Claudio Castagnoli on signing with AEW

[Chris]

source: f4wonline.com

Claudio Castagnoli knew where he wanted to take his career after WWE, he just didn't know if it would happen.

The 41-year-old was with WWE from September 2011 up until his contract officially expired on February 24 of this year. During an interview with Sports Illustrated, Castagnoli noted that he's going to "take the high road" when speaking about his former employer.

“It can be hard to take the high road, but that’s the road I am going to take,” he said. “All the memories, they matter. I’m grateful for everything I have accomplished and I’m grateful for all those opportunities. And they make me work so much harder to get where I want to be."

Castagnoli continued to say that he knew where he wanted to end up after leaving WWE but was happy to take some time to recharge before returning to the ring.

“Once I left, I knew what I wanted and where I wanted to go, I just didn’t know if it would happen. That was also time for me to take a break mentally, recharge, and come back better. My goal is always to be better than I was yesterday, to be better tomorrow than I am today. I want to be even better now than people remember.”

Castagnoli debuted as the newest member of the Blackpool Combat Club at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. Being part of the faction has contributed to him feeling as though everything is clicking so far in AEW.

“I came to AEW for new challenges,” Castagnoli says. “That’s why I fit perfectly in the Blackpool Combat Club. Like [William] Regal said, ‘You either step up or get stepped on.’ I loved coming in with the BCC because I’ve known those guys for such a long time, and I know they have my back no matter what.:

“It feels like everything here is clicking in AEW. It doesn’t feel like it’s only been a couple weeks. I’m extremely excited to find out what the future holds.”

Castagnoli is scheduled to face Jake Hager Wednesday on AEW Dynamite.

 

[Roy Mustang]

It still shocks me Claudio is in AEW because he never struck me as someone unhappy in WWE. So not shocked he has nothing bad to say about WWE

 

[Swerve]

Classy interview.

 

[Y2Jayne]

He had done pretty much everything he could in WWE except win a world title so I'm glad he left. I do hope they give him a solo run at some point because it seems like he always ends up stuck in a team or a stable.

 

[Canadian Dragon]

He had done pretty much everything he could in WWE except win a world title so I'm glad he left. I do hope they give him a solo run at some point because it seems like he always ends up stuck in a team or a stable.

Yeah you should see what they booked him for at next roh ppv

 

[Y2Jayne]

Good, I don't want him to become the enforcer for Regal's stable and stand behind Moxley every week like Hager does with Jericho.

 

[Canadian Dragon]

Good, I don't want him to become the enforcer for Regal's stable and stand behind Moxley every week like Hager does with Jericho.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Man might be world champion next weekend

 

[Y2Jayne]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Man might be world champion next weekend

Does he have a serious chance? I don't follow ROH at all so I have no clue how big Gresham is, and how long he's held the belt.

 

[Alexa]

I am beginning to think Tony pretty much watched CHIKARA, PWG, and RoH now

 

[Stellar]

Glad that Claudio is in AEW. Dude looks very motivated and I always applaud people for trying to stay positive.

Reading this made me realize that the WWE 90 day no compete clause is beneficial for wrestlers because it gives them time to rest. So WWE basically doing them a favor if they needed it. lol

Tony also loved WCW. He gushed over Bischoff on a podcast once. I just assume that Tony watched a lot of different wrestling content for a long time. Basically he is just like us but with a lot of money.

 

[Cwalker]

It’s always refreshing to see someone change companies and not shit on their old employer.

I’m a fan of Claudio, so as long as he’s happy, I really don’t care where he wrestles.

 

[Deezy]

Good, I don't want him to become the enforcer for Regal's stable and stand behind Moxley every week like Hager does with Jericho.

Why would Moxley need an enforcer? He's the toughest man in the world....or atleast, that's how he's booked.

 

[Y2Jayne]

Why would Moxley need an enforcer? He's the toughest man in the world....or atleast, that's how he's booked.

He bleeds all the time though.

 

[Deezy]

He bleeds all the time though.

Claudio the Cutman.

 

[Alexa]

He bleeds all the time though.

Blood excites people. Hence why old school wrestlers bleed like crazy