Groundbreaking WWE star hails TNA championship as 'best in all of wrestling'
WWE superstar Trick Williams has blasted fans for TNA Wrestling 'outsiders' over him.
The 31-year-old star made history last month by becoming the first ever WWE-contracted wrestler to win the TNA Wrestling World Championship, which he'll defend tonight at Against All Odds.
He'll be taking on Elijah, AKA Elias, after beating TNA's Mike Santana on NXT earlier this week, and Trick exclusively told Metro how he's embracing his hectic schedule and enjoying performing for a new crowd.
'Shoot, that's what I want, you know? I mean, I want to see many people as possible. I don't want to get stuck in just the Performance Center,' he admitted.
'I love the Performance Center. They've been great to me – but shoot, as we can see, they can turn on you any minute. I gave blood, sweat and tears for four years.
'Look at them now, they're cheering for Mike Santana, an outsider. Ain't been here, ain't got his feet wet! So, yeah, I want to go see other people. Orlando's been good to me, but shoot, they change… I'll change up too.'
The two-time NXT Champion, who also has a run with the NXT North American Title to his name, also insisted he isn't simply carrying on the TNA World Championship legacy.
The prestigious title has been held by the likes of Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, LA Knight, Nick Aldis and maybe more over the years, but Trick isn't looking at the past.
'I ain't continuing nothing. I'm starting my own legacy. I mean, you're right – Kurt Angle had the title, LA Knight had the title, Bubba Ray Dudley had the title.
'We can go all day, but the thing is, has it ever been a big of a deal as it is right now? I mean, the TNA Title is literally the best title to have in all of wrestling today.'
On-screen, fans have seen Trick bring hip-hop into his wrestling persona, 'dropping diss tracks' on the likes of former champ Joe Hendry and Santana.
'I just moved into a house, and as I'm moving and packing, I found a journal that I had since sixth grade, of my raps that I was writing way back in the day,' he beamed.
'I'm really doing this on TV now, I'm dropping diss tracks on my opponents. Who would have known that skill, or that passion, something I love so long ago, was gonna be something that I use to humiliate my opponents?'
His next challenger is superstar Elijah (AKA Elias), who has dealt with his rivals in a similar way across WWE and TNA. When it comes to actually getting in the ring, Trick isn't fazed.
'I've known him for a while. He's a strong guy. He's an athlete. He's wise beyond his years. He's swole, he done put on some weight, he looks good,' he said.
'Truth is, there's one Trick Williams. [Elijah] straps on his boots same way I strap on my boots. I'm ready to go to war.'
Trick's been well-prepped for moments like this, under the tutelage of NXT boss and WWE icon Shawn Michaels.
'I've been working for him for four or five years now, and it's just cool to see our relationship actually grow,' he added.
'I get to sit down with him now, and the feeling of him actually trusting me to go out there and do what I'm supposed to do. [But] I don't know if I got all this trust yet.'
Another key figure for Trick has been Booker T, another Hall of Famer who has been vocal behind the scenes – and the commentary desk. More Trending
'He's been a great mentor for me,' he said. 'He verbalises all the support every single week, that's just an extension of who he truly is and how he helps me behind the scenes.'
Now, Trick is repaying that faith by representing WWE with TNA gold around his waist.
'TNA is a magical place,' he admitted. 'I'm able to spread my wings and be exactly who I always wanted to be. Even more so now you've put his gold on me, you really can't tell me nothing! My head is all the way through the building.'
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Against All Odds airs tonight at 3am on TNA+. Watch WWE NXT every Tuesday night at 1am live on Netflix.
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