Austin Aries Discusses WWE’s Brand Split, A Main Roster Call-Up, Nakamura, More

Austin Aries spoke with the Wrestling Compadres Slamcast promoting his match at NXT TakeOver: The End matchup with Shinsuke Nakamura. Some highlights are below:

On the match with Nakamura: “It should be fun. I think at least two stars. It should be in that two-star range or whatever. I hope the fans are okay with that. It’s a great opportunity because he’s one of the guys I haven’t had a chance to get in the ring with. And we’re going to go out there and do our thing and have some fun. We’ve crossed paths at the bars a couple of times now that we’re working together. He’s not shy to go out and have a cocktail like myself. But yeah, we chat a little bit in the back and he seems to be a cool guy and I think we’ll get in there, we’ll put all that aside, and get down to business.”

On his NXT experience: “It [has] been great. There are obviously some things about it that are new, lots of new challenges, and a new setting with so much talent. But overall, I’m just trying to find my way, do what’s asked of me, and go out there and just try to show people what I’m about. If anything, I’m still kind of scratching the surface and I think in the next few months, as I kind of find my comfort zone as I call it, I can unleash the side of me that maybe hasn’t been seen yet. I think people will get a better idea of what I can do.”

On a potential call-up for the Brand Split: “I suppose anything is possible. I’d never rule out anything in this industry. I haven’t heard anything. I think, just like everybody else, you read speculation and conjecture and you just kind of wait till you hear something definitive. So, I’m ready for whatever they put in front of me. Right now, that’s Shinsuke Nakamura at TakeOver week and that’s where I’m focused. And whatever they put on my plate, I’m hungry and I’m ready to eat, as long as it’s vegan, of course.”

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