In a recent interview with WrestleTalk, former ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli discussed leaving WWE for AEW in 2022.
Castagnoli noted that he valued his time in WWE and shouldn’t be identified as an “ex-WWE guy.” He said,
“Before AEW, if you wanted to make it or, like, work on a more consistent basis or just all the time, that [WWE] was the goal; WWE or maybe New Japan if you want to do the tours and stuff. So before AEW, if you wanted to do this full-time as a valuable job, you can do the indies towards the end, or you become a WWE guy. […] If you want to look at it in [soccer], if you go through Manchester Academy and then you start playing for Fulham, you’re going to be the ex-Manchester guy? It’s kind of like you going to the new team and then that’s who you are. You’re not just going to be like, ‘Ah, why is this ex-Barcelona player on my team?’”
In a recent interview with 97.1 The Eagle, Chris Jericho recalled meeting Paul McCartney during a Green Day performance and his experience meeting Yoko Ono.
Jericho said, “What happened was, I used to go to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame every year for about four or five years, back when they put cool bands in. You could go watch them play and it was awesome. Ringo was getting inducted. I knew somebody who could get you onto the floor where all the inductees and big wigs sat. We could stay on the floor, but we couldn’t sit anywhere. Security said, we can’t stand here, so we go sit on this side. We’d go back and forth, my cousin and I. When Green Day was playing, everyone was standing up. I said to my cousin, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s go stand by Paul and Ringo.’ They’re all out there. It’s Paul, Ringo, Yoko, and Olivia, George’s wife. We just cut through the people. ‘We’re going to the front.’ You act like you’re supposed to be there, and suddenly, here we are, standing next to Paul McCartney. It’s always cool when you meet somebody of that stature. I met Keith Richards a few years ago, and when you meet somebody like that, you can’t believe they’re real. (Green Day is playing ‘Holiday’). McCartney is just giving it, ‘HEY!’ We’re all singing it. This is great, I’m watching Green Day with Paul McCartney. The show ends, Paul is leaving with his security guard and he’s on one side of this row of tables and I’m on the other. We just happened to meet when the tables end, we bump into each other. ‘Hey Paul, how are you? Green Day was great.’ ‘They were great, man.’ I didn’t know what to say, but he had some security, and we’re just talking for ten seconds. I go, ‘I just want to let you know, if any ninjas attack you, I got your back.’ ‘Alright, if ninjas attack, you have my back.’ ‘Hi five, Paul.’ He gives me a high five. ‘Yeah! I got a high five with Paul.’
We go into the bathroom, my cousin and I. This big giant dude comes in and goes, ‘Everyone has to leave. Everyone has to leave the bathroom. Yoko is coming in.’ It’s the guy’s bathroom, I guess the girls was too packed and she had to go to the bathroom, so they’re kicking everyone out. Everyone leaves. There are a bunch of sinks, you go around the corner, and there are stalls. Everyone leaves and I’m like, ‘Screw it.’ I go around the corner, I get into the stall, and I’m just sitting in this bathroom stall. In comes Yoko, and I can hear her. I’m in the stall and crouched on the toilet like it’s Friday The 13th and you’re hiding from the killer. If she comes in this stall, I’m busted, whatever. She goes to the stall next to me and she proceeds to go pee. I see the cloth of her dress because she’s pulled her dress down. I texted my cousin, ‘Dude, I’m literally hiding in the bathroom listening to Yoko Ono pee.’ I don’t even know what I’m doing. Why am I in here? I just couldn’t resist. I have to try and meet Yoko. Finally, she finishes up and leaves and goes to the sink. I open the door and am like, ‘Oh my Gosh, this is so embarrassing. I thought this was the girls bathroom.’ ‘Oh no, it’s the boy’s bathroom, I just had to go to the bathroom.’ ‘How are you?’ ‘It’s so nice to see everybody.’ She knows exactly what I’m doing, she’s been dealing with it her whole life. She is super nice. I’m washing my hands, she gives me a towel. ‘Thanks Yoko.’ A giant guy just standing there. ‘Seriously?’ ‘Dude, I don’t know what happened.’ ‘Get out of here.’ The dumbest story ever, but I got to meet Paul and Yoko.”
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Former ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli, also known as Cesaro in WWE, recently discussed his decision to leave WWE and join All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2022. In an interview with WrestleTalk, Castagnoli expressed his appreciation for his time in WWE and emphasized that he should not be labeled as an “ex-WWE guy.”
Castagnoli acknowledged that before the emergence of AEW, WWE was considered the ultimate goal for wrestlers looking to make it big or have a consistent schedule. He compared the situation to soccer, stating that if a player goes through the Manchester Academy and then starts playing for Fulham, they wouldn’t be referred to as an “ex-Manchester guy.” Castagnoli believes that joining a new team should define a wrestler’s identity rather than their past affiliations.
The decision to leave WWE for AEW has become more common in recent years, with several high-profile wrestlers making the switch. AEW has provided an alternative platform for wrestlers to showcase their skills and creativity, offering a more diverse and competitive landscape in the professional wrestling industry.
In another interview with 97.1 The Eagle, renowned wrestler Chris Jericho shared an interesting anecdote about meeting legendary musician Paul McCartney and his encounter with Yoko Ono. Jericho recalled attending the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where he had the opportunity to stand near McCartney and other music icons like Ringo Starr.
Jericho described the excitement of watching Green Day perform alongside Paul McCartney and engaging in a brief conversation with him. He also recounted a humorous incident where he accidentally found himself hiding in a bathroom stall while Yoko Ono used the adjacent stall. Despite the embarrassment, Jericho managed to have a friendly interaction with Ono, who was understanding of his fan enthusiasm.
These stories highlight the unique experiences and encounters that can arise when famous individuals from different industries cross paths. It showcases the human side of celebrities and the unexpected moments that can occur in everyday situations.
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