Royce Isaacs has been making his mark on the pro wrestling scene for quite some time as one half of the top tag team West Coast Wrecking Crew with Jorel Nelson and as a singles wrestler. Isaacs and Nelson have been mainstays for NJPW STRONG for nearly three years now.
Royce Isaacs joined Bodyslam.net’s Lewis Carlan for an exclusive interview as they discussed numerous topics such as his current NJPW contract status, If he feels the West Coast Wrecking Crew belong in the NJPW World Tag League 2023 tournament, Wanting matches with Mike Bailey and Josh Alexander and much more.
Here are the highlights for Bodyslam.net’s exclusive interview with Royce Isaacs:
New Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag League starts November 20th, Do you feel the West Coast Wrecking Crew deserves to be in that tournament?
I feel like we deserve to be in there, I felt like we deserve to be in there last year. I thought last year we were snubbed. I think this year if we don’t get in which I mean it’s always a possibility but I think think that would be a massive oversight and a big error on New Japan’s part, I really do. I’m trying to kind of mince words because I don’t want to be the guy that’s just super negative. New Japan has been really great to Jorel and myself but I would honestly be really pissed if we’re not in Tag League. I think that we deserve it. I think that we’re absolutely on that level. I think that every time we’re in a match we proved that we’re on that level. It’s one of those things where at some point you realize that not everything moves at the speed of light or the speed that you want it to but I don’t know how long we have to be ready and how much we have to prove we belong and deserve to be there in order to get to get one of those spots so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. The only thing I can do is keep working as hard as I can. I guess we’ll see and we’ll find out out here coming up pretty soon what their decision is on Tag League but I’m definitely not gonna just sit down and be a good soldier and just take it and be happy about it if we don’t make it this year. I probably will have to at least make my voice heard.
Royce Isaacs
What’s the current contract status with New Japan?
I’m still a free agent unfortunately, still trying to find someone to put a ring on it. I don’t mind the freelancing because it is has allowed me to do some really cool stuff and go wherever I want and whatnot but I’m reaching the point where I would really like a little bit more stability in my career I’m open to exploring all possibilities as as far as things like that go and I don’t know how to say this without being like super cryptic and sounding like I’m just making up or whatever but I will say in the past few days without getting into super details that I do have people that are that are starting to be interested in me in some of these bigger TV companies so we’ll see. I like where I’m at and I would love to do more with New Japan but I’m also not gonna just wait around and wait out my prime for them to realize what they have on their hands because I do know that having Royce Isaacs is something special, I’m not just any old wrestler.
Royce Isaacs
If Pro Wrestling NOAH, All Japan Pro Wrestling or DDT Pro-Wrestling wanted to sign you and Jorel and wanted to feature the two of you as one of their premier tag teams, you’d be willing to listen to those offers?
Yeah, all day. I would love to wrestle Kento Miyahara. That’s absolutely on the bucket list.
Royce Isaacs
Do you think NJPW would pull the trigger on a contract if you start discussing about signing with Pro Wrestling NOAH?
I don’t know where New Japan’s head is at with Jorel and myself. I don’t know where their head is at with me. In all honesty I would hope so, I would love to continue to work with New Japan. That would be ideal, i have to keep progressing in my career and I have to keep moving up and if that continues to be doing stuff with the New Japan and New Japan STRONG then great. Until they actually lock me down, I have to explore all options and then it’s on them if I do get an offer somewhere and they want to match it. If they don’t then no hard feelings, that’s their business decision and it would be my career goal to make sure that they understand that’s a mistake.
What is one match you hope to have before 2023 comes to an end?
Speedball Mike Bailey.
Royce Isaacs
I was going to suggest Josh Alexander.
Yeah, Josh Alexander has to happen at some point as well especially now that I’m also team bald. Maybe like a loser grows hair match or something like that.
Royce Isaacs
Here is the full interview with Royce Isaacs:
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