Brian Damage
We recently spoke with Dangerous Danny Spivey, who was one half of WCW’s Skyscrapers tag team. Today on the blog, we speak with the son of the second half of that team…Gunnar Eudy (Sid Vicious’ son). Gunnar, who is a pro wrestler himself, speaks to us about his own career, memories of his late father and more on this edition of ‘Answering the 10 Count.’
Tell us about your childhood growing up. How was it for a kid to be the son of a famous pro wrestler?
I grew up in Marion, Arkansas, just a regular Southern kid, except my dad was 6’9″, 300 pounds, and on TV every week as Sycho Sid. So yeah, it was different. People picture glamour: private jets, sold-out arenas, pyro. Truth is, Dad’s biggest hype hit when I was around 7. He shattered his leg in a freak accident, double compound fracture, out for months, and by the time he healed up, he chose to step away from the big time. Not because they didn’t want him back, but because he was mad at how they handled things and wanted to focus on family and recovery. That WWF peak everyone still talks about was mostly a blur to me. Until I was 15 and started tagging along on summer runs, his world was what I caught on TV or heard in his late-night calls home. He was gone 250+ days a year. Mom ran the house, and I learned discipline from watching him train, cut weight, and still check in every night. The best part was when he was home. We had a full batting cage in the backyard for baseball, and separately we’d run football drills in the yard, throwing routes and working on footwork, anything to stay sharp. He was larger than life, but to me he was Pop: grilling steaks, screaming at Razorback games, making sure I earned every dime. Being Sid’s son showed me real pressure: 30,000 fans chanting your name one night, booing you the next. It wired me for business: take the heat, adapt, keep moving. I didn’t grow up entitled. I grew up accountable. That’s the gift he gave me.
When did you decide to become a pro wrestler yourself?
I never sat down and “decided” to become a pro wrestler. One day I came home from school, Dad handed me a pair of overalls and a hockey mask and said, “Try these on.” They fit. He nodded and said, “Good, we’re going wrestling tonight.” I told him straight up, “I don’t know what to do.” He said, “It’s okay, I’ll teach you when we get there.” We drove to a little show in Osceola, Arkansas. I asked again in the locker room, “So what do I do?” He just grinned and said, “We’ll call it in the ring.” I looked at him and went, “Call what? LOL.” Next thing I knew, the ref rang the bell and I was in there with him. Dad called every spot right there in the match, feeding me the whole thing move by move while I tried to keep up. I learned the rest right there in front of the crowd. That’s how it started: overalls, a hockey mask, and a live crash course against Sycho Sid himself.
Did you instantly fall in love with pro wrestling at that moment or did it grow on you over time?
No, I didn’t instantly fall in love with pro wrestling. Everything was moving too fast. I was in school all week, then wrestling Friday and Saturday nights without really knowing what was happening in the ring. I didn’t have time or the choice to decide if I liked it or not. It was just go. Looking back now, I wish I’d run with it and gotten more invested. That wasn’t Dad’s dream for me, so I stepped away. But I still love the feeling of an indie show. Something WrestleMania can’t touch. A building meant for 400, packed with 600 loud, believing, fully engaged fans. That energy is real, and that’s something everyone should love.
So you walked away from wrestling? For how long? What did your Dad want you to become if I may ask?
I walked away for about two years. Did a few more shows after that, then stepped away for good, or so I thought. Now things have shifted, and I’m coming back to give it one real shot with me at my absolute best. As for what Dad wanted me to be? Successful, honest, and trustworthy. That was it. In my opinion, he didn’t push me into wrestling because of how he was treated and taken advantage of in the business. He wanted better for me.
What caused your shift back? Was there anything you saw or heard or something else?
It was a mix of things that flipped the switch. First, my boss started pushing me hard to hit the gym with him on the road. He basically forced my hand by buying me a year membership. October rolls around, I’m home maybe two days, and we’re training seven days a week. The gains are coming fast, faster than ever. Then the naysayers kicked in: “You could’ve been huge. With your size and genetics you could’ve been the biggest name in the business.” Blah, blah, blah. I never wanted to be big in wrestling and honestly never cared much about my physique. But I’m done hearing “could’ve been” when I still can. I don’t have WWE dreams. I have plans to get so good they want me, and intentions to make them earn it.
So you wouldn’t rule out WWE , AEW or TNA if the opportunity arose?
I wouldn’t rule out WWE, AEW, or TNA. The right offer would definitely be tempting. At 32, I know I’m not the youngest guy walking in, but talent, size, and experience still open doors. I’m not in peak shape yet, but I’m grinding hard to get there, and honestly, they haven’t had someone built like me in a long time. That said, it’s not my goal. My focus is proving what I can do on my terms. If the opportunity fits and the timing’s right, I’m listening, but I’m not chasing it.
Why don’t you tell readers just how big you are compared to others in the business currently.
I’m the same height as Dad, 6’9”, and built on the same blueprint. My chest and legs are broader, almost twice the size in some measurements when I’m in shape. The shoulders, traps, and long hair come with the package. Right now I’m not at my biggest, but I’m grinding to get there again. When I do, most guys on the current rosters will look small next to me. The frame is already there; it’s just a matter of filling it out.
As a big fan of your Dad growing up, my fondest memory of him is winning the WWF world title against Shawn Michaels at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The crowd went absolutely nuts for him that night. As his son, I’m sure you have great memories of his career. Can you share any?
I was only about 3 when Dad beat Shawn Michaels for the WWF World Title at Survivor Series ’96 in Madison Square Garden, so I don’t have any firsthand memory of that night. What I do know is YouTube. Dad and my son, who’s 7 now, used to pull up that match all the time. My boy’s got the old Sycho Sid action figure and a Shawn Michaels one, and every day he still has Shawn trying to beat Dad in the living room. Dad would laugh, let him get a fake pin, then sneak in a powerbomb on the figure when the kid turned around. The Garden roar still echoes through the phone speaker, and my son eats it up. My own memories start later, around 2000-2001 when I was 7 or 8. Dad would come home from the road, still sore, and we’d hit the backyard for football drills or the batting cage. The titles were history by then, but the grind behind them was right in front of me every day. That’s what I carry.
Where and how can fans follow you and your journey in pro wrestling?
Right now, the best place to follow my journey is on Facebook. I haven’t been super active lately, but I’m changing that. I’m getting more engaged, posting updates, and I plan to start pages on other platforms soon. For the most up-to-date info on my wrestling comeback, training, and where I’ll be, follow me on Facebook. That’s where it’s all happening. https://www.facebook.com/gunnar.eudy
Thank you so much for your time Gunnar and we wish you the very best on your journey.
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