Source: Mike Mooneyham of the Post and Courier
Recently, former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, TNA World Tag Team Champion, and TNA X-Division Champion Austin Aries talked with Mike Mooneyham of the Post and Courier. Topics included whether or not things have changed recently in TNA, his thoughts on never signing with WWE, AJ Styles, and much more. You can read highlights of the interview below or you can read the entire interview by clicking here. Enjoy!
On Whether or Not Things Have Changed in TNA
I really think it’s operating like it usually does. I don’t feel a big difference. The company is continuing to make moves to get better and improve. Whether that means reallocating some money to different places or freshening up the roster or giving new guys opportunities … they’re all things that companies that are still growing and trying to get better do.
On His Thoughts Regarding Never Signing with WWE
I don’t worry about that. They’ve had opportunities to sign me, and for whatever reason or measuring stick they were using, they didn’t see fit to give me an opportunity. I don’t know all the ins and outs of those decisions, and I don’t really dwell on it. If and when that opportunity did present itself, you’d be a fool not to listen. But I don’t measure my career’s success on whether or not I go to WWE.
On His Current Run in TNA, Which Started in 2011
I guess there’s a lot of things I could say, but at this point I don’t think any of it matters. I was able to come back and obviously have a lot more success the second time around. I think I was in a better place personally, and maybe the company itself was in a better place. So it all worked out. I really wouldn’t change too much. I felt justified in coming back and, seeing how my return went, I made the right decision.
On AJ Styles And His Contract With The Company
AJ Styles really is phenomenal, no pun intended, with what he does and what he brings to the table, but I think any company finds a way to survive, whether the names are Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin or Ric Flair, all of whom have left and gone someplace else. Guys are going to step up. That doesn’t mean you’re going to replace a guy like AJ Styles. It just means that someone’s got to step up and carry a little more weight. That being said, I don’t think anyone wants to see AJ Styles leave. When you think TNA, he’s one of the first guys you think of. I think it would be great if he spent his whole career there if that’s what he wants and he’s happy. That’s the bottom line.
