Recently listed #1 on Ring of Honor's list of decorated champions, Jay Lethal is a former ROH Television and World Champion. In addition, Lethal had a brief run in TNA as the Black Machismo, a knock off of the 'Macho Man' Randy Savage. Lethal has been on fire since returning to Ring of Honor, having long and successful title reigns and memorable matches with the likes of AJ Styles to Adam Cole.
Now, Lethal will be facing 'The Villain" Marty Scrull at Final Battle on December 15.
Lethal sat down with the Hufington Post to discuss several topics regarding his career in Ring of Honor: Here are some of the highlights:
You’ve said you want to make Ring of Honor greater, every day. Are you happy with where Ring of Honor is as we close 2017, compared to where it was?
I’m extremely happy with the progress but that in no way means we’re ready to slow down or stop. One of the coolest parts to me, that proves we’re doing something right, is when other wrestlers want to come here. It’s one thing to have the fans want to show up because our product is cool and interesting. It’s another to have wrestlers from other companies want to come here. That’s when you know you’re doing something on both sides of the curtain very well. Guys like Cody Rhodes, and Bully Ray, right here? We’re definitely doing something right. That’s pretty cool to me.
In Ring of Honor you’ve basically done it all – championships galore. What is there left for you to achieve?
There’s two things I haven’t done in Ring of Honor, that I would like to. The tag-team titles and the newly made six-man belts. If I could capture those belts that would mean I’ve had every title her in Ring of Honor ever, even the Pure Championship, because I was Pure Champion for a little while too.
Talking of upset, some cried when you lost your iconic locks in a hair match. Was that kayfabe, or a real-life necessity…?
I’ll tell you the truth! First of all, I was getting tired of the braids. I’d had them for over 13 years and also, braids, they pull your hair out. So I was starting to thin on the top and it got a little embarrassing, especially if I didn’t have my hair re-braided, then you could really tell. So one day I went to the barber, and said it was time to get rid of it. He was saying “noooo” and I said “yep, time to get rid of it”. Before he started cutting it, I said “hold on! Wait a minute! I’ve got a great idea!”. Then we came up with the idea to have my hair get shaved by Adam Cole on Ring of Honor TV, which came out awesome. I saw little kids and women in the audience crying, and holding their hands over their mouth because they couldn’t believe it.