As noted earlier, Steve Fall conducted an exclusive interview with NJPW's Rocky Romero. Topics covered include MLW's One Shot PPV on December 7 in NYC, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, NJPW Strong's future, and more. The entire interview can be watched at the bottom of this article.
Rocky Romero on Cody Rhodes trying to keep peace between AEW and New Japan:
“I think just, you know, because so much talent came from New Japan to start AEW, you know, you had The Bucks, you had Kenny, Cody, Hangman, you know, so many guys were already working in that Ring of Honor/New Japan relationship initially. Especially in the beginning, you know, New Japan is known for being a very loyal partner. You've seen the partnership with CMLL over so many years. So, I think that there was a little bit of hesitancy between just jumping into this thing and not knowing what it was going to be, and then there were guys leaving one company to join another company. So, you know, that's always a little tricky. You know, it's always gonna be a little tricky, and especially not knowing Tony at the time, and nobody knowing what Tony was about, obviously had a lot to do with that. But I mean, The Bucks and Kenny and Cody, they all were trying from the very start to keep the relationship strong with New Japan. I mean, we're all connected, you know, so many years in New Japan together and Ring of Honor together. So like, you know, it wasn't anything personal. It was just the powers that be at that time who were in charge of New Japan, I think we're more than hesitant for sure. Time only tells, you know, so like, New Japan got to see what AEW was all about and what the product was all about and working on very small, kind of dipping our toe in the water, you know, when it comes to Moxley and Kenta working, and I think Nagata went over in the beginning, and just seeing how that all kind of worked out and then you know, started to really build a good rapport between both companies and you know, when it felt like it was time, you know, I sent the text and, you know, next thing you know, Forbidden Door is a yearly pay-per-views. So, so far, so good."
Rocky Romero on where Mercedes Mone will go next:
"Wherever she wants, I mean, the world is her oyster. I mean, she's definitely the number one free agent in the world right now. She's an amazing, amazing performer, great human being, super professional, and she knows exactly what she wants to do. She's got great ideas and she's just super, super talented in every way. So I feel like, you know, she can do whatever she wants at this moment. I think whatever she decides to do is obviously going to be mega-news. Of course, New Japan would love to work with her in some kind of way, in some kind of fashion. You know, she has been such an integral part of last year and early this year. So I feel like, yeah, if she wanted to come back to New Japan and there was a deal to be made, I'm sure that New Japan would love to make it. I would love to be involved if there's any way I can help out. We'd love to see her back in a New Japan ring, but, I mean, she has so many choices. She really does. She can do whatever she wants to do and probably, you know, get whatever she wants to get financially and probably creatively, so you know, it's really up to her and I'm just excited for her and I'm glad that she's healthy and getting back into training. I want to see like everybody else what her next step is. I'm a big fan."
This interview is exclusive to WrestlingNews.co. If you use these quotes, please include a link back to this page.
More must-reads: