Monday Night Mayhem radio with Austin Aries
Hosts: Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent
Available at MondayNightMayhem.com.

With "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson leaving for World Wrestling Entertainment (along with Nigel McGuinness) after this weekend's "Final Countdown Tour" in Boston and New York City is complete, Mosh started things off by asking Aries about competing against Danielson last Saturday in Chicago...possibly for the last time ever.

"I'm sure there was lots of misty eyes in the crowd, and people are boohooing and saying their farewells. But all in all, it was just another day at the office for A Double. Got in the ring with someone who people call the best wrestler in the world, had one hell of a match. Probably one of my toughest title defenses to date, for either reign, and walked out of there ROH World Champion. And to have Bret Hart there, it was just one hell of a night there."

With the aforementioned Danielson and McGuiness leaving for the WWE, Austin was asked if there is much more pressure on him as the ROH Champion and "the top dog" of Ring Of Honor now. "I think the company relied on me for a long time. You talk about pressure all the way back to my debut at Generation Next, when basically we were put in position where we had a lot of the company's future riding on our backs, and we were thrust in the spot to either swim or sink...and we swam. I like to think every time I was put in a high pressure position, I've always delivered."

With the upcoming "Glory By Honor VIII: The Final Countdown" show this Saturday night in NYC and the stacked card that Ring Of Honor is putting on (with Austin's ROH Title match possibly being an afterthought, showing how big that night will be), how important is this event not only for ROH, but for all of professional wrestling?

"Normally I'll be insulted that a championship involving myself is kind of an afterthought on the card, but considering the events of the evening considering what we have with Bryan and Nigel, it's totally fitting that they are taking center stage and get to lock it up one more time before they move onto their future endeavors. Obviously it's going to be a lot of emotion, the place is going to be rockin', and it's going to be a big night for the company. But I don't consider it bigger than any other night. We've sold out New York more than once, and it's always a big deal, and ROH always delivers."

Austin was asked about whether Nigel and Bryan will be able to succeed in World Wrestling Entertainment with all their talent and ability, and become lost in the WWE shuffle (ala Colt Cabana as Scotty Goldman). "These guys have proven themselves time and time again. And if they're given the opportunity, they will succeed, and for all those marks who worry about what's going to happen to their poor Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuiness, they just need to relax.

"Stop taking it so damn seriously. There's nothing more I hate than a wrestling snob. Quite frankly this is a business, and it's about making money, and right now, the WWE is the place to make money. Obviously we love the art form and passion about what we do, but these guys wanna make some money. They put their time on this level, and I have no doubts that if given the opportunity, they'll be successful, because that's what they've done their whole career."

With the successes of Aries in Ring Of Honor, alums of ROH such as CM Punk and "The Samoan Submission Machine" Samoa Joe are at the top of the WWE (as the World Heavyweight Champion) and TNA (as the X-Division Champion) respectively. Austin was asked how it feels to be at the top with those guys who he worked and fought with in their early days. "From a professional standpoint, it's always nice to see guys who have respect and passion for the business succeed, because it's those guys when they are on top, they keep wrestling alive, and I hope it continues. Those guys put a lot of hard work in, and it's nice to see that rewarded."

With Ring Of Honor being seen throughout the United States on Monday nights now (on HDNet), and being the "lead-in" for many wrestling fans to Monday Night Raw (on the USA Network), many are saying that the WWE will see them as competition and try to ruin them. As seen recently, they have picked up two talents from the company (in "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuiness). Austin was asked to help soothe the fans' worries about any rumors regarding a WWE raid" of ROH.

"I think they are upset is because that percentage of the fan base look at Ring Of Honor as their own personal, pet wrestling promotion that's just supposed to cater to their fancy, and that's not the reality. I think the reality situation is if you're WWE and you're looking for talent, you're gonna want the best guys out there, and you're gonna look at Ring Of Honor, because that's where the best talent is. Who knows, maybe I'll be the next guy to go.

"You think Ring Of Honor would crumble? I don't think so. Ring Of Honor has always been about the company. If you look at the history, there has been a lot of guys who have come and gone. A lot of top tier guys like AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe...I could go on and on. But Ring Of Honor continues to roll. The only guy we can't afford to lose is Cary Silkin. If the WWE signs him, we could have some problems."

More is contained in this exclusive interview with the current, reigning, and defending Ring Of Honor World Champion Austin Aries, including his candid thoughts/comments on having Bret "Hitman" Hart being a strong part of the ROH fold this weekend, his potential forthcoming title defenses against such names as Tyler Black, ROH's relationship with HDNet (and how he strongly believes both companies and entities help each other), and what he wants to strive for with his wrestling school. Log onto such as possible title defenses in ROH with names like Tyler Black and other, ROH's relationship with HDNet and how they help each other, and what he wants to accomplish with his wrestling school. Log onto Austin's official website, www.AustinAries.com, for further details on his forthcoming in-ring schedule. While there, check out his official commentaries, as well as purchase official "A-Double" merchandise.

Remember fans, this Saturday evening's "Glory By Honor VIII: The Final Countdown" event in New York City is completely sold-out, but you can still purchase tickets to this Friday night's Boston event by logging onto www.ROHWrestling.com, or by calling (215) 781-2500. This will be truly be one of the most-memorable weekends in wrestling history, so be a part of the festivities, the action, and the Mayhem!

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