Original-Cin Q&A: David Arquette touts his wrestling cred and new doc, and talks Scream 5

We know David Arquette the actor. Now meet David Arquette, The Wrestler. 

Arquette has always loved wrestling. He had no formal training when he entered a professional competition to promote the film Ready to Rumble twenty years ago. Much to everyone’s surprise (even his) Arquette won the WCW Heavyweight Champion title. 

Winning that title took a toll on his acting career and his personal health. 

He says he was no longer taken seriously because he was wrestling. And he takes us along for the ride in his new hard hitting documentary You Cannot Kill David Arquette. 

Ironically, David Arquette faced an uphill battle after controversially winning the WCW title.

It follows his journey of trying to regain his credibility despite serious health issues, addictions and a shaky sense of self-worth. 

Our Bonnie Laufer  spoke with  David Arquette from his home in Los Angeles.

You Cannot Kill David Arquette is available on VOD Friday Aug 28th 

ORIGINAL-CIN:  This documentary is not only eye-opening but extremely personal and honest. When I was little, one of my favourite memories was hanging out with my grandfather, who loved watching wrestling matches on television.  

Given the fact that pretty much everybody in your family went into acting was that expected of you? Why didn’t you initially just follow your passion and become a wrestler? 

DAVID ARQUETTE: “I always loved wrestling and honestly to answer your question, I don't know. I kind of got out of it for a period of time. 

“Me and my siblings, we were always the actors, always joking around and acting and stuff. But until the script for Ready To Rumble came by, I didn’t really think about going into a wrestling ring. I read it, and by page eight I was like, ‘Wait, it says Macho Man. Is this the real Macho Man (Savage)?’

“So  I immediately called my agent, who confirmed that the real Macho Man was going to be there, and that clinched the deal. (Randy Macho Man Savage died in 2011).

“But you know, the story you told about your grandfather is really what I learned is so beautiful about wrestling. It does connect people and they have these memories and it's generational. it really is deep in people's hearts.”

OC: Your life has always been an open book. You are the kind of guy who's never kept anything under the rug. But this documentary is so honest and raw, it is sometimes very heartbreaking to watch. When it was finished and put together, and you watched it back was it a cathartic process?  You really open yourself up to us in many ways.

ARQUETTE: “Yeah. It's pretty hard for me to watch. I'm not sure if I'll be watching it. Again, I'm supposed to go to the screening. But hell yeah, it's tough. 

“I know that the documentaries I like are very open, revealing and honest. And so, as an actor, you are kind of trained to do that. I don't put up a lot of walls when I'm acting it's almost like a process of stripping them away. I just wanted to be open. I wanted to be honest. I wanted to just tell my story in the most vulnerable way I could.” 

OC:  I couldn't believe when you said that you hadn't gotten roles for so many years because you were being typecast. Did that help fuel your wrestling rage?  

ARQUETTE: “Ha, (laughs) I guess it did! Now, there's a little thing about that particular scene in the documentary, specifically right after that I say it's not like I haven't worked in 10 years. 

“It's just the jobs that I got were from other parts or somebody believing in me. I am just a horrible auditioner and I hate auditioning for any role. So that's how that even came up.  

“But yeah, it does feel like I used a lot of that rage in my attempt to get back in the ring. The thing that happened, making this whole documentary and going through this sometimes painful process, is that I learned that I really had to believe in myself. I really had to love myself  and to be honest with myself and the ones closest to me.

“You know, when you read hate on the internet? There are certain things that… even today there was a hateful reaction to something we did that was just so mean. But it didn't affect me the same way it might have a few years ago. 

“But when you read that stuff and you've been telling yourself these kinds of things. It makes you really upset and angry and it almost confirms what you've been telling yourself in a terrible way.”

OC: Yeah, but you know what David? The internet, and social media especially, as you probably know, gives cowards and bullies an outlet.  

ARQUETTE: “I know, but I do love people and I  always want to give them the benefit of the doubt. It’s hard to read that stuff about yourself online.  I just don't know. It's always been something that has bothered me.” 

 OC: Well, I do get that, you wouldn't be human if you didn't feel that way. Watching  you in the ring was sometimes very hard, especially knowing that you were sick and had many conditions that literally could have killed you. 

I just want to talk about one in particular, the Deathmatch (with Nick Gage, after which Arquette’s since-deceased friend Luke Perry helped him to the hospital). Are you insane? You seriously almost died. You can't stage that kind of stuff. 

ARQUETTE: “No, there was no staging in that!  Honestly the match just kind of came up because it wasn't scheduled. Nobody really wanted me to do it but I knew it would be interesting. 

“One of the things I wanted to prove to people is that I am tough and that I am not scared of anybody. You know that kind of attitude will get you in trouble. It got me in trouble. (Laughs).  

“So yeah, that match just kind of went out of control. It  complicated what happened that night, but I really did what I was looking to do and so I do not regret it.

“You know, the people who were at that match hated me when I walked in that room. They accused me of being a fake, an actor looking for kicks, someone who didn’t deserve to be in the ring.  I had to prove myself. So by the time I left, they were  cheering and they were really behind me.”

OC: “There's no question you worked hard at this, and it is evident that it is your passion. But what do you want people to take from watching this documentary? What do you want them to really know about you? 

ARQUETTE: ”Good question, I am still trying to figure that out.  I'm not sure. I really just made it to entertain people and to make a love letter to wrestling.  

“I want people to understand wrestling a little more, and not be so quick to write wrestling off. It's a really amazing sport and form of entertainment, and there's a lot of talent that goes into it.  It blows my mind how intricate and interesting it really is.”

OC: Lastly, I can't leave without asking about Scream 5, which is going ahead. Courteney Cox is on board, which is amazing. Any word about our Canadian gal Neve Campbell? Are you excited about this? 

ARQUETTE: “I'm super excited. We've all got our fingers and toes crossed for Neve, but nothing has been confirmed yet.  They just announced Jenna Ortega, who's an amazing young actress I’ve worked with before. 

OC: Sadly, no Wes Craven to direct (the horror filmmaker died in 2015). That has to be bittersweet. 

ARQUETTE: “Yes, extremely bittersweet.  I know that that'll be hard, but it will also be great to carry on his legacy and continue what he started. I know he would be proud of what we are doing with this next chapter.”