EC3 is controlling his narrative in the National Wrestling Alliance, and he wants to help Thom Latimer do the same.
The former IMPACT Wrestling star made his NWA debut at NWA 74. In recent weeks, he has been feuding with Latimer, hoping to unlock his true potential. The two stars will collide at NWA Hard Times 3 on November 12.
In an interview with Bill Pritchard of WrestleZone, EC3 was asked whether his feud with Latimer is allowing him to do the kind of storytelling he's looking for. He described how this rivalry is intriguing to him because he has known Latimer for a long time, and he believes the latter's true story is compelling.
“Yeah, this definitely intrigues me, and I think Thom Latimer’s… if it’s real, people feel it. If it’s real, we as the talents feel it. I think Thom Latimer’s real story is so intriguing because I’ve known him such a long time, from FCW days and just him pegged as being a top guy in any company. He is a superstar, he low-key has moves, he has work ethic, he has the ability to, like a natural charisma about him. The guy is a first-round draft pick star, and the only thing that ever defeated him were his own demons. So he had a hard time, from WWE to IMPACT, where he battled himself, and that’s been his toughest point [until] me. But I still feel like, now that he’s on this path, he’s happy in life, he’s happy in marriage, he’s happy in his career, happiness can breed complacency, and I think for a guy like Thom Latimer to truly reach his top potential, he has to finally quell every demon he has, and if that takes me to bring them out of them, then that will be the case," EC3 said.
EC3 went on to describe how he feels like he's more of an idea than a wrestler because he wants to help people control their narrative and tell their stories, much as he did by launching his Free The Narrative brand. He noted that talents know themselves better than anyone, and they're given the freedom to explore their stories in the NWA.
"At this point, I’ve become more of an idea than just a wrestler, in my mind. I want to bring people to their best. I want them to control their narrative, to be able to tell their story. The real stories of some these talents I choose are so much intriguing than can be written and produced. Their realities are what make feel emotions and feel something within themselves. To bring their stories to the forefront in a realistic manner, that is the storytelling I’m looking to do. At the same time, I’m going through hell personally, professionally, like maybe I’m projecting my own demons onto a guy like that and using him as an escape from myself. So I think it’s very layered and go a multitude of directions. NWA allows that freedom to kind of let the talent explore their own stories because [NWA President Billy] Corgan as a leader knows we know our own selves better than anybody knows us," EC3 said.
The former TNA World Heavyweight Champion also elaborated that he likes the kind of storytelling that doesn't give too much away before the major match. He stated that he wished this approach was more common in the wrestling world, but he's glad he has been able to utilize it in his feud with Latimer.
"The storytelling I’m trying to sink my teeth into is taking things to a level where, like the first time competitors lock up, people are excited to see it because nothing’s been given away and everything’s been protected and we’re on a fully even slate, and may the best man win. There’s no unnecessary fights backstage or unnecessary hitting him with a chair or things like that, attacking him from behind or having my goons beat him up. I mean I did do that once, but I had to [send] a message. But for us to go to Hard Times 3, completely at even levels, I love that, and I wish wrestling would do that more. It makes people anticipate something," he said.
EC3 previously discussed his move to the NWA. More information is available here.
According to EC3, the Control Your Narrative will not proceed as planned. More information is available here.
Check out the updated card for NWA Hard Times 3 here.
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