Initially, Chris Jericho and the other NXT pros werent keen on the idea of the extra work involved, while their rookie protégés only found out live on TV along with everyone else who would be mentoring them. The Sunday after being named Barretts NXT pro, Jericho won the world title in the Elimination Chamber and Bennett was ecstatic: the extra visibility from being on television with the world heavyweight champion would be worth its weight in gold. What he wasnt expecting was that Jericho would take his responsibilities seriously: it wasnt just a storyline to him. When asked if hed consider Jericho to be a formative influence on him as a WWE Superstar, Bennett is unequivocal:
"Yeah, definitely. Id say to this day hes probably my first point of contact if Ive got any questions or stuff that I want to know about in the company or if I want critiques on anything that Im doing. Ive got a few people I would go to, including William Regal and Goldust as well hes been very helpful. But Id say Chris Jericho is my number one sort of influence and mentor to this day.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
