was my idea and Vince came up with the name

16. How did you end up voicing Mercy the Buzzard for Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Funhouse?

Well it was one of those things, you know what I mean

17. What are your opinions of Bray Wyatt essentially reincarnating the Waylon Mercy character?

It was great!  Wyndham being the respectful kid that he was and asking me…its a great honor.  I loved the work he did with Bray, he did a great job.

18. You seemed to distance yourself from pro wrestling for a bit. Any reasons why and why you are back in the spotlight so to speak?

When I left Wrestling I was beat up and had enough, I had my knee replaced two weeks after retiring from the ring.  I would do appearances here and there, my life was what it was, caught up in my addiction, working for the family business.  It’s been in the past few years that I have been encouraged by my wife to write my story and get back out there as there is still a strong fan base for Waylon Mercy.  I still have my aches and pains and pick and choose when and where I go, but its all good, know what I mean?

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