WWE.com recently spoke with NXT star Baron Corbin to talk his match Austin Aries at NXT Takeover Dallas, and below are some interview highlights:
WWE: Let’s begin with the elephant in the room. You recently attacked Austin Aries on his debut night with NXT. Why would you ruin such a big moment in his career?
BARON CORBIN: Why would I do that? Why would I not do that? Some kid walks in here thinking he deserves a warm welcome. He wants everyone to stop what they’re doing and celebrate. I don’t have time for that. I am here chasing the NXT Championship. William Regal cost me my chance and then wants to throw Aries a big welcome. Not while I am around. Aries was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he paid for it. If he wants to cry about it, tell him to cry to Regal, because I don’t care about him or his welcoming party.
WWE: In other words, you don’t respect anyone, no matter who they are or what their background is?
CORBIN: It’s true. I don’t respect anyone who has a background on the independent circuit. NXT is the professional level, and it’s the best of the best. If you played on an intramural l flag football team, it doesn’t make you NFL material. I came from one professional sport to another, and it’s an entirely different level. I was in the top 1 percent of football players. Indie guys are in the bottom 95 percent of wrestlers. I don’t care what they did or how many nobodies are sitting in their mom’s basement tweeting how good they are. If they were so good, it wouldn’t take them 10 years to get here. When those guys walk in the door, I am happy to show them they don’t belong.
WWE: Over the last year, you’ve develop a reputation for yourself amongst some who believe you are highly self-centered and egotistical. How do you respond to such judgment?
CORBIN: Thank you, I guess. I have a lot of pride in myself and believe I am better than a lot of people. Most people settle in life, and that’s not me. I am going to be the best, make the most money and just do whatever I want, when I want. I don’t live for anyone other than myself, and I don’t have a problem showing people or telling them. The bottom line is the things I have done, the things I am doing, and the things I will do are better than anything you could ever dream of.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
