|
|
 Visit the 606v2 forum |
Interview with Austin Aries
by Gavin Duenas
On Thursday I took part in a conference call with TNA star Austin Aries ahead of Destination X, when he trades in his X Division title for a shot at TNA World Heavyweight champion Bobby Roode in the main event.
It is the culmination of a remarkable rise since Aries returned to TNA a little over a year ago. Once considered an “internet darling” without the ability to appeal to a mainstream audience (he even suffered the indignity of being rejected by WWE for its 2011 series of Tough Enough), Aries has firmly established himself as a favourite with TNA followers.
It really struck me listening to Austin talk about his career how much he reminds me of CM Punk. Like Punk, Aries is someone who has made it from the independent scene to the top of a national promotion against all the odds. And, like Punk, the journey has left him with a chip on his shoulder, which the man himself acknowledges.
This is a wrestler who has toiled to get where he is, and who believed in himself when nobody else would take a chance on him. It seems that TNA is reaping the rewards of gambling on Austin Aries, as he has truly shone since being given an opportunity by the company.
For my first question, I asked about the advantages of having taken such a long route to the top. Aries has a level of experience that many modern-day wrestlers simply cannot match, and has arrived in his present position as something of a finished article, at the peak of his career, rather than being over-exposed before he’d fully developed as a performer. At one time in the past, this was the norm; wrestlers honed their craft in various territories before arriving as national stars. But nowadays it is something of a rarity.
For my second question, I asked Aries about his experiences working with Kevin Nash during his first TNA stint as part of the Paparazzi Productions stable. Nash’s involvement with the X Division polarised opinion amongst wrestling fans, but Austin spoke glowingly of the experience.
Finally, I asked whether TNA needs to build around one top babyface star, the way WWE has with John Cena, or whether he prefers the ensemble main event cast that is in place. You’ll have to listen to the whole question to find out what prompted Aries to respond “Using your example I think it would be the most ingenius thing they could do”!
I feel that, if TNA was to build around a top babyface, they could do a lot worse than Austin Aries. He is a polished act, and, what’s more, people like him. He doesn’t come across as a wrestler who was forced upon the fans; he seems like someone who the fans chose. In a wrestling era when the top WWE star is cutting painfully dorky promos which alienate the adult audience, Aries is a man whose ability and attitude appeals to those very same adults. Perhaps he truly is “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived”!
I really recommend the whole interview, but if you’re pushed for time you will find my questions at 14:36, 28:50 and 42:51.
Destination X will be aired free of charge on Challenge at 10pm on Wednesday the 11th of July.
It is the culmination of a remarkable rise since Aries returned to TNA a little over a year ago. Once considered an “internet darling” without the ability to appeal to a mainstream audience (he even suffered the indignity of being rejected by WWE for its 2011 series of Tough Enough), Aries has firmly established himself as a favourite with TNA followers.
It really struck me listening to Austin talk about his career how much he reminds me of CM Punk. Like Punk, Aries is someone who has made it from the independent scene to the top of a national promotion against all the odds. And, like Punk, the journey has left him with a chip on his shoulder, which the man himself acknowledges.
This is a wrestler who has toiled to get where he is, and who believed in himself when nobody else would take a chance on him. It seems that TNA is reaping the rewards of gambling on Austin Aries, as he has truly shone since being given an opportunity by the company.
For my first question, I asked about the advantages of having taken such a long route to the top. Aries has a level of experience that many modern-day wrestlers simply cannot match, and has arrived in his present position as something of a finished article, at the peak of his career, rather than being over-exposed before he’d fully developed as a performer. At one time in the past, this was the norm; wrestlers honed their craft in various territories before arriving as national stars. But nowadays it is something of a rarity.
For my second question, I asked Aries about his experiences working with Kevin Nash during his first TNA stint as part of the Paparazzi Productions stable. Nash’s involvement with the X Division polarised opinion amongst wrestling fans, but Austin spoke glowingly of the experience.
Finally, I asked whether TNA needs to build around one top babyface star, the way WWE has with John Cena, or whether he prefers the ensemble main event cast that is in place. You’ll have to listen to the whole question to find out what prompted Aries to respond “Using your example I think it would be the most ingenius thing they could do”!
I feel that, if TNA was to build around a top babyface, they could do a lot worse than Austin Aries. He is a polished act, and, what’s more, people like him. He doesn’t come across as a wrestler who was forced upon the fans; he seems like someone who the fans chose. In a wrestling era when the top WWE star is cutting painfully dorky promos which alienate the adult audience, Aries is a man whose ability and attitude appeals to those very same adults. Perhaps he truly is “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived”!
I really recommend the whole interview, but if you’re pushed for time you will find my questions at 14:36, 28:50 and 42:51.
Destination X will be aired free of charge on Challenge at 10pm on Wednesday the 11th of July.
Click here to listen to the interviewIf you wish to discuss this article with our members, please visit the 606v2 forum You can follow Gavin on Twitter at @606v2wrestling (c) Copyright 606v2 2012. Please do not reproduce without permission Editors note - I would personally like to thank Austin Aries for taking the time out of his hectic schedules to talk to us. In addition, I would also like to thank Simon at TNA UK who has helped make these interviews possible |
|