Zack Sabre Jr recently spoke with Tim Fiorvanti for ESPN.com; you can read a few highlights below:
Sabre comments on facing Okada, having the trust of New Japan:
“I felt like there were times in that match when the fans genuinely thought that I was capable of winning, so that fulfillment is only more inspiring and motivating. I feel if I was able to get, able to control an audience after one month of a push, then I really envision myself being there for a long time, for the majority of my career — so I’m excited. I feel like the possibilities are endless now. I think I can hopefully wrestle Okada for many more years.
“To have that faith, I’ve only been with them for a year. I was a junior in a smaller company before. I couldn’t ask for more faith [from] the company, really. And there’s so much room to grow. I feel like I’m so far away from plateauing — there’s still so much more to grow as a performer.”
Sabre comments on finding balance between technical skill and character:
“I think I figured out I’m at my best when I’m a knob, a bit of a d—. I think naturally, being someone who is presented as very skilled in a minimal-type style, you need to have something alongside that. Arrogance and a bit of ego encourages a crowd to get behind my opponent, and hopefully a lot of my stuff looks painful.
“Technical wrestling is very minimal, so I think the tools that we have to be able to evoke reactions are different. Minoru Suzuki is very good with that. If you do something very visual, like a dive to the outside or a move off the top rope, it’s already very visceral. It’s very out in the open, so it’s been about trying to find ways to make holding someone’s leg bigger. I’d say a balance between both.”
Zack comments on his experience working for WWE in the Cruiserweight Classic:
“I think people might presume that because I’m not with WWE now that my experience was negative with them. Far from it — it was very positive — but I had envisioned how my career would go as a kid and it didn’t involve WWE. Having that taste of it, even though it was very, very enjoyable and I think I would learn a lot from that environment. … I really think the presentation of indie wrestling, and New Japan [in particular], that’s best suited to me. Perhaps one day.
“I wear being an independent wrestler with real pride. I think the people in my position that get to travel all over the world — the top companies — this is the modern territories now.”
