Cesaro: Former Germany 'keeper Tim Wiese could make it in WWE
Swiss chats speaking skills, Clash of Champions and James Bond
Tuesday 20 September 2016 12:52, UK
European wrestlers are taking the WWE by storm - and former Germany goalkeeper Tim Wiese could be next!
The ex-Werder Bremen, Kaiserslautern and Hoffenheim stopper, who made six appearances for his country between 2008 and 2012 and was picked in the squads for the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championships, has recently begun training at WWE's Performance Center in Orlando.
Wiese will hope to enjoy similar success to Ireland's Finn Balor and Becky Lynch, who recently won their first titles on WWE's main roster, and reigning United States Champion Rusev, who hails from Bulgaria.
Another European, the ring-savvy Swiss Cesaro, spent time with Wiese last week and feels the goalkeeper has the tools to succeed in professional wrestling - provided he has the desire to match.
"I wanted to see what he was made of and he was moving pretty good," Cesaro said of Wiese, 34.
"It is a big change from football - the real football, if any Americans are reading - to wrestling but he definitely has the build for it.
"I gave him some tips but he will have to go through some adjustments - WWE is not just a job, it's a lifestyle, and it's not for everybody. He says he wants it so now he has the chance to prove it - it's all up to him."
Cesaro's in-ring skill has never been called into question - technical manoeuvres, uppercuts and his patented Cesaro Swing are staples of the 35-year-old's matches.
Yet, on an episode of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's podcast in December 2014, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon said of Cesaro: "He doesn't quite have the charisma, he doesn't have quite the verbal skills."
The Lucerne-born grappler admits he prefers to showcase his abilities in the squared circle as opposed to on the microphone - but insists speaking is not his Achilles heel.
"I feel like I have been working magic for the last four years in WWE," said Cesaro, who made his main-roster debut in April 2012 at London's O2 Arena.
I am not saying I am Mr Microphone, but I can certainly hold my own and I am looking to prove that even more going forward.
"Maybe it's the Swiss in me that I'm not on the forefront bragging and constantly boasting about my achievements and instead let my actions do the talking.
"You haven't seen me on the microphone that much but when you have I've usually done pretty well.
"I am connecting with the Cesaro Section [his fans] and when I go out there it is definitely not silent - I have a huge fan-base all over the world.
"People sometimes get a reputation and people keep repeating it and that becomes their stigma - there is always room for improvement and I am not saying I am Mr Microphone, but I can certainly hold my own and I am looking to prove that even more going forward."
Cesaro, a former United States and Tag Team Champion in WWE, suffered a severe shoulder injury in November of last year and subsequently missed around four months of action before returning the night after WrestleMania 32 in April.
The former Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla competitor has since adopted a James Bond gimmick on his way to the ring, whereby he appears in slick shades and tearaway business suit.
Cesaro says he is loving the tweak to his character, as well as the old-school nature of his best-of-seven series with Irish Superstar Sheamus, which will conclude at Sunday's Clash of Champions pay-per-view when the rivals, locked together at 3-3, meet in a decider.
"I am happy that I came back at 100 per cent and not at 70," he said.
"I am getting better every day and enjoying myself - I am definitely approaching it a little bit different and trying to have more fun in the ring and help the fans have fun with me."
On his scraps with Sheamus, Cesaro said: "I do love these kinds of programs.
"It's not that often that we get the chance to do something like this in WWE - it reminds me of the old days when it was all about the wrestling without anything on the outside.
"Sheamus has always been one of my biggest adversaries in WWE and someone I have had many memorable bouts with, so it's definitely fun to be in the ring with him. He is like the Irish Cesaro, if you will, except possibly a bit bigger and uglier!"
The Raw wrestler, who admits to being inspired by countryman Stan Wawrinka's recent US Open tennis triumph - "he is perceived as a late bloomer and quite old in tennis terms, so let's hope I can do the same in wrestling" - also revealed his future goals.
One is to win a top WWE championship and earn a showpiece WrestleMania match, while the other - probably a more unlikely scenario - is to be under consideration as the next Bond!
"I am a professional and am always ready, so I think I can step in the ring with whoever and have good chemistry with them," added Cesaro.
"Right now the ideal opponent would be either Kevin Owens or AJ Styles as they are the champions and that is my goal.
"The good thing about WWE is that there are so many talented people but if I was looking across at a WrestleMania opponent I'd like it be the champion at that point or maybe John Cena."
But, more importantly, what would be bring to the role of 007?
"Suave, charm and fun as well as a serious side. I'd say I'd be a mix between Daniel Craig and Roger Moore!"
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