ROH superstar EC3 recently spoke with TV Insider to hype this weekend’s 19th Anniversary pay per view, where the former multi-time champion will be taking on ROH legend Jay Briscoe. Highlights from the interview can be found below.
Why he didn’t want to sign with a major corporate wrestling company after WWE:
“I’ve realized that being under a three-letter brand with a corporate wrestling structure isn’t for me. No change will ever be made as long as people conform and do the exact same things. I want to be different, and if that takes guaranteed money away from me, that’s OK.”
Says ROH gives him creative freedom:
“ROH is really, top to bottom, one of the only tolerable wrestling products on television. In my negotiations, they provided me with the freedom to create. No amount of money can take away the happiness and pleasure I truly get from creating and controlling my narrative.”
Hypes upcoming match with Jay Briscoe:
“EC3 evolving into the “Essential Character” started with the COVID era, so of course, I got COVID. I was fine thankfully, but it did delay this match. I envy Jay Briscoe. He has found happiness being in Ring of Honor for his entire career. He has found happiness raising a family and running a landscaping business. He kicks ass and works hard and is a family man. Jay’s probably one of the best wrestlers I’ve ever seen. He’s the biggest dog in this park who is not the champion. I had to go to him to find a purpose in Ring of Honor. I haven’t seen honor in this business in a very long time. Honor is in the name. I will put that name to the test.”
Talks potential breakout stars:
“A guy like Josh Woods, given his background [as an amateur wrestler]. He really trains like an athlete. Dak Draper reminds me of a young Derrick Bateman [EC3’s first character in WWE]. If there’s something that can unleash him, he can become the man. The next person to step up and step out in Ring of Honor has to realize this is a brotherhood, but to become who you truly want to be, you have to think about yourself. You can’t be friends with everyone.”