Eric Young says living in Nashville definitely provides some perks right now but he would have come back to IMPACT Wrestling no matter where they filmed.
Young spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard after winning the IMPACT World Championship on last week’s episode of IMPACT Wrestling on AXS. Young, a longtime Nashville resident, was asked if IMPACT filming in town at Skyway Studios during the pandemic played a role in his decision to return versus signing somewhere else.
“No, I mean they could have been filming on Mars and it wouldn’t have mattered. It’s convenient, I’ll say that—I get to sleep in my own bed and I don’t have to get on a plane right now. I’ve only been on one flight since March and I can say that I don’t miss having to fly every week. It’s a weird time to be in the United States but the fact that they’re filming at Skyway Studios in Nashville is nice, but it was not part of the decision. The truth is I don’t need to be working right now. I’ve made a very good living for myself, I’ve been very smart. I don’t live a lavish lifestyle and I’m comfortable, I don’t need to work, I don’t need to start working right away. I chose to be at IMPACT because it’s what felt right.
“Scott D’Amore, it’s no secret that I’ve been friends with Scott for over 20 years and he was one of the first guys to call me and I guess apologize, he couldn’t believe I’m on that list of people [that were released by WWE on April 15] and I’m in the position that I’m in, but he said selfishly he’s pumped because he wanted me to come to IMPACT. There was some back and forth [with him] and talking with my wife, looking at the landscape of professional wrestling but the truth is it’s my choice. I don’t have to work and I could have chosen other places if deemed appropriate. Maybe not at the time but I didn’t need to go back to work and I could’ve taken my time to make that decision. The decision was easy. I started following the product more closely, going back on IMPACT Plus and watching some of the previous pay-per-views, stuff like that. I’m excited to be part of this team. The roster has limitless potential. Potential is only potential until it’s executed but it’s limitless. It’s a great mix of performers, just men and women who want IMPACT to do well and in turn, do well themselves. It’s exciting to be in a position like that.”
Young says IMPACT’s growth is the most important thing to remember. He says they know it’s not a network like Spike [now the Paramount Network] but they are growing, citing new broadcast deals like the one with Pluto TV. Young says it starts at the top and cool and exciting to be part of a team like this.
“It’s a crew that cares. They are passionate about what they do and they want what’s best for IMPACT. What’s best for IMPACT is in turn what’s best for all of us.”
IMPACT Wrestling airs each Tuesday on AXS TV and Twitch.
Related: Eric Young Says IMPACT World Championship Win Is ‘Justification’, It Was Fate (Exclusive)
