Sami Callihan is a beneficiary of a changing pro wrestling landscape.
After walking away from an NXT deal years ago, the former Solomon Crowe took some time before returning to the national stage. He was able to do that as Jeremiah Crane on Lucha Underground, and to the surprise of many, was also able to work Impact Wrestling.
Following years of turmoil between Impact and Lucha Underground, the two sides reached an agreement to share talent, and would even go on to promote shows with one another. When speaking to Fightful.com recently, Callihan/Crane/Crowe opened up about the evolving state of wrestling. He seems to think uniting the scene outside the WWE is good for all involved.
"Wrestling is changing right now. The time and age of the territories working against each other is at its all-time end. Wrestling has to change. Impact is starting to realize that. WWE, like it or not, has the monopoly on wrestling and might always have. There can be a true alternative to wrestling if everyone works together. Last year at WrestleMania weekend, there were 200,000 people in Orlando, but only 80,000 went to WrestleMania. There were just as many if not more people there to go to conventions, watch all the other shows," said Callihan.
Outside of being able to earn another payday from additional shows, Callihan admitted that his ability to work for multiple promotions accentuates the unpredictability of his persona on a national scale, too.
"Me personally, being able to show up everywhere helps my character and helps my gimmick. I'm the Worldwide Desperado. You never know where I'm going to show up. Blazing trails and being a cowboy. I might wrestle for Impact, Lucha Underground, maybe New Japan," said Callihan.
You can see our full, lost clip with Callihan (and Konnan, pre-Impact exit) above. Fightful will have more from our discussion with the two in upcoming Fightful Wrestling Weekly's.
