Source: Arda Ocal of The Baltimore Sun’s Ring Posts Blog
Recently, former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Mr. Anderson was interviewed by Arda Ocal of The Baltimore Sun’s Ring Posts blog. In the interview, Anderson talked his leaving WWE, what his mindset was on coming to iMPACT Wrestling, and how he feels about competition like the Bound for Glory Series. You can read highlights of the interview below or click here to read the entire thing. Enjoy!
On the Evolving TNA Product
I really like where the product is going. We don’t sit around and talk and pat ourselves on the back… We are our biggest critics. You have a lot less criticism floating around in the locker. [The wrestlers] are happier now, they’re happier with what they’re doing, they’re happier with their story line. Nothing is scripted like it used to be. The thing that drives me nuts is when someone hands you a script and says, ‘Be yourself and say this right here’ — exactly the way that I have written [it].
On Leaving WWE After WrestleMania 23
It was a decision made by them. At first, being fired from any place is a punch in the stomach, but eventually when you get over that initial wave of the rejection and ‘What am I going to do now?’… I’m happy the way that things worked out because it led me to where I am at today. I’m happy where I am today, in my personal life and in my professional life. As far as the circumstances, I mean there are all kinds of conspiracies. The only people that really know what really happened are the big guys, the owners, and the guys that pull the trigger on situations.
On the Decision to Go to iMPACT Wrestling
It took a while [to decide to go to TNA]. It was not one of those things that I couldn’t wait till my 90 days was up so I could jump over. It was like nine months, almost a year, where it was talked about a little bit. At that point, I was kinda not done with the business but nice to step back and take some time off and re-evalute and figure out what I wanted to do…
On Why He Wrestles and What He Wants From Wrestling
[Winning a title] is the ultimate goal. Ultimately, we want to entertain our fans and want people to be sitting every 18 inches. You want people to say, ‘Yay’ when they’re supposed to say ‘Yay’ and you want them to say, ‘Boo’ when you want them to say ‘Boo.’ But, with that being said, you know, there is something to be said about pulling the championship for a major wrestling company… There are thousands and thousands and thousands of wrestlers that have come through those doors and have never had the opportunity to hold that title. For the company to say, ‘You’re our guy’ is a huge carrot on an end of the stick.
