All aboard; the “Mecca Locomotive Tour 2022” is about to leave the station, as Brian Johnson is ready to show the world that it’s Mecca vs. everybody.
Perhaps more than ever before, Johnson aims to force the wrestling world to pay attention to him. In the new year, Johnson will enter the open market because Ring of Honor, which has been his home in recent years, is going on hiatus for the first quarter of 2022 and not renewing the contracts of its talent roster.
In a recent interview with WrestleZone, Johnson previewed the next chapter of his career and made it clear that he wants to take the “Mecca Locomotive” all over the place because, in his world, it’s time for everyone to see how “damn good” he is.
“I wanna take this ‘Mecca Locomotive’ and run it ’til the wheels fall off, whether that’s in Topeka, Kansas, or Seattle, Washington, or Nova Scotia, Canada, or Antarctica or Tokyo or anywhere on the globe,” said Johnson. “I freaking love pro wrestling man, and I’m damn good at it. And for too long, people haven’t seen that. And it’s about time to open your eyes.”
Shortly after the news of ROH’s looming hiatus rocked the wrestling world, Johnson posted a vignette on social media in which he shared a passionate promo about how the end of his ROH run was like losing a home. In the interview, “The Mecca” circled back to this message and pointed out the silver lining that being lost comes with a newfound sense of freedom. With that in mind, Johnson is rolling with the punches and daring anyone and everyone to step up to him.
“I lost a home, Ring of Honor was home,” said Johnson. “And now without it, at the same time, it’s freedom, right? I can’t be lost, so I’m calling everybody and anybody across the world that wants it, I’ll come get it. Just tell me when and where.”
The vignette in question can be seen below:
I’m shooting my shot
I want YOUR best because I’m BETTER.
Give me everybody
Bookings:
BjoMecca@gmail.com#MeccavsEverybody #AEWDynamite #wrestling pic.twitter.com/uhyxg0xkX6— Mecca (@Bjo_Mecca) November 11, 2021
When asked if there’s anyone in particular that he wants to face, Johnson quipped that “Mecca vs. Everybody” means everybody. As someone who has called himself an “Equal Opportunity Ass-Whooper,” Johnson doesn’t make lists of dream opponents; instead, he’s open to facing anyone. That being said, he named Bandido as one main talent he’d like to face because he didn’t get the chance to do so in ROH.
“Mecca vs. everybody includes everybody, so I don’t make lists,” said Johnson. “I’m not some, I mean you see every other jackass once a week go, ‘This is my list.’ What dorks, you know what I mean? Like who gives a s— about your list. It’s like asking about someone’s fantasy football team. No one cares.
“I honestly mean it when I say take on anybody. Are there people that are high-level that I’d like to test myself against? Yeah, like sh-t, Bandido’s on the independents still and I never got a one-on-one with him. That’d be freaking cool to smack him around for once, right?”
As for his specific mindset about his free agency, Johnson stated that he’d be “dumb” to pass up an opportunity for an exclusive deal if it comes along. But for now, the “Mecca Locomotive Tour” is venturing out into the unknown, and Johnson expressed his excitement about this journey.
“I think right now, the next step for ‘The Mecca’ is to take this locomotive around the world,” said Johnson. “I don’t know if it’s time to settle into one place again. Not that I found a comfort zone, but I found my zone. And now that there’s this unknown, it’s kinda got me excited.”
Johnson wrapped up the discussion by emphasizing his mission to prove that he’s as good as he says he is; he mentioned that he’s been talking with some promoters, and he’s hopeful that these negotiations, and any others that come along, will give him the chance to do so.
“I have some emails and some talks with promoters that are hopefully gonna continue to go well, and hopefully this Mecca Locomotive Tour 2022 will be coming to a town near you,” said Johnson. “And like I said, it’s all about getting out there and showing that I can put money where my mouth is. I’m not full of sh-t, I’m good at this. It’s about freaking time people learn it.”
Time will tell what the next steps are for Johnson’s career, but it’s a safe bet that he’ll continue to use his passion for wrestling to find success from here on out.
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