Powerhouse Hobbs discusses his TNT Championship win.
Hobbs made his AEW debut in 2020, and he subsequently joined Team Taz (Brian Cage, Ricky Starks, and Taz). He was featured as a member of the group until he turned on Starks in July 2022. Hobbs then feuded with Starks and continued to break out on his own. He unsuccessfully challenged for the TNT Championship at AEW Full Gear 2022, but he won the title by defeating Wardlow on the March 8 episode of AEW Dynamite.
In an interview with Denise Salcedo, Hobbs commented on his title win and described how Chris Jericho compared his victory to a Cinderella story. He noted that he has gone from being an enhancement talent to a titleholder during his time with AEW, and he expressed his gratitude for the fans' support.
“It’s wild, it’s crazy. I was talking to Chris Jericho the night I won the championship, and then he texts me the next day, and he was like, ‘It’s almost like a Cinderella story, to go from enhancement talent to TNT Champion.’ During the pandemic era, nobody knew who the hell I was besides anybody local to the Bay Area in California, so it’s wild. Everywhere I go, I’m getting love, and sometimes I get some dirty looks wherever I go, but it’s alright with me. Today is a good day because it’s actually Powerhouse Hobbs Day in the city of East Palo Alto," Hobbs said.
When asked to share his thoughts on reaching a new level of success after experiencing so much adversity throughout his life, Hobbs stated that he knew he'd be a champion eventually. He noted that he believes his purpose is to be a professional wrestler, and while it has taken some time to get to this point, he's not taking his success for granted.
“I knew eventually I would get here. I was told by my grandparents [that] everyone has a purpose in life. I’ve always felt that this was my purpose, to be a professional wrestler and entertain people. So it took a while, but I’m here, and I’m making the most of it. When we were in the Bay Area for that whole Revolution week, I had so many people come up to me, and it was very humbling and overwhelming that they were telling me they love how I represent the bay. I get that, more in other places as well, but it’s one of those things where I sit back when I’m alone, like ‘Damn, I’m actually here.’ I’m not taking it for granted, I’m making the most of it. This whole journey has been wild since I’ve been with AEW. I haven’t even hit three years yet. Everything is wild, if I sit back and actually think about it," Hobbs said.
Hobbs will defend the TNT Championship against Penta El Zero Miedo on the March 25 episode of AEW Rampage. Check out the card here.
Adam Cole will return to the ring on the March 29 episode of AEW Dynamite. More information is available here.
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