Pinfalls: Many wrestling fans may be unaware of your extensive background in shoot fighting and martial arts. While pro wrestling is obviously different from the above fighting, on a personal level, which do you prefer and why?

Severn: Pro wrestling is a lot easier. In the fight game, you are going out there not knowing what will happen.

Pinfalls: How did "The Beast" nickname originate?

Severn: Jim Brown, the football legend, gave me the name in the UFC.

Pinfalls: What brought about your entrance into the WWF?

Severn: They contacted me.

Pinfalls: For a time, the WWF seemed to be building to a feud between yourself and Ken Shamrock ... however, this match never really did take place. There were many rumors that surfaced regarding why the feud--which would have been a big draw--was scrapped. Could you shed some light on the reasons?

Severn: I don't know why they did not utilize that angle. That is what the fans wanted to see.

Pinfalls: You were involved in several angles with Owen Hart ... what is your favorite Owen memory?

Severn: I had a great time working his corner in the Shamrock match.

Pinfalls: After you left the WWF, rumors had you in talks with WCW. Was there any truth in these rumors?

Severn: I spoke to all three companies, but nothing happend with it.

Pinfalls: Speaking of Internet rumors ... what is the weirdest rumor you have ever read about yourself?

Severn: I don't really pay attention to those.

Pinfalls: Were there any wrestlers on the WWF roster at the time that you would like to face but didn't? On those same lines, are there any wrestlers in general that you would like to face but haven't?

Severn: I like the sport and look forward to working with new talent all the time.

Pinfalls: I've heard stories of an Indy show where you wrestled Steven Regal, who happened to be inebriated at the time. Is this story true and if so, what are your memories of this incident?

Severn: Yes it was true. I tied up with him and his boots were on the wrong feet!

Pinfalls: The time you were with the WWF was a period of great criticism regarding controversial angles and gimmicks. Were there any angles or gimmicks that you personally objected to?

Severn: I feel that the aspect of wrestling started to lose its origin.

Pinfalls: Two summers ago, the WWF purchased WCW ... how do you feel about this acquisition and do you feel it helped or hindered the industry?

Severn: I feel that it is very bad for the wrestlers. Now it is a monopoly.

Pinfalls: Do you ever foresee a WWF return?

Severn: Anything can happen. I was the oldest rookie when I signed the first time.

Pinfalls: You have wrestled both in the States and overseas ... how would you compare the two and are there any particular crowds that you particularly enjoyed performing in front of?

Severn: I really enjoyed wrestling in Japan.

Pinfalls: If you could pick a pinnacle moment of your career, what would it be?

Severn: When I won my last UFC title and when I beat Conan Silveria a year ago.

Pinfalls: What did it mean to you to be NWA champ?

Severn: Great I hope to regain the title again one day.

Pinfalls: Who would you rank as your all-time toughest opponent (in any form of fighting)?

Severn: The Utlimate Ultimate was tough. It pitted the top 2 fighters from past shows.

Pinfalls: When you and Shamrock entered the WWF, wrestling altered in accordance to the popularity of UFC. "Tapping Out" became a common term amongst non-UFC fans ... the WWF even tried "The Brawl 4-All." Now, "tapping out" and submissions seem to play a bigger part in wrestling than they did only a short few years ago. How do you view the changes and do you like prevalent part that "submissions" currently play in wrestling?

Severn: I think is should be a part of wrestling ... it was back in the day as well.

Pinfalls: Also, wrestling has truly changed over the years with adult themes, angles, gimmicks as well as the "lifting" of the veil of secrecy. How do you view these changes? Do you prefer a protected or unprotected business?

Severn: Protected. I don't like the adult themes ... now kids should not watch it.

Pinfalls: What are your future endeavors and how has the reaction to your wrestling camp been thus far?

Severn: I have a great group of guys training and wrestling out of here. We are also running shows as well.

Pinfalls: There have been many wrestling autobiographies written in the past few years. Is writing your story something that you have considered?

Severn: I will be doing that when I have time. I have been working on the draft for some time now.

Pinfalls: Finally, what's the most frequently asked question posed by fans and if you could answer it one last time and never have to answer it again, what would that question be?

Severn: They can't believe how humble I am and I am unlike The Beast they see in the cage.

Check out Dan Severn's web site at: www.the-beast.com