Jay Lethal Talks Wrestling Ric Flair, Returning To ROH & More
Former six-time X-Division Champion Jay Lethal was the featured guest on this week's edition of Monday Night Mayhem. Here are some interview highlights courtesy of Paterson, MNM's associate producer & official correspondent:
Why he made the decision to return to Ring of Honor after departing TNA: "Aside from the obvious, I haven't been back to Ring of Honor in five years. When I was in Ring of Honor, I was just breaking into the business. Now, I get to come back to Ring of Honor. I've learned a lot, I've done a lot. I like to think I'm a different person. Before in Ring of Honor I was a little boy, but now I'm returning as a man, so to speak."
How he believes ROH sets itself apart from other wrestling companies: "Even without me on board on the roster, Ring of Honor sets itself on the map because of one single word, and that word is wrestling. A couple of companies have taken the wrestling out of their programming. A couple of companies out there have come up with slogans to hint that 'we are all about wrestling,' but it doesn't come to fruition. Ring of Honor has always 110% been about wrestling, and that is what definitely sets them on the map, and it's what draws the fans. The fans know what they want, and Ring of Honor definitely delivers."
Why he classifies his experience of working with Ric Flair & his match with "The Nature Boy" at last year's Victory Road Pay-Per-View as "the greatest moment of his life": "Much like 'The Macho Man,' he (Ric Flair) helped shape my love for the business. I've been so lucky in this business, and it's been unreal. Honestly, if Ric Flair doesn't want to do something, he's not going to do it. I don't know if it was Ric Flair telling the (TNA) office he wanted to to do something with me, or the office came up with it. Either way, it has to go through his hands. He has to go with it, or he could decline. Thankfully, he agreed to it. It was possibly the greatest moment of my life."
His personal message to his fans & his critics leading into his match vs. "The Prodigy" Mike Bennett at Ring of Honor's "Best In The World 2011" iPPV: "I would like to say to the critics that it is impossible in this world to please everybody. You could make a peanut butter & jelly sandwich 101 different ways, and not everyone is going to like it. Unfortunately for those critics that don't like my work, I apologize, and I'll try harder next time. For the fans who enjoy my work and who have supported me, I just have to say thank you very much. I still consider myself very green & very young to the business, and sometimes, I do doubt myself. It's because of the fans who do give me that support. They've helped build my confidence to where it is, and I could only say thank you."
To listen to the full interview, visit MondayNightMayhem.com.
Source: MondayNightMayhem.com