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Former Impact Wrestling World Champion Eddie Edwards confirmed to PWInsider.com this morning that he has locked in a new deal with TNA Impact Wrestling, several months ahead of his current deal expiring.
"I don't think it's much of a surprise" Edwards told PWInsider.com. "I don't think my fans and friends are very much surprised that I'm sticking around, because everybody knows, how I feel about this company. I think especially right now with the momentum that we have with TNA coming back and all that excitement. For me, it was a no-brainer and I'm very happy to be here and continue being here as long as I'm able to."
The new deal came together over the last several weeks after the two sides opened discussions while Impact was in Mexico for their Superclash event with Lucha Libre AAA. Edwards' current deal was slated to expire in February 2024.
Commenting on the return of the TNA Wrestling brand as of the 1/13/24 Hard To Kill PPV, Edwards commented, "It's a good thing. As Impact we did all that we can do and it's still going to be our TV series name, but for so long, for many years, anytime I'd see somebody in the street or, in the mall, whatever, and somebody would ask how wrestling is going, and I'd say Impact Wrestling, and sometimes, it would take a second for it to click, and then I'd say it used to be TNA Wrestling, and that name brings something up in a lot of fans. A lot of, people who aren't necessarily die-hard fans, they know the name TNA Wrestling. So, I think it's a good thing, going back to it. It gives us a fresh start, although it's still the same company and, the same employees and most of the roster. Changes here and there, but I think it gives everybody a good feeling going forward where it's a little bit of nostalgia, of course, but it also gives us a goal to get back to what TNA was at a time, when TNA was the second biggest company in the world and that's what we want to do. So, I think it gives us all a goal and we're all kind of feeling that momentum going forward into the New Year. It was perfect timing, I think."
Looking forward to 2024, Edwards noted his goals as he kicks off his new deal with the promotion.
"For me personally, you know I'm trying to continue to step my game up, I don't want to say I've ever been complacent, it's everybody gets comfortable and stuff like that. Tat's why I enjoy doing these different things like, just tagging with Brian Myers. It's something new, it's something fresh, and it's something to get the juices flowing. That's, again, something that TNA and Impact has always done for me, where we've always been able to create something new to keep that creativity flowing and those juices flowing. And, I want to take care of myself, whether it's, rehabbing injuries or, Pre having those injuries, make sure nothing happens just so I can, go at this as long as possible that, that's my goal. I want to be able to take care of myself and, enjoy the time that we have. The older I get, we get, we go somewhere new or we travel to a different place. I, at this point in my career. I try to take a moment to step back and, enjoy where we are or go out and see something, thinking of whatever it is, where we may be. When I was younger, it would just be, all right, fly in, go to the hotel, go to the building, back to the hotel, which I'm still happy doing that. But when you get to go somewhere different, I want to be able. Especially being with my wife, we're lucky we get to travel to these different places together. So if we can get out there and enjoy it, just take a step back and smell the roses every once in a while. That's one of my main focuses going forward."
Reflecting on where he's been and what he hopes to accomplish going forward, Edwards commented, "I always love being in the ring and being able to do that. Wrestling in front of the fans. That is, that's my number one priority when it comes to wrestling but I also enjoy learning about the behind the scenes stuff, whether it's producing or creative or whatever it is behind the scenes. I really enjoy learning everything, about a TV show, everything about a pay per view, everything about professional wrestling as a whole, because, at some point, as you say, we're all getting older, there's no doubt about that. At some point, I would like to be behind the scenes because I don't see myself being ever being fully out of the professional wrestling businesses. This is what I've done for more than half my life. I would like to do that at some point, but no way am I rushing to get there because I'm going to, I've said before, I'm going to, I'm going to ride this train until the wheels fall off. That's the goal."
When asked about what aspect of behind the scenes work has been most surprising to him given his decades of performing in the ring. Edwards noted, "I think it's the totality of all. It's like how many little things go into just one thing that we're creating. It's just all the moving pieces, all the moving parts that have to be perfect to get the perfect shot on the episode, to get the perfect shot in the match, to get the perfect replay. So many little things go into that just to make it perfect. And there's so many people behind the scenes doing all those little things that, if you don't pay attention to whether you're a wrestler or you're a fan, you don't know what's really going on. So, definitely seeing all the moving pieces in the back. I'm a wrestler, I have to deal with wrestlers, in the locker room and my matches, but I think, people are underappreciated as far as the office dealing with all of us crazy wrestlers all the time. That is definitely something that I think I would have to take a while to get used to because for a match or a tag match or whatever I'm in, it's a few of us and we all get to figure out what we need to do, the production and bookers, they have to deal with everybody all the time. So that's a headache in itself. I can only imagine because I am one of the crazy wrestlers and there's many who are a lot more crazy than me, as Tommy Dreamer."
As part of the first weekend of TNA action, Edwards, a former Pro Wrestling NOAH Global Honored Crown Champion in Japan will have the chance to square off with New Japan Pro Wrestling's Kazuchika Okada as part of a six man tag team bout.
"It will be, me, Brian Myers, and Moose going at it against The Motor City Machine Guns and Okada, which I am really looking forward to that, of course. Somebody with Okada's caliber and with everything he's done in New Japan, he's truly a legend over there. I'm looking forward to getting in the ring with him for the first time ever. And if I ever get the chance to do a single, I will happily do that as well."
Edwards specifically wanted to thank the fans that have supported him as he locks in his new TNA deal.
"The fact that I have resigned...it's a lot to do with the company, of course, but it's also a lot to do with the fans and the support that I've been given over my whole career, not just the time in TNA and Impact Wrestling, but my career in general. I've had some great support and honestly, we couldn't do it without the fans. We learned that the hard way during the pandemic, so I continue to be very gracious that the fans are back and the fans have supported myself along with my wife and the company and just continue doing so. I hope everyone just enjoys wrestling as a whole. It's a great time for the world of professional wrestling. So sit back, enjoy it, and just, be in the moment. That's all I got to say. Be in the moment. Thank you all."
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