Exclusive Interview with WrestleMobs
In an exclusive interview with WrestleMobs, Shane Haste provides an in-depth look at his tumultuous tenure in WWE. From creative frustrations to injury setbacks, Haste’s WWE journey is a testament to his resilience and determination. This interview reveals the challenges he faced, the lessons learned, and his thoughts on the wrestling industry’s biggest stage.
Shane Haste’s time in WWE was marked by a struggle for creative freedom. Despite his best efforts, he often found his ideas overlooked.
“You give them a list of names and suggestions. They ignore it, of course, and do whatever they want,” Haste said, expressing his frustration with WWE’s creative process.
Haste recounted how the constant changes and lack of communication made it difficult to find his footing.
“Every time we would try that they go, ‘Yeah, that’s a great idea.’ Next week, here’s something completely different,” he recalled.
As part of the tag team TM-61 with Mikey Nicholls, Haste experienced both highs and lows. Their initial success was hampered by injuries and inconsistent storytelling. Frequently paired against one another, despite previous tag team success.
“We were wearing matching gear. How did they not realize we were a tag team? It took a while for them to click on,” Haste said, highlighting the confusion within WWE’s creative team.
Injuries were a significant hurdle during Haste’s WWE career. He battled knee injuries, including tearing his ACL twice, which severely impacted his ability to perform. Despite these setbacks, Haste pushed through, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to the sport.
WrestleMobs: “How did you manage to continue wrestling despite your injuries?”
Shane Haste: “I just kept wrestling on it. Taped it up and kept going. It’s what we do.”
The internal politics of WWE added another layer of complexity to Haste’s career. The pressure to constantly prove oneself and the lack of positive feedback took a toll on him.
“Everyone’s just trying to keep their job. To keep your job, you have to look like you’re giving a lot of criticism,” Haste explained. “I don’t remember a full year where we got any positive feedback.”
Dealing with Negative Criticism
WrestleMobs: “How did you handle the constant negative criticism?”
Shane Haste: “Someone gave me the advice to come back behind the curtain and act upset. Be like, ‘That was the worst thing ever.’ Then they’d go, ‘No, no, it wasn’t that bad.’ It was the only way to get any positive feedback.”
Haste’s move to WWE’s main roster came with its own set of challenges. The lack of clear direction and the feeling of treading water were constant sources of frustration.
“I was just floating around as a good hand. At one point, I almost had the most losses in WWE for the year,” Haste said. “It was exciting for a while and then some of the worst times in my life.”
WrestleMobs: “What was it like transitioning to the main roster?”
Shane Haste: “It never felt like Raw. It felt like a training day. We had some matches where they stopped and started again. It was surreal.”
Reflecting on his WWE journey, Haste emphasized the importance of creative freedom and the need for better communication within the company. His experiences in WWE, though challenging, taught him valuable lessons about resilience and adaptability.
“Looking back, I wish I had stuck to my guns more. The worst that could happen is they fire you. Then you go to Japan,” Haste concluded.
Watch the Full Interview:
Shane Haste’s WWE journey is a testament to his perseverance and passion for wrestling. Despite the numerous challenges, he emerged stronger and more determined. His experiences highlight the complexities of working in WWE and offer valuable insights for aspiring wrestlers.
Follow Shane Haste on Social Media:
- Twitter: @shanetmdk
- Instagram: @shanetmdk
Follow WrestleMobs on Social Media:
- Twitter: @wrestlemobs
- Instagram: @wrestlemobs
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