When EC3 was called up to WWE Raw in February 2019, he entered into a program with Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose in WWE). The feud didn't do EC3 many favors to start as it had been reported Moxley was on his way out of WWE, so despite being heel, fans began cheering for him.
Appearing on Talk is Jericho, EC3 details his call up, what he thought was going to happen, what he wanted to happen, and what ended up happening.
"The call up happened, which was interesting, because you wait for the call up your whole life and the most interesting part is the vignette, right? They kind of haphazardly put all these vignettes together and my literal vignette to be called up to the biggest wrestling company in the world was filmed by my roommate in my apartment in Orlando. A nice apartment, don't get me wrong, it's pretty cool. I walk in, not in a suit, but looking nice. They're taking away the suit aspect in this Top 1%. We film the vignette in my apartment and it airs for like six weeks but we'd never hear anything about anything. Royal Rumble comes, I thought, 'I'll be number three, get a good pop, be off to a good start.' Nope. I think it was the week after, I'm working with Moxley," he said.
EC3 debuted during a Moment of Bliss and was complimented by Alexa Bliss, but didn't get a chance to speak during the segment. He defeated Moxley in his first match on Raw, which led to a series of matches between the two that achieved a different reaction than WWE may have been hoping for.
"We got to the live events, I'm working babyface and he's working heel, and he's getting great reactions because he should," recalled EC3. "He sacrificed for years for the company, he told the company 'F You' and people love that. For seven years, this guy puts his body and soul on the line, the people are going to love and respect him. I'm just a jacked-up dude in trunks who has no character or development. We're working these matches, he's getting cheered, but it's working though. It's my wheelhouse because if I can be pushed as the mega Five Moves of Doom babyface that can't be beat, but I'm obviously liked for certain reasons and people are turning against it, like Cena-ish, then I'm made. That was my pitch, 'Push me as a babyface, but I'm a heel.'"
EC3 noted that they switched heel/face roles at a live event, before discussing their rematch the following week on Raw.
"We get to Raw, Vince goes up to me and goes, 'You're gonna be heel tonight.' 'Great! Perfect! Can I cut a promo?' 'No.' 'Okay.' He slips over the same way I slipped over him (in the first TV match) and here I am," he said.
"Here" for EC3 is currently in IMPACT Wrestling, where he is feuding with Moose.
Fightful recently spoke to EC3 about a variety of topics and you can check out that interview by clicking here.
If you use any of the quotes above, please give a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
