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Abyss was asked about his character development and where he would like to see his character go in the next year. Abyss said that it's been around since the start of TNA and he's been proud to see it grow over the years. He'd like to see different aspects mature in the new year.
When asked if there's anyone he hasn't had the chance to work with that he would like to work, Abyss said that he'd like to rekindle the feud with Jeff Hardy from 2005 as well as younger guys like Gunner and Crimson.
I called in and asked Abyss about working a Monster's Ball match and how his mindset and preparation for that type of bout changes given the growing knowledge of the long term danger from concussions as well as having more of an understanding of concussions. Abyss said it was a great question and it's an issue that's really at the forefront. He said it wasn't an issue five years ago and you didn't worry about it as much from a perception standpoint because today people almost get insulted when you use a chair to the head. On the other hand, you are either in or out mentally when you do a match like this and you have to be in. The understanding of the danger forces you to be more creative and to do make sure that when you do impactful things, you do them in the safest way possible. You can have those risks and be careful. It's changed the way hardcore wrestling has evolved and it's changed the way those wrestlers prepare for their matches.
I noted that were were seeing different aspects of the Abyss character during different eras and now we are seeing the more aggressive side of the character. I asked him that when he's working with well known and charismatic personalities (Hulk Hogan, Scott Steiner, Bully Ray), whether that made it easier or harder to find the character as its put into new situations. He said that character has matured over the years, from a non-speaking character to one that expresses itself. He said with the split from Immortal, it now has to think for itself. It's always been influenced by someone, all the way back to Goldilocks but now it's a new world. He said that working with the successful names helps pull things out of your character and being around those guys pulls the best out of people. He said that it helps you grow as a performer when you don't think you have it and he's learned a lot from them.
Abyss was asked about inspiration for his character and whether there were things he goes to for influences to keep it fresh. He said that he's taken inspiration from Mick Foley and other people in the business. He said that he's learned a lot from Hulk Hogan when it comes to psychology in recent years. He said TNA has a good support system that has helped him as Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff have helped him keep the character fresh.
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