WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently did an interview with Cody Dalton of The Observer News Enterprise, and below are some highlights:
CD: In WWE, they are talking about this being “The New Era.” Who do you see out there wrestling now that you think will be the next big star in your business?
BT: “I think it’s going to be more than just one guy. WWE finally opened up the door to the independent world, letting those guys come in and show exactly what they have. I’ve always thought there was a lot of untapped talent out in the independent world. They weren’t the prototypical WWE Superstar, but maybe they are the ‘People’s Champion.’ I think now with guys that have been around like (Finn) Bálor, who has been around a long time. Kevin Owens, Neville — those guys have been around a really long time. You’ve got guys like Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe, (Austin) Aries and guys like that who are getting a chance to come in, as well. They get a chance to perform on the big stage. You see A.J. Styles doing very, very well since he finally got a shot at going out there and performing. You actually see a guy who has pretty much a Southern accent, can get on the microphone and deliver a good promo. There’s going to be a lot of guys actually that are going to be coming up. I feel like the business is in good hands for the years to come, the Wrestlemanias to come and the pay per views to come.”
CD: What’s harder — wrestling, teaching someone to wrestling or being a commentator in WWE?
BT: “Probably commentating. That’s why I’m an analyst now. That’s why I’m not commentating anymore. I’m just an analyst on the Kickoff Show on the pay per views. I like being an analyst. Being able to go out there and talk about Zack Ryder from a commentary perspective, there may be some rough patches, but to be able to analyze Zack Ryder — him being a guy that’s been in WWE for over 10 years, a guy that’s been a journeyman, a guy that’s been trying to crack through that glass ceiling and it just doesn’t seem like it’s ever going to happen for him. Maybe he should retire. Maybe he should just go away. I can do that.
Since 2006
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August 16, 2016
Booker T Talks New Era Talents He Thinks Will Be Big Stars in WWE, His New Role in WWE
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 9:19 PM
Labels: Adrian Neville, AJ Styles, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, Booker T, Finn Balor, Indy Wrestling, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, WWE
March 9, 2016
Interview with Austin Aries
Austin Aries recently spoke with the Wrestling Compadres, talking about everything from his long journey to the WWE, when he thought about stepping away from wrestling a few years back, and his thoughts on Baron Corbin attacking him. Click here to listen to the full interview, and you can read a few excerpts below:
Austin Aries on his debut:
“Before I went out, Bayley was backstage and I joked with her “If I walk out there and it’s crickets and nobody knows me, just come out and give me a hug.”
Aries on Baron Corbin:
“For a former NFL lineman, the guy moves pretty fast. He got me good. But he’s going to realize that he cut his own nose off to spite his face”
Aries on his journey:
“You can’t measure passion. Everything I’ve ever achieved in the business has been because of passion”.
January 22, 2016
Former TNA Champion Debuts In NXT During Central Florida Taping
During the NXT taping in Central Florida, former TNA champion Austin Aries made his debut in NXT. Regal came out to introduce Aries. Aries came out and when he was walking down the ramp he was attacked by Baron Corbin. Corbin threw Aries into the apron and then hit the End of Days.
June 28, 2015
Two More Big TNA Departures
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Awesome Kong and Taryn Terrell's contracts have both expired this weekend. The two will finish up at Slammiversary tonight.
Terrell joined TNA in 2012 as a referee for the knockouts division before becoming a full-time wrestler for the brand. She's the longest reigning Knockouts Champion in history, and is actually still the on-screen champion.
Awesome Kong returned to the company in January after being out of TNA for almost five years. She was fired in 2010 following a physical incident with Bubba the Love Sponge. She spent some time with WWE between TNA stints.
This follows the news that James Storm, Magnus, Low Ki, Austin Aries, Mickie James all left the company, while Gunner and Sam Shaw were released.
At this point the releases are either a work, or the above names will be signing with GFW and the two promotions will be working together. Not sure how TNA can survive with 9 top company talents departing in one week.
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 2:35 PM
Labels: Austin Aries, Awesome Kong, James Storm, Knockouts, Low-Ki, Mickie James, TNA
Another Top TNA Star Leaving the Company
There has been speculation for quite sometime as to what the future holds for Austin Aries in TNA.
During tonight’s Impact Wrestling tapings, Aries wrestled Rockstar Spud in match, with the stipulation being that if Aries won, he got to take Spud’s “Rockstar” name. If Spud wins, Aries has to leave TNA.
Spud won the match, and it appears as if Aries is finished with TNA for the time being.
Aries joins James Storm, Magnus and Low Ki as names leaving TNA.
October 13, 2012
Austin Aries Talks Reason For His TNA Success, X-Division, More
TNA World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries appeared on Monday Night Mayhem to Promote this Sunday's Bound For Glory pay-per-view event. Below are the hightlights:
Why he credits simply being himself as the primary reason for his success over the past year since returning to TNA: “I’m just a big believer in ‘timing is everything.’ In every situation in life, you should try and learn from it, and continue to grow. Coming back into TNA, I was more prepared, and I think they were a little more prepared for me. I have been given some opportunities, and put in a position, and I have been capable enough to capitalize on them. When I came into TNA the second time, I was very comfortable in who I was, not that I had a ‘take it or leave it’ approach. I was going to go in there, and be myself, and trust in that, and let the chips fall where they may. I’m enjoying my second time in TNA. Obviously I’m having a lot of success, and I’m about to main event the biggest Pay-Per-View of the year with Jeff Hardy, everybody’s ‘golden boy’…and I look forward to it.”
The evolution of the X-Division since he relinquished the TNA X-Division Championship earlier this summer and what he sees for the future of the division: “You take someone like myself out of the X-Division, and that was a big hole that had to be filled. You see Zema Ion stepped up, and Sonjay Dutt, who has had some issues with his shoulder, but has come back from that. You saw Kenny King make his debut, and I think we will be seeing him again. There’s an influx. There are guys coming in and making some impressions. We will see what happens there.”
What it means to him in having the confidence of TNA as its World Heavyweight Champion leading into Bound For Glory and why he “wants to spoil everybody’s party” in his World Title Match vs. Jeff Hardy: “I have to be real honest. It was great to have that boost of confidence and have the company behind me leading up to winning the championship. That’s really only half the battle. Once you have it, it’s what you can do with it. I’ll be honest. I see a lot of that momentum and support shifting to Jeff Hardy. That doesn’t necessarily bother me, because I’ve always operated best when it’s ‘me against the world,’ and coming into Bound for Glory, that’s how I’m approaching it. I kind of want to spoil everybody’s party, retain my championship, and then talk about my momentum and moving forward. This is my first real challenger after moving past Bobby Roode, so I need to cement this before we start talking about having momentum and how I feel.”
April 17, 2012
Former ROH Champ Calls ROH "Shell Of Its Former Self"
TNA X Division champion Austin Aries, the only two-time ROH World champion, offered his thoughts on the State of Ring of Honor in an interview with Sports Vibe in the U.K. promoting TNA's Lockdown PPV.
Aries quote: "I'll be really honest with you, the Ring of Honor today is not anything like the Ring of Honor that the likes of C.M. Punk, Daniel Bryan, and myself came from. Obviously they are still operating under the same name, but the company has changed so much over the years and it's really a shell of it's former self in terms of the vision and thought process. The original Ring of Honor and the Ring of Honor today are two completely different things, I like to call it Smokey Mountain of Honor." From a talent perspective, Aries added, "There is no money in Ring of Honor, and that means they will only be able to secure talent for a certain amount of time before they move somewhere else."
source: sportsvibe.co.uk
July 14, 2011
TNA Touts Aries Signing, More X Division Stars
IMPACT WRESTLING officially announced the signing of X-Division star Austin Aries, in what company officials are signaling as the first of several upcoming signees to a reinvigorated X-Division following the success of Sunday night's "Destination X" live pay-per-view event. If you missed it, watch the replay of the "Destination X" event on your cable or satellite provider!
Aries, who will officially be joining the X-Division roster Thursday night on IMPACT WRESTLING (9pm ET/PT on Spike) earned a contract by winning a four-way match against hopefuls Low Ki, Zema Ion and Jack Evans in an unbelievable bout; IMPACT ZONE fans began a chant of "Sign them all!" after Aries took the win that went worldwide with a #SignThemAll trending topic across Twitter.
"Austin's unique style and intensity will be a great addition to the X Division," TNA Vice President of Talent Relations Bruce Prichard said. "Aries brings an arrogance and a confidence backed by tremendous physical ability."
In addition to Aries signing, Prichard added, "based off of various X Division performances throughout qualifying events on IMPACT WRESTLING and Sunday night's outstanding "Destination X" pay-per-view, TNA will be signing several new additions to the X-Division roster in coming weeks.
June 16, 2011
IMPACT Wrestling Recap 06/16/11
April 16, 2011
National Geographic Channel Filming At Next EVOLVE iPPV
NatGeo, The National Geographic cable network will be filming at this Tuesday's EVOLVE iPPV. They will be following several of the talents featured. The filming is part of an upcoming story on independent wrestlers trying to make it in the business.
The full lineup for the ppv, which takes place at BB Kings in New York City, is below:
Austin Aries vs. Jon Moxley in Moxley's final independent appearance
Chuck Taylor vs. Akira Tozawa
Jimmy Jacobs vs. Shiima Xion
Johnny Gargano vs. Jon Davis
Jigsaw & Frightmare vs. Facade & Jason Gory
Sami Callihan vs. Zack Sabre Jr
AR Fox vs. Rich Swann
Silas Young vs. Tony Nese
source: pwinsider.com
October 6, 2010
Austin Aries to EVOLVE
Austin Aries is now in EVOLVE. It will be Aries (0-0) vs. Chuck Taylor (3-1) at EVOLVE 6 on November 20th at the Ace Arena in Union City, NJ. This is just two minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel and a great location. There is a parking lot a block away. Tickets are now on sale in the EVOLVEwrestling.com Shop or by calling 267-519-9744.
October 4, 2010
Rumor Mill - ROH Cutting Back on Using Some Talent
According to reports in the wrestling media, Ring of Honor has decided to cut back on using some talent for both live events and TV tapings for HDNet. Several wrestlers like Necro Butcher and Austin Aries aren't scheduled to be used for a while.
source: wrestleview.com
May 24, 2010
Enter The Idiots
Oops ... he did it again. Or I should say, it was done to him again. On May 21, yet another fan felt compelled to get physically involved with ROH wrestler Austin Aries. This time it was during the ROH on HDNet tapings at The Arena in South Philadelphia.
As Delirious chased Aries through the crowd during the six-man-tag main event pitting Aries, Kenny King, and Rhett Titus against Jerry Lynn, Delirious, and heavyweight champion Tyler Black, one fan thought it would be a good idea to shove a chair in Aries' path. Aries, who is known to have a short fuse when it comes to belligerant fans, disagreed, and responded by hurling the chair at the offending fan, striking him.
Personally, I support Austin Aries' decision to hit back...More?
source: prowrestlingillustrated.blogspot.com
April 14, 2010
Austin Aries Comments on Tyler Black, Jim Cornette, the Monday Night Wars, Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
10:15 PM
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Labels: Austin Aries, Daniel Bryan, Jim Cornette, Nigel McGuinness, Seth Rollins, TNA, Tyler Black, WWE
April 1, 2010
Austin Aries: "I'm Happy Doing What I'm Doing."
Ring of Honor's latest pay-per-view event, Big Bang, is live on Saturday night and available to watch online worldwide at www.gofightlive.tv.
And one man who is proud to be part of the burgeoning indy group is former two-time ROH champion Austin Aries.
Having dabbled with TNA and seeing friends star in WWE, Aries stated his pride at being seen as a leading figure in ROH...More?
source: the sun
March 17, 2010
Tyler Black Comments on WWE vs. TNA and His Relationship with Austin Aries
Tyler Black appeared on the "Busted Open" radio show on Tuesday to promote his appearance at Wrestle Reunion. The following are the highlights of the interview:
Black on WWE Raw vs. TNA Impact and what show he watches more: "Usually WWE, I honestly, its very difficult to sit through a TNA broadcast. Its hard, I've always been a big WWE fan and it sucks because I have a lot of friends in TNA where I'd like to see them get more time to shine, but they're getting kind of stuck in the back."
Black on his relationship with Austin Aries: "He sees the blues, I see the reds and thats the way its always been. I'm not one to start trouble with anybody but maybe he has rubbed me the wrong way just like he has everybody else. I'm kind of a loner, and hes more of an outgoing.....prick so, we've never been buds and we're probably never gonna be."
February 14, 2010
Ring of Honor 8th Anniversary Show Results
Special Pick 6 Challenge Match
Roderick Strong def. Brian Kendrick
Tag Teem Challenge Match
The Kings of Wrestling: Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli def. Harlem & Lance Bravado
Unsanctioned Tag Team Grudge Match
The Necro Butcher & Eddie Kingston def. Erick Stevens and Joey Ryan of The Embassy
The Re-Match
Davey Richards def. El Generico
Ring of Honor World Tag Team Title Match
Jay & Mark Briscoe (C) def. The Dark City Fight Club of Kory Chavis & Jon Davis
Four Corner Survival Pick 6 Challenge Match
Delirious def. #4 “Pretty Boy Pitbull” Kenny King, “Skullkrusher” Rasche Brown and Steve Corino
Grudge Match
Colt "Boom Boom" Cabana def. "Mr. Wrestling" Kevin Steen w/ Steve Corino via DQ when Corino interfered
Ring of Honor World Title Match
Roderick Strong, Kenny King & Jim Cornette will preside as judges for this match at ringside
#5 Tyler Black def. Austin Aries to capture the ROH World Title
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
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Labels: Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, Colt Cabana, Davey Richards, Jim Cornette, Necro Butcher, ROH, Seth Rollins, Tyler Black
February 4, 2010
January 13, 2010
CHIKARA Line-Up for their 9th Season Premiere
Chikara has announced the following matches for the ninth season premiere show on Jan. 31 at The Arena in Philadelphia: Claudio Castagnoli, Ares, Turas, and a partner to be named vs. Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw, and Lince Dorado, and Equnox in an eight-man tag, Fire Ant and Soldier Ant vs. Gran Akuma and Icarus, Sara Del Rey and Daizee haze vs. The Osirian Portal, Grizzly Redwood and Pelle Primeau and Andy Ridge vs. UltraMantis Black, Crossbones, and Delirious, Green Ant vs. Pinkie Sanchez. Goto ChikaraPro.com for more info.
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
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1:10 PM
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Labels: Austin Aries, CHIKARA, Claudio Castagnoli, Indy Wrestling, The Osirian Portal
December 18, 2009
ROH Champ Austin Aries Says Wrestlers Need Union Protection in WWE and TNA
Ring of Honor champion Austin Aries presented a strong argument that wrestlers in WWE and TNA should have union protection as actors since they're being slotted for roles in a TV show. Aries based his argument on WWE and TNA changing the characters and personalities of wrestlers coming from Ring of Honor or the independent scene to fit a certain role.
"This new idea that you’re going to come into our company and we’re going to change everything about you – I guess that’s the mentality that we’re all just kind of actors and we’re playing a part," Aries told Alfonso Castillo of Newsday. "I’ll follow that, but if that’s the way we’re going to do the business, let’s do it across the board. If we’re actors, then let’s be actors – and get the benefits of actors and be taken care of like actors. They kind of found this crack. I don’t know. It’s really interesting."
Aries added that it bothers him that WWE and TNA "discount" wrestlers coming up from the independent ranks as if what they do prior to joining the Big Two promotions "didn't mean anything."
"We (referring to himself, Bryan Danielson, and Nigel McGuinness) busted our a-- to make our names mean something, to be recognized in the wrestling business. And for them to just try to erase it so that they can feel like they’re the creator, it doesn’t much make much sense to me," Aries said. "Just because we’re on TV for another promotion doesn’t mean all the stuff we did here didn’t mean anything. Then why do they want me?"
reported by: pwtorch.com
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
1:11 PM
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Labels: Austin Aries, Daniel Bryan, Nigel McGuinness, ROH, TNA, Wrestling News, WWE