One of the fastest-rising stars on SmackDown Live has been Buddy Murphy, who has already picked up a win over Daniel Bryan and faced Roman Reigns in consecutive weeks.
The former 205 Live star and WWE Cruiserweight champion spoke with talkSPORT and talked about his move from 205 Live to SmackDown. Murphy admitted that he does miss 205 Live as that is where he believes he got his first true break in WWE and not in NXT where he was a former Tag Team champion with Blake.
“It’s bittersweet for me because I feel like 205 Live is my baby and I helped bring it back and do some really good stuff with the guys on there, who are some of the best wrestlers in the world. The Cruiserweight division was the division that gave me a chance, even though I started in NXT I didn’t feel like I got my chance. But now I’m on SmackDown and onto bigger and better things hopefully,” Murphy said.
When asked about potentially being frustrated with him not being properly utilized in WWE because of the perception of him being too short, Murphy said height is no longer a problem in WWE. Murphy used the likes of Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, Daniel Bryan and Rey Mysterio as examples of "smaller guys" who have succeeded in WWE.
“I don’t think it’s even an issue anymore. It used to be, like in the ’80s when you had Hulk Hogan and those guys, that’s what was expected of a world champion. But now, since around 2010, I’d say the smaller guys have taken over and they have that edge now with the likes of Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio. I don’t wanna say it but it’s almost a small guys business nowadays (laughs), because when it comes down to it we’re a little quicker and we’re pretty much just as strong so we’ve got that little edge,” Murphy said.
Murphy recently competed in the King of the Ring tournament, losing to Ali in the first round on the August 27 episode of SmackDown Live. The full interview can be read at this link.
