Brian Cage Talks His WWE Release, Turning WWE Down, If There Have Been Recent Talks, More
As noted, Lucha Underground star Brian Cage was recently a guest on Ring Rust Radio. They sent us these highlights:
Lucha Underground recently announced a fourth season will be produced. Will you be part of the next season and what are your expectations following such a successful Season 3?
"I would definitely hope to be part of the next season. Where we left off, we will see what happens because it's been a while since we taped. I don't know how much things will change, but I hope everything works out according to plan and I can continue to do an excellent program with Mil Muertes, Sami Callihan and King Cuerno over the gauntlet. Hopefully get my opportunity at the title again and come home with it."
One of the most interesting storylines in Season 3 of Lucha Underground involved you and the gauntlet. What did you think when that idea was first pitched to you, how do you think it came across on TV and how did you enjoy being part of it?
"The first thing I thought of when it was pitched to me and when I saw the imagery of it, I am a huge Army of Darkness fan. The metal hand that Ash built in Army of Darkness looked just like it. The very first thing I did was put the gauntlet on, I grabbed a cup and broke it and then I said, "groovy." Outside of that, I thought is great. A lot of the backstage scenes I haven't done that many up to that point, so I thought those were real cool because that's one of the appeals of Lucha Underground. There are a couple of extra ideas that we didn't get to do that so that was a little bit of a bummer. I loved it and it worked out well. It kind of felt like the Infinity Gauntlet of Lucha Underground and I don't really know what the end result is going to be. You got the guy in the limo having it and trying to get control of one of us and host a body for the Gods. Then King Cuerno came and stole it, now Mil wants it, Jeremiah wants it, Katrina's mom wants it, I want it, and there so many variables. I'm really not sure where it's going to go but hopefully it all continues as we originally planned it in Season 4."
Having previously been in WWE developmental and having all the tools WWE would look for in a top-tier talent, you seem like an ideal fit for the company. With WWE bringing in so much talent from the independent scene, has there been any contact between you and the company and is there any interest on your part in going back at some point, or are you happy with your current situation?
"There's been zero contact between them and me. They were giving me the runaround for 18 months about bringing me in for a try out. Finally, when they said they would bring me in, they kept saying okay the next one, the next one and the next one. Finally, they said okay we should get to this next one. I called them back the very next day and told them never mind, I don't want to do it. I was with TNA and Lucha Underground at the time, so I just woke up and said, 'f–k this I don't want to do this.'
"There was a story when I got released. About six or eight months afterwards I got re-signed and then my contract got rescinded. I went back and forth with them about it and then Johnny Ace brought me down to talk to me at a show about bringing me back in. It was close to WrestleMania, so he said we will get through Mania then we will bring you in. So, after some calls and texts, he gets back to me and says they are no longer interested. So, I ask what happened. He tells me I haven't called him or responded to him or came down to any live events. Then asked why would I waste both of our times just to say never mind? Then he says, 'Well let's face it kid, you're average at best and were no longer interested at this time.' I told him let's really face it, I think you and I both know I am better than average, but I appreciate you responding and maybe we will work together in the future.
"I want to say something more about that, but it would be politically incorrect. Fast forward to the next time and I said I didn't want to do it and they were blown away. They couldn't believe it and asked if I wanted this or that and I just said that I'm no longer interested right now, maybe another time. It felt kind of good to have it come full circle. I'm not opposed ever going back there, which it would have to be the right time, the right situation, all that. If I don't ever go back, I'm more than happy. It wasn't until now that it feels like what I thought it would feel like as a kid to be a pro-wrestler. I am the most happy and content in my career that I've ever been. Do I need to go back there? No, not at all. Is there a chance I could go back there? If things line up accordingly to plan then no, I'm not opposed to going back."
Source: Ring Rust Radio