Orlando Sentinel interview with Davey Richards
Interview conducted by Brian Fritz
Available at Orlandosentinel.com

Did it take some convincing for you to not only go to work for TNA but also to continue your wrestling career or did something like a spark in you? "I actually wanted to go to TNA the entire time but Eddie was really adamant about finishing our commitment with WWE next.  Once we got word they weren’t going to continue our tryout any more, within 20 minutes we had a contract with TNA. That’s where I wanted to go all along. As far as me continuing my career, it’s been a back and forth thing with me for a long time. I’ve only know learned retrospectively that I need to find a proper balance. I’ve always said I love being Davey but I also like being Wes too. With TNA I can do that. To me, it’s a win-win."

You mentioned the short time you had with WWE and you had an opportunity to come to the Performance Center in Orlando. You were there for about a week and had a match on NXT. What was that experience like for you? "It was great. We were brought down and put in Billy Gunn’s class. He runs the advanced classes. It was fun and I can’t say enough good things about everyone there. The place is obviously unreal. It was a good time but it was just different strokes for different folks. It was kind of creepy to me that everyone was walking on eggshells, everyone is really scared for their job. I don’t know. It wasn’t like everyone was having a whole lot of fun down there or maybe they’re just nervous because there’s a lot of eyes on you. Obviously, what they are doing has been successful. They’re doing a great job with it. We were treated respectfully and we were taken care of. I knew then and I know now that their schedule is not for me. I’m glad I got to experience it but I’m glad I found a home with TNA."

How bad was the breakup with Ring of Honor? "We’re not talking. We’re not on good terms. I have no respect for them whatsoever. I strongly dislike management there like with the exception of Jeff Jones who is a great guy. But the booker (Hunter Johnson) is completely inadequate at his job and he got his job more for being spineless than being talented. And the owner (Joe Koff) is even worse, he could care less about wrestling. He just wants to do television. To me, it’s just not something I agree with but I’m not there anymore and they do their own thing. And for the talent and the fans I wish them nothing but the best of luck."

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