Michael Elgin Reveals a New Project, Talks ROH Future & More

Heading into this Saturday’s Ring of Honor All-Star Extravaganza VI iPPV from Toronto, Brian Fritz of BetweenTheRopes.com talks with ROH Champion Michael Elgin about winning the Ring of Honor championship, how long it took before it set in that he was the champion, returning to Toronto for this Saturday’s show and much more.

Listen to the interview or download it at http://www.betweentheropes.com/2014/09/05/michael-elgin-ring-honor-champ-going-back-toronto-baseball-aspirations/

Subscribe to Between The Ropes on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/between-the-ropes/id652853185

Here are some excepts from the interview:

On where Ring of Honor is now as a company and if he feels there is a resurgence with the company:

I absolutely do. They’re putting their best foot forward. They’re trying to get in new TV markets. They’re tried out pay-per-view. I think they’re going to continue to try out pay-per-view. They have one of the most talented rosters in the world. They’re working with New Japan. I think they really have everything coming together in 2014 and I think 2015 is going to be the biggest year that Ring of Honor has ever seen.

On how long it took to sink in that he was the Ring of Honor champion after beating Adam Cole for the title in June:

You know, it was actually a couple days. It was a long weekend, there was a lot of stuff going on. It took a couple days but when it did it hit hard. I finally got to look at my text messages, my emails and everything. I got a lot of congratulations from a lot of people I really respect and true friends I’ve had all my life. It was a feel good moment a couple of days later.

On a new venture he is pursuing:

Well, I’ve made it a goal of mine to do a tryout next year for Major League Baseball.

On what kind of training goes into that and when does he begin that training:

I’ve actually been doing it. I hired a batting coach and have been doing some new conditioning training and some more baseball inspired workouts for conditioning rather than bodybuilding style just to get my body prepared for it.

Rosa Mendes Not Trusted by Other Divas, Nattie & Summer Rae Feud

Summer Rae was my guest on the Turnbuckle Weekly With Chuck Carroll.

The full interview is online in 26 markets, including CBS in Cleveland: http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2014/09/05/more-drama-for-summer-rae-on-wwe-total-divas-season-3/

Summer Rae said she’s happy to no longer be the new girl on Total Divas, which will have its third season premiere on Sunday. That title now belongs to Rosa Mendes, who didn’t get the warmest reception from other Divas.

“The new girls who don’t know much about her, I’m sure the veterans have said don’t trust her or this or that,” she said.

She noted that she chose to judge Mendes on her own merits, but skepticism among the other Divas will play a role in the third season of the show.

Summer Rae said the five-week break she had from WWE while filming The Marine 4 afforded her a fresh start with a lot of the Divas, but said Natalya wasn’t quite ready to let bygones be bygones.

“I really didn’t have a problem with her coming into the season. After doing the movie I kind of wanted to start fresh with everyone,” she said. “Unfortunately, sometimes you can’t start fresh if both people don’t want to. So, Nattie is definitely a wound that will perhaps [be] reopened this season.”

Here is a look at everything we discussed:

* What to expect on Total Divas this season

* When filming wrapped for the third season

* How her relationship has improved with WWE Divas

* How her grudge with Nattie may play out in Total Divas

* How breaking from Fandango will impact her career

* Rosa Mendes joining the cast

* Cold shoulder give to Rosa by other Divas

* Her top secret role in The Marine 4

And because sometimes we’re too lazy to listen, here are a few quotes.

What to expect this season on Total Divas:

This season is so much drama. Of course we have a new Diva, Rosa, coming in. A fiery Latina that stirs the pot to say the least. Thank goodness it’s not just me anymore. We have a wedding, baby news, scares, a possible break up… it’s crazy.

Breaking from Fandango:

I loved being paired with Fandango. A couple of the girls (who are paired with guys) were asking me about this the other day… I love the partnership of Diva and Superstar. It gives you a great opportunity to show personality and become a character without having to be in the ring. It’s very tough to get that character across if you’re only working and wrestling. … I’m just trying to figure out who I am now and not get lost in the mix of only being a Total Diva… I have some ideas and things like that.

Starring in The Marine 4:

I’m not going to say my weapons were bigger and cooler than The Miz’s, but my weapons were WAY bigger than The Miz’s… The thing with Total Divas is you get to see the behind the scenes, which you wouldn’t get until the DVD came out… My specific character in (the movie) is very top secret until the show comes out, but what I will say is Mike was extremely helpful to me and very professional on the set. I definitely saw a different side of Mike than “The Miz” that he is backstage. He was great. He is really good at doing acting.