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JOHNSON: I've seen fan feedback of the Matt Stryker vs. BJ Whitmer match from Philadelphia in December and some believe that was a preview of the Pure Wrestling Division. Was that the case and if so, did the match getting over change your mindset?
SAPOLSKY: That match was never meant to be the preview of the pure wrestling division. I understand why people think it was because Stryker put over the pure wrestling title in the post match interview on the house mic. The idea there was that Stryker won the Field Of Honor, but now he was looking for bigger and better things. Instead people interpreted it as that match being a preview of the division. Bryan Danielson vs. Jay Briscoe from that same show is a better example of what we are striving for with the pure wrestling title.
JOHNSON: Explain the three rope rule. You've tested it on a few shows. How have the crowds reacted?
SAPOLSKY: Basically a guy gets three rope breaks to stop a pin or submission. After he uses all three the ropes are a non-factor and can actually be used in submissions. The crowd reactions have been great and we are all really happy with them. The first time we tried it was in Ohio on 1/10. When the ring announcer was explaining the rule the fans weren't taking it seriously. In fact, some were making fun of it in the opening minutes of the match. Les Thatcher actually came over to me and said, "don't worry about it" and I said "I'm not, I believe in this and I have patience in what I believe in." Well I didn't need a lot of patience because as soon as they started incorporating the rule the fans immediately got into it and it added a fun element to the match. The place even popped when Alex Shelley used his second rope break by putting his foot on the ropes to break up a pin. When is the last time you saw a crowd pop for a rope break on a pin attempt in the first five minutes of the match? It was at that moment when it was obvious we are onto something special here.
JOHNSON: Will The Pure Title cross over with your other storylines and belts? What's the mindset there?
SAPOLSKY: (Laughs) Come on Mike, you know I won't answer that. Just wait and see! (Laughs)
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