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Mosh started things off by saying how he personally thought Elijah would be the future of the WWE when he debuted in 2006, stating that he thought he would hold a championship within two-three years. Mosh also added that he believes Elijah should still be on the current roster, competing for the ECW Championship heading into WrestleMania XXV. Mosh & Blade then asked if his release from the WWE was more of a mutual agreement, or if he thinks something went wrong that lead to it. Elijah then went on record and said there was nothing that went wrong, but what did not go right was the fact that he was not being used. He added that people will always use the "creative had nothing for the person," but mentioned how he fought for everything he ever had — proving himself against guys like Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, & Sabu and holding his own against other veterans. He then said he was "on the sidelines" for awhile, after a story surfaced about being hit by a car, but was was later released. He went on to say, "But it’s not the end…it’s only the beginning."
The Big Mosh mentioned a recent quote from Paul London’s interview on last Sunday night’s Wrestling Observer Live, where Paul stated about his WWE tenure, "It’s only a job…everybody get’s fired." Mosh then asked Elijah for his thoughts about the quote & if he agrees with those sentiments/if they are true, considering superstars like Triple H, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, & The Undertaker seem to have their jobs secured. Elijah said that he would have to agree with Paul, with regards to the fact that everybody does get fired, and added that all three of the names that Mosh mentioned have been fired at some point in their wrestling careers as well. He added that now, all three of those guys have earned their spots & respects all three for their work, as well as their advice that they gave him during his time in World Wrestling Entertainment.
Blade asked Elijah if there were ever any times when he was not being used that he offered some ideas of his own to the WWE Creative Team. Elijah said that he is a "big fan of the phrase, ‘If it’s not broke…don’t fix it," and said that if there was something wrong with the Elijah Burke character we saw on WWE television, then a change should have been made. He added that there were some back & forth discussions backstage, saying he is easy to work with & does whatever is asked of him, and it became a story of just waiting for the right time. Elijah then said that he believes he got lost in the shuffle after all of the "backstage changes" that occurred following an infamous Mark Henry incident, where WWE Creative Team members were switching back & forth between shows, "and the lights just started getting dimmer & dimmer."
Blade then mentioned how the last he remembered reading about Elijah was that he was going to have a new gimmick with straight hair, carrying a goblet, & spitting blood. Elijah then went into detail about the character, stating that he calls himself "The Black Pope Of Wrestling" on his website, which "somebody got a hold of." At the time, he was not being used, so they asked to see him as that character that night at the show, he went to a store to find a "pimp cup" & wrestled Funaki that night in the clothes he wore to the building. He added that there seemed to be some interest in it, but there were two different outlooks to what "The Black Pope" is, stating that it is just another name, not something that would involve him coming out to the arena wearing a Pope hat or a Pope robe.
After some self-promotion & plugging his official website (
www.TheElijahExpress.com), The Big Mosh said that Elijah could have a career in broadcasting after a plug like that on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network.. Elijah then said that is another reason why he does not know why he was released, because he could have contributed as much as he did in the ring either as a backstage interviewer or announcer. "Who knows," he added, saying that he never did the independent wrestling scene before OVW/WWE, so he is still getting to experience a whole new avenue of wrestling — including recently getting his tights stolen in Philadelphia.Mosh & Blade mentioned Elijah’s feud with CM Punk during his time in World Wrestling Entertainment & his recent success the past year, winning all three major titles on RAW, as well as his previous ECW Championship reign. Elijah had some pretty straightforward comments about CM Punk to follow…
"If I was the darling of the internet community like that young man, I probably would’ve been a multi-time champion by now too. I expected CM Punk, and I thought that the culmination of our feud would’ve given both of us a reign by then because at that time, we were ECW, every night, and when they didn’t have anything for either of us to fall back on, they had CM Punk vs. Elijah Burke. So, I thought by the time our feud came to an end, both of us would’ve had a reign between us. Did I expect CM Punk to become World Champion? That never crossed my mind. I’m glad that he did…That was a barrier-breaker."
Mosh asked Elijah for his thoughts & comments on the Academy-Award nominated Mick Rourke film, "The Wrestler," to which Elijah said that his thoughts are available on his official website (
www.TheElijahExpress.com). To save The Mayhem their troubles, Elijah goes onto his website & read exactly what he wrote…word-for-word. For anybody that has not read Elijah ‘s review yet, it is much different from any other review that is online, and we will just say that if he were a member of award nominations, "The Wrestler" would not be held in such high praise. "Comparing Mickey Rourke’s charisma to that of Braden Walker" is only the beginning of Elijah’s thoughts on the Golden Globe-winning movie. He did say, however, that he supports & likes the movie, because it gives the outside world a chance to see the world of professional wrestling.The Mayhem Crew then asked Elijah for what he has planned in his infamous "future endeavors," stemming from rumors circulating that he has been in discussions with TNA, or the other option of Ring Of Honor as well. Elijah’s answer was as straightforward as it can be. "Wherever it makes the most sense…Period." Elijah said that he watches TNA, "like everybody, but they just don’t admit it," saying that he watches for Sting, "the last remaining NWA-era legend still on a national level." Former WWE Head Of Security, Jimmy Noonan (who called in to wish The Mayhem a happy seven-year anniversary) asked if Elijah would be interested in getting into the UFC or another MMA promotion, based on the success of his pre-wrestling boxing career. Elijah had another straightforward answer. "I’m not that dumb."
More is contained in this hour-long exclusive interview with "Your Host Of Hosts," including: a history lesson on how Elijah Burke went from manager (of Sylvester Terkay) to wrestler in the WWE, what December he doesn’t remember & why it came across so bad, what it takes to become a champion, Tommy Dreamer’s WWE in-ring future, & why did the former President Of WCW/former WWE RAW General Manager, Eric Bischoff, call into The Mayhem in the last few minutes of Elijah’s MNM interview? You have to tune in to find out!
