Various: KUSHIDA & Steve Maclin on Impact Title Match, Mercedes Mone on Japan & WWE Differences, Will Ospreay

Apr 15, 2023

KUSHIDA & Steve Maclin Comments on Upcoming Impact World Title Match at Rebellion 2023

Sports Illustrated held a recent interview with KUSHIDA and Steve Maclin. One of the topics discussed included KUSHIDA and Maclin’s thoughts about their upcoming match for the Impact World Championship at Impact Wrestling’s Rebellion 2023 event this Sunday in Toronto, Canada.

KUSHIDA stated via his translator:

“This is the opportunity I need. I thank the gods of pro wrestling for giving it to me.
I’ve never gotten the top championship. That means you are the face of the company. I want to be the driving force behind the company. I want to bring Impact all over the world …
Wrestling for the world title is a dream. I can’t wait to make it come true.”

Maclin stated:

“Rebellion is meant for me. The opponent changed, but the story is still the same. This is mine.
Going from a dirt hole in the middle of Afghanistan all the way to this, wrestling for the world title in the main event of Rebellion, it means a lot to me. This is the biggest match of my career—and it’s the biggest match of his career, too. I have a lot of respect for Kushida, and it’s an honor to wrestle him for the biggest prize in the company. I’m giving every bit of me out there; I’m bringing everything I have …
I’m not going to let this opportunity slip away. Josh was a fighting champion, and now I’m going to carry the ball and move the company forward.
I will keep working. I was a grunt in the Marine Corps. I’m a grunt in life. I’m going to keep grinding, but after Sunday, I’ll do it as Impact world champion.”

Mercedes Mone Comments on Differences Between Wrestling in Japan & WWE

MegaCon recently held their MegaCon 2023 event in Orlando, Florida featuring Mercedes Mone as one of the guests. During a Manderlorian Q&A panel, Mone gave her thoughts on the differences between wrestling in Japan and WWE.

“It’s definitely not the same. It’s definitely not the same [holds up IWGP Women’s Title]. It’s so different. Besides being in a whole different country with a completely different language barrier and not understanding anything, but it’s so magical because wrestling is so universal. I don’t have to say any words. I just feel it with my emotions and the movement when I get into the ring. The girls over there are legit. They’ve been training twice a day, five days a week, and this is their livelihood. The Japanese culture, they’re very strict and disciplined. That’s what I really love when I go to Japan. My match with KAIRI was so different. I was so nervous and was like, ‘Are we going to be able to understand each other?’ It’s been so magical. I’m trying to make more history in wrestling and I feel this is my chance to do it and I’m ready for more.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Will Ospreay Comments on His High Hopes for Nick Wayne’s Wrestling Career

Dark Puroresu Flowsion held a recent interview with Will Ospreay. One of the topics discussed included Ospreay’s thoughts on Nick Wayne’s future in wrestling and his advice for him.

“I have high hopes for him. My 1 piece of advice would be. Don’t be scared to evolve & to his critics, allow him to be a young man in wrestling, let him grow, find himself. I have a eye for these guys & I’m hardly wrong about this.”

Will Ospreay gave us his thoughts on Nick Wayne:

“I have high hopes for him. My 1 piece of advice would be. Don’t be scared to evolve & to his critics. Allow him to be a young man in wrestling, let him grow, find himself. I have a eye for these guys & Im hardly wrong about this” pic.twitter.com/AY1x15oKOE
— Dark Puroresu Flowsion (@PuroresuFlow) April 13, 2023