EARLY: Flip Gordon Says His Friends Leaving For AEW Caused Him To Overthink Things, Feels Rejuvenated
By Jeremy Lambert
Flip Gordon has been in wrestling for just over four years, making his debut in April 2015 in a battle royal at a Chaotic Wrestling event. In his four years in the business, Flip has already turned himself into one of the top names on the Independent scene. He’s become a focal point and building block in Ring of Honor and last year, he won over audiences in Japan with his performance in the NJPW Best of Super Juniors tournament.
Gordon seemed destined for the top spot in Ring Of Honor earlier this year when an MCL tear sidelined him for most of the first quarter in 2019.
Speaking to Fightful in an exclusive interview, Gordon revealed that his time away helped him recharge after his non-stop schedule and rise up the ranks.
“I have this new confidence and I’m more motivated and more obsessed with wrestling than ever. At the end of last year, I felt like I was burned out. Now, I’m rejuvenated and ready to go,” said Gordon. “I’m still new at this and a lot happened towards the end of last year. I was overthinking a lot of things and overwhelmed. With my friends leaving and not knowing where I’m gonna stand, I wasn’t sure how much ROH believed in me. Then I got injured and that was a mental (hurdle) as well. But it was a blessing in disguise because I got to refocus and re-fall in love with wrestling.”
Gordon’s rise up the ranks in ROH was helped by his association, and friendly rivalry with, The Elite. Gordon made frequent appearances on Being The Elite and had an ongoing feud with Cody Rhodes. And while they were rivals on-screen, Cody had kind things to say about Gordon prior to his final ROH appearance at Final Battle and venture into All Elite Wrestling.
Speaking to Busted Open Radio, Cody stated that Flip Gordon is a guy ROH could build around once The Elite left the promotion. When I asked Flip about being the face of ROH, he said, “I would love to think that (I’m a guy ROH can build around). But I know that I’m still new and young. A lot of people look at that because, in the past, people who have been young and don’t have much experience can get in trouble or do something stupid. There’s that stigma on younger guys and it can haunt someone like myself. I hope I can break that because I would love nothing more than to be ROH Champion. I have what it takes, I have the mindset and the work ethic.”
While he is still getting re-acclimated with the landscape of ROH following his return from injury, he has another chance to make an impact overseas this month. Gordon will return to NJPW for the Best of Super Juniors tournament, which begins on May 13 and runs through June 5.
Gordon was a standout performer in last year’s tournament, immediately winning over the crowd with his ability to perform a back flip while ripping off his warm-up pants. The matches that followed further solidified his good standing with the New Japan faithful.
On who he would like to meet in this year’s tournament, Flip said, “I’d love to work Will Ospreay again. We’ve only wrestled twice. Robbie Eagles is amazing. I’ve never shared a ring with him. And I always love wrestling Marty Scurll. Last year, Marty & Flip took Japan but we didn’t get to work over there. I’ve wrestled him almost everywhere else in the world and I’d love to wrestle him in Japan. Last year was a learning year for me. This year, I’m coming back (to Best of the Super Juniors), coming back from the knee injury.”
Flip will be part of Block B, meaning he will get the opportunity to face Eagles and Ospreay in the tournament. He will also meet Bandido once again in the tournament as they are in the same block as well. Gordon and Bandido teamed at the recent NWA Crockett Cup event, making it to the second round of the tournament.