On a recent edition of the “Drop The Mic” podcast, AEW wrestler Ryan Nemeth discussed the origin of his “Hollywood Hunk” nickname, taking advice from WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On how his “Hollywood Hunk” nickname came about: “When I was in NXT, and some of my best friends were Brodie Lee, who was Luke Harper then, or Trent Berretta or Sami Zayn…we would all go to the beach together every weekend, but I was more of a beach guy than anyone else. Any free time when we didn’t have a show, I was at the beach…So they made this joke, they would call me ‘The Local Beach Hunk. The Local Hunk.’ And I thought it was kind of a fun, silly thing.”
On telling Tony Khan he was the Hollywood Hunk: “I remember after that first match was on Dynamite against ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, it was really late in the night, the show had wrapped up, it was in Jacksonville, and I was kind of heading to the hotel, and the owner, Tony Khan, goes ‘Ryan. Hey, you’re the hunk, but what kind of hunk are you?’ And I just looked at him and go ‘Hollywood.’ And he took out his phone and goes ‘Hollywood Hunk, got it.’ And he starts texting, and I don’t know who he was texting, but I imagine some of the production team because when that episode aired, it said ‘Hollywood Hunk, Ryan Nemeth.’ And I thought it was so funny. From that point on, I kind of embraced it.”
On going to Jake Roberts for advice: “He’s somebody that has been really great to get to know at AEW. He is great to have around to ask questions about interviews and promos because he’s just got a legendary way of speaking, communicating on the camera, I love him.” Roberts has previously stated he is focusing on helping those who want it when it comes to developing their promo skills, which, evidently Nemeth has been taking advantage of. Gaining advice is something Nemeth is proactive about, as he is also still in communication with one of his former “WWE NXT” coaches — Norman Smiley, showcasing the impact he made on his career. However, with so many veterans on the AEW roster, there is no shortage of options for Nemeth when he’s at the arenas.”
On other veterans he talks with backstage: “Jake Roberts is great, Billy Gunn, and I’m not the world’s strongest man, but literally having the World’s Strongest Man, Mark Henry at AEW, I’ll just get him alone and ask him, ‘Alright, tell me about when you lifted this much?’ I just want to know about that.”
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Ryan Nemeth, also known as the “Hollywood Hunk,” recently shared some insights about his wrestling career on the “Drop The Mic” podcast. He discussed the origin of his nickname, taking advice from WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts, and his interactions with other veterans in the industry.
Nemeth revealed that his “Hollywood Hunk” nickname originated during his time in NXT. He used to spend a lot of time at the beach with his fellow wrestlers, including Brodie Lee (Luke Harper), Trent Berretta, and Sami Zayn. They would jokingly refer to him as “The Local Beach Hunk” or “The Local Hunk.” Nemeth found it fun and embraced the nickname.
During his conversation with Tony Khan, the owner of AEW, Nemeth solidified his “Hollywood Hunk” persona. After his first match on Dynamite against ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, Khan asked him what kind of hunk he was. Nemeth responded with “Hollywood,” and Khan immediately updated his name to “Hollywood Hunk, Ryan Nemeth.” This incident marked the official adoption of the nickname.
Nemeth also mentioned seeking advice from Jake Roberts, who is known for his legendary speaking and promo skills. Roberts has been supportive and helpful in improving Nemeth’s interview and promo abilities. Additionally, Nemeth stays in touch with one of his former WWE NXT coaches, Norman Smiley, who has had a significant impact on his career.
Backstage at AEW, Nemeth has the opportunity to interact with several veterans in the wrestling industry. He mentioned Jake Roberts, Billy Gunn, and Mark Henry as some of the individuals he talks to for guidance. Nemeth appreciates their expertise and takes advantage of their presence to learn from their experiences.
In conclusion, Ryan Nemeth’s “Hollywood Hunk” nickname originated from his time spent at the beach with his fellow wrestlers. Tony Khan embraced the nickname, and it has become an integral part of Nemeth’s persona. He also seeks advice from veterans like Jake Roberts and takes advantage of the wealth of knowledge available backstage at AEW.