More details on Austin Aries’ free agency and exit from IMPACT Wrestling have been revealed. Learn more about what happened at Bound for Glory from IMPACT producer Petey Williams’ The Wrestling Perspective podcast.
Transcription by WrestleZone Senior Editor Tyler Treese.
On Aries’ backstage behavior:
He’s always very particular about how things go. He’s a great worker. His demeanor [prior to the match] was fine.
On if Aries seemed unhappy about losing the title:
That day? No.
Aries’ contract situation:
Austin Aries’ contract is done. That match was his last match under contract with IMPACT.
The ending:
It is what it is. It’s hard for me to [get pissed off]. I wasn’t pissed because the match turned out great, which was my goal. We didn’t miss any camera shots. I’m just here to have fun, I don’t want to get wrapped up with the drama.
…I’m not going to lose sleep over professional wrestling. That’s how I treat it. I was screaming at the headset, “Don’t shoot that!” The bottom line is, with my history with Austin Aries, I’ve always liked him as a talent and as a person. Do I like to have him around? I have, yeah. He always has been here. He’s a great worker, but the problem is that he’s no longer under contract. He’s not here now. We’ve got to move forward. We’ve got to write some new stuff. Hopefully this just blows over. I understand it’s a hot topic now but our focus isn’t what happened last night.
On if he talked to Austin after the match:
I am a very professional person. I asked him if he was okay, if he was hurt. I said thank you. I talked to Johnny, ask him if he was okay. Told him good match. I talked to Johnny today about a couple things he could’ve tweaked in the match. I did talk to Aries a little bit. I’m not privvy to his contract so I asked what’s next. He said today was his last day under contract and he wasn’t going to be on TV. I left it at that. I got him a ride back to the hotel and haven’t heard from him since.
On if it was disrespectful:
I’m going to dodge this question since I’m not dodging any others. He’s not with the company anymore. It doesn’t matter. We’re just going to move forward.
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