When former TNA standout EC3 re-signed with WWE in 2018, many fans were certain that this run would be far superior to his previous run as game show era NXT’s Derrick Bateman. The star seemed everything that then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon could want after reinventing himself following his previous release in 2013. He boasts an impressive physique, and he’s incredibly skilled when it comes to controlling a microphone.
However, after finding brief success in the new rendition of NXT, EC3 debuted on the main roster in February of 2019 after weeks of appearing in the background on both Raw and SmackDown. The man known for his quick wit and stellar promos was rendered silent, as every time he tried to speak during his appearance on A Moment of Bliss, Alexa Bliss would cut him off. He was also interrupted by Dean Ambrose during the appearance, and the two would go on to have a match that was one of EC3’s very few victories.
Following his defeat to Ambrose the next week, EC3 quickly fell to the undercard of WWE, performing mostly on Main Event and as part of the 24/7 Championship division before being released in April of 2020 amidst budget cuts. He has since gone on to create Control Your Narrative.
EC3 Blames Vince McMahon For His Failed WWE Main Roster Run
During a recent interview with Sportskeeda Wrestling, EC3 opened up about his main roster run in WWE and says that keeping him quiet was a “joke” to then-WWE CEO Vince McMahon.
“An endgame to a storyline that was written the day of and probably disregarded immediately after? There was no endgame. The only directions we had were, ‘Anytime EC3 tries to talk, cut him off.’ That was a big joke from the old man.”
Continuing, the star said that he felt nothing upon being called up to the main roster of WWE despite it being his childhood dream because he knew that Vince McMahon wasn’t treating his debut with care or a plan in mind for how to use EC3 creatively.
“It was trash. This was something I waited my whole life for… I [felt] nothing. And that’s because I knew the call-up had no foresight, no interest, and it was completely rash.”
Since that time, Vince McMahon has retired from all WWE duties amidst an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and hush money payments. Nick Khan and Stephanie McMahon are now the co-CEO’s of the company while Triple H is in charge of all creative and talent decisions as Chief Content Officer.
h/t WrestlingInc