Ivar says Shawn Michaels and three surprise names inspired his WWE in-ring style (Exclusive)

Modified Apr 19, 2025 17:26 GMT

Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels [Image Credit: wwe.com] — Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels [Image credit: wwe.com]

War Raiders member Ivar often performs high-flying moves in the ring despite being one of WWE's most imposing wrestlers. In an exclusive interview, the 41-year-old explained how Shawn Michaels was among his idols growing up.

In the 1990s, Michaels became one of WWE's top singles stars after separating from his former tag team partner Marty Jannetty. Around that time, Justin Credible (aka Aldo Montoya) and Sean Waltman (aka The 1-2-3 Kid) were two of the smallest men on the roster.

Despite his size, Ivar told Sportskeeda Wrestling Senior Editor Bill Apter that he wanted to replicate those four wrestlers' athletic styles:

"For me, growing up, I was always a big fan of the smaller guys, the 1-2-3 Kids, the Aldo Montoyas, all the little guys. Marty Jannetty. I loved Aldo when I was a kid. No one did, I did. I was the one. But all those underdogs, I loved them. Even Shawn, too, Shawn Michaels, smaller guy, high-flyer, those were the guys I loved. So, when I started training to be a pro wrestler, even though I was big, that's how I wanted to wrestle, so that's how I trained. So, the whole time I was training, I was trying to learn how to do those things." [3:39 – 4:12]

Did you know a top WWE Superstar just wrestled outside the company? More details HERE

Watch the video above to hear Ivar cut a promo on Bron Breakker, Rick Steiner, and Scott Steiner.

Erik's idols as a young WWE fan

While Ivar liked watching acrobatic wrestlers, fellow War Raider Erik was a big fan of legendary WWE tag teams The Road Warriors and The Steiners.

Erik can perform an athletic style due to his amateur wrestling background, but he preferred watching "explosive" moves as a child:

"For me, what got me into wrestling was the smash-mouth guys, right? So, I was the Road Warriors fan, I was the Steiner Brothers [fan]. I loved those guys. I was an amateur wrestler, so my whole life growing up, I can move. I'm a big guy, but I can move. So, I have that same type of athleticism that The Steiners had, or any of those guys. That explosive power." [4:13 – 4:37]

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On April 19, The War Raiders will defend the World Tag Team Championship against The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods at WrestleMania 41.

Please credit Sportskeeda Wrestling and embed the video if you use quotes from this article.

About the author

Danny Hart is a journalist who has been reporting on pro wrestling (WWE) at Sportskeeda since 2017. He grew up as a massive fan of football/soccer and wrestling, leading him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Before assuming his current role, Hart worked as a football writer at Goal.com between 2009 and 2016. He prides himself on writing original content that is fact-based and highly accurate. Hart thoroughly proofreads his work before submitting it and relies only on credible sources for information.

Hart’s favorite pro wrestler is The Undertaker. He admires the 2022 WWE Hall of Famer’s ability to reinvent his character and remain relevant across his decades-long career. If given the keys to WWE’s creative department, he would bring back The Phenom for a farewell bout against AJ Styles in a stadium full of fans. Not only that, but he would love to have the multi-time world champion’s greatest rivals seated at ringside for the spectacle.

When not watching and covering sports, Hart enjoys long-distance running, playing video games, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

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Edited by Danny Hart