Damien Sandow Is Wrestling Comedy Gold!

Aron Stevens (@thearonfiles) is an actor and professional wrestler known for his time in NWA, TNA and also WWE where he performed under the name Damien Sandow. He sits down with Chris Van Vliet to talk about being part of NWA's roster, what he has learned from working with Billy Corgan, his approach to comedy in pro wrestling, his hilarious storylines in WWE, his unsuccessful cash-in as Sir Money In the Bank, wrestling against John Cena, being The Miz's stunt double when he was Damien Mizdow, being released from WWE, being on "I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson" and much more!
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Quote I'm thinking about:
"I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than the things I haven’t done." - Lucille Ball
00:00 Intro
00:32 Returning to wrestling through the NWA
05:51 What he wants to contribute to the business
10:12 Billy Corgan having faith in his work
13:46 Needing to take time away from wrestling to recharge
18:02 Frustrations with Hollywood Auditions
19:36 Acting with Tim Robinson on ‘I think you should leave’
21:40 What was the toughest part about leaving WWE
25:29 Finding his ‘why’ in the wrestling business
29:32 Why did he get into pro wrestling?
32:02 Did Triple H embrace him as a Killer Kowalski student?
34:05 Being the first person to not cash in Money in the Bank
36:42 NWA preserving the ‘magic’ of pro wrestling
39:04 Maintaining interest throughout a wrestling match
42:43 The success of Damien Mizdow
46:00 Memories of Ohio Valley Wrestling
48:32 The Rhodes Scholars tag team with Cody Rhodes
50:12 Splitting his attention between wrestling and acting
52:54 His run with The Question Mark in NWA
58:44 When was the last time he spoke to WWE?
01:04:48 3 Things Damien Sandow is grateful for
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[@ChrisVanVliet]

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[@TimLoyalToWifeHaterFreeZoneA]

Love It ChrisVanVliet Bro And Where's Damien Mizdow lol.

[@Gary-cr7ej]

Who let that giant spider in Chris?? Lol

[@PonchoTheDingo]

Interview ideas 💡🤔 Sharkboy, ICP, perry Saturn, raven, Jake the snake, Rene Dupree again, Paul London

[@PonchoTheDingo]

Keep up the good work.

[@DamnWhoAsked]

Nothing will ever come quite close to Mizdow. Such an underrated gimmick.

[@heyitsnehemiah786]

Mizdow and Truth as a tag team would be GOLD

[@haircutexperience]

Mizdow needs to be inducted into the HOF

[@Stumme-40203]

One of the best parts of that era.

[@kenarco3765]

It was fun to see and good moments for him and Miz

[@anonymousnate678]

First guy that comes to mind when talking about the most underrated wrestlers. Was entertaining to watch no matter what the gimmick and had some awesome matches on Raw like his cash in against Cena.

[@seanmcintyre5936]

Rhode Scholars one of my favorite “random pairing” tag teams.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

MVP Mark Henry too

[@luisemiliotrevino2867]

My favorite “random pairing” tag team was Tyson Kidd and cesaro

[@DemonMul]

From The Intellectual Savior of the Masses to Damien Mizdow & even his current run in NWA, Stevens really is proving he can do it all & I’m glad he’s still out there doing his thing

[@AlexJones0316]

Intellectual Savior of the Unwashed Masses.* You're welcome!

[@Dave-mu3xv]

Dude is gold on camera. Genuinely funny 👏

[@lexa_power]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. CVV is one of my favorite interviewers because he lets. Them. Talk. And he lets them steer the conversation. And he doesn’t rush them. 99% of interviewers make it feel like you’re in a rush. CVV gets people to open up because he doesn’t rush them and doesn’t try to force a topic if they don’t want to talk about it. Damian Sandow is one of my favorite performers of all time. Can’t watch back any Mizdow moments without laughing so hard I cry. He’s amazing. And so friendly at meet and greets and gives everyone personal attention and makes them feel special. I will always cheer for him. One of the most underrated guys by wwe management - but i think he’s properly rated by the fans. We love him so much. He’s not wrong - give him 30 seconds and he’s over. I’ll buy any tshirts he’s selling. This was a really good interview. Thank you so much Chris for not rushing and letting your interviewees always lead. Thank you. Please never sell out and never change.

[@mrouija4740]

Just clocked out from work and seen this video! Awesome interview for my drive home

[@ChrisVanVliet]

Safe travels home!

[@TanakaSigauke]

​@@ChrisVanVlietChris ur so inspirational

[@KxngJulian]

Mizdow was legendary!! That Cody and Sandow tag team was criminally underrated, too. Glad to see him doing well 💪🏿👊🏿

[@fejamolonblun2002]

Man, Sandow had it all to become World Heavyweight Champion: The height, the weight, the appearance, the talent, the popularity, the charisma, the name and the entrance. And all for what? Just to end up being unutilized.

[@MattWiggyWiggins]

Question Mark, Aron Stevens, & "karatay" were all SOOOO good...one of my favorite gimmicks & runs. If you never watched it, go back & watch old, original episodes of Powerrr - it's worth it. RIP Question Mark

[@head6856]

I'd honestly love Sandow to make a cameo in WWE some time in the future. I don't care if the crowd wouldn't remember him, itd just be a fun moment.

[@AlexJones0316]

This guy had the whole package: size, look, ring presence, and the f*uking ability to speak on the mic‼️ How Vince and WWE management overlooked Damien Sandow still pisses me off to this day.

[@jacobpatterson3289]

If you took a shot every time he says like you’d be dead half way through the episode 🤣🤣

[@earlofsandwich7884]

omg! For someone so articulate on the mic, his interview was a car crash :(

[@1KingCoop]

He’s really come into his own as Aaron Stevens in NWA, from teaming with the late Jocephus/Question Mark to managing Rodney Mack/Damage & Marshe Rockett/Carnage as well as adding more to his character. It’s great to see him make a comeback, I can’t wait to see what he does in 2024.

[@mattelwood980]

Never knew he was rumored to be attached to the Elias story. He'd have been a killer Ezekiel or fake Elias 😂

[@Csquared14]

I genuinely loved the intellectual saviour of the masses version of Sandow he pulled of the impersonator gimmick of Vince and the Border Patrol Officer too🤣🤣🤣

[@KZ1994able]

As the intellectual savior of the masses that he is, i appreciate this man allowing me to hand him my indulgence while he enlightens me on his wrestling career of the past, current, & future. Thank you 🙏

[@bullymaguire2913]

I loved sandow, was such a treasure to watch in the ring

[@bonifacepeter4007]

I still have absolutely NO IDEA why WWE fumbled on the Damien Mizdow storyline. It was literal GOLD! 🥺

[@claymathewselevator8121]

He should’ve won Andre

[@EdrisVandam]

I get why people think talents are wasted or fumbled or whatever but my mindset about those things will always be about the timing and how they actually fit in. If they make it big outside then that is where they fit in and can flourish the most sometimes. They don't need to go back all the time because only a couple of people can remain relevant and be a draw for a long time. But yeah this guy was something there.

[@Immersed94]

I was such a fan of Aron in his time with WWE. Be is Sandow, Mizdow, the Rhodes Scholars.. he was brilliant at everything he did.

[@Schmusbek21898]

He is still One of the best mic workers of modern era

[@Chris91391]

As much as I had good laughs with Mizdow and all the other impersonations, the Intellectual Savior is probably still one of my favorite gimmicks in the last 15 years... mic work, facial expressions, just the overall presentation of the character was 100% on point... I still catch myself from time to time rewatching old segments cause they were SO entertaining :D There was a lot more potential which WWE sadly didn't explore further, but I'm grateful for the moments we got!

[@fejamolonblun2002]

Nice interview, Chris! Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱

[@taralang8854]

I loved Damien Sandow he was hilarious

[@grievous5243]

2024 starting off great with these guests keep em coming Chris!

[@fejamolonblun2002]

Huge fan of Mr. Sandow 💯💯

[@kaybudbeatbox7338]

I remember I actually met Aron (Damien) years ago. I was in middle school, probably sixth grade, so about 10 years ago, and I met him at a random Wendy’s in Indiana. I’ve long since lost the picture, but I still remember seeing him walk in while my mom and I waited for our food and my grandmother and her friend waited at a table. I asked my mom if I could go say something to him once he’s ordered, and once she said yes, I went and talked to him. He was such a nice guy, and I was super hyper, as a 12 year old would be. 😂 And when Chris mentions that nobody really remembers his time with Cody, but I do. Hell, I remember that I wanted to ask him if he and Cody were still friends after he threw the MITB briefcase into the gulf. 😂😂 Aron’s really just an awesome guy, and I was lucky to have met him in such a random spot. That’ll stick with me forever.

[@bobbymeister4041]

Miss this man he was a legend as a stunt double

[@NottyGurlStyle]

Amazing interview! I could listen to him for another hour. I’m glad he’s doing well and in a good place. You know in wrestling you could never say never, but I think I would cool to see him back one day in WWE… His character grew on me and over time seeing him do other things..shows how much talent he has… mizdow was my fave lol Those two were amazing together. I also enjoyed him and Cody… very good team.

[@BryceEnglin]

Listening to the Sandow, I think if he ever comes back to WWE, him and LA Knight would make an amazing tag team and both be great on the mic.

[@aahpandasrun]

Damien Sandow would absolutely thrive in today's WWE. I always loved his work.

[@TrueNeverSleeper]

Mizdow should be a hall of famer! I laughed my ass of ,every week this times😂. He and r- truth are maybe the most entertaining sidekicks in wwe history❤

[@tannervangelder6902]

This man is a real stand up guy! His wrestling was great, Damien sandow was such an underrated persona! I fucking loved this guy!

[@tomsamuelson8512]

Loved it when he was teamed up with the Question ? Mark...He would keep calling it Karote and Question Mark would tell him it's Kay-Rot-Tay......Well...Maybe in Mongrovia...?

[@mobeenbadshah5586]

Take a shot everytime damien says 'like'.

[@DTey22]

One of the most underrated wrestlers of all time! And one of the most held down guys by WWE. I remember when this guy was so popular with the crowd as a heel. He had the money in the bank briefcase at one point and got buried by Cena. Such a shame. I'm glad he has had success outside of WWE.

[@zucchinidude1695]

God I miss dis guy so much he was golden on the mic

[@depressedwarlock433]

Damien be yapping god damn 😂

[@Brenden-jo5ou]

While at a WrestleMania watch party at a sports bar I saw him there he was very kind and took the time to chat a moment

[@TheMaskedCruiser]

Great interview Mr. Van Vliet! 65 minutes was too short. Just awesome when 2 class acts get together.

[@Smythy182]

Another great interview as always. Loved the Mizdow was so entertaining.

[@EL_Chapo187]

7:45 that birthday analogy to wrestling was 🔥 (btw he looks like LA Knight and JDFROMNY206 fused together)

[@123simenHP]

He would be such a good return now in the Miz - R-Truth storyline. Him and R-Truth together would be perfect :)

[@grubhubguy9629]

They gave him Money in the Bank, then gave him like a special leather briefcase just to fail his cash in against John Cena. I hate WWE sometimes man. They did him dirty.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Billy Corgan Smashing Pumpkins Aron Stevens Smiling Politely

[@Toxic_Taliband]

This one came from out of nowhere like an RKO *YEAH*

[@maverickr.3433]

Very underated. He deserves to be on the top.

[@RobPalmer80]

What he said at 38:59 is so important, and I wish more wrestlers thought that way.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Provided we weren’t axe murderers 😂 classic Sandow 😂

[@ligerllama]

Rhodes Scholars needs to happen one more time. I'm getting goosebumps. 😄👍

[@JasonLangeFTC]

I always thought Mizdow should have won the match for The Miz gimmick they had on Raw. Miz then goes to film The Marine and when he came back he couldn’t be The Miz. He’d wrestle as Mike Mizanin wearing a t-shirt and jeans, having to earn a roster spot. They take the feud to WrestleMania where Miz wins the gimmick back, done perfectly maybe there’d even be a double turn.

[@michaelspencer3081]

He has major major talent. Hes just a unique guy I think.

[@Artee023]

Damien is so unintentionally funny

[@riccardoripiccini5880]

SILENCE

[@misesgermoney]

Hope he‘ll be back in WWE as soon as possible. Really loved Sandow and Mizdow character!…

[@ykzzy4876]

I used to use him a lot in 2k14

[@E2JMusic]

He’s such a talented mind. Love hearing him talk about his process

[@jefferrrson1x]

Very nice interview. Props to my dude Sandow. He’s surely missed.

[@joevales6775]

Great to see a real interview, with someone who can separate/switch from wrestling character to reality. A good talent, with a creative mind. It's too bad that Aron Stevens is wasting his time and talents being buried in the graveyard of Corgan's NWA. Sandow would do better to go to TNA, OVW or even MLW (AEW or even NXT, if possible). Wishing Stevens best of luck, but make a wise decision and leave NWA quicksand. Thanks CVV for a good interview.

[@vicarious4231]

Him and Muhammad Hasan got screwed royally in wwe

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Zack Ryder

[@dtanobo]

I knew the face was familiar from the I Think You Should Leave skit!!!!!!

[@Offtherailzpodcast]

“Like” counter is through the roof

[@EL_Chapo187]

If I had to take a shot for every like?? Pissy drunk in 6 minutes

[@haircutexperience]

Fascinating to hear the Mizdow bumps copying was born out of boredom , standing on the ring like a statue

[@stevenanderson6928]

It so tough to immerse yourself in this particular interview because he’s so closed off and cryptic about things

[@PonchoTheDingo]

Great interview.

[@ChrisVanVliet]

Thanks for watching, Poncho!

[@Bluri38]

I loved all of Sandow’s gimmicks

[@Lawangeenkhan-uu6fw]

Miz and Mizdow was comedy gold

[@Get_em_gone_888]

Mizdow team was my fav team growing up 😢

[@y212ify]

pretty good Interview

[@NM-hq1io]

This mans sandow run was hilarious, what a man

[@DwyerWolf]

Damien Mizdow!! ❤😹

[@trevoratkins2273]

Would love to see Mizdow return at a royal rumble and reunite with The Miz someday.

[@andrewwatson8591]

Mizdow is seriously one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. If you go back and watch he was super OVER they should’ve given him some sort of run with at least the IC

[@TheFamousChang]

Add this fella to the list of the most underappreciated great wrestlers from 2010 - 2020: Bray Wyatt, Dolph Ziggler, Damien Sandow, Dean Ambrose, Bad News Barrett, Cesaro etc.

[@pakistaniman1112]

I wish we could have seen more of him with the Miz what a chemistry they had

[@EL_Chapo187]

47:06 shout out to Corny !!!!

[@jonathanhaynesworth7260]

Mizdow was his best gimmick one of the best

[@bobbymeister4041]

Looks great

[@francissobotka8725]

I would love to see him return to the WWE .

[@XTR02]

During the pandemic, Damien promoted Bananawave. This banana milk was sold in my local Meijer and I thought it was delicious as hell. Nowadays, it’s no longer there. What the hell happened to Bananawave??

[@ShortnSweets2s]

I remembered him in that show clip

[@KamoMustafaWWE]

HALLELUJAH.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I went to Catholic school too neat to find out Damian Sandow did as well

[@giancarlocrumps7564]

I honestly feel like 2024 would be a great year for everyone that had it hard for the past 5 years This year is All yours ❤❤

[@podrazik55]

Bro just brings on the goats would love to see pj black sometime

[@joshk1817]

Chew it an do it 😂 miss that part

[@PonchoTheDingo]

You should interview Tim Storm

[@AG-jb7iv]

Yes sirrrrrrr

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Underrated

[@davekurt1433]

Theres still time for Damien Sandow to fill the role of Elias and turn Kevin Owens insane

[@Edward-jk5ec]

It's the rich dude that doesn't wanna pay the fast food chain 😂

[@PonchoTheDingo]

Bullet with butterfly wings 11:58

[@vt_hikaru]

The elbow of disdain!

[@PonchoTheDingo]

Loved him and question mark ❓

[@VarianNash]

Given that Aron was trained by the same guy, I wanna see CVV interview Triple H. I know it's probably a long shot, but hearing this interview sounds a lot like how Triple H would respond and speak. The cadence is so close.

[@tariqali2666]

okay sandow calm down. i will like the video, you dont need to remind me after every word.

[@talkwrestling8777]

Jd wearing a different cap today

[@Rungusman69]

This guy looks a lot like mizdow

[@KINGJALLA114]

On my life i was thinking about him today and i didn't why