hier jetzt noch der angesprochene Text von Mike... zugegeben es ist ein bisl lang... aber ganz ehrlich Leute. lest euch das mal durch und hört euch auch bitte das Interview an:
"Hello ROH fans. Hope everyone had a wonderful/safe 4th of July. I have noticed a few people have voiced their opinion about a certain topic/s on ROH. I gave my word too management that I would not mention a specific individuals name and I wont. When I give my word I KEEP my word. But instead of talking about the negative I would like to elaborate on some truth and facts about me and also why I voiced out instead of letting my actions speak for itself. First I want to address that wrestling is my life 24/7...LITERALLY..I know people say that a lot, or something along those lines, but if I told you what I do outside the ring, 85-90% of everyone reading this would not believe me if I told you. I'm going to try not too ramble but do my best too get to the points I want to address. First off, my comments were arguably out of line. If so and people took it as such. I will be the first and say I apologize. Sometimes emotions get the better of you and it was a learning experience. People who know me would prob think that was out of character of me and IF I went about it the wrong way I apologize for certain comments that maybe drawn unnecessary attention. That being said lets move on. I can count on less than one hand on people who drew money in this business who TRULY believed in me and gave me opportunities or a chance unlike others who never saw a dime in Mike Mondo. One of those very few who believed in me is Jim Cornette. Jim introduced me to ROH and got me a couple of tryouts to get looked at based upon knowing me and working many years together in OVW. He opened the door but it was up too me to capitalize on the opportunities he gave me and NOT drop the ball. I will be the first to admit that yes, if it weren't for Jim I would most likely not be in ROH at this given moment. First and foremost I am a team player. I consider myself loyal and when making a commitment too a company that I am proud of and want to take part of, I will do everything I can to go as far and beyond to make the most of my opportunities and do good business for the company. That’s just me taking pride in my work. I am never content. I strive for greatness and take 2nd place as not an option because at the end of the day when you look at yourself in the mirror, you have too look into your eyes and ask yourself "Did I do my best and do everything I can possibly do.” If not I have to live with that and I don’t even want too go there. I was fired from WWE in 2008 I haven't had a job/opportunity since. Sure I did independents, back to OVW, went overseas quite a bit, Japan, Australia, Africa are just a few. I’m grateful, it was a great learning experience, I had fun, but I was not content with just that. I wanted to be and prove that I can be number 1. This may sound odd, but when I say number one, I am talking about being ROH World Champion. A title in my opinion in which is the only title in the U.S that truly still has meaning to it. You don’t see a new ROH champion every week or two. You have to earn that honor and prove too EVERYONE that you can be the man too carry the company on your back. On a different topic real quick I want to make a note that I take full responsibility for getting fired in 2008. Ironically it was the BEST and WORST thing that ever happened too me. WORST being I relocated at the age of 18 to pursue a dream with NOTHING, just barely trying too get by. But I was so hungry and wanted it so bad I never missed a practice, TV, or house show even if that meant missing work at my shoot job. The learning experience was more important to me than making 40 bucks a night. Yes I was fired from both serving jobs because I chose wrestling over restaurants. The BEST reason why is the day after my “incident” happened I felt something come over me and I felt myself mature from a boy to a man. I made an honest mistake and vowed too NEVER make that same mistake again. In fact I am coming up on one year being alcohol free (no I didn’t have a problem) just a personal choice I made. I actually feel good about it too. So what after? Yes absolutely it punched me in the face and I was knocked down for a couple months. But thanks too my cousin Danny with a pep talk that I remember like it was yesterday and talking to Rob Conway about turning fat Mondo into jacked and tan Mondo once again. The fire/motivation was back! I got out of Tampa (hated it there anyway) came back to Louisville and started from square one. 4 years straight of clawing, scratching, loosing more money than I made everyday, but you keep going, you believe in second chances, proving through your passion too once again live the dream, then the dream becomes your life and then your life becomes an obsession. Some may say that's unhealthy. I say it's NOT and don't care if anyone thinks so. It’s my life and I am going to live it how I wanna live it. F--- hobbies, F--- having that something else. I made a lifetime commitment to myself at 18 years old (now 29) that I was going to make a solid living at this. It doesn’t have to be WWE. I hope one day it could be ROH. I personally don’t see why it can’t with in time. If everybody from Sinclair too the locker room’s performance, too the people behind the scenes in charge. WHY NOT?!?!?!?! Just like a match, it takes a whole team for it to be successful. We all as a team have too do it by any means, whatever it takes, to the point if you look up failure in a dictionary we wouldn't be able to find it because we never heard of it. One of the "powers that be" in another organization & myself went privately and talked for 30 min. At the end I got looked at in the eye in a meeting we had about 2 years ago. That individual said to me in these EXACT words that I will never forget. "Mike unfortunately I don't see money in you. I don't see you as the next Randy Orton or Edge" I'm to small etc. Though I appreciate his honesty. Was I a little hurt yes, was I going to hang it up... F NO!!! It was those words that told me it’s time to seek other places (obviously they were not interested)too get over and shove it up that persons ass! I have been told no a million times my whole life. You can't do this, you can't do that, your too small, etc. A year goes by...nothing...another...nothing. I dedicated put the time in to be in the greatest physical condition of my life naturally…repeat….naturally J. I can wrestle 2 hours straight and maybe break one sweat. I went back and worked for OVW while doing various Independents and going overseas from Japan too Australia, Africa etc. But finally after 4 years I got my first break after being persistent and persistent with the will too say I won’t except NO for an answer. I went on going to earn an opportunity with a company that showcases "WRESTLING" the reason why I wanted to become a wrestler in the first place. I'm talking about ROH. I was ready and came over prepared on every single tryout/opportunity and from what I was told hit homeruns every single time. Which proves right there HARD WORK DOES pay off and it does MATTER! And saying this as humble as I possibly can. If you want proof?? Proof=MONDO. No matter how you look at my career, go back in time and if you had to bet on Mike Mondo doing what has accomplished so far would you have put your money on me? Probably not. I would expect you not too. I even probably not knowing me would have done it myself. It's so EASY to say f it and say this isn’t worth it and quit. It’s even harder to suck it up throw some more money out there and spin that roulette wheel hoping it does not land on red when you bet on black. Mine landed on black. I couldn't explain too tell you how happy I was too get a "second chance" with a company that was recently bought by Sinclair and run by Jim Cornette one of if not thee greatest mind in wrestling and Delirious who not only has my respect, but he a true stand up guy. He bleeds passion, eats, breaths, and sleeps ROH. That my friends is called pride, loyalty, and that right there shows me that we can be even bigger than what we are right now. Kevin Kelly is right...so what do we do now??? No question in my mind we have the talent. Eddie Edwards, Adam Cole, Kyle O'relly, W.G.T.T, Michael Elgin, Briscoe’s, Jay Lethal, Tommasso Champa, Davey Richards, Bennett/Brutal Bob/Maria, Rhett Titus, Kevin Steen, Steve Corino etc.etc. The brains of Jim Cornette, Delirious and Kevin Kelly, Nigel McGuiness behind the curtain. If someone decides to jump ship, good for them. I say let them. Don’t get mad or angry, because guess what that leaves a spot open for so many other talented wrestlers we have on our roster that just maybe wants it a little bit more. They say everything is "timing" and everybody has passion but what are “you” willing to do to be a little more “passionate” than the others? Maybe that individual that steps up can capitalize and be even a bigger star IF he wants it that bad. I am not a fan of negativity, for those that don't know me I honestly really am not. I’m 95% always positive, happy, and count down the days until the next ROH show. For shoot Ring Of Honor made wrestling FUN for me again. I got scared because I always told myself, the day I quit is the day I stop having fun. Right now I am having the best time of my life. When I saw negative publicity it was an instinct reaction too respond. In reality I should have waited and cooled off. I am an emotional person and I let that defeat me this time. BUT I still stand by what I said for the majority of it. In conclusion I have to add something about myself along with those list of people because if no one believes in me, I do believe in myself, even if it‘s me vs. the world. When I first came to Ring of Honor officially full time. I knew going in when I signed the dotted line, it was going to be the toughest year of my 11 year career. Talk about working HARD every single match in EVERY different market because you have a “stink” of what you used to be. I love the ROH fans the most because they REALLY believe in freedom of speech. I dig that. Good for them. But most of all they are without a doubt the most loyal fans I have ever encountered in my 11 year career so far. I come to the building and I get handed a personal “Ring Of Mondo” t-shirt. Another time my own specially made Ring of Honor custom action figure. To me that was amazing and can’t thank you guys enough. They paid a ticket they should be entitled too cheer/boo who they want. That’s what ROH is all about and what makes our company different and special. Passion not only from the performers, but the fans as well. Not just here and there, but at EVERY show we go too. At first I know you guys didn’t want to give me the time of day and that was understandable at the time because you only saw me for what arguably could have been the death of my career. But I was able too feel it through your energy, thanks to Ring of Honor for giving me the platform to showcase what I can REALLY do. I am really glad that a lot of the ROH fans are coming around and starting to see what I am all about. Be patient, I have sooooo much more up my sleeve. After you wrestle Ric Flair over 60 times, Shawn Michaels and HHH over 60 times, Dusty Rhodes, Roddy Piper, Sgt Slaughter, not to mention you have Arn Anderson, Barry Windom, Dean Malenko, Fit Finley as your agents too take advantage of and ask questions and learn from at any time when they are not busy. Being an assistant trainer with Dr Tom and Steve Kern helping out because the place was FILLED!!! Having too pull triple duty as an assistant trainer/ being an agent for matches and then of course wrestling my own. Having Lance Storm have enough faith in me to teach guys that needed work on fundamentals. Many of which were on or still on TV too this day. Being a sponge asking questions, questions, questions after questions. Soaking it in. Being a student of the game. Being blessed being around veterans and being lucky enough for them to give back their knowledge to you. That is the side A LOT of people do not know THAT PART about “No Fear” Mike Mondo. For all my fans who got a little taste of me in ROH and now are a fan, I want to send out a personal thank you and believe me its just beginning. Right now you got a little taste but I sure hope you enjoy the ride as much as I will continue to do so. You JUST NEVER know what I might bust out NEXT???. As for ROH we are on the rise and boy the sky is the limit!! WE as a team (everyone involved) can take this company as far as we want it too. Why???? This may be a weird analogy but ROH is like your super Walmart. You walk in those doors and there’s everything you need. You have your food section, clothes, toys, tools, auto, etc. Point being we have such a variety you will be entertained! Come too an ROH show that lives near you and find out for yourself. I HIGHLY predict even if you are STILL on the fence about going, I will still say you will go home a very happy and proud wrestling fan and like me counting the days too the next show, you will be counting the days until the next event that comes too a town near you. I apologize if this was too long. But if you made it through the end, thank you for reading and Ill see you hopefully sooner than later!"
