Tony D’Angelo loves himself some Rocky Balboa.
WWE NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo recently sat down with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard. When asked if his recent storyline with Oba Femi was inspired by Rocky 3 or if that was just a coincidence, D’Angelo said it started as a coincidence but then turned into something else.
“I think part of it was coincidence [that it was similar to the Rocky film franchise] and then turned into something else,” Tony D’Angelo said. “Which I am okay with because I love the Rocky films. I’m a huge Sylvester Stallone fan. Funny enough, when I was doing amateur wrestling in college and high school, I would listen to the Rocky IV soundtrack to get me in the zone.
“So, to really pay homage to Rocky and Stallone, I thought it was great. I had no problems with it. Of course, he is the Italian Stallion. So, who doesn’t want to do that? Who doesn’t want their own Rocky story? So, I thought it was great. I think paying homage to the legend, happy to do it.”
You can check out our complete interview with Tony D’Angelo in the embedded video below:
Tony D’Angelo on Halloween Havoc
During the same interview, the NXT North American Champion explained why he asked for a new stipulation in the Tables, Ladders and Scares match. Now, the winner will be decided by pinfall. It seemed like D’Angelo had a slight advantage in a ladder match, but he says that he wants to beat Oba Femi up and get a decisive win on Sunday.
“Well, look — let’s just say we kept it the same. Okay? Run up the ladder, grab the title. A win is a win but I don’t feel like I am beating him. Especially after what he did on Tuesday, tied me to the ring and made me watch [him take out The Family]. I’m 99% sure that this guy had Rizzo taken out,” Tony D’Angelo proclaimed. “I want to rub some more dirt in the wound. I want to make it clear that you do not do those things to the D’Angelo family. And that’s it. I just want to rub more dirt on the wound, I want to hurt him, and make it clear to everybody that I am beating him.”
READ MORE: Tony D’Angelo Will Erase Any Doubt He Should Be A Champion
What do you make of Tony D’Angelo’s comments? Have you enjoyed his storyline with Oba Femi on WWE NXT? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
If you use any of these quotes, please credit WrestleZone with a link to this article for the transcription.
