In your opinion, what makes Survivor Series so special?
Survivor Series has always kind of been the kick-off to WrestleMania so this is where everything is on the line. It’s important because it brings out the best in all the Superstars and Divas. They really put their heart and dedication into their matches to prove themselves and start making those roads to WrestleMania.
Do you have any favorite Survivor Series moments?
I always enjoyed working with Edge and, of course, my husband Eddie. To see Eddie win was always something special to me. He obviously had a lot of opponents but one year at Survivor Series he cheated to win against Kurt Angle. This was during the “Lie, Cheat, Steal” days. That always stuck out in my mind because he was so entertaining in the way he would manipulate his opponents, baiting them into a trap.
Do you have any other great Eddie memories?
Gosh, there’s so many. I think my favorite moments were when he worked with Chyna. When he vied for her affection and they “fell in love” and went to prom. I just loved it! He treated me like that in real life, so I related. He was always so fascinating to watch by just being who he was. He really believed in what he did and I think that showed in his work in the ring. His work was just genuine. He cared about it. He had a lot of respect for the fans and gave 100% to make the match everything they wanted it to be when they walked into that arena. They knew Eddie was going to give them his whole heart. It meant a lot to him. I respected him for that.
During your time in the WWE you’ve been a ringside manager, a girlfriend, RAW general manager, SmackDown general manager, and general cougar-in-charge. Out of all the things you’ve done in WWE, what has your favorite role been?
General Manager. You get to manipulate the whole roster. That’s a high for me. I may not be on the level of the McMahons or The Authority but to work with them side-by-side, I’m honored. Of course, being the older woman and having these young guys to work with, that’s something that’s always fun. I know the fans enjoy it too because they hate me more when I have that power.
Any favorite General Manager moments?
I think it was the night I got fired by Stephanie McMahon and Triple H as Vince tried to fight for my job. That night was amazing. First of all, for me to be on top of a ladder to cut a promo, which Eddie did also, and to have all three of them to work with – not a lot of people have done that before. Even though I was getting fired, for them to have the confidence to work with me inside the ring, that is something I will always keep in my heart.
Speaking of General Managers, what’s your relationship with Brad Maddox like now?
Whenever we’re trying to get on the McMahon’s good side we’ll get along as much as we can in front of them to show a unified connection but, as you’ve seen on RAW, we really have nothing to say to each other. I think he feels inferior because I have more experience under my belt. He tries his best, but he will never succeed.
Who has been your favorite Superstar to manage and would you do it again?
I would love to manage Dolph Ziggler again. We have a great chemistry. AJ got in our way, but we had a lot of fun out there. Dolph is really entertaining and one of my favorites. And then Edge I will always respect. He showed me psychology, how to work in the ring, helped with my promos, and how to work with the cameras. He took me under his wing and made me feel like I was his partner. He really built my confidence and made me believe that whatever I did out there would be great. He really believed in me and I think that’s why we got to stay together for so long.
Would you ever lace up the boots and get in the ring again?
Absolutely. I’ll cheat to win! If have to prove myself by being in a match, I will give 100%.
Anyone you’d like to take on?
I’d like to go again with AJ. I have a lot to prove with her. She may be Divas Champion, but I’m her boss. To have that authority over her would make so much sweeter to manipulate her inside the ring. (ed. note – this interview took place prior to her match against AJ on RAW 11/18/13 in which Vickie suffered several “fainting spells.”)
Who do you see as the best up and comers at the moment?
The Wyatt Family. They have really worked hard to get where they are. Maybe it’s just because they are creepy, but their characters are really amazing to me. It’s something we have not had in a long time. Also, Tamina (Snuka) has really proven herself as AJ’s bodyguard. Her matches are getting stronger and I see her becoming the Diva’s Champion one day. I’d hate to be splashed by her. I want to keep her as my friend.
How did “Excuse Me!” come about?
One night I had this long promo to do and in the middle of it I forgot my lines. I had a deer in headlights look so the crowd got loud because they knew there was something wrong. I just kind of needed to regroup so I said “excuse me” to them to buy some time. But the more I said it, probably two or three more times, the crowd just went insane. Afterwards, I kind of thought “OK that’s done and over with.” But we decided to try it again the next night and now it’s something the crowd expects from me. There were a few times that I didn’t say it and people let me know on Twitter that they were disappointed. It was their one night a year they got to see a WWE show and to see me and not hear me say it, it was disappointing to them. Now I always try to incorporate it into a show to help make it that one special night for a fan. The more they hate me, the more I get a kick out of it. It makes me feel good.
Any Survivor Series predictions?
Of course I’m going to go for Randy. He is the face of the WWE. I’m going to be honored if he takes on Big Show and wins. I can also see Alberto Del Rio winning against John Cena. Cena’s hurt and I think Alberto is going to overcome him. But Alberto and I have a love/hate relationship. I think he was upset with me because he tried to use his charm to persuade me to do what he wanted prior to Hell in a Cell but I showed him that I’m his boss. He’s not going to charm his way into telling me how to do my job.
Any parting words for the WWE Universe as we head into 2014?
I hope to be RAW GM again and one day be on the level of the McMahons. That’s a goal I’m going to keep working at!