TNA newcomer Moose recently spoke with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard and below are some interview highlights:
On when he finalized his TNA deal:
“When I decided to go with TNA, it just happened that the taping was on Tuesday and I signed that day.
“I didn’t know how I was going to be taken by the crowd. I was nervous just because of that–it was a brand new company and you never know how they’re going to take you, but it didn’t long at all for the ‘Moose’ chant to start. I saw everyone doing the fist pump and doing the chant and I said to myself, ‘I guess I’m home.’“
On WWE previously expressing interest in him:
“I was grateful that WWE had interest in me,” said Moose. “We’ll see what happens in the future.”
On leaving Ring of Honor:
It was very difficult to leave Ring of Honor,” explained Moose. “Everybody that knows me personally knows I had a hard time with the decision. One of the reasons I wanted to stay with Ring of Honor was because I’m so close with the guys on that roster, and saying goodbye wasn’t easy. Leaving was a really hard decision to make, but I have experience with that. In seven years in the NFL, I played on four different teams, so I’m used to packing up and going to a new team.”
On facing Lashley in TNA:
“Bobby Lashley can expect a Game Breaker in his future,” said Moose. “He’s just warming up that title for me to take it.”
“I’m not a good guy, I’m not a bad guy, I’m Moose,” said Moose. “The paradigm in wrestling has shifted so much. People are saying that me debuting with Mike Bennett makes me a heel. I’m just going to be myself. If people want to chant my name, that’s great. I’m an ass kicker, so it’s up to the fans on how they want to take me.”
Moose added he will be keeping his ring name “Moose” in TNA Wrestling.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
