Chris Sabin Talks Ring of Honor, Injuries, WWE NXT and More

Chris Sabin has spent over a decade building his reputation as one of the best in-ring performers in the business, but the veteran still has plenty left to prove to himself and the industry.

As one of the cornerstones of TNA for a decade, Sabin understands the pressure associated with being a representative for a brand, and he is now carrying the flag for Ring of Honor with pride.

Sabin recently spoke with Ring Rust Radio (quotes courtesy of the News of Delaware County's Joe Arcidiacono) about his decision to sign with Ring of Honor, coming back from a neck injury, his future in the wrestling business, his interest in signing with WWE eventually and much more.

At 33 years old, Sabin already has almost 13 years of experience in the industry and still has plenty left in the tank. Ring of Honor understands what he is worth to the business and that’s why they brought him in.

When asked about why he decided to sign with ROH after leaving TNA in 2014, Sabin spoke candidly about the decision-making process and why he feels he fits perfectly with the company:

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Basically my decision was to work anywhere that was willing to give me work or work anywhere they were willing to pay me. ROH and I made contact and worked something out. I do have a little bit of history there, but not as much history as most of the guys that have worked there throughout the years. I have worked there sporadically through the last ten years or so. I enjoy ROH and they have a really great crew. Their production is getting much better and the locker room has so much passion. People will say this locker room has the most passion or this one does, but I can fully and confidently say ROH really does have the most passionate locker room I have ever been in. That has a lot to do with it, and you want to surround yourself with likeminded people that love the business as much as you do.

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Unfortunately, Sabin has dealt with injuries throughout his career, and is currently recovering from a neck injury. Thankfully, he is smart enough to understand his limitations and take the time necessary to heal properly.

Sabin spoke about the injury and how it is impacting his view of the business from a short-term and long-term perspective:

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I am doing OK and getting better. I have a few things going on outside of wrestling right now, but probably start wrestling again sometime next year I imagine. I want to take it easy and fully heal up. I had a pinched nerve in my neck that had a disc bulging out and pinching it. I was getting the symptoms down my arm and everything and that’s just not fun when you’re getting numbness and pins and needles down your arm and hand and fingers with no feeling. I just want to make sure I am 100 percent fully healed before I come back and get in the ring. Wrestling isn’t an easy business on your body and I want to take care of my health long term.

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From TNA to ROH to New Japan Pro Wrestling, Sabin has been all around the world, but one place he has never hung his hat is the WWE. With perceptions about the company changing now that NXT is giving independent talents a bigger opportunity, Sabin has some long-term interest in the idea of trying his hand in WWE.

It is obvious that Sabin is focused solely on ROH right now, but he did not rule out having a desire to eventually try his hand at WWE:

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Right now my focus is on ROH and I want to help them as much as possible. The entire reason I got in the wrestling business and the entire reason it was my dream growing up was to be in the WWE. That’s what I watched as a little kid and that was my life, it still is my life. I was absolutely obsessed with the 90s WWF. So to say that I wouldn’t go there is a lie. Of course I would go there. That’s the main stage, where you get the most success, and you accomplish the most. Of course I have interest in going there.

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Regardless of where Sabin wrestles in the future, he is one of the best talents on any roster he graces with his presence. Ring of Honor is lucky to have him while he is there, and when he gets back into the ring, the competition will be put on notice.

Many wrestling fans want to see more from Sabin, though, and would love to see a run in WWE’s NXT brand similar to what we’re seeing from the other top TNA and indy stars making it there now.

There is no discounting the impact he has made on the wrestling industry already, but Sabin has plenty left to contribute. Let’s hope he comes back healthy, and stays healthy long enough to be the top star he proved he is time after time.

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player above (some language NSFW).