EXCLUSIVE: Jay Lethal Discusses What Changed His WWE Dreams

01/03/2017 12:33 pm EST

Like many wrestling fans growing up in the 90s, Jay Lethal's dream was to one day become a WWE superstar. At only age sixteen, Lethal entered a contest held by Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW) which entitled the winner to a lifetime of free training in the JAPW professional wrestling school. Lethal won, and his wrestling career began. After early stints in ROH, Lethal made waves with his work as Black Machismo (a spot on Macho Man impersonation) and feud with Ric Flair as the "Black Nature Boy" in TNA.

After returning to Ring of Honor, Lethal became a record-setting two-time and longest reigning ROH World Television Champion; holding the title for 567 days and becoming the only man to hold the Television title concurrently with the World title.

With his ROH contract coming to an end, many assumed Lethal would be on the WWE's short list of targets for 2017. However, in an exclusive interview, Jay confirmed with Comicbook.com that he had re-signed a 2 year deal with Ring of Honor.

Lethal also told us why Ring of Honor has become such an attractive destination for free agents:

"I have a lot more freedom here in ROH than I ever did in TNA. The in-ring promos alone. In fact in TNA, the only time I was allowed to cut a live promo with a live audience was my stint with Ric Flair, which was amazing, but to throw me out there for the first time you ever gave me a chance was risky, but it worked out. In Ring of Honor I get a lot more freedom, a lot more people willing to listen to my ideas."

When asked if his WWE dreams had changed since becoming a veteran of the industry, Lethal discussed what it means to "make it" in the wrestling business.

"I mean, I can remember sitting on my couch with my brothers years ago thinking man, I can't wait to get to the WWE watching Ric Flair win the Royal Rumble. I mean it's a dream for a lot of people in the wrestling business, but once you get into the wrestling business I think … I don't think your dreams so much change … I just think you get to see things in a light you've never seen before, because now you've stepped behind the curtain. My dad asked me a few years "if you don't make it to the WWE, I think that you have made it in wrestling in general. You have an action figure, you've been able to purchase a home with your wrestling money. People all around the world know you. You can travel to a different country and people want to meet you. They want to shake your hand. They want to talk to you. You've made it!" And I agree with him 100%. Once you get into the wrestling business, I think once you step behind the curtain you get to see a lot of things you didn't get to see as a fan, therefor your dream kind of changes. Am I saying that my dream along time ago wasn't to make it to the WWE, of course! They shaped my love for professional wrestling. My dream as I got older … I am extremely happy where I am right now."

The WWE's loss is ROH's gain as Lethal continues to be one of the brightest stars on the independent circuit. We'll have more from Jay Lethal as the week progresses, including who the "Black Nature Boy" would select for his "Black Four Horsemen." The entire interview will be released exclusively on Comicbook.com's Over The Ropes podcast this Thursday.

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