Elias explains why he hated veterans like The Undertaker making WWE returns and what caused him to have a change of heart about them.
In recent years there has been a raging debate among fans about wrestling returns of ageing veterans and legends. While their appearance is profitable for the company in the short term, it is argued that these profits come at the expense of the new stars, most of whom are made to look less credible after taking a loss to someone in their 50’s or sometimes above.
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It seems that this view isn’t exclusive to fans and critics but even among the wrestlers. During his recent appearance on the “Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia” podcast WWE Star Elias revealed that he used to be offended by veterans like The Undertaker taking spots on the roster!
Elias explains why he hated veterans like The Undertaker making WWE returns
“This is going to sound selfish, but when these guys are around, guys like Undertaker, Kane, Shawn Michaels, when they would come back, I would get personally offended by that,” Elias revealed. “The reason would be that I should either be in there with those guys and learning from them and they should be passing on the knowledge or they just should not be there because it’s the new guy’s time.”
“That’s how I felt. I had a little bit of anger towards that generation,” he admitted. “I was like, I’m getting the loudest reactions out there. I’m the new guy and I’m the young guy. Here come these guys and they take spots at WrestleMania.
“They take spots at big PPV’s. Elias is shoved to the side for whatever reason. I had like an anger about that. I thought geez, can they not just help out or step aside, whatever it may be.
The Last Ride helped change perception
Elias then went on to recall how watching the Undertaker’s Last Ride documentary helped him change his mindset.
“Then I saw the interview with The Undertaker with that 4 or 5 part series and you come to find out how he’s aware of that as well,” Elias continued. “He knows the young guys want his spot. He also knows that he has to let this go sometime and he has been through the ringer. His body has been through it. But, he just loves the business so much and you can relate to that.
“I was like, oh, let me put myself in this situation and get paid incredibly well. One of the best of all time. The fans go absolutely insane for the guy. It softens me to go, oh, I get it and I don’t have that anger that I did have before. Who knows if the situation is ever reversed?”
H/t WrestlingNews.co
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