Alex Shelley believes tag team wrestling has hit a “bit of a downward point” these days.
Speaking on a recent edition of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Shelley was asked if he would rather spend the rest of his career as a singles wrestler or tag team wrestler. He said,
“I think we’re kind of hitting a bit of a downward point in tag team wrestling right now. You’re seeing a lot of the guys my age, we’re 40 — but they’re aren’t any true tag teams coming up to really take our place. You look at it ten years ago, FTR, Young Bucks, Briscoes, MCMG, Time Splitters, you had so many and now it’s kind of starting to dip a little bit.”
He continued, “While it’s our responsibility to carry on that lineage, as you taught me, we taught them, and we’re still around so we have to keep teaching it and I think that’s a really, really important part of pro wrestling that has to stay alive.”
Shelley vs. Moose for the TNA World Championship will be taking place at Friday’s No Surrender pay-per-view event.
Lio Rush has chimed in on the news that TNA Wrestling has terminated the contract of Scott D’Amore.
During a recent interview with Irish Wrestling & Entertainment, the former WWE and TNA Wrestling star commented on his time working with D’Amore. He said,
“Yeah, my memories of working with Scott, I’ll never forget. I walked through the Globe, which is located in Los Angeles, California, and there was an Impact/New Japan joint show. My first time working for Impact, I knew that I wanted to make a good impression. I knew that I wanted to eventually, hopefully, work for Impact in the future as a mainstay.”
He continued, “Scott pulled me aside after my match and said, ‘Man, like, you’re really good’ and he expressed that he heard stories about me in the past and he doesn’t really judge people based off the stories. He bases people off of personal interaction. We really got along and he really believed in me. He believed in my talents. He believed in what I could do and what I was capable of. He took a chance on me too. So I always have the highest respect for Scott.”
Tag team wrestling has been a staple in professional wrestling for decades, but according to Alex Shelley, it may be experiencing a decline in recent years. In a recent interview on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Shelley expressed his concerns about the current state of tag team wrestling.
Shelley, who has had a successful career as both a singles wrestler and a tag team wrestler, believes that there is a lack of true tag teams coming up to replace the older generation. He mentioned names like FTR, Young Bucks, Briscoes, MCMG, and Time Splitters, who were prominent tag teams ten years ago. However, he feels that the current landscape is starting to dip in terms of quality and quantity.
As a veteran in the industry, Shelley believes that it is the responsibility of wrestlers like him to carry on the legacy of tag team wrestling. He emphasizes the importance of teaching and passing down the knowledge and skills to the next generation. According to him, this is a crucial part of pro wrestling that needs to stay alive.
While Shelley’s concerns may be valid, it’s important to note that there are still talented tag teams in various promotions around the world. The likes of The Usos, The New Day, and The Street Profits in WWE, as well as The Lucha Bros and Jurassic Express in AEW, have been putting on impressive matches and captivating audiences.
In addition to Shelley’s comments on tag team wrestling, Lio Rush also shared his thoughts on the recent termination of Scott D’Amore’s contract with TNA Wrestling. Rush, who has worked with D’Amore in the past, spoke highly of their time together.
Rush recalled a moment when D’Amore pulled him aside after a match and expressed his belief in Rush’s talents. D’Amore had heard stories about Rush but chose to judge him based on their personal interaction. This vote of confidence from D’Amore meant a lot to Rush, and he expressed his highest respect for the former TNA Wrestling executive.
While the departure of D’Amore may have raised some eyebrows, it’s important to remember that the wrestling industry is constantly evolving. Changes in management and creative direction are common occurrences, and it will be interesting to see how TNA Wrestling moves forward without D’Amore.
In conclusion, tag team wrestling may be going through a bit of a downward point, according to Alex Shelley. However, there are still talented tag teams out there who continue to entertain fans. It is essential for veterans like Shelley to pass down their knowledge and skills to ensure the longevity of tag team wrestling. As for Scott D’Amore’s departure from TNA Wrestling, Lio Rush expressed his respect and gratitude for the opportunities D’Amore provided him. The wrestling industry is ever-changing, and it will be intriguing to see what the future holds for both tag team wrestling and TNA Wrestling.