Vaughn Johnson of The Squared Circle blog on Philly.com is featuring an interview with TNA star Austin Aries discussing Samoa Joe’s recent departure from the company and the current atmosphere within TNA in 2015.
On Samoa Joe leaving TNA:
“That’s part of the business, man. People come, people go and at the end of the day, everybody has to do what’s right for them and their family and their situation. I’ve known Joe a long time and the guy is supremely intelligent, supremely talented so I’m sure the decision he made will work out because guys like that always seem to land on their feet. Talent is talent. Anytime you lose a talented wrestler it just creates a situation where other guys have to step up and fill the void. Guys like Samoa Joe are unique in their own right and you don’t just pluck guys like that off the tree and insert them. In any situation, any locker room, any sport, you take a talented player out I’m sure it’s going to hurt, but it presents an opportunity for other guys to step up and try to fill that void.”
On the current atmosphere within TNA in 2015:
“Things are good. I think there’s a lot of excitement with our switch over to Destination America. The feeling is that we’re with a station now that is behind us 100 percent. They know that as the TNA brand grows so does their station. They’re relatively new as far as networks go. I think there’s just a lot of excitement and optimism and we’re going to take things as they come, put ourselves in a position to be successful and know that things don’t happen overnight. As long as we’re continuing to make those incremental movements forward, things should be good.”
On working with Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion:
“I just did my first show in November with them and it was great. I had a lot of fun. I think Tommy Dreamer is one of the most intelligent guys when it comes to the business aspect of what we do, mixing those elements of old school and understanding how the business model works now. He’s got a good thing going. He’s bringing in a lot of talent from all different places, creating matchups that people might not have an opportunity to see elsewhere and just really knowing how to put together a fun night of wrestling entertainment for wrestling fans.”
You can check out the full interview at the link below.
Thanks to Marc Kruskol for sending word.
Philly.com: Austin Aries talks Samoa Joe, Destination America, House of Hardcore