Source: Alternative Wrestling Magazine
Recently, the team at the Alternative Wrestling Magazine interviewed ODB‘s former main squeeze, Cody Deaner. Here are some highlights of that interview including some comments from Deaner about his time working dark matches for WWE and his time working on screen in iMPACT Wrestling. You can read the entire interview over at the Alternative Wrestling Magazine’s website.
You wrestled a few dark matches with WWE, I guess the highlight would be facing Kurt Angle on Smackdown. How did you get the opportunity and did you get any good feedback after the match?
That opportunity came about because I had a really good dark match the night before with Muhammed Hassan. Steve Keirn really liked my match, so he suggested I be the guy that worked Kurt the next night at the Smackdown taping. I got excellent feedback after the match. Vince McMahon got out of his chair in gorilla position, and tracked me down personally to thank me for that match. Also, Johnny Ace brought me to the pay window to get me more money. True story. So, I figured I did a good job if the two most powerful men in wrestling were telling me I did well.
How did you get the deal with TNA Wrestling and How much creative control did you have?
I actually got signed by TNA to do the World X-Cup. The last one that they did. I was going to be on New Team Canada. However, Team Canada never happened, it became “Team International.” It was a blessing in disguise, as many of the guys that appeared in the X-Cup came and were gone as soon as the tournament was over. Jeff Jarrett assured me it was to my benefit, and to be patient, as they were looking for a spot for me. They eventually found one for me in my angle with ODB. I didn’t know a lot going in about what I would be doing. But, once I got there, I worked reasonably close with Vince Russo and the other writers in terms of what I would do. I was always told what I would do storyline-wise. However, in terms of what I would SAY, that was totally me. Vince trusted me to say my own stuff in my interviews. Most of the stuff during that “King of the Knockouts” angle was totally me. I even came up with the “King of the Knockouts.” No one told me to do it. I never asked if I could do it. I just did it. And it worked.
What was your thoughts at the time about the storyline you were in with ODB?
I loved it. I think ODB and I were perfect together. We never really got a chance to hit our stride. Were just starting to really get comfortable together as a team when they decided to have me turn on her and have us feud. They did that turn way too quick. And then once they did do the turn, they didn’t play it out long enough either. That angle had heat, and it had legs … but they never really got what they should have got out of it, in my opinion.
Whilst in TNA you wrestled Doug Williams, Abyss, Stevie Richards, Amazing Red, and so many other talented wrestlers. Were there any times you were frustrated that you were not given a chance to put on good matches?
That depends on what your definition of a “good match” is. I think all of the matches I had were good matches. They achieved exactly what they were supposed to achieve … if not more. I was always praised by my bosses for the work I did. As well as by the boys I was working with. But, if by good matches you mean “highly competitive athletic contests” then … you’re right. I was never given the opportunity to have those. Which I am 100% capable of. I’ve had 45 minute and 60 minute matches before. I’ve had main event matches with Bobby Roode on the indies and had awesome matches with Eric Young and many other guys on the TNA roster. However, because I was booked as a “nonwrestler,” I was never allowed to go out and show what I was truly capable of. So, in that sense, it was a little bit frustrating. But only in hindsight. In the moment, I just had fun doing what I was doing, and made the most of every opportunity I was given.
I feel your current character would work great with the Ace’s and Eight’s angle in TNA. Would you ever go back to TNA?
Absolutely. If the time was right, and I was doing the right thing, and conditions made sense both for them and for me, then yes, absolutely I’d go back. They have an awesome roster. I have friends there. It’s a great place to work. In terms of the Aces and Eights angle … no comment.
Remember to read the entire interview and so much more over at the Alternative Wrestling Magazine website!
