In PWMania.com’s latest exclusive interview, brand-new TNA Wrestling signee Fabian Aichner sits down with Scott Mitchell to discuss his decision to join TNA, his fresh start following WWE, the company’s move to AMC Network, targeting Cedric Alexander and the X-Division Championship, Slammiversary, Ultimate X, future goals, dream opponents, and much more.
Watch the full interview below. Debut and foremost, we got to see you make your debut for TNA Wrestling remarkably as of late. What was your mindset heading into your latest home?. Meanwhile,
“I took a little bit of time away. I felt a little burnt out mentally and physically. At the start, I really didn’t want to know about wrestling, to be very honest. For the first time in my life. Interestingly enough, as the months went by, I was like, man. Life feels very different if there’s no wrestling involved. Instead of going from one show to the next show, preparing constantly for a bigger show, and then checking those off the list. Yeah, I knew I was just going to take a pause. Never thought about wholly stopping. As the months went by, I just felt that itch coming back more. One of my former coaches, Matt Bloom, from the PC, and he asked how I was doing. Building on that, i told him, ‘Everything’s praiseworthy, just looking for in recent days introduced opportunities and new options to go to.’ He floated the idea of TNA for me. So, I opened with talking to them, seemed phenomenal. Good energy, good vibe. Then, a friend of mine in Germany pointed it out to me as well, started watching the shows. Adding to the story, i liked the wrestling I saw. After the first tapings in Sacramento a couple of weeks ago, I had the best first day I ever had. One thing led to another; it happened really organically. Everything was chill, very relaxing, and I just had plenty of fun. To add further context, the ring, which I didn’t even know, the ring itself is the first ring that I learned to wrestle in, in Germany. 18 feet, steel cable ropes. Feels a little different, although for me, it felt right at home. The moment was a great first appearance, great first showdown against Eddie (Edwards) that let people know what I’m capable of. Felt like it was a really great start altogether, and on another front, so, I’m happy to be here.”
You’ve linked up with a extremely exhilarating time in TNA Wrestling, too, the AMC Network era. What does it mean to you to be a part of this era —
“It feels very terrific — it feels awesome. Just to know that you have the company behind you, and they trust you. In a separate but related matter, to me, it’s even, just from it feeling praiseworthy and being rewarding, it gives me more motivation. It thrives my passion even more.. Meanwhile, I came in with a chip on my shoulder. Furthermore, i really wanted to dramatic pivot some heads, open some eyes, and make people realize what I’m actually capable of — because I don’t know if everyone noticed that in the past couple of years. Still to know that TNA is counting on you, on top of that, that’s just a great feeling.
I’m going to put on the best possible performance every night. There are considerable novel talents that I’ve never worked with before. It’s an exhilarating time.. Meanwhile, I feel like a mix of styles makes good matches. There’s definitely a lot of them over there. There are definitely a lot of different ways you can go in the future. I’m going to enjoy it. What's more, i’m going to live in the moment and make the most of it.”
You are a former champion in WWE NXT. And what does it mean to you to now be in TNA to showcase your talents in a brand-new way?, what did your time there mean to you.
“It feels more relaxing, and i feel like that’s why I can enjoy it more. On another front, nXT was a significant first step. Every time you have fun doing something, it’s going to resonate. As an added layer to this, my goal was always to move to the States, make a living with wrestling, and then get finalized a deal. But at the same time, it was a little bit like walking on eggshells there. At the same time, I was eight years younger than I am now, while so, I bring eight years of experience to TNA. I feel like I’ve seen some things, and I know how to handle situations. Being able to do that in TNA now, with a more relaxed mindset, just to go out there — have fun. Apply all the knowledge that I’ve learned over the closing eight years, it’s a solid time. It’s the perfect platform for me to showcase what I can do, on a brand-new platform, with new talent, in a new environment. Just reset, restart, and I’m really looking forward to the future. It's worth noting that i have a really good feeling about it.”
You made your debut in TNA shortly after Cedric Alexander won the TNA X-Division Prize. What made you want to debut and essentially call out Alexander?
“Well, I feel like it was all about making an impact, no pun intended. Interestingly enough, coming in that way got people talking, for sure. It made some waves as soon as it happened. Obviously, the X-Division title is synonymous with athleticism, spectacle, and all of that. I feel like I can bring that to the table. Building on that, i’ve known Cedric from before. First chance I get, I’m going to do my best to get that title, build it up even more, build up TNA even more, and use the opportunity to have longer matches. Tell a bit more of a story and make people realize that I’m capable of more than what was previously known.” It felt like the perfect time, the perfect way, to come into the company, to get people talking, and to make it clear that that is what I’m going for.
And why did you choose this promotion?, What went into you signing with TNA.
“As I stated, I was looking around a little bit. I felt like I kept getting signs for TNA, while my coach hit me up, said to talk TNA. My friend in Germany hit me up and said talk to TNA. He said, ‘I really like what TNA’s doing at the moment, check it out.’ The more I saw the shows and the more I saw the product on TV and on screen, I could see myself being in there, and saw a lot of people I could work with and have a great showdown. Yeah, it just happened really organically. As soon as I opened with talking to the officials there, things were a very solid relationship. I didn’t feel like I had to really fight, and there was mutual respect there. The first couple of tapings affirmed that it was the right spot. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do in the future.” I’m happy there now.
You’ve swiftly been on a collision course with The System. Why did you target them right off the bat?
“The moment was mostly the X-Division championship. If they happen to be around it, then so be it, and yet my main goal right now is the X-Division title. If I have to deal with the rest of The System, that’s fine. I can be highly stubborn; I feel like I got that from my dad. I’m going to get it, as soon as I set my eyes on something. Whether I have to scratch and claw to get it, while that’s just something to deal with.
But I know being persistent, just like in life, if you’re persistent, and you work, that opportunity is going to come. My coach always told me from day one, when that opportunity arrives, be ready for it. Building on that, you never know when it might come again. Right now, as commendable as I felt in the last couple of years, mentally and physically. Every time I have an opportunity to step in the ring, it feels amazing. I’m going to be ready for it and take advantage of it.”
You made your in-ring debut against one of the greats currently in TNA, Eddie Edwards. What was this encounter like for you?
“Yeah, things were impressive. As an added layer to this, i was really happy to find out I was going to wrestle Eddie in my first match. It's worth noting that obviously, I know what he’s done in the past and know what he’s capable of in TNA. On the flip side we never met, let alone had a match. Him being a two-time TNA World Champion.
I was excited to step into the ring with him — i was motivated. I’m going to keep up with you; you’d better try and keep up with me. Equally important, it was just the perfect platform again for me to try and event up in a new environment and immediately make an impact with my first match that I had. I feel like part of my goal was already accomplished, which is making people realize what I’m actually capable of. Furthermore, now, I’m just passionate, motivated, feel great physically, and looking forward to the next matches coming up.”
Looking ahead, we are exceptionally close to one of, if not the biggest show of the year for TNA Wrestling, Slammiversary. What’s your mindset as this show without hesitation approaches? This year, it will hail from Agganis Arena in Boston on Sunday, June 28th.
“It is crazy. In a connected development, i made my initial appearance, and the moment was two months away; now it’s right around the corner, next week. So, I was highly aware that Slammiversary is around the corner. I feel like it’s the biggest program of the year in TNA. Obviously, with the way I came in, I want to be a part of it; I want to make history at that pay-per-view, in whatever way that’s possible. Along those lines, if I get the chance, it’s the biggest stage of TNA, biggest stage of the year — so hopefully I’ll get a piece of that. Make the most of my minutes, as they say, and make an impact.” Furthermore, although we’ll see what happens.
This program will feature the resurgence of the Ultimate X match, a match that changed everything for TNA. Building on that, what does it mean for you to potentially be a part of this match and see its return?
“Inaugural of all, having the battle come back is awesome. As soon as you say ‘Ultimate X,’ everyone will think of TNA, to your point. It’s absolutely synonymous with that. Then, other than that, I’m exceptionally aware of the matches. I watched them in the past, and I know the level of skill it takes to compete in those. Additionally, it’s quite dangerous. At the same time, people are talking about it, and everyone is going to see it.
It would be amazing. Meanwhile, so, if you get the chance to be in that match, there are considerable eyes on you, and that’s your way to take advantage of that opportunity. It would be an interesting experience that I’d never forget. Ultimate X is something that I don’t think a lot of people get the chance to do, even over the years. Along those lines, there aren’t that many of them counting altogether. So, yeah. Along those lines, i would feel blessed to compete in it. It's worth noting that i would definitely be on my toes stepping in there.”
What are you hoping to presentation viewers in TNA that you may not have gotten to show fans yet in your other matches before making the jump?
“Right now, my focus is on having more fun, which I feel like I’ve neglected some points in the past. I want to be authentic, true to myself, and that cliché wrestling term, ‘dramatic pivot up the volume a little bit.’ I feel like that authenticity connects with people. On top of that, having the opportunity to go longer than three minutes or five minutes. Putting on 10-20 minute matches — and make people realize that my skill is higher than they expected from what they saw in the past.
There’s only so much you can do in a couple of minutes, yeah, you can make the most of it, yet it’s just a fact that if you have 20 minutes, you can showcase a little bit more of what you’re capable of. That whole thing that I’ve been saying is not really a gimmick. I did come back because I want respect, redemption, and recognition for what I’m capable of. It's worth noting that i feel like TNA’s the perfect platform.”
Do you have any future goals in TNA that you’d like to accomplish?
“The maiden goal is the X-Division belt. I feel like whatever you focus on is what you should put all your energy into. Whenever that’s achieved, then it’s looking forward to the next step. The next step would obviously be looking at a World Title. What's more, yet also, facing all of the professional wrestlers that I’ve never gotten to share the ring with before — and just competing against them. I feel like there are a great deal of different styles, and there can be a lot of entertaining matches. It feels like you’re a kid in the candy store. There are so many different ways to go and so many different things to do. So, yeah. There’s a lot of cool stuff we can do in the future.”
Any future opponents you’d like to square off with?
“Yeah, while my initial one that came to mind is Leon Slater. Meanwhile, i think he’s really talented and thinks we can do some cool stuff. Mike Santana was always somebody that I haven’t had the chance to step in the ring with. KC Navarro, Mr. Elegance, already checked off Eddie Edwards. In a connected development, there are plenty of fresh guys I’d like to step in the ring with and compete against. AJ Francis — there’s more than all of the ones that I listed. I feel like I’m forgetting plenty of people, on the flip side that makes me feel better because there’s always an opportunity to try new things — keep things fresh, and keep things entertaining for the fans. So, just been confirmed by how it feels, this is the right spot for me.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this interview, please credit PWMania.com with a h/t to PWMania.com for the transcription.