Axton Ray is walking into a big spot with NWA, and he made it very clear that he is not treating Colby Corino’s return match like a soft landing.
During an appearance on the Hitting the Turnbuckle podcast, Ray spoke about his upcoming match with Corino at NWA Hard Times. The match carries extra weight because Corino is returning after a serious neck injury that nearly ended his career. Ray has wrestled Corino before, including a triple threat match for Joe Cazana Promotions, but this bout will be different because it marks Corino’s return to the ring and Ray’s official NWA debut as a signed wrestler.
Ray was asked if being chosen as Corino’s first opponent back felt like a sign of trust, especially given the seriousness of what Corino has been through. Ray said he absolutely feels honored by the spot.
“Um, you know, yes. And in a short answer, yes. I feel honored that I’m Kobe Corino’s first match back in a ring, you know, and when that happened, I’ve known Kobe for a long time, too. We’ve actually wrestled several times.”
Ray said NWA officials approached him about the match after seeing him at the tapings. He believes the opportunity says a lot about how the company views him already.
“And the thing is that they asked me to do that right after the tapings. Um they uh they they saw me, they saw potential, they saw something. And so I I think that it goes a long way to say hey Axton Ray is going to wrestle in his official debut at hard times as a signed wrestler. For the NWA against Kobe Corino.”
Ray also said he does not feel like he skipped the line in NWA, but he does believe years of hard work helped get him to this moment.
“And it’s, you know, as far as all the other NWA, you know, roster members and and and um everybody in the back, you know, not that I try to skip the line or try to um do any of that. I just feel that, you know, sometimes that hard work does pay off for some people and and I and I have worked extremely hard to get where I’m at.”
When it came to facing Corino after his injury, Ray made it clear that he is not going to hold back. He said he plans to push Corino as far as he can because he knows exactly how good Corino is.
“Um, for me to take on Kobe Corino in this match back, I won’t hold back. Um, I am going to push Kobe to his limits, uh, because I know how far Kobe can go and we’re both going to go there.”
Ray then praised Corino as someone he believes will eventually reach the very top. At the same time, he made it clear that Corino’s return match is also a chance for him to prove himself in front of the NWA audience.
“I think that uh he is probably um you know it’s not a best kept secret, but he is one of those guys I know it’s going he’s going to be at the top of the top. You know what I’m saying? He’s going to be the top guy. And uh and it’s it is it’s great because not only is Kobe going to get to go in there and and show everybody how good he actually is, I get to show everybody how good I actually am with one of the best.”
Ray was later asked if it was important to stay true to his normal in-ring style instead of being cautious because of Corino’s injury history. Ray said he considers himself a professional, but fans should not expect him to play it safe.
“Here’s the thing. Um, I do consider myself a professional. I I And at the end of the day, um, there’s nothing for sure when it comes to me.”
Ray pointed to his background as a former cheerleader and current gymnastics and cheerleading coach, saying fans never really know what he is going to do once the bell rings.
“Uh, I’m former cheerleader, current gymnastics and cheerleading coach. Um, I’m constantly in the gym doing some crazy stuff. Um, so you never know what you’re going to get out of me.”
Then Ray doubled down on his mindset for the Corino match. He said he does not mean it in a negative way, but he is going into the match ready to match Corino’s intensity.
“Holding back. I’m not going to hold back. Uh uh and I I don’t mean that in a in a in an ill way. I mean that as far as I know Kobe Corino is going to push me and I know Kobe would do the same if we if the roles were reversed.”
Ray closed that part of the conversation with a bold warning about what fans can expect from the match. He said the bout will not just be another return match, but something people will remember.
“So we are we are going to go toe-to-toe and and and that’s not me just saying that for the interview. That’s not me just hyping it up. That’s me telling you that roof is going to be blown off because I I’m telling you right now, it’s it’s it’s going to be something that people are going to be talking about for a very very long time. I want to be in the history books just as well as co Kobe is already. So, it’s I’m coming with a lot more motivation than I ever have.”
Ray’s comments give the match a much sharper edge heading into NWA Hard Times. Corino’s comeback already has a built-in story because of what he went through physically, but Ray is making it clear that he is not stepping into the ring just to be part of someone else’s return. He wants to use the match to make a statement of his own.
Ray has waited 14 years for a chance like this, and now that he has a contract with NWA, he seems determined to make the most of it. Whether fans view his comments as confidence or dangerous timing, his match with Colby Corino now has a much bigger spotlight on it.
What do you think about Axton Ray saying he will not hold back against Colby Corino in his return match? Do you think that is the right mindset, or should he be more careful given Corino’s injury history? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
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