Austin Aries

“There was a time that I really loved pro wrestling, but I'm not a pro wrestling junkie, per se.”

“As long as I can get Bobby Heenan in my corner, then I'm a happy man because, to me, Bobby Heenan is one of the most underrated performers of all time. He's in my top five of all time performers because I don't think people realize just how good he was.”

“I've been trying to make it my own way in an industry full of heels walking around in babyface costumes, and that brought out the worst in me.”

“I've always felt that wherever I go, I have to carry myself like I'm a main event guy and like I'm a star.”

“I have put a lot of energy and focus into capturing the Cruiserweight Championship, but obviously I didn't get the job done.”

“At the end of the day everyone has different goals. Some people, like myself, are trying to keep size on. Some people might come in and have the opposite. So, one size doesn't fit all for nutrition.”

“For me, from day one, I don't think I realized that I was considered undersized, but I knew I was good. I had certain tools in my toolbox that other guys didn't have, like agility, quickness and explosiveness.”

“You can have a favorite band, but when they sign with a major label... maybe a new producer says, 'You can't do that, take this down a notch.' And you'll keep listening, but you'll always think their first album was their best album.”

“I'm very stubborn and I don't like to lose.”

“On the road, I'll always pack a package or two of pre-cooked lentils, nuts, vegan protein bars and powders.”

“Really, since I left Impact Wrestling - some people say controversially - I've been really laying low.”

“I think there's a balance of fan interaction. I think sometimes there can be a little too much interaction. I know when I was a kid, the mystique of wrestlers and stuff was something that was kind of big, and if I got to hang out with them all the time i think that mystique can be lost.”

“As for regret, more than anything else, my regret lies in that the WWE Universe never really got the real Austin Aries. Outside of commentary, they missed out on the chance to hear and see me be me, and do what I do best.”

“When I first started training, I guess the fact that I was undersized, it just didn't register initially. Obviously, I knew I wasn't huge and there were some bigger guys in the territories at the time, but I guess I never looked at it as a hinderance.”

“I think it's funny, if you look at Brian Cage, the guy calls himself 'The Machine.' 265 lbs and spends a lot of time in the gym and eating chicken breasts. The guy comes in Impact Wrestling and instead of going after a guy like Moose or Killer Kross, who is he beating up? A bunch of guys half his size? Walking around like he's a big man.”

“I think it's always good to have realistic short term goals and then lofty longer term goals.”

“I always say men's facial hair is kind of like women's makeup. We know how to contour our face real nice and give ourselves nice angles and make our nose look not quite as crooked as it is.”

“I always wanted facial hair as soon as I could get it.”

“Every time Samoa Joe and myself have stepped in the ring, we've always created a little bit of magic.”

“I think if you're trying to be mindful of eating well on the road, it can be difficult no matter what. Your choices at midnight or one o'clock in some of the smaller towns when we are getting out of shows aren't going to be the best choices for eating healthy no matter what your dietary choices or restrictions are.”