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CJ Parker Talks to Daily DDT About His Reason for Leaving WWE NXT, Working for Triple H and What’s Next

By Rob Wolkenbrod

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In an exclusive interview for Daily DDT, CJ Parker talked to us about his WWE NXT career, what it was like working for Triple H and what’s next in his career.

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Last week, now former WWE Superstar (the former) CJ Parker requested his release from the company’s developmental brand NXT. Parker had been there since it was known as Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in 2011.

So, just six days following his departure from the company, Parker (now known as CJP), agreed to do an interview with Daily DDT. The FCW Alumnus talked about many things from his reason for leaving NXT, what is was like working for Triple H and what’s next in his career.

Check out the complete interview below.

What drove you to requesting your release from WWE?

I just have a lot friends that I look up to that are wrestling all over the world. I felt as if I was plateauing wrestling wise. Im 25 and I want to broaden my horizons.

How was your hippie gimmick as CJ Parker created when you returned from injury in 2013?

It was a collaboration. WWE is a team of creative people, coaches and producers. They were really high on characters. They wanted people who could easily be defined. I used to be a guy in tights and I always wanted dreadlocks. I was a huge fan of Randy Savage and I love the flashy bright characters. I got my entrance music that was kind of a Jimi Hendrix ripoff. It kind of snowballed, someone said something. I love going out there and having fun. I was really young when I went out there and it just so happened it was on NXT and the audience didn’t really accept it so I turned it into a hipster thing and just be me. Its all about evolution and the character was just evolving.

A memorable moment from NXT TakeOver: R Evolution was when you hit a Palm Strike that broke Kevin Owens’ nose. Was there any panic after you saw blood pouring from his nose?

Not at all. He’s a tough guy. The dialogue was something like ‘oh man I think you blew up my nose.’ I think the blood added to the match and helped Kevin Owens’ character. The crowd was so hot and it kicked off the show and we had been waiting for him to debut for awhile. It was the perfect setting for it. There was no panic and Kevin Owens is one tough guy.

You were with NXT from its inception in 2012 and even before that in FCW. What do you think caused it to become one of the hottest things in wrestling?

When Triple H took over the developmental section, he’s the kind of guy who realizes that if I want the future to be awesome, I have to put the resources into it from the beginning. He wanted to put the resources into it and as soon as he took over he just began to revamp it. It just took off. FCW was WWE but we were kind of our own island. Even like Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt who were down there, but the world wasn’t seeing it. To be a future star, you might as well get thrown into the fire right away. It’s not developmental anymore. They’re growing in front of the audience’s eyes.

What was it like working for Triple H?

It’s excellent. He’s incredibly smart. He knows the business and he’s a great guy. I have nothing but great things to say about him. He’s cool to work for and actually very funny. Seeing him as a little kid and working with him years later was cool.

Was there any Superstar that you liked working with the most?

I loved working with Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Hideo Itami, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Tyler Breeze, Cesaro and Great Khali.

Is there any star that we haven’t seen on TV yet that we should look out for in the future?

Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. They’re kind of new age, revamped Brain Busters. They are in my opinion the best tag team we have, but for whatever reason they haven’t gotten going yet.

Everyone will be surprised what Carmella can do. She’s going to blossom into something special in the next year or so. There’s a few people down here who I hope turn into something but it’s a long road to NXT. It’s a huge roster. There’s only 20 people featured and 40 dying to get on there.

Who do you think from NXT has the greatest chance of being in the main event of WrestleMania?

There’s something about Finn Balor. He’s my friend, he’s obviously great. There’s something extra to him that he’s destined to be great. I can see him at WrestleMania. There’s Adrian Neville too. It’s tricky, but I definitely think Finn Balor would.

What is next in your career after leaving WWE?

I want to hit the ground running here. I want to wrestle around the world and in front of different audiences. I really want to be a pro wrestler. I want to earn my stripes the old school way. Who knows, I could end up back here (WWE). I’m going to be back in Brooklyn in the 5 Burroughs and heading to CZW after that.

Could we see you back in WWE in the future?

You never know. Who knows. I loved my time in WWE. I know I left on good terms. I’m only 25 and I have a long time ahead of me. Stay tuned.

What would be your advice to a wrestler looking to make a name for themselves?

The best thing you can do in wrestling is love it and if you do, everything will work out. If you try to do things the right way and learn and do all the things, it will work out. Loving the business and learning about the business is the key.

We thank CJP for agreeing to this interview and wish him luck with his future outside of WWE.

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