Exclusive Interview With "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels
Daniels talks about his new and old companies, interactions with Hulk Hogan, comic talk and more.
If Ring of Honor ever gets their own Hall of Fame, and if TNAs is still around in a few years, you can imagine that Christopher Daniels would be one of the few men on the planet to be inducted into both. Daniels has been with both wrestling organizations from their inception (he first appeared on TNAs fourth weekly pay-per-view, and main-evented the first ROH show), and been one of their best workers. Throughout the years, his character has evolved from a dark, religious menace to a man that just loves to have an appletini or two. Recently, hes also taken his love of comic books into a new realm after writing his own comic Christopher Daniels and Kazarian Wrestle Aw Yeah Comics. In a baffling decision, he was released from TNA earlier this year. However, TNAs loss is ROHs gain as Daniels and his co-hort Frankie Kazarian have joined the companys thriving tag division. Here Daniels talks about his new and old companies, interactions with Hulk Hogan, comic talk and more. Andrew Soucek (AS): All Star Extravaganza 6 went down this week and in general, how are you feeling about Ring of Honor and where theyre headed? Christopher Daniels (CD): Really good man, Im really happy that Frankie and I got a chance to join the company when we did. When I left in 2011, they just signed on with Sinclair, so literally, I left right when things started to go good for them, and the things that have happened for them in the past three years I literally had nothing to do with. So it wouldnt have been inconceivable for them to say 'you know what CD, you did a lot for this company, but we dont have room for you.' I mean I would have understood, because thats a place that people want to go. And I was real fortunate that first they wanted me to come back and second, have a spot for me and Frankie. Im real happy to be a part of it and real thrilled that weve had the opportunity to work with great teams since weve got back: ReDRagon, The Young Bucks, Mike Bennett and Adam Cole, weve had some really good ones, and Im looking forward to doing a lot more with them in the future. On Tag, Age, and Elgin
AS: You took on Roderick Strong and Jimmy Jacobs at the most recent pay-per-view, any other teams youre looking forward to facing? Or any potential singles matches? CD: The only team that we havent really had a chance to face is the Briscoes, and you know, that was one of the teams that Frankie was really interested in working with, because he had never had the opportunity to work with them. I think that us vs.The Briscoes would be a great event and singles action too, I think that Frankie and I would like that opportunity as well, especially with Jay being the world champion, to get an opportunity to be world champion, or even Television Champion with Jey Lethal. Id love the opportunity to work with all these guys. Guys like Adam Cole and Michael Elgin, and all these guys man. Theyre great talents, and I think that the challenge, especially for me at this stage of the game is to keep up and see if I can perform at that top level with these guys who are coming up and are hungry, and so far I feel that Ive been able to get in the ring and hang with these guys, so you know, thats the challenge for me and its a challenge that I look forward to. AS: Steve Corino was saying on the air that youre basically giving Father Time the middle finger, so overall youre feeling pretty good? CD: Yeah, heck with Father Time! Yeah, I feel great man, you know I think a lot of it is mental. Ive always taken really good care of myself, you know, in terms of trying to stay healthy, trying to stay in the gym, trying to avoid injuries. When I did get injured, trying to be smart about trying to get back and avoid injury. That plus the desire, that ego, of me to still want to be considered one of the best. That same drive man. I want to get into the ring with Adam Cole, who is 15 years younger than me and say I can hang with you or any of those guys: Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe, Jay Lethal, all of these guys. Some of these guys are in their 20s and Im almost 45, and you know, I can keep up with them. And the day I cant hang with them is the day Ill get out. Ive always said that if I cant perform at a top level I dont want to stay past my expiration date. Until that happens, I want to work. I want to wrestle, and Ring of Honor is the place to do that. AS: Michael Elgin lost the title at ASE 6 were you surprised that he dropped it so quick? CD: I was surprised. I didnt expect it, but Jay is a great wrestler, and he had a really good run as champion, and literally never lost the title in the ring, so Im interested in seeing what Jays path is now that hes the champion. And Im interested in seeing what happens with Mike Elgin, you know, everybody who's ever held a title at some point is going to lose it. And I think the measure of the guy is now what he does after he loses the title and Im looking forward to it. I think Mike is going to bounce back. It was a long time for him to get to be a world champion, and no matter what happens in the rest of his career, hell always be a world champion. At lot of us cant say that. I cant say that. I know that a couple of days after losing the title it hits you hard, but Im interested in seeing how he bounces back. How hell get back on track to try and become a champion again. Click "next" below for part 2...