Jerry Springer Talks Upcoming WWE Raw Appearance in Exclusive Interview

If you were thinking that the feud between Nikki and Brie Bella was starting to feel like an episode of The Jerry Springer Show, you were right on. The longtime talk show host is headed to WWE Raw on Sept. 8.

Jerry Lawler couldn't quell the bad blood between the warring twin sisters, so WWE is bringing in another Jerry, one who is better versed at this kind of thing.

Springer has hosted his famous talk show since 1991. During its 20 years-plus run, Springer has been witness to more catfighting, splintering families and emotional eruptions than just about anybody.

He is set to bring that expertise to a stage he's been on once before.

In 2010, Springer hosted a segment centered around Kelly Kelly trying to find out who her baby daddy was. The entrance ramp then became a conveyor belt of WWE's oddest characters.

The unibrowed Santino Marella, the immense Great Khali and Hornswoggle (a little person wearing an army helmet) weren't all that different from the absurdity Springer saw on his own show. The host fit right in with the bizarre world that is the WWE.

Springer's show shares many of the elements that are the cornerstones of WWE's programming—controversy, ridiculousness and haymakers being thrown on-air. It's no surprise, then, that Christopher Sterling, a media scholar at George Washington University, said that Springer's show is "like wrestling," per the Gettysburg Times.

On Monday's Raw, he will step between Nikki and Brie, who have been taking swipes at each other since Nikki turned on her own sister at SummerSlam.

PWInsider shared a press release from WWE where Springer said that he will, "conduct an intervention with the Bella Twins in an effort to achieve sibling harmony." His resume says it's more likely we see more hair pulling than hugs, though.

Bleacher Report had the opportunity to speak with Springer before he heads to the WWE ring for the second time.

Bleacher Report: How big of a fan of wrestling were you before your last Raw appearance? Was it something you grew up with?

Jerry Springer: I certainly was a fan of it as a kid, but understand, this was right after Lincoln had been shot. This was a long time ago, basically the late '40s and early '50s. I grew up in New York. The big stars I was a fan of were Antonino Rocca, Haystacks Calhoun, Gorgeous George. It was really the early days of wrestling. It became great entertainment. As kids, we would play being wrestlers. We would each adopt a certain wrestler.

As I grew up, I make my living in television now, so I can't tell you that I watch a lot of television just because I'm working in it.

B/R: What surprised you the most when you were able to be a part of it in 2010?

Springer: When you're in their presence and literally standing next to them, you realize you can't help but be impressed with how athletic these people are. It's not just that they're big and strong. That's obvious. But they're also athletic.

It becomes an art as to what they're able to do and live through it. You just stand there and say, 'Oh my God! That's a different species.' A normal human being couldn't do what they do without the incredible talent and training that they have. This is something you shouldn't try at home. They really are very special with what their abilities are.

B/R: You're right. They are. People don't appreciate that sometimes because it's "fake." But the better word for it is "entertainment."

Springer: That's exactly what it is. It's entertainment by incredibly athletic and gifted people.

B/R: Do you see a lot of parallels with WWE's brand of entertainment and what your show does?

Springer: I understand the parallel. Truthfully, we have the same audience. It's all entertainment. The difference is that the people in the WWE are professional athletes. On our show, they're just regular people upset about something at the moment.

It's escapist entertainment; that's the common denominator. It's just the participants are different with different skill levels.

B/R: What can we expect from you on Raw this time around?

Springer: I honestly don't know. I just got asked a few days ago. I will show up. I will get in the ring and hopefully be able to bring the twins together. And stop whatever the issue is that keeps them apart. They ought to be supportive of each other. Hopefully I can be of some help to that.

But it's like on my show. I never know the issue before I'm on the show. I'm not allowed to know what the story is. I'm just supposed to ask questions that you would ask sitting at home watching and then make jokes.

I will just go out there and do the same thing. I will let them tell me their story and see what comes to mind and try to be entertaining. But I think they can pretty much do that on their own.

I don't have any preconceived answer to what their problem is because I want to hear it from them.

B/R: What about your last experience on Raw will help you this time around? What have you learned that you can use?

Springer: Watch my back. That's always good advice. When you're in that ring, there's nothing that can protect you that much except hopefully the good sense of the other people in there.

What I learned, though, is what I said before: These are incredibly gifted athletes. I don't want to do anything that interferes with what they do because they do it so well. If I can add something, a different twist to it, taking that chaos and turning into a talk-show format, we'll see if that works. And in fact, it may not.

I can see why someone would want to watch. Who knows, if it's successful, I might have another career. Of course, at 70 years of age, I'm not looking for another career.

B/R: Well, good luck. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me.

Springer: It's very nice talking to you. And may you never be on my show.

All quotes were obtained first-hand unless otherwise noted.