James Ellsworth, who will be challenging AJ Styles for the WWE World Title tonight on Smackdown Live, recently spoke with CBS Boston and below are some interview highlights:
If he’s happy that his WWE title shot is happening now and not earlier in his career:
“I’m glad it happened now and not five or 10 years ago. I’m in a better place now than I was five or 10 years ago with my career. If this were to have happened five or seven years into my career, I don’t think I would have been as prepared for it.
“Obviously, I am nervous. You’re wrestling, in my opinion, the best wrestler in the world in AJ Styles for the biggest championship in the world, the WWE World Championship. Yeah, the nerves are there. I’m trying to stay as calm and collected as I can right now at this time, but tomorrow I’m sure I’ll be very nervous.”
Who the first person in WWE was to take him under their wing:
“That is definitely 100 percent Chris Jericho. The day after I did the match with Braun Strowman he contacted me on Twitter and wanted me on his podcast (Talk Is Jericho). I went in and did the podcast with him the next time I was at TV. Ever since then we text all the time. He gives me advice and helps me out. He’s just an outstanding human being.”
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.
