
Busted Open
satellite radio show with Austin Aries
Host: Dave Lagreca and Doug
Mortman
Airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on Sirius 94 and XM 208 from
2-4 ET
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informationAustin Aries on his emotions on
winning the TNA World Title:
Quote
It was great. I dont know if you can sum it up in a sentence
or two, but a lot of emotions kind of hit me. The culmination of not only my
year in TNA, twelve years in the wrestling business, but really just a lifelong
love affair with the wrestling business. To think back to the early days of my
childhood and getting into professional wrestling and to think where I am some
twenty five years later, its hard to put that all in perspective, but Im sure
in the coming days and weeks, it will start to sink in a little more. It was a
great feeling and a great moment. The energy coming out the Impact Zone, the
response I have seen so far in the wrestling community has been overwhelming.
Im glad I can be somebody that can help create a buzz right now in this
business.
Was winning the TNA World title the
highlight of his career?
Quote
Yeah, I have to say it ranks right up there. I was always one
of those people who never had a favorite this or a favorite that. This right
now, with everything that went along with it and the culmination of it, I think
it ranks right up there with the greatest moment so far of my
career.
Talks about the year he has had
starting with last years Destination X:
Quote
When I walked in there, I had come to a decision that I wasnt
really happy with the opportunities I was getting in the wrestling business. I
felt I was at a certain level as a performer and a competitor and if I wasnt
going to get that opportunity or get treated in a way that was fitting for
someone of a guy with my talents, then I decided it was time to do something
else.
Ive always been a guy that did his own thing, and set all my own
rules, and that was a decision that I made, but when TNA offered that
opportunity, I had to take it. It was a great opportunity to come back and have
a second chance at a place where you dont always have a second chance at. I
didnt look back and had nothing to lose at that point and I said 'here I am,
this is me. Either take it or leave it.' But I can be a money guy in this
business and in this company and so far I have proven that and its been
great.
Talks about the positive reaction he has
been getting from fans:
Quote
Part of that overwhelming reaction and that moment, it could
not have been created had Bobby Roode not had such a successful run as champion
the last 7 or 8 months, and the job he has done as World Champion I dont think
can be taken for granted or give him enough accolades on what hes done. That
helped create that special moment last night. I just try to go out there and be
myself. My job is to go out there and entertain people and get a reaction out of
them. Make them care, one way or the other.
I guess just go out there and
be myself and if you love me thats great and if you hate me thats great too.
As long as you care when I walk out that curtain or when you see me on camera,
thats all I care about. I think people can gravitate to someone whos
authentic, who know who he is, whos comfortable with who he is, who goes out
there and expects a lot out of himself. Makes some boisterous claims but backs
them up. I also think my passion and love for this business is something I hope
translates. Its been an interesting ride going in there obviously I was new to
them and maybe it took them a while for them to warm up to me, but right now
each and every time I step out there, it seems like the Aries Army just keeps
growing.
On how fans are saying this title
victory is a great moment for not only TNA, but all of wrestling:
Quote
Its touching and Im glad they feel that way. I think that
over the years and Im a wrestling fan too and there have been moments and you
go back to the night Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero became wrestling champions.
You go back to when CM Punk became champion. The night Daniel Bryan became
champion. AJ Styles getting the opportunity in TNA to be the man. I think as a
wrestling fan, when you see performers or colleagues succeed and you know they
are the type of people that have the same love and passion and respect for the
business that you do, thats what you want to see.
You want to see those
people succeed because you know the right people are making it to the top and
then its our job to make sure the wrestling industry thrives and continues to
grow. I feel like we are primed for the next boom in wrestling. If you look at
the two major companies, you got the right guys in the right positions. I think
with some good thought behind it we can really create a buzz and get people
interested in the mainstream and the masses get interested in wrestling
again.
On Hulk Hogan being behind
him:
Quote
Initially I didnt deal with Hulk a lot.We didnt have a lot of
interaction. But I hear a lot of the criticisms within the company and outside
the company about his role. My dealings with him have been great. He has a
really good mind for the business. I dont think people understand that. He was
one of the most successful performers of all time in this business for a reason.
It went beyond just his charisma, his look and all these other factors. He has a
great mind for it and I appreciate that he had confidence in me and everyone
else in the company had the confidence in me.
On the X Division:
Quote
I think if you look at the pay per view last night there was
some quality talent that was on the PPV. I imagine some of those guys will
continue to be a part of Impact Wrestling moving forward. I think if you look
out there, there is a lot of talent who are not under contract to another
company or soon will not be under contract to another company, who we definitely
want to take a look at and see if they have something to bring to TNA Impact
Wrestling. We tried to do the reboot of the X division last year and we tried to
infuse some new talent into it. Just through some circumstances and some
injuries and some departures, I dont think it sustained itself as they had
hoped.
So I think there will be more effort going forward. When you
couple that with the Gut Check concept too, its another tool to infuse new
talent. Kenny King and Mason Andrews and Rubix, those are all guys who I think
if you continue to give opportunities too, will grow with the company and become
guys who will definitely be entertaining in the X division and
beyond.
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