In an interview with Sports Illustrated, WWE RAW superstar Baron Corbin discussed the importance of his family both inside the ring and outside the ring.

“Yes, and that does play a role in what I do and who I am. I have a huge portrait of my father and my grandfather on my thigh. It helps remind me every day of where I came from, who I am, and what I’m about. Family is very important to me, and I’m honoring the people who created me.

When I go to the ring, I’m providing for my family. There will be a time when I take care of my mom, because my dad is not here anymore. If I’m standing across the ring from Roman Reigns, then he’s trying to take an opportunity away from me. People like to think the character in the ring is very different than the person out of the ring, but for me, it’s not. I am extremely tough and extremely physical, and that is because my father taught me to be tough, physical, and not to take no for an answer.

I learned to get what I wanted through any means necessary, and sometimes that means you have to get your hands dirty. My dad brought me up not to accept second place. I lost a karate tournament once and got a trophy for fourth place. My dad tossed that trophy out the window on the way home. That played a huge role into who I am and my attitude now. He taught me that life is not fair, and it’s not. He passed away when I was in college.”

The interview is available in full at this link.