War Raiders On Their Wrestling Start and Unique Look, How Rowe’s Brush With Death Has Changed His Frame Of Mind

WWE NXT Tag Team The War Raiders recently spoke with WWE.com, and below are some interview highlights.

On their pro wrestling start:

ROWE: Since I was 5 years old, all I’ve ever wanted to do was be a wrestler. I used to watch every Sunday with my father. I pursued amateur wrestling and combat sports my entire life because I knew those skills would carry over from the mat to the ring. During my senior year of high school, I began my training in Cleveland, and for the next 15 years I traveled anywhere and everywhere following this dream.

HANSON: I fell in love with wrestling when I was young as well. I went to as many WWE and local independent events as I could. Eventually, I asked enough questions to find out about wrestling schools in my area. I worked two jobs over the summer in between my junior and senior year of high school and started training in the summer of 2001 at 17 years old. I flip-flopped schools for a while until I settled on Killer Kowalski‘s school of Pro Wrestling, which was partnered with the Chaotic Training Center (now known as the New England Pro Wrestling Academy). The best decision of my life.

On their distinctive in-ring look:

ROWE: Our unique look draws inspiration from the legendary Vikings who explored and raided across the seas for centuries. In many ways, we have become modern-day Vikings. We traveled all over the globe and conquered. We took championships and gold everywhere we went. We wear the armor and the paint just as the Vikings did in the past to inspire fear in all who challenge us.

On Rowe’s brush with death:

ROWE: Yes. My life should have ended on Aug. 14, 2014. I was in a motorcycle wreck that every medical professional agrees should have killed me, but I survived. The surgeons and doctors told me that I would never compete again. I returned bigger, stronger and more motivated than ever.

WWE.COM: How did that incident change your frame of mind?

ROWE: I now live completely without fear. We all will die, but not many of us truly live while we are alive.