On his recent trip to Japan and winning the GHC Tag Team Championship:
"It's a lot of fun anytime you get a chance to head back to Japan. I started the beginnings of my career there. To be back – it was a great match and a lot of fun with the people I was competing with in the ring. Those NOAH wrestlers are tremendously skilled at what they do, so it was a really good trip and to come back with GHC gold made it even that much better."
On his tag team pairing with Magnus:
"Magnus is a tremendously talented individual. He's very good on the fly, he picks up very well and he just knows how to accent and complement his tag team partners in the ring. He's had a pretty decent amount of tag team experience, and I've had a little bit here and there. We were kind of a throwaway tag team; I don't think anybody expected us to work or gel in any way, shape or form. But we managed to and it's worked out pretty well."
On his preference as a babyface or heel:
"I think at this point it doesn't really matter. I think I've always been kind of a take-it-or-leave-it type of guy. It's funny because at times I thought I was really big good guy in the eyes of the people, but those people were quick to point out that they thought I was the exact opposite. It doesn't really matter to me as long as I get a chance to go out there and perform in front of the people and do what I do best."
On his renewed push in this year's Bound For Glory Series:
"I think as of late, things have been fantastic. Look at where I was one year ago when I was at like minus 50 points and not doing very well in the Bound For Glory Series at all. This year was a fresh start and a lot of fresh opportunities. The general vibe this whole summer has been pretty high-charged, just for the fact that we're going live. There's a lot more interplay between the wrestlers and what you're seeing on the TV screens, so it's been a positive summer thus far."
On the fans' perception that he's been heavily underutilized in TNA:
"I've heard that in droves. In general, it wasn't too difficult to work through that. My thing has always been to hope for an opportunity to show the world what I'm capable of and what I can do in the ring. Eventually I know that opportunity will arise, so I just kind of focused on that. When it did come around and I got a shot in the (wildcard) tag tournament, I just took advantage of it."
On the challenges of exceeding expectations based on his previous body of work:
"I've kind of acquiesced in my head that I will be battling those from here until the end of my career. One of the side effects of having a body of work that you're really proud of –and I feel I've had some pretty extraordinary matches – those are always going to be alluded to and compared to anything that you do in the future. It's an honor that people still feel that way about my matches, and I just hope to continue giving them those types of matches in the future."
On his upcoming four-way ladder match at Hardcore Justice:
"With any machine the more moving parts you put in it, the more complicated it gets. It does come with its own set of challenges. At the same time, you're talking about three individuals whom I deem the best in the world. I'm not worried about what they're capable of or what they're going to bring or even how things get worked out. I think that when it comes to the four of us in the ring, we'll produce something very special and I'm looking forward to it."
On Austin Aries' rise to the World Heavyweight Championship:
"I'm not incredibly surprised. Austin is very driven individual and he wants to be the best at what he does. He's never been one to take a lot of flack or wait his turn. He's the type of guy that charges in and seizes the moment. It's worked out for him and he's done really well, and none of the success that he's experiencing right now is a surprise to me at all. It's a very unusual position that a lot of wrestlers don't find themselves in during their careers. It's a balancing act, it's a responsibility but I think he's bearing it well. I look forward to seeing what he has in store for us in the future."
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