R-Truth has enjoyed one of the most memorable careers in professional wrestling, but there was a time when it almost ended before it truly got started.
While appearing on the Six Feet Under podcast with The Undertaker and Michelle McCool, R-Truth opened up about a difficult period during his early days in WWE developmental when he was ready to quit wrestling altogether. After discussing the people who helped shape his career, Truth became emotional while reflecting on the impact Road Dogg had on his life during one of his lowest moments.
Truth explained that after signing with WWE, he found himself struggling with personal issues and homesickness while living in Memphis. He admitted he had already convinced himself that wrestling wasn’t for him and was preparing to walk away.
“When I see Road Dogg every time it’s like a… To give up, like think about it. I met Jack Crockett. Coming from the streets, you know what I’m saying? And selling and doing this and that. But to believing something and believing in yourself. And then it happened. I got signed to a contract and when I met Road Dogg in Memphis, my contract was done. This is back when Kevin Kelly was there and all that stuff.”
Truth then revealed just how close he came to ending his wrestling journey before it ever reached the WWE main roster.
“My contract was coming up. And I had already gave up. Because I was having issues at home and my mom wasn’t there in Memphis and developmental. And I was like, I’m ready to quit, man. I’m not made for wrestling.”
According to Truth, Road Dogg saw something in him that he couldn’t see in himself at the time. The veteran WWE star took him under his wing and encouraged him to keep pushing forward.
“Man, the words that he spoke to me and just to have somebody believe in you. It means a lot. And they took a bunch of people. He believed in me and said, ‘Hey man, you got what it takes. Woop, woop, woop, man. Just, you got the whole dough. Can you give me two months? I’ll have you out of here.’”
Truth said the support meant far more than Road Dogg likely realized at the time.
“It’s just, he took me under his wing. To have somebody give a damn about me. It just like, that’s powerful to me.”
Looking back now, it’s hard to imagine WWE without R-Truth. From championship runs to comedy segments that became fan favorites, he built a career that has spanned decades. According to Truth, however, none of it may have happened if Road Dogg hadn’t stepped in when he did.
What do you think about R-Truth revealing how close he came to quitting wrestling before Road Dogg stepped in? Let us know in the comments and share your thoughts.
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