Chris Hero (Kassius Ohno in WWE), wasn't used too often in NXT television throughout 2019 and in 2020, but he found enjoyment in the house show loop.
Hero had stints in NXT UK as he wasn't featured on NXT television, returning to the United States for the Florida NXT live event loop. Hero would wrestle a variety of opponents at the live event shows and pitched to work with different guys under the no pressure circumstances.
"I was appreciative to have the schedule that I did," said Hero when asked by Conrad Thompson on Can Chris Hero Save Wrestling? if he grew frustrated not being used on television. "I got to the point where I only had to come to the Performance Center if I wanted to. There were some days where I was like, I'm not going in today. Then other days where I'd come in and roll in the ring for a couple of hours or sit in on [Steve] Corino's history classes or they'd have a PC Live, which is a live event for young wrestlers at the Performance Center. I had a really easy schedule. I liked doing the UK trips and travel shows. I was able to pitch ideas [for Florida shows]. My last show at Coconut was myself and Ridge Holland against Shane Thorne and Cal Bloom. Ridge Holland, he's a guy I like a whole lot. He looks like a million bucks, has a great work ethic, and a great love for wrestling. I spent a good amount of time with, training and such, and I pitched for him to be my bodyguard before they were using him on NXT. They had other plans for him. I pitched to team with him on the Florida shows and give us 20 minutes. I wanted longer matches on the Coconut shows. I enjoyed being able to make suggestions."
Hero was released by WWE in April 2020 as part of company-wide cutbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elsewhere during the podcast, Hero detailed his WWE release and why he didn't take a job as a coach at the Performance Center. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
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