10 Things We Learned From Speaking To Eli Drake
8. Does He Still Have WWE Ambitions?
When asked on whether he still has that WWE itch to scratch, it's an unsure response from Eli Drake - as he can clearly see both the potential pros and the potential cons of any such move.
In the subsequent years since Eli departed NXT in 2014, and since Bill DeMott was fired in 2015, there have clearly been some big changes to how the entire NXT training system is operated.
On this topic, Drake said, "The idea of just going to the PC and making whatever money, it would've been a big lifestyle change, for one. But at the same time, I also recognise the system's so different to when I was there before. When I was there before, I had no advocates, I had nobody on my side. Now, I've got so many people on the inside, working there, who would probably vouch for me, push for me to move forward. Whereas before, I just had that big roadblock of Bill DeMott."
Another concern in previous years, would be that experienced hands would spend months or years before they'd even be featured on NXT TV, let alone main roster WWE TV. Again though, Eli recognises that is something else now different about NXT - citing Trevor Lee/Cameron Grimes as an example of someone who was quickly put on NXT television.
After reiterating that right now he's happy with the NWA, Eli did add, "Would I like to be on that huge stage of WrestleMania? Yeah, probably. But I just also talk to some of the guys who are there, I look at the way the climate is, and I just don't know."