Marcy Cornblum - National Post

Age 27

OCCUPATION Wrestler with the World Wrestling Federation

CURRENT PROJECTS With his tag-team partner Edge, Christian travels 15 to 20 days a month doing live shows and one pay-per-view show each month.

CLAIM TO FAME Christian was a WWF light-heavyweight champion and a five-time Tag Team Champion. He debuted in the WWF as a member of The Brood, a group of vampires. Christian is small at 5-feet-10 and 215 lbs.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE? I never get used to performing in front of 20,000 people in the arena or millions watching on TV. I actually get a bit nervous before I get out there. It's a thrill any time you get the crowd's reaction. It can be cheering or booing; our goal is to entertain.

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF AN ATHLETE OR A PERFORMER? The WWF is sports, entertainment and soap opera in one package. I'd label it live-action adventure with the best athletes in the world.

WHY DO YOU THINK WRESTLERS ARE "THE BEST ATHLETES IN THE WORLD?" We don't have an off-season. We get hit hard, take a lot of punishment and get hurt.

WHAT KINDS OF INJURIES DO YOU GET? I've had broken noses and sprained ankles. But a few months ago I did a dive over the ropes, hit a guy, flipped over him and landed on my head. My right arm was temporarily paralyzed. Believe me, I was scared. It made me realize that something can go wrong at any minute, even when it's a move I've performed 1,000 times.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP IN SHAPE? I go to the gym four to five days a week. It doesn't matter what city we are in, I find a gym. I lift weights and do cardio. When I'm home I go to the local gym.

DO YOU EAT JUNK FOOD? I can't live without cheesecake with chocolate sauce.

WHEN DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN WRESTLING? I have been a fan of the WWF since I was a young kid. My partner and best friend, Edge, was as well. We've grown up together since the sixth grade. We'd go to the wrestling shows at Maple Leaf Gardens [in Toronto], and decided we'd like to be wrestlers some day. While we were in college we trained on the weekends. After finishing college we started working our way up to the WWF.

DO YOU LIKE BEING A ROLE MODEL? It's hard for me to think of myself as a role model. I'm also very flattered. I don't drink, smoke or do drugs.

DO YOU LOVE OR HATE ALL THE TRAVELLING? I'm from a small town [Orangeville, Ont.] and I've always yearned to see places and meet new people. But with our schedules, it's mostly the airport, hotel and arena. That's it! Once you are out in front of the crowd it's all worth it.

WHAT'S THE STRANGEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU? We played at Madison Square Garden [in New York City] and Susan Sarandon came backstage. She said her kids were huge fans of Edge and myself, and could we please take a picture with them. There we are with her kids and this great actress is snapping photos.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY? I bought a house. I also just ordered a new Cadillac Escalade.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO KIDS? I stress the importance of finishing school. Completing your education shouldn't deter you from being a wrestler, hockey player, actor or anything you choose. Just have something to fall back on.