Source: Sara Pokorny of the Times Leader
Recently, Christopher Daniels sat down with Pennsylvania’s Times Leader newspaper. During the interview, Daniels talked about working for WWE, ROH, and TNA, some of his scariest ring injuries, and his longevity in the business. You can read highlights from the interview below or read the full interview by clicking here. Enjoy!
On the Difference Working For iMPACT Wrestling and Other Promotions
It’s not super different from the rest, but we are there to offer an alternative to what the World Wrestling Federation has to offer. One major difference is that the WWF has been around for a very long time, and they’re certainly entrenched where they are. TNA is really only 10 years old, so we’re still a growing company, hungry to get to that higher level. We highlight the fact that our athletes aren’t really given any restrictions. When this first started we really went out there and took physical and mental risks to excite the crowd.
On Scary Ring Injuries
I’ve landed on my neck and lost feeling in my arm for six weeks. I tore my ACL in my right leg. I separated my left shoulder. But I’ve worked through all those things. Even if you don’t sustain a catastrophic injury, though, just the wear and tear over the course of the years of experience and travel can get you down. There are days we walk into the building beat up from the feet up, but that’s part of the game.
On His Longevity in the Business
I believe professional wrestling is something you really get into as a child. I grew up watching guys like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes and the Road Warriors, and they made such an impression on me. What keeps me going is remembering how I felt watching them as a kid and trying to duplicate that feeling for the fans. … There’s also the opportunity to let fans take some time away from their lives. Go through the catharsis of booing the bad guys and cheering the good guys. This is one of the most physical performance arts you’ll ever see. I consider myself a storyteller, an artist and athlete.
I love that last quote from Daniels here. He sounds very eloquent and intelligent, and it’s refreshing and entirely appropriate to hear pro wrestling referred to as performance art, and a wrestler to call himself a storyteller, artist, AND athlete. It’s important to remember that you’re watching wrestling, and it’s a soap opera where people get hit with chairs, but equally important to recognize the skill with which it takes to do it well.