TNA stars James Storm and Bobby Roode, aka Beer Money, recently spoke with The Huffington Post‘s Royal Ramblings during the recent TNA Maximum Impact UK tour.
Beer Money talks about why they reformed after already having proven success together, WWE signing TNA stars, their advice for TNA creative, if TNA’s taping schedule is a disadvantage, and much more. You can read a few excerpts below:
Why is Beer Money back together after already seeing success together?
BR: Well obviously the fans recognise us, so were not really starting from scratch. We became one of the most popular tag-teams in all of professional wrestling so I think after five years, it was inevitable that at one point we were going to get back together. I think the timings right, I think the fans were ready for it. No matter where we were over the last five years, whether we were wrestling singles, we always got Beer Money chants. It’s a well-known and popular act and I think people are excited.
Beer Money’s thoughts on WWE signing former TNA stars such as AJ Styles, Austin Aries, Samoa Joe:
JS: For me, it only makes smart business. If they’re able to do it because they have the financial backing then so be it. However, it’s also big props to the guys that don’t go. A lot of people are always hating on the guys that don’t go or leave or something. It’s like you don’t have to wrestle in WWE to be successful. A lot of people can’t live with that.
BR: the one thing that you learn in this business is that perception is reality. What you see on TV or what you read about the business isn’t always true. As James said, you don’t have to go to WWE to make money or to be happy. I’ve been in TNA for nearly fifteen years. I’m very happy, financially I’m doing well and it’s been very successful. In this business were all one big happy dysfunctional family. It doesn’t matter which company you work for, everyone wishes everyone else the best. Nobody ever wants to see a company fold. I don’t know why some fans want to see the company do badly. On social media, people are bashing TNA. Why? If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. When I was a kid, I would have wanted wrestling on every singly night. It didn’t matter what it was.
JS: If the company does go out of business, WWE might not pick up your favourite wrestler you were watching on the other company. Now you don’t get to see the guy you wanted to see.
Beer Money’s advice to creative to keep growing in viewership:
JS: Just consistent storylines. There’s been a lot of times here in TNA where things have been hot-shotted or just rushed. When I was growing up watching wrestling, story’s took a while. In this day and age, with TV and TNA not running as many pay-per-views as other companies, storylines are kind of rushed. I think when they’re really good and drawn out that keeps the audience involved.
BR: The storylines are really important. Wrestling has changed so much with TV – its wrestling for the ratings now. So it’s hard not to hot-shot an angle sometimes but it would be nice for a story to evolve. James and I, our story lasted over a year and it was an intriguing one. If it lasts over a year and a half people can sink their teeth into something. Already people are saying they want to see us wrestle The Wolves but that’s something you can build up to and get to that point.
Is TNA at a disadvantage by taping so much at once in advance?
JS: Growing up, there wasnt social media and things weren’t taped months in advance and that was a great thing. I think if social media was around then, I wouldn’t go online to read the sports because I wanted to be surprised. If you read the spoilers it’s like you’re ready to go see the new Star Wars movie but you know the ending! Its not as good! Me, as a wrestling fan, I don’t want to know what happens.
BR: These days you’re used to spoilers – that’s fine to go read it. I read about the Royal Rumble and saw AJ was in it, so I’m going to go watch it. AJ’s a friend and I’m interested. I know what happened but I still want to see it. If I read that Beer Money is facing the Wolves on TV, I’m still going to want to watch it because I know it’s going to be a good match. Same with Matt Hardy beating EC3. If you’re a real wrestling fan, you’re going to watch it.
