Bully Ray isn't in IMPACT Wrestling to pass the torch.
Ray, a WWE Hall of Famer, previously worked for IMPACT from 2005-2014, and he won the world title twice. He briefly came back to the company in 2015 before he left again. Ray made his surprising return at IMPACT Bound For Glory 2022, where he won the Call Your Shot Gauntlet to earn a title shot of his choosing. He later cashed in the opportunity on the world title, and he is set to challenge Josh Alexander for the gold at IMPACT Hard To Kill on January 13.
Speaking on the Paltrocast with Darren Paltrowitz, Ray was asked whether he knew about IMPACT's relationship with FITE before it was announced. He responded by saying that he knew they had a relationship, and he thought that was beneficial because it would allow more people to watch the product. Ray praised IMPACT and its hard-working roster. The veteran then made it clear that he's not in IMPACT to pass the torch, as he's not a fan of that typical pattern. He stated that if younger talent can take the torch, they should, but if not, Ray had a harsh message for them.
“I knew that IMPACT and FITE had had a relationship, and I think it’s great because more people get to put more eyes on their product. I honestly think, and I’ve said this on Busted Open, IMPACT Wrestling is the best product out there that people really don’t know about. We give people an opportunity to talk about IMPACT Wrestling on Busted Open, and in the past three to four months, they’ve wanted to talk about it more than ever before. IMPACT is going a great job. Listen, I might have my problems with Scott D’Amore and Tommy Dreamer and Josh Alexander. But the company as a whole I think is doing a fantastic job. The locker room is what impresses me the most. Very, very aggressive, hard-working locker room of men and women who are going out there and really trying to carve out their spot, find the spotlight, get themselves over, earn themselves opportunities at gold, earn themselves opportunities at more lucrative contracts. I’m not here to pass down a torch. I’m here to grab Josh Alexander’s gold. I’m not a fan of that whole passing down the torch. If you can take the torch, then take the torch. But if you can’t, fuck you," Ray said.
Alexander recently stated that he wants to kick Ray out of IMPACT for good by beating him at IMPACT Hard To Kill. Check out his comments here.
In a recent interview, Alexander noted that fans will see a different side of him at the pay-per-view. Click here to see what he had to say.
Check out the updated card for IMPACT Hard To Kill here.
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