Exclusive: Logan Paul talks being “unbothered” by fan reactions, why he signed with WWE
From Pat McAfee to Johnny Knoxville to Bad Bunny, several celebrities and decorated athletes from other sports and various walks of life have journeyed to WWE in the last year and left fans amazed, impressed, and, most importantly, entertained.
It was just last month that the company signed arguably one of their most notable names in the last decade: Logan Paul. A social media sensation, occasional boxer, and now WWE Superstar.
The move to sign Paul to a talent contract shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who witnessed his WrestleMania debut back in April alongside The Miz against The Mysterios in tag team action. He had already been making infrequent appearances for WWE (including at WrestleMania 37 and on Raw and SmackDown) and it was merely a matter of time before he stepped inside the squared circle for a full-blown bout.
This Saturday at SummerSlam, he’ll be facing Miz in his first singles match for the promotion. He’s no stranger to high-pressure and high-stake situations, but this SummerSlam showdown will play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the remainder of his run in WWE.
“WrestleMania had no expectations, I came out there and now I’ve set the expectations at a certain level that I not only have to meet but surpass,” Paul said in our exclusive interview. “Things have gone to a new level and an I’m a gamer, so I’m going to show up and do the best I can. I think it will be pretty great.”
Paul is coming into this contest with plenty of naysayers doubting what he can do or straight-up rooting against him. The polarizing personality wants to show people that he is willing to put in the work, take this endeavor seriously, and potentially win over a few fans in the process.
“I always have something to prove,” he said. “I think there’s a portion of the WWE Universe that discredits me, which is totally fine. I have no problem putting in the work and proving people wrong and earning the respect, which I actually prefer. I don’t like going anywhere and being handed anything on a silver platter. I had no problem getting in there and showing my skills and my commitment to this sport truly how dedicated I am. I think the fans will appreciate that and feel it in our match.”
Paul has no doubts about what he has to do to Miz, and that’s beat him into oblivion. Things got personal between the two when Miz turned on Paul following their tag team outing at WrestleMania, and it was a while before The Awesome One agreed to go one-on-one with Paul.
Although he has respect for Miz and the rest of the veterans in the locker room, he’s in WWE to show he’s a stronger, faster, and an all-around better performer than anyone he shares the ring with.
“I gotta beat the sh*t out of him,” he said. “It was the same with Floyd Mayweather. I respect these guys, they’re the vets. They’ve been doing it, they’re welcoming me with open arms to this sport. But at the end of the day, I’m better. That’s how I see it… I will beat him and I will show him just because he has the experience, he can’t push me around and treat me like sh*t.”
He’ll be going into the match alone without much support from his friends or family. His dad already told him he wasn’t attending the event and his best friend Mac “chose to hang out with a girl in Florida” over being there for his WWE singles debut.
The fans may not be in his favor, either. He’s already accepted that. Despite WWE attempting to position him as a fan favorite in recent weeks, crowds have been split in how they feel about Paul. In his opinion, it’s going to take a great while before he’s in their good graces.
“I gotta do this sh*t, for real, for a very long time,” he said about how he can win over the audience. “I don’t think a win will change their mind on anything… The WWE fans are unpredictable. I get booed sometimes and I get cheered sometimes. I’ll be talking on the mic and I’ll hear someone hurl a derogatory insult at me. I make a joke and he laughs and says, ‘Ah, he is funny.’ So, I don’t know, but it’s like a tornado out there and I’m in the middle of it.
“I don’t care [about being booed or cheered,” he added. “I don’t care, man. I’ve been loved. I’ve been hated. I’m completely indifferent to both. As long as there is a reaction, and trust me, there will be a reaction, we’re good.”
Being “unbothered” is his ultimate strength, he feels. At the end of the day, he’s in WWE to prove to himself that he can do whatever he sets his mind to. He’s done just that before and he doesn’t think WWE will be different in that regard, though it’s going to take a tremendous amount of hard work to get there.
“I’m unbothered,” he said. “I don’t care. I’m here to prove myself right more than anyone telling me what I can and can’t do and I’ve done it time and time and time again. If you look at my track record, my whole life is a series of me doing stuff people telling me I can and can not do or will not do and this is just another one of those things. Like I said, just time in that ring. Months, years, decades. God willing, who knows what happens with this sport.
“That’s where the real respect is,” he continued. “There’s a reason why Roman Reigns, John Cena, Stone Cold and guys like that get the respect they get. It’s because they’ve dedicated their lives to a certain craft, and while I’m totally willing to do that, this is only match number two. I can’t focus on whether I’m loved or hated right now and focus on doing the best I absolutely can and putting on a killer performance.”
When asked about whether he was trying to impress anyone in the back, Paul noted he doesn’t know how exactly that will go. He hopes to earn the respect of his peers but isn’t sure if he’s going to form any friendships.
He’ll be watching his back at all times and is prepared to stand up for the anarchy the wrestling business is bound to bring his way.
“I’m not sure I’m here to make friends,” he said. “I come from a competitive world, and especially with boxing, everyone is your f*cking enemy. I get you want to form alliances in the WWE, but this is a crazy world and I’m not here to take part. I’m here to take over. I don’t know if that comes with befriending all the Superstars backstage.”
Simply put, Paul is in WWE to fight anyone and everyone. He wants to compete with the very best in the business and prove his belongings by taking beatings and picking up some wins along the way.
It’s not something he necessarily needs, but he looks at it from the standpoint that he’s in WWE because he truly enjoys it and feels he’s made for it. Time will tell whether he’ll sink or swim, but this upcoming clash with Miz will determine what the future holds for him between the ropes and if he’s able to walk the walk as much as he talks the talk.
“I want the biggest fights,” he stated. “I want the baddest motherf*ckers in this sport. Like any other sport, I’m going to go to the people at the top immediately right off the bat and beat them. If I do, I think that’s going to prove to myself that I am indeed the best and that I can do this at the highest level. I had so much fun at WrestleMania. I didn’t realize how natural I would be at this sport and how much it did fit who I was as an entertainer. After I fall in love with something, the rest kind of becomes history. Here I am, flexing that showman, entertainer, physical performer muscle and it works. I like it, I’m good at it, and people seem to like me doing it. Why not?”
Catch Logan Paul in action this Saturday, July 30th at WWE SummerSlam at 8/7c.