WWE wanted to change Ultimo Dragon.
The legendary pro-wrestler known as Ultimo Dragon has been everywhere across the world with many different promotions. But, in 2003, Ultimo Dragon signed to WWE. His run wasn’t long considering he asked for his release in 2004, just one year later before returning to Japan. Now, Ultimo Dragon spoke with Steve Fall on Ten Count where he was asked to share his thoughts on his WWE run, to which he mentioned that they wanted to unmask and change him.
WWE wanted to change his image and his look and remove who he was, so he requested to leave because he wanted to maintain who he was. He stayed, there were no bad terms, but he wanted to be who he was and did not want to change who he was,
– Ultimo Dragon via Translator via Ten Count
He continued to speak about WWE wanting to remove the mask.
Yes, they wanted to take his mask off. He said he wasn’t against the idea, but they had a lot of ideas for him to remove his mask. They just figured it was something that would be better for them and him, but he was open to it. But there wasn’t something really there for him. So what they said is, being that Rey Mysterio was so popular, they didn’t see a need to have two masked wrestlers. So they wanted to keep Mysterio as the only mask and then remove him from people masked. He says he understands. He’s like as a promoter, I understand why, and I agree with them, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do,
– Ultimo Dragon via Translator via Ten Count
When asked if he believed WWE could’ve made more money with two masked wrestlers, he says it’s their decision and his job to do what they wanted.
He says in the end, it’s their company, and they have their own decisions on how they want to make it work, and I will follow suit. I’m their employee, they’re the employer, so I’ll do what they need me to do. That’s how every wrestler should be. Listen to what the boss wants, and do. Obviously if it doesn’t work for you, then you can discuss, but in the end, without the boss, then there’s no work, and there’s no wrestlers,
– Ultimo Dragon via Translator via Ten Count
He continued on to mention that nothing specific was promised and he had a good times with WWE.
There was nothing promised. It was a good contract to come wrestle. He says [during] his time there, he was treated very well. He learned a lot from being there, so he had nothing but good times while he was there,
– Ultimo Dragon via Translator via Ten Count
Ultimo Dragon has previously mentioned that he’d like to wrestle Chris Jericho in AEW.
H/T Fightful
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