– Austin Aries recently spoke with Vaughn Johnson of Philly.com to promote his upcoming appearance at House of Hardcore VIII. The full interview is available at this link. Below are some highlights:
Vaughn Johnson: What were your thoughts on Samoa Joe’s departure from TNA Wrestling?
Austin Aries: That’s part of the business, man. People come, people go and at the end of the day, everybody has to do what’s right for them and their family and their situation. I’ve known Joe a long time and the guy is supremely intelligent, supremely talented so I’m sure the decision he made will work out because guys like that always seem to land on their feet.
VJ: It has to hurt the TNA locker room to lose a guy like Samoa Joe, does it not?
AA: Talent is talent. Anytime you lose a talented wrestler it just creates a situation where other guys have to step up and fill the void. Guys like Samoa Joe are unique in their own right and you don’t just pluck guys like that off the tree and insert them. In any situation, any locker room, any sport, you take a talented player out I’m sure it’s going to hurt, but it presents an opportunity for other guys to step up and try to fill that void.
VJ: You’re working for House of Hardcore March 7 here in Philadelphia and for a number of other independent promotions. What is it like on the independent scene right now?
AA: I pick and choose where I work outside of Impact Wrestling territory. Obviously, Tommy Dreamer has got thing going with House of Hardcore and it’s just fun to be in a locker room in that environment … maybe a little less pressure than you would have with your normal television or pay-per-view product that I’m used to doing with TNA. It’s just a chance to go out and have some fun, maybe wrestle some guys or some matches that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do.
That’s one of the beautiful things of being in a situation like I am as an independent contractor working for a company that actually allows me to be that way. It’s nice to be able to go out and do some outside projects that keeps things fun and throw a little extra money in the pocket. I think that’s one of the draws to what we’re doing in TNA … it allows the guys to do that and also spread their name and have our talent go out there in front of eyes that wouldn’t have the chance to see us otherwise live. I think that’s pretty cool.
VJ: What are you thoughts on the way Tommy Dreamer runs House of Hardcore?
AA: I just did my first show in November with them and it was great. I had a lot of fun. I think Tommy Dreamer is one of the most intelligent guys when it comes to the business aspect of what we do, mixing those elements of old school and understanding how the business model works now. He’s got a good thing going. He’s bringing in a lot of talent from all different places, creating matchups that people might not have an opportunity to see elsewhere and just really knowing how to put together a fun night of wrestling entertainment for wrestling fans.
I think that’s something that sometimes is overlooked: wrestling fans like wrestling, so give it to them and give them a reason to come back next month and want to see it again. I think Tommy Dreamer does a great job of doing that.
