Category Archives: Interviews

Santino Marella looks to have a hell of a time at Hell in a Cell

Courtesy WWE.

While his language barrier mishaps and comical in-ring demeanor are what most people think of when they hear the name Santino Marella, it’s easy to overlook the Milan Miracle’s reigns as Intercontinental, United States and Tag Team Champion. And after recently teaming with Zack Ryder to form Team Co-Bro, Marella’s chances of advancing to the tag team tournament finals at Hell in a Cell seemed promising given Co-Bro’s first-round win over Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel. Unfortunately for Marella, Co-Bro fell to the Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow) to be eliminated from the tournament. But Marella still hopes his cobra will have a chance to strike at the pay-per-view, and recently talked to Wrestling with Pop Culture about that possibility, among other things.

You’re not scheduled for any matches at Hell in a Cell. Do you think there’s any chance of you being part of this pay-per-view?

I was hoping to be in the finals of the tag team tournament with Zack Ryder, but…

I was sorry to see how that turned out for Team Co-Bro. I’m also sorry to see yet another Hell in a Cell pay-per-view without Santino Marella on the card.

I do not have a rich history with this pay-per-view, but this has been a great year for me. In 2012, I’ve been on every pay-per-view this year! So I definitely hope I’m involved at Hell in a Cell because I want to keep the streak going. It’s also a very prestigious pay-per-view because always something special happens at this pay-per-view, something that’s going to blow your mind. That’s the job of this pay-per-view, that’s the goal. There’s always something very shocking and that’s why I want to be part of it because I want to see history in the making.

With Hell in a Cell being in Atlanta, it’s fun to recall almost a year ago when Raw was in Atlanta with the Muppets. And you actually got some help from Beaker…

Yes. That was, for me, one of the most memorable things I have ever seen. It was right up there with when I met Bob Barker because the Muppets are not just a piece of Americana, that’s an icon for the world. Every country knows the Muppets. They’re the originators. It puts me in the feeling of when I was little boy. Everyone likes that nostalgic feeling to feel like a kid again. The Muppets were amazing.

Courtesy WWE.

Beaker gave me potion and this potion was to give me super strength and speed. But I could not swallow it because it tasted so bad I thought maybe it was wrong one, maybe it was poison. So I spit it out in the face of Jack Swagger. It was accident, actually. He spun me around and I spit at the same time. And from spitting it in the face, I was able to roll him up and beat him. It wasn’t, I’m sure, what Beaker intended. But it got the job done.

WWE has made a point of holding big events in Atlanta over the past several years. How do you think your personality and wrestling style fare with Southern audiences like the ones in Atlanta?

In that part of the country, the fans are so passionate and so crazy and we always love to come there. When the fans are so crazy, they elevate us and make us put on a better show. The louder they get, the more we go crazy, then the louder they get in return and there’s just this circulating energy that goes back and forth. I’m telling you, the feeling and atmosphere in the arena is second to none. We love coming there.

Do you think you might try to talk to any Atlanta icons for Santino’s Foreign Exhange while you’re in Atlanta?

I would like to go to the Georgia Aquarium because I heard the aquarium is very nice. There’s a restaurant we usually go to close to the airport called the Spondivits and we like to get the steamed bucket. I know that’s not a real icon, but we enjoy Atlanta. I’m going to try to steal the show if I can. I hope I don’t get arrested for stealing.

www.wwe.com

Wade Barrett hopes to bring his Barrett Barrage to Hell in a Cell

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Recovering from injuries can often cause competitors to lose their momentum upon their return to action. But in the case of former Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, his WWE return has been highlighted by a dominant winning streak and change in attitude he likes to call the Barrett Barrage. Although this barrage has not yet guaranteed him a match at this Sunday’s Hell in a Cell, Barrett is still hoping to compete at the pay-per-view on his quest to obtain championship gold. Here, he talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about his new mean streak and his goal of becoming the first English WWE Champion.

You only recently returned to WWE after recovering from an injury and returning to your bare-knuckle boxing training. Since then, the Barrett Barrage has been in full effect as you’ve dominated one opponent after another. Where did you find this extra aggression?

Courtesy WWE.

I’m glad to be back. It’s been seven or eight months since I got injured, so a lot of frustration and aggression has built up in that time. That’s combined with a slightly new style of bare-knuckle fighting-oriented offense. It’s good to be back and I’m looking to go places pretty soon.

You’re not yet scheduled for a match at Hell in a Cell, but you’ve previously had great success at this pay-per-view, picking up one of the biggest victories of your career over John Cena two years ago. Given your record there, what do you anticipate for this Sunday’s event?

You’re right, that Hell in a Cell match against John Cena is probably one of my biggest victories ever. It was a huge moment for me, especially so early on in my career. But the card’s still wide open for this year’s Hell in a Cell and, fingers crossed, I’ll hopefully be able to get myself on the card.

A lot of people have had career-defining moments at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view and in the Hell in a Cell match. How would you feel about actually competing inside the Hell in a Cell cage?

It’s an amazing match and I haven’t actually had a Hell in a Cell match yet. I think it’s something that really just lends a certain legitimacy to the toughest competitors in the WWE. When you look at the people who’ve had the most success in those kind of matches, guys like Mick Foley, the Undertaker and Triple H, those are some of the toughest guys to have ever competed in WWE. I’d certainly like to see myself in that category of tough guys. When the opportunity comes, I’d definitely like to step into the cell and take on whoever might be up for the challenge.

You’ve defeated just about everyone you’ve gotten in the ring with since you’re return. Is there anyone in particular you’d like to face this Sunday, given the opportunity?

I’ve always got my eye on the champions here in WWE, be it CM Punk or be it Sheamus, who are the two champions at the moment. I’d love to step in there with either one of them. England’s never had a World Heavyweight Champion or a WWE Champion, so I’d love to be the first one. But the way wrestling works, you have to work your way up the ladder a little bit first. I don’t expect to be thrust into the title picture with either of those guys, but in the long run whoever the champion is – I don’t care if it’s CM Punk, Sheamus or anybody else – that’s the person I’m going to be going for.

You’re obviously not the only person with your sights set on those two. But there are some other interesting match-ups to be had between you and other fellow Europeans such as the current United States Champion Antonio Cesaro.

Courtesy WWE.

Yeah, definitely. I’m a big fan of Antonio Cesaro. I think he’s done a great job since he’s gotten here, and I’m very impressed with his intellect. He speaks five languages or something like that. That in itself is hugely impressive, then he’s done such a great job in the ring since he got here. So his momentum continues, but he will be losing that momentum if he comes across the Barrett Barrage in the ring.

Outside the ring, I understand you also have a role in one of WWE Studios‘ upcoming films. What role will you be playing?

A byproduct of me being injured and being off for six or seven months meant that I was freed up and available to take part in a film called Dead Man Down, which is being produced by WWE Studios. It’s got several top movie stars in it like Colin Farrell and Terrence Howard, and it had a pretty good budget. So I think it’s going to be a good film. It was great to be part of it. I play an enforcer or bodyguard to one of the bad guys in the film, so I had a pretty cool part and really enjoyed it. It was a great experience. I think that’s being released in April of next year, round about WrestleMania.

www.wwe.com

Gail Kim returns to the state where she became the first TNA Knockouts Champion

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Courtesy TNA Wrestling

As one of the most accomplished female wrestlers of all time, Gail Kim has consistently been at the top of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling‘s Knockouts Division since its inception. She was the first ever TNA Knockouts Champion and has held the Knockouts Tag Team Championship with Madison Rayne. This weekend, Kim returns to the state where she first won the Knockouts Championship as the Impact Wrestling World Tour stops at the Macon Centreplex Coliseum on Oct. 20 and the Savannah Civic Center on Oct. 21. Though she’s scheduled to face Miss Tessmacher at each of these events, Kim recently told new Knockouts Champion Tara that she would come for her title if Tara defeated Tessmacher at last Sunday’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view. Before things combust this weekend, Kim shares her thoughts on the entire situation with Wrestling with Pop Culture.

Miss Tessmacher is the one who took that title from you a few months ago, and you haven’t had the best luck in your subsequent rematches. What are your expectations for your matches against her this weekend?

She’s improved over the last few months, so I guess I just underestimated her. Now I’m going to be back on my A game.

I think a lot of people underestimated her, but apparently Tara figured out a way to get under her skin.

Courtesy TNA Wrestling

She worked with her for a long time and they were [Knockouts] Tag Team Champions together. It’s always the ones that are closest to you that you know best.

You’ve had your share of run-ins with Tara, especially with her recent gloating about her celebrity boyfriend being better than your celebrity chef husband Robert Irvine.

Yeah, I’m not impressed at all. She was making fun of my husband, who she called my boyfriend. It’s funny that she made that reference to my “cable star boyfriend,” yet she made an appearance on his show last week. It was actually pretty funny. I haven’t met her boyfriend yet, but he already looks like a loser to me. What was he on, Big Brother or something like that? Did he even win?

I’ve never watched that show, but I have seen Jessie Godderz in Ohio Valley Wrestling and didn’t realize he had a reality show background.

Oh, OK. Neither have I. I’ll give him one thing, he looks like he fits the role of a wrestler in terms of his physique. He must have put some time into that.

Any idea if you might get a shot at Tara for the Knockouts Championship anytime soon?

Courtesy TNA Wrestling

Well, I hope that’s very soon. She and I have both been around for a really long time and the one positive thing I can say about her is that the fans do love watching us wrestle against one another. So I’m really looking forward to it. I got a little taste of it in my debut match back at Impact Wrestling, then we had a match maybe a month or so ago. But I would definitely love to get back into the ring with her because I think we’re the best at what we do and I just want to see who’s better right now.

You were the very first Knockouts Champion and you won that title in Georgia. Does returning to Georgia have any special meaning to you based on that milestone?

Of course. That was the number one moment of my career to be the very first Knockouts Champion. We fought so hard for that division to even happen and to be the first champion is something I’ll never forget, and it’s something that no one can take away from me. It’s all a blur now, but it was probably the most emotional moment of my career. It was such a great time and to have all those girls come in at once – I mean, we literally went from five girls to ten or more overnight – and it just became this huge success. From that point on, this company has been known for having good women’s wrestling and I love being part of it.

We’ve talked about this weekend’s house shows, but do you know what’s in store for you at tonight’s Impact Wrestling?

I’m not sure if I’m on Impact Wrestling tonight, but I am making an appearance on the British Boot Camp series that airs in the U.K. on Challenge TV. It’s a reality show competition and Madison Rayne and I are facing the Blossom Twins, the two girls that are competing on the show. That will be taped before Impact Wrestling and it’s interesting because the British talent doesn’t always get a chance to be seen my major promotions over here. It’s a great opportunity for them to be seen and show what they’ve got. I’ve heard about these Blossom Twins for many, many years, so they’ve been around. They’re nice girls, but Madison and I are going to have to kick some booty and show them what they’ve got to strive for.

www.thegailkim.com

Wrestling with Pop Culture has three pairs of tickets to this Saturday’s Impact Wrestling World Tour stop in Macon. Comment below with the name of your favorite female wrestler of all time to be entered to win a pair of tickets. Winners will be chosen by 5 p.m. EST Oct. 19.

History repeats itself as “The Cowboy” James Storm heads to Bound for Glory

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Courtesy TNA Wrestling

This time last year, “The Cowboy” James Storm had been edged out of the Bound for Glory Series by his friend and tag team partner Bobby Roode. Though Storm showed his support for Roode, who challenged Kurt Angle for the Total Nonstop Action World Heavyweight Championship, Roode came up short. Just days later, Storm got a shot at Angle and won the title, only to lose it the following week when Roode broke a beer bottle over his head in Macon, Ga. Almost a year later, Storm looked to be on track to win this year’s Bound for Glory Series to face the champion at this Sunday’s Bound for Glory. But history repeated itself and Roode in Storm’s match, causing Storm to be eliminated from the tournament and resulting in their match against each other at the pay-per-view. With TNA returning to Macon a few days after Bound for Glory again this year, one has to wonder how much history might repeat itself yet again for Storm. As he prepares for this Sunday’s Bound for Glory, Storm talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about his ongoing rivalry with his former Beer Money tag team partner.

Things are coming full circle for you heading into Bound for Glory. It was just after last year’s Bound for Glory that your former partner Bobby Roode turned on you. What are your thoughts about your match against Roode this Sunday?

Courtesy TNA Wrestling

It’s the same as any other time. I just take it one day at a time and see what happens. I don’t want to get ahead of myself and put the cart before the horse, as they say. You never know what the next day might bring, and with Bobby Roode it’s just one of those things where you’ve got to be on your toes. Right now, he’s one of the best in the business.

How do you think King Mo‘s role as special enforcer might play into this match? Do you expect him to get involved in any way?

To tell you the truth, I don’t care if he gets involved or not. It is one of them things where if he gets in my face I’ll punch him. I don’t care if he’s an MMA fighter or not. I’ve beaten people up in bars before, so he ain’t gone be no different.

TNA was in Macon for an Impact Wrestling taping just after last year’s Bound for Glory, which is where you won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Kurt Angle. You’ll be back in Macon for a house show right after Bound for Glory again this year. What are your thoughts on returning to the place where you won the title and had a beer bottle smashed over your head by Roode?

We try to hit each town at least once a year and definitely go to the surrounding towns. We were just in Atlanta, but we also went to towns right around the edges and now we’re working our way down to Macon. Hopefully this deal with Bobby will be over with. If not, maybe I’ll be facing him again in Macon.

You’ve been in and out of the title picture ever since he took the title from you last year. Are you looking to get back in the title hunt after Bound for Glory?

Courtesy TNA Wrestling

Yeah. I mean, anybody who is a singles wrestler always wants to be in the world title hunt. For me it’s more special because I actually won by points in the Bound for Glory Series and I feel like I should be going on to Bound for Glory to wrestle for the World Heavyweight title. But it’s one of those things where I’ve got to get my stuff done with Bobby first, then move on.

I was at last year’s show in Macon, as well as the recent shows in Atlanta and Gainesville. You seem to get a warm reception anytime you’re down South. How does that feel for you, being from Tennessee?

It’s great. To me, that’s what wrestling is all about – just going out and having fun and putting on the best shows I can for the people. I think that comes across to them and they know I’m there to have fun. Of course, you’ve got a ton of beer drinkers in the crowd, so that goes over good, too.

www.impactwrestling.com

The trail bends south for The Mysterious and Handsome Stranger

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There are days when you don’t need an alarm clock. There are days when you don’t need a wake-up call. There are days when the only motivation you need to get out of bed is anticipation. This was one of those days. I found out the previous night that I might just get a chance to hear the spellbinding words of Chikara’s resident walking legend, The Mysterious and Handsome Stranger, firsthand. Chikara makes its Alabama debut this saturday with Deep Freeze, followed by Zodiac Crimes the next night in North Carolina. So I jumped at the chance to speak with the master of the trail, the rider of Desire, and the friend of sweet Sapphire.

I was shocked when the phone rang right on time and the voice on the other end was, indeed, that of The Mysterious and Handsome Stranger. It was all too good to be true. I couldn’t believe that a man who had been on the run for so long would even allow himself to be recorded on what he called “a new-fangled communicatin’ device.” Sure enough, the Stranger always has a trick up his sleeve. When I tried to take the tape to the airwaves, there was nothing there. The Stranger has been getting away through time and space for too long to be bested by a greenhorn like me. Luckily, anybody who has ever heard the words of The Mysterious and Handsome Stranger does not soon forget them. What follows is a recap of a conversation that I will always remember.

You are handsome. You are mysterious. You are a stranger. How are you?

First of all daddy, let me tell you it is The Mysterious and Handsome Stranger. I don’t want any confusion with The Handsome and Mysterious Stranger. I don’t need no copyright infringement or any legal action.

I have to tell you Stranger, I was shocked when the phone rang. I was fully prepared to conduct this interview by smoke signal if need be.

Let me tell you, I have done many interviews by smoke signal. I am always ready to do whatever I need to do. I have even sent messages through carrier pigeon. As you know, I am always joined by my faithful companion, my feral pigeon Sapphire. So she can deliver any message that I need to be delivered.

You are a very hard man to track down, as I am sure is your intent. Are you on the run from something?

I am surely on the run. They have been after me for centuries. I have been running from the Pinkertons for longer than I can remember. Do you know who they are daddy? But they will never get their hands on me. My movements are hard to track like a 17th century meteorologist. I am hard to find. You might call this number and this phone might be discontinued.

Now you are certainly no stranger to the South, but Chikara doesn’t get down this way too much. I am ecstatic to know that this Saturday you will be in my home state of Alabama at the ProSouth Arena for Chikara’s Deep Freeze.

The great state of Alabama. Sweet Home Alabama! I was born in Alabama, in a shack way back up in the woods.

Did your father call you Patches?

He certainly did.

Who are you taking on in Piedmont?

I am taking on deviANT. Now that is a deviant character. An insect. A six-legged critter. A character of dysfunction. A devious individual, much like that other Handsome and Mysterious Stranger. He ain’t no partner of mine. When I come to Piedmont, I got to put him down, baby.

I know you said that you know Alabama. It seems that your roots are deeper than any cotton plant, but do you have an escape route if things get a little out of hand.

Oh, I know Alabama like the bottom of Desire’s hooves. Desire is my faithful mare. She will never lead me astray. She will get me to safety anytime I need her.

It is not often that we get to know the whereabouts of The Mysterious and Handsome Stranger, but we know where you will be on October 6. Can you tell me where else you are headed?

I usually don’t tell the people where I am headed. If I did that I wouldn’t be The Mysterious Stranger, I would be The Predictable Stranger, if you will. But I like the cut of your jib, so I will tell you that after I squash that bug in Piedmont, Alabama, I am going to mount up Desire and head to Gibsonville, North Carolina for Chikara’s Zodiac Crimes.

Now I have searched for The Stranger in the papers. I have listened for The Stranger on the airwaves. I finally found a little clip on the Internet, and I believe that I heard you issue an open challenge to anybody in the state. Is that true?

That is certainly true. Now the Stranger has got a lot of history in the Carolinas. Apparently, they have split Carolina into two parts. This is called North Carolina, and The Stranger has a lot of roots in that area. There are a lot of people who may accept this challenge, but The Stranger is ready for ’em all.

If we can talk philosophically for a moment, we know that you are mysterious. We know that you are a tough hombre. We have seen you in a few tussles in Chikara. But we don’t know exactly what your goal is. As you look down that long tunnel into the future, is there somebody standing at the end who you might want to fire a little warning shot at?

You seem to be a man that understands The Stranger. You might be the kind of man that I would like to take out on the trail with me. A man who can watch my back when I go down into that mine and pan for gold. I don’t normally trust you media types with your printing presses and your new-fangled communicatin’ devices, but I am gonna tell you straight. I love Chikara. I love being here and I plan on being here for a while. You are right, daddy, and all the fans know that there is somebody who The Stranger wants to fire a little warning shot at, as you say. All the people who show up in North Carolina just may get a glimpse of who it is that the Mysterious and Handsome Stranger is taking aim at.

www.chikarapro.com

King Mo makes his TNA debut this Thursday

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As an all-star collegiate wrestler and multi-time amateur wrestling champion, Muhammaed Lawal‘s transition into mixed martial arts has proven to be a royal success. As a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, King Mo is simultaneously signed to Bellator Fighting Championships and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is currently training at Ohio Valley Wrestling. Making his Impact Wrestling debut on Spike this Thursday, it was announced last week that Mo would be the special guest enforcer in the match between “Cowboy” James Storm and Bobby Roode at Bound for Glory.

“I’m really not anticipating too much,” says Mo. “I’m just there to be the enforcer and make sure I enforce the rules like a good referee, straight down the middle. Bobby Roode tends to get out of line sometimes and I might have to check him. But I can’t play favorites right now. I’m going to go out there and just be neutral.”

Already known for theatrical ring entrances that include a crown, robe, throne and lovely ladies by his side, King Mo seems like a perfect fit for professional wrestling. But even with his fighting and wrestling background and penchant for showmanship, he’s still humble enough to admit that he’s not quite ready for his first pro wrestling match.

“I’ve still got a long way to go,” he says. “People think this is easy, but it’s as hard as MMA. In MMA, you get hit, but you can come back. This is a lot different. This is an art, it’s entertainment and it’s tough. I’m just waiting on them to tell me I’m ready. As far as my first match, I’m hoping it’s somebody I can pin real quick. You know, a scrub.”

All joking aside, however, Mo is clearly aware that neither Roode nor Storm could be considered a scrub. And as a special enforcer, he has the authority to utilize his fighting background to keep order at Bound for Glory. But when it does come time for him to step into the squared circle for competition, he knows it will be a serious matter.

“To me it’s all the same,” he says of his dual careers. “I treat it like it’s training camp and I’m here to learn and improve. That’s what I do in MMA: I’m there to learn and improve. When your body takes a beating and pounding, that’s part of the game … and I’m up for the challenge.”

www.impactwrestling.com

Samoa Joe looks to put a submission hold on the Bound for Glory Series

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Since joining Total Nonstop Action Wrestling seven years ago, Samoa Joe has typically been a man of few words, letting his in-ring dominance speak for itself. After a lackluster showing in last year’s Bound for Glory Series, Joe was able to rebound by shifting his focus to the tag team division earlier this year, where he and Magnus proved to be dominant World Tag Team Champions. After that title run ran its course, Joe began proving himself as a singles competitor once again, most recently with a much more successful showing in this year’s Bound for Glory Series. Depending on the outcome of his Impact Wrestling match tonight against Jeff Hardy, Joe could very well emerge as the points leader in the tournament, which would allow him to choose his opponent in the semifinals this Sunday at No Surrender, a pay-per-view where he has historically had great success. Perhaps more focused than ever, the “Samoan Submission Machine” takes a moment to talk to Wrestling with Pop Culture.

With this year’s Bound for Glory Series you took a different approach on your road to Bound for Glory. How has the way TNA has presented the tournament this year differed from last year?

I think the biggest difference in the tournament this year from last year is that it actually makes sense this year. I have to hand it to the tournament organizers, they’ve put together a hell of a tournament and kept the form and the function of the tournament very basic. Last year we had some ridiculous scenarios put together and kind of pushed different guys in the tournament, which led to me not really appreciating how things were being run and maybe overreacting a bit.

The tournament changes have been indicative of some other changes within TNA. How do you feel about the way the television show has been presented more recently?

I think going live and working live is a better atmosphere for television and delivers a better product. So that’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed that’s made an impact. The better athletes and professional wrestlers of the world thrive in a live environment.

You’ve had a clear resurgence in this year’s tournament over last year’s. What would you say you’ve done differently to get back to the top of the card, and what do you think you need to do to stay there?

If there’s anything I’ve done differently, I’ve made a little more noise than usual. The other thing is, whenever I’m presented with the opportunity to go out there and do the best I can do, I think I do that. So those are the major contributing factors to my turnaround in the Bound for Glory Series.

As mixed martial arts has grown in popularity in recent years, how has that affected the way wrestling is presented? Has it been a challenge to present an in-ring product that competes with MMA, or do you just try to put on the best wrestling show you can?

MMA has definitely changed the way pro wrestlers ply their craft and I’ve always been a big proponent of making those changes and trying to implement them in the realm of professional wrestling. Pro wrestling’s always going to have its strengths, so I think it’s just a really experimental time right now. The better pro wrestlers of the world will be able to adapt to that style in the wrestling world.

You’ve been with the company through its ups and downs. What’s kept you motivated during the times when maybe you’re not happy with the way you’re being used?

The thing that keeps me motivated regardless of what I go through is just maintaining the ability to go out there and perform in front of as many fans as possible. It gives me the opportunity to do what I love, which is pro wrestling. That’s always been my biggest motivating factor.

You’ve just recently returned to singles competition after forming a tag team with Magnus. How do you feel about the way he was able to evolve and improve after you took him under your wing and worked with him?

When it comes to Magnus, he’s a guy that hasn’t reached his potential, but is definitely just realizing what he can be. He’s becoming a very, very good professional wrestler and in the next few years people will be speaking of his work very, very highly. It’s been a very interesting evolution, to say the least.

Given the changes that have been occurring within TNA, as well as the differences between your performance in last year’s Bound for Glory tournament in comparison to this year, what are your thoughts in the way TNA has presented you over the years and how that evolution might play into your relationship with the company moving forward?

When it comes to me and TNA, I’ve never been afraid to try something or give something a shot. I’ve always kind of rolled with the opportunities I’ve been presented and they know I’ve never been afraid of doing that. At this point, they just have a more hands-off approach and let me go out there and do what I do best and I’m put in a position to showcase why people like to come and watch TNA Wrestling shows.

You’ve been part of every No Surrender pay-per-view since its inception, and you typically do very well at this event. Tonight’s match against Jeff Hardy obviously effects your place on the No Surrender card, but given your history at that event what is your mindset going into tonight’s Impact Wrestling and this Sunday’s pay-per-view?

I’m squarely focused on trying to get as big of an advantage and as close as I can to getting back the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. That’s my plan. If I go out there and beat Jeff Hardy, I’ve sealed it up, I’m number one, I get to pick my opponent and figure out how I’ll go into that championship match. That’s a huge advantage, so that’s what I’m really focused on right now is trying to get myself in the best position possible. I’ll do that any way I can.

Assuming you do defeat Hardy tonight and finish the tournament with the most points in the series, how might you go about choosing your opponent this Sunday?

That’s purely reactionary. I’m going to have to see what condition people are in when it comes time to make that decision. And I wouldn’t tell you anyway because, what’s the fun in that?

For more information, go to www.impactwrestling.com.