Akio was the insightful and often hilarious guest on this weeks Get in the Ring with Phantom and Junior. To listen to the interview; go to
www.getinthering.tv or
www.wrestlingradionetwork.com.
- Akio joins The Phantom and The Junior on the show, talking about what he has been up to since his WWE release; wrestling for Hustle, Ring Of Honor and a movie with Gail Kim.
- Phantom asked if Akio was expecting being cut. 'It wasn't a surprise to me...I was waiting on the phone call.' John Laurinaitis called Akio personally. Akio confirms the line that Laurinaitis tells them about working Japan , working independents and he'll be hired back as 'that famous line.'
- Akio has no complaints about working for WWE. He puts over Tajiri and was a fan of his in ECW. On being asked who his influences are, he says he just adapts to what the fans want.
- Phantom asks about ROH. 'I definitely have a lot more creative freedom then WWE.' Akio jokes about jobbing in the WWE, but says he didn't like jobbing to Chavo Guerrero Sr., but there was tons of interference so it was ok .
- Akio says he was trained by Paul Orndorff and says he had guns in his office. 'He was ready to go to war.'
- Junior asks about possibly working for TNA again. Akio doesn't know as 'the first time ended badly,' as he didn't sign a contract when asked, jumping to WWE instead. Akio jokes about how ridiculous the Russo-era TNA was.
- Akio then goes into detail talking about Strong Style and backstage etiquette in the WWE. Akio puts over Bob Holly and JBL, telling how he drank lots of beer with JBL. 'He'd pay for everything.'
- Akio puts over Eddie Guerrero as being an inspiration to smaller guys such as himself and a guy who would help out the younger guys. Phantom asks about the tasteless angles involving Eddie's name. Akio says he felt really emotional about the chokeslamming on the Lowrider incident. But wouldn't be surprised if Eddie would be okay to his name being used.
- Phantom asks about Akio's wrestling school, which Akio describes as only costing $500, more details can be found at
http://www.akioyang.com.
- Akio then talks about his new tag team partner in Ring Of Honor, Bruce Leroy from the film The Last Dragon. Akio talks about how he got in touch with Leroy and says that Leroy will be wrestling and not managing.
- Get In The Ring recap by Brian P. Cooper of
www.BigVanVader.com
