The following are highlights of a new Miami Herald interview with Abyss:
On taping the event in Japan and returning for Bound For Glory: “It was a huge honor. It is a huge honor. We are going back for Bound For Glory, which I think is incredible to do our biggest pay-per-view internationally in Japan. For me personally, to go there is a huge honor. The Japanese culture of wrestling is storied. It’s got unbelievable tradition, and it’s an amazing thing to be a part of and to see and to see the different presentations of the sport around the world is something that always impresses me. I love learning. The Japanese fan base is incredible. Wrestling in Japan is a big deal. It’s a big thing. To be there with legends like the Great Muta and to be able to show the TNA banner there and show off our style of Impact Wrestling and share it with Wrestle-1 and the great fans of Japan is pretty exciting.”
On the Abyss and Joseph Park characters: “The character has been so many places. He has done so much. He has had so much done to him. I just would like to keep striving forward. The character has had so much longevity. It has been around for a long, long time in this company. That’s rare in wrestling to begin with, so I’m proud of that. I wouldn’t mind seeing the character open up and show the intelligence of the monster a little bit more. That’s something that you may see down the road. I just want to keep plugging away and doing what Abyss does and giving the people a product that people can walk away from and say, ‘Wow that was special.’”
On advice he gives to TNA’s younger talents: “I always tell them to remember who you are and don’t ever change. These guys the Ethan Carter’s, the Bram’s, the Jessie Godderz, the Robbie E’s, Davey [Richards] and Eddie [Edwards] of the Wolves and Rockstar Spud. These guys have an unbelievable work ethic. They are so humble. I remember that is how I was. I remember that advice I got in this business when I was first in TNA with the Dutch Mantell’s and the Terry Taylor’s of the world and Jeff Jarrett. That’s the one thing I remember. Remember who you are and don’t ever change who you are. Don’t sacrifice your attitude or your work ethic. That’s what I tell them, but these guys are already on that page. I just give them the friendly reminder. When you’re working with talent like that it’s such an incredible feeling to see them succeed.”
Check out the complete interview at MiamiHerald.com.
