Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the focus of today's episode with NXT Champion Tony D'Angelo?
Welcome to the Busted Open Podcast. This is Dave LaGreca. On today's episode, myself and Tommy Dreamer talk to NXT champion Tony D'Angelo. Also, Tommy gives an update on his status with TNA right here on the Busted Open Podcast.
This is the Busted Open Podcast. The premise of this show should always be is, like, wrestling fans talking about wrestling. Um... I said it before about being emotional. Excuse me. A lot going on.
Chapter 2: What updates did Tommy Dreamer share about his status with TNA?
To kind of steal something from Larry David or Jerry Seinfeld, I'm a really good breaker-upper. All relationships come to an end. And yesterday I had a great conversation with With Carlos, Silva, and me and TNA are no longer in a relationship. We've mutually agreed to part ways. It's hard. I've given... Sorry. I've given so much of my life to that company. I don't have any ill will or malice.
I want it to survive and I want it to be the best it can be. I love this business. It's hard because I'm not going to be able to see the people. that i helped i had a lot of people help me follow my dreams and i love that part about the business of what i did uh it was 24 hour job i think i had it for close to 10 years off and on i've been in and out of there um I loved going to work. I did.
But everything comes to an end. I'm not crying because I'm mad or I'm emotional. But I know I'll be okay. And I hope DNA will be okay. And I'm going to avoid my phone for a little bit. But. Like I said, I'm crying because I love to go to work and I love the people I work with. There was a lot of really special people. I created so many moments. I have so many highlights. And I do, I love it.
When my mom died, it was the saddest day of my life. And I came on this show, and wrestling helped me. And then right from there, I literally jumped on a plane. And TNA got me through that. With the pandemic, man, we were all scared together. This show got us through that. I would drive 15 hours by myself sometimes just to go to work because I loved the people that I worked for.
Um, like I said, there's no issues. There's no malice. It's just at this time, we just need to take a break. And, uh, I want to thank everybody for watching the show, supporting me. Uh, like I said, I'll be okay. I don't have, there's nothing like there's.
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Chapter 3: How did Tommy Dreamer express his feelings about leaving TNA?
It's just the way it has to be right now. And it's going to be hard. But it'll be harder talking to the people. So that's why I just wanted to say it here. And I want to thank Anthem and TNA and for the real wrestling fans for supporting. And if you went to a TNA event and you had a good time, that's all I asked for. I never wanted to be in...
I just want to be a wrestler, and I was always just thrust into these positions, and I did my best, and I did my best for you. And that's all I got to say. Again, I'm sorry for getting emotional. I worked with 50 to 80 great people each and every loop, and I just got to... I learned my job. I told you this a long time ago.
And if you take bits and pieces of what I say, it's our job to put smiles on people's faces. And I hope you got those emotions. When I was supposed to make you mad, I made you mad. When I was supposed to make you happy, I made you happy. I hope you enjoy Slammiversary. I hope you enjoy every episode. I know I'll be rooting from afar.
It's going to be hard, but Slammiversary is going to be a hell of a show. And I'll be watching it from the sidelines.
Well, Tommy, thank you for your honesty this morning. Thank you for coming on to share that with us and to share with the nation. Because as you know, the nation is family. And I know the nation's gotten me through some tough times. I just want to say personally, as not just your friend, but as a fan, I've seen you work with talent. I've been able to view that.
You were kind enough to have me do some pre-shows for T&A. And I got to see firsthand the relationship you had with the roster on TNA. And I've seen you teach and mentor. I've seen it in front of my eyes. And I've seen those wrestlers grow, you know, being a part of this family and being a part of that brand. And listen, I don't... Look where TNA is now.
And we talked about the biggest platform that TNA has ever been on is the platform... That they're on right now. You're a big part of the growth of that company and getting to them where they are right now. So I hope you take time to pat yourself on the back because I don't know if that company is where they are right now if it's not for you.
I mean, listen, like I said, for the people that I'm no longer going to be able to see, it sucks. I've never been that guy. Like, I don't need to pat myself on the back. I see it in my other's success. And I'm super proud and happy. And, you know. There's just a lot of moving pieces behind the scenes, and there's no reason to be bitter or angry or anything. It's...
I'm sad because it's over, but I'm blessed that it happened. And whatever happens next for me, it's cool. And if it's not, it's okay, too. Like, I have this show, unless you're going to bring me into an office and have a conversation with me.
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Chapter 4: What personal experiences influenced Tony D'Angelo's journey in wrestling?
No, I'm only kidding. But it's just... It's going to be hard. Like I seriously like hours and hours spent. It's a 24-7 job and nobody understands the job until you have the job. And people may think they do, but there's very few people that totally understand it. And like I said, I will be cheering from the sidelines.
Uh, it's, it's tough. I know how much, like you just said, the hours that you've put into this job, the blood, sweat, and tears. I know you loved it, but I know how much you put into it. So to, to not be able to see it through it, you know, to slam aversary, as you said, coming up, it sucks.
I now have the weekend open. Yeah. but listen, there's things that have to be done and on hard decisions or sometimes have to be made. And again, I had a great conversation with my boss and, uh, Listen, man, I left WWE. I was four. I had four years and nine months left on my contract. It was a different situation. I was very happy.
Chapter 5: What changes did Tony D'Angelo make during his hiatus?
And it's just it just it is what it is.
Well, I think you've done a wonderful job. I think TNA is in a better place because you were there. I know that you have nothing but good wishes and well wishes for the company and for the roster. And like I said, I've seen you mentor a lot of that talent that's on that roster right now.
And I'm sure there's a lot of people that are distraught and upset, as they should be, because of what you brought to that company, what you brought to those three letters, what you brought to that brand. And like I said, I don't think TNA is where they are right now if it's not for you.
And they're in the biggest place and the biggest platform that they've been on in the entire history of that company. Yeah.
I was a head coach of a great team. That's the best way I could put it.
Coming up next, our conversation with NXT champion Tony D'Angelo. Your one-stop shop for R-A-S-S-L-I-N-S wrestling. Pro Wrestling Nation, 24-7, Channel 156. Tony D'Angelo. Tony, how are you, man? And thanks so much for the time. What's going on, fellas? Thanks for having me. Excited to have you on, but what exactly went down last night?
Because, like I said, kind of like a half of a contract signing last night.
Right. Look, I think the guy is just trying to play some mind games with me, you know. Or, this is my other theory, he might be a little scared. He might be second-guessing himself. Isn't sure if he really wants to sign that contract yet, which I get it, you know. But yeah, I think he's being very evil and mischievous.
And you know what, Tony? And listen, I was actually talking about you on the show yesterday to Bully Ray about everything that you've done this past year in NXT and how you've evolved and how much better you've gotten. And it's unbelievable. And you have earned that championship that you have on your shoulder right now. But I like what you did in that contract signing last night.
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Chapter 6: How does Tony D'Angelo prepare for his upcoming match at Great American Bash?
You have mouths to feed. That keeps you hungry. That keeps you centered. That keeps you focused. Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. He's right.
I think on top of that, having goals is super important. When I didn't have a championship, that was the goal. Get there. Take it off a...
the man who i will not name so he does not show up unexpectedly um but uh um but now that i am champ um you know to be expected everybody's nipping at my heels and they're trying to get what they don't have but i'm just trying to uphold the standard of being the nxt champion as well as you know taking the next step, which is getting called up.
So I need to continue my growth, continue my progression so that when that time comes, I am also prepared for that.
So you have so much behind the scenes in the sense of coaches. But then at the end of the day, it's going to, you know, in the ring, it's you. Like I said, you've had such amazing improvement. I always thought you were a really, really good wrestler.
um especially your amateur but like i could just see your your feet your footwork everything it comes easier from being uh you know an amateur for you tape study um your opponent has had some classics um again in another company and his different style he's only had about two or three matches on nxt television i was very impressed with his actual strength against uh mason rook um
Because you're one of those guys... I remember when I first met you in person, I was like, wow, you're a lot bigger than I thought you were on television. Yeah. For him, he's strong. I'm looking forward to this. At first, I was just like, I got to see where he's going. Not you, your opponent, Noruku. Right. But for you, this is a massive match for you. And I don't think it's...
in like internationally, you know, WWE is a global brand, but you're facing a former IWGP world champion and, and just what he did for another company. Like you said, he's got to prove himself here, but like your mindset, are you tape studying or like, you know, you're going to have a physical ass match.
Yeah, so I've definitely, like I said last night, I did my research. I've watched his matches. I've seen what he's capable of. And I definitely, like yourself, was surprised of his strength against a big body in Mason Rook.
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Chapter 7: What are the expectations for the Great American Bash event?
Tony, last question, and again, thank you so much for the time. It's always great having you on. I'll be out there for Great American Bash, so I'm looking forward to seeing you. The Great American Bash means a lot to me. The history of this event means a lot to me.
You know, for you to be the champ, to be the main event, to be the face of the franchise, how important is this event for you coming up on June 28th?
I think it's very important, like you said. I think the history behind the event and what it means to wrestling as a whole is super important. And for me being a champ, I need to uphold a certain standard, which I'm more than well prepared to do, especially with an opponent like Naraku. I think there's going to be a lot of eyes on this. And also, you know, this is the first PLE on the CW network.
Yep, big. That's huge. We're going to have a lot more eyes on the brand, which I think is very important for NXT as well as WWE as a whole. So, yeah, super important, super excited to be a part of this event as the champion, and I'm excited to... continue the standard as a NXT champion.
Since it is the great American bash, go to old school. If Robert Stone can't get it done, Shawn Michaels can get it done. Have a helicopter land you right in the middle of the parking lot. Old school, Rick. Okay. Come on now. Yes.
Yeah. Maybe we'll, we'll do it on the side of a pool. That would be nice. It wouldn't be bad. Take a dip after a hard-hitting match. Cool off a little bit.
Tony, like you just said, Great American Bash, an event with a lot of history.
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Chapter 8: How does Tony D'Angelo view his role as NXT Champion?
CW, it's going to be a lot more eyes on this event. Probably the most eyes...
ever for an nxt event we're going to see that on june 28th and to me it's no coincidence that you're the nxt champion when all these things are happening on june 28th we'll be watching on the cw tony congratulations on all the success we'll see you on the 28th and thanks for the time today sir thank you fellas i really appreciate you having me on good luck
Catch the full three hours of Busted Open every day of the week at 9 a.m. Eastern on Pro Wrestling Nation 24-7, channel 156.