Dr. Asa Interview With Former WWE Elias and TNA Wrestling Superstar Elijah

Ajouté : 2026-06-01

[00:00:09]Hey guys, Dr. Asa here. Normally I meet everybody to talk to them, but today we have a special guest that I'm meeting with. And not only we're going to talk to them, but I think there's something a little bit more that I want to do, and that's walk with someone. I think you may know who this is. Come on with me.

[00:00:25]Let's walk. Oh, walk with >> Elijah. Come on, man. Let's walk.

[00:00:38]I'll follow as they lead me to the dark side of the road.

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[00:01:22]>> You know what? I think it's time to see what this walking with Elijah is all about.

[00:01:47]So Jeff, thanks for being with me.

[00:01:48]>> Of course. Great.

[00:01:49]>> Great, man. Awesome. Always great to see you. For sure.

[00:01:52]>> So tell me what you what got you started in professional wrestling.

[00:01:56]>> I was just a huge fan of wrestling as a kid. You know, eight, nine years old. I remember a close friend of mine who lived down the street brought me over, showed me Wrestlemania 8, uh, Psycho Sid and Papa Shango, just the larger than-l life characters beating each other up.

[00:02:11]It was just a lot for my uh, senses at that age. And from that point on, I just really took an interest and started watching regularly, talking to my friends, and I can remember around just 10, 11, 12 years old, diehard wrestling fan. I was like, I just love this.

[00:02:29]>> All in. Yeah, of course.

[00:02:30]>> And were you an athlete growing up? You played you played a couple sports, right?

[00:02:34]>> Yeah, I My family would call me an athlete. Um, I don't know. I never really truly thought like that's what I was, but I played I played all the sports growing up, but baseball was like my main thing. I played on the traveling teams and the Pony League World Series and up through, you know, college and all that stuff. So, uh, baseball was my main thing, but wrestling was always my passion. Even as like a kid, that's what I wanted to do.

[00:02:57]>> What do you like about professional wrestling? What do you think drew you to it? You know, being an athlete, right?

[00:03:02]But it's almost like what I'm hearing from you is being an athlete wasn't enough. Like there was something about >> wrestling that pulled a lot of things together inside.

[00:03:10]>> That's an interesting I never been asked like what's the difference? I got It has to be the personalities, right? Um, even to watch a wrestling match now to see the athleticism and stuff like that, it's obviously incredible and fun to watch, but I always want to connect to the people and I could just remember like when I say connecting, just being captivated by Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart and the Undertaker and the characters uh is really what sort of sucked me in that now you see a lot of sports people uh they do that. you know, UFC brings out theirs. The storytelling, >> of course, the storytelling. I mean, that's the that's the word I'm looking for right there that pulls you in. Shawn Michaels had dream when he was >> uh going for the world title and I remember think I'm the boy with the dream right now. This is I, you know, you pulled on that right there, right?

[00:04:04]>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Which I know a lot in my generation that really kind of like look up to Shawn Michaels. It was that storyline that really sucked everybody in >> if he can do it. Yeah, it it was and that's one of those things that uh I can't speak for anybody, but when they showed that story, right? Sometimes as a kid, you kind of think wrestlers are, >> you know, they're manifested out of thin air and now they're on. You never don't realize that they're real people with kids. They were kids who had a dream.

[00:04:33]That's right.

[00:04:34]>> All that stuff. And it really sort of um imprints that onto you saying, "Oh, I have a dream. Oh, this is a this is possible. this is in the realm of things that can be done, you know, that I may have not known beforehand.

[00:04:47]>> So, and that's that's a good point. So, when you when you realize that's what you wanted to do.

[00:04:52]>> Yeah.

[00:04:53]>> What what was the one thing that you really locked in on?

[00:04:58]>> Cuz you told me before you're like, "This is what I'm going to do >> and nothing's going to step in my way."

[00:05:05]You know, the word decide means to cut off everything else.

[00:05:08]>> Oh, okay. So, when you made the decision, Yeah.

[00:05:11]>> when was that?

[00:05:14]>> I think uh 15, 16, right around that age. Um, actually, to kind of tie another story in with Shawn Michaels, I met him. I uh I met him when I was 15 or 16. And what I said to him, which I had thought about for, you know, the hours leading up to before I met him, what am I going to say to this guy? And it was, uh, you make me want to be a wrestler.

[00:05:37]For whatever reason, I thought this is the most profound thing I can say to him.

[00:05:40]>> Yeah. Yeah. So, and it was really like I remember like I said that to him and then I told my friends like shortly after at school which was like a big step for me like I'm going to tell my friends I'm going to be a wrestler.

[00:05:52]They're going to you know, who knows?

[00:05:54]And uh so I told my friends and it was like in my own little way there's no going back now. It's I put it >> that that's what that's what put it here and in here.

[00:06:03]>> Yeah.

[00:06:04]>> Like you said it >> and then that was it. Yeah, there you go.

[00:06:07]>> And you said it to one of the greatest.

[00:06:10]>> Of course. Yeah.

[00:06:10]>> Right. So that really >> No, I know. And and oddly enough, many years later, I'm getting ready to go to the main roster. Shawn Michaels is my coach. I get to share this story with him. Cool little uh full circle moment for me. You know what I mean? That's amazing moment.

[00:06:27]>> Yeah. Yeah. Definitely cool. And I think I think even with what you're doing now in wrestling and the character that you have, >> I think for anyone that's in the business itself, >> to be able to bring that kind of inspiration to another 9-year-old, right, with what you do, to be able to bring your story and let someone else see that so they can dream, >> right? Right on.

[00:06:46]>> I think that's another piece of the story that everybody's talking about how they're going to create their career, but I think, you know, those moments that you even have >> to have that kind of influence on another, you know, >> young person that's really >> Yeah.

[00:06:59]>> watching you and saying, you know, if Elijah can do it, >> then I can too.

[00:07:04]>> Yeah. And I hope that uh does come across and maybe little things like this kind of help that because I sure too was just a kid with a dream and you know now they might see me and think that's a character that I know from you know however it may be and it's interesting because now I've actually been in wrestling so long which is weird to say but that I have like new people like oh like I watched you at do XYZ and I was at Wrestlemania when you did I'm like oh my goodness like >> you've had that tenure >> now I've I've been there long enough that the new people like I watched you, you know, so that's an interesting thing, too.

[00:07:40]>> Yeah, it's very very cool.

[00:07:41]>> Yeah, it's definitely cool.

[00:07:43]>> So, talk about how you got to the WWE.

[00:07:45]So, you have this dream.

[00:07:46]>> Yeah.

[00:07:47]>> Right. And you make a decision. Sure.

[00:07:49]>> You've met Shawn Michaels. You get on this path and you're what, graduating high school. You get to a point where, you know, you're going to go to college.

[00:07:56]So, tell me about how you took that journey >> to become a superstar in WWE.

[00:08:01]>> Jeez. I I mean it was of course it's your number one goal. When I left um high school, I wanted to just travel and become a wrestler and go to certain schools and my dad was like, "You should probably get a degree first if you want to do that, right?"

[00:08:15]>> Uh which was smart decision. I'm glad he said it. Um, but you know, while I was training wrestling or while I was in school, I began training wrestling and I would find ways to do tryyouts and I would pay for them out of pocket money that I didn't have at the time and whatever. And uh, you know, I would travel to indies. I would learn from, you know, seminars and coaches and the veterans that were there. I was always the annoying guy that would ask questions and stuff like that. Um, but I did I truly wanted to like absorb every, you know, whoever was kind of above me, I wanted to learn from them and I wanted to take that to be better, you know. Uh, and I did a bunch of tryyous. I literally I did three tryyous uh where I essentially paid for them and every single time they said no.

[00:09:09]>> Um, >> which meant not yet, >> which meant not yet, right? Yeah.

[00:09:13]>> Then I did uh a fourth one where they brought me WWE had scouted me. They said, "We want to bring you in for a try out." Uh which I was like, "This is it here. It's going on." And um that happened. And at the end of that, they said, >> "Maybe we'll we'll take a look at you in a couple months." And I was like, "All right."

[00:09:33]>> So that's try out number four. And now my friends are like, >> you know, how many do you need to actually do until you get the hint, right? Um, but uh, at one point I was an extra for WWE, maybe Monday Night Raw, and uh, William Regal was backstage and he had seen me do these tryyouts >> and >> so he had his eye on you.

[00:09:56]>> He did. And and and he is another guy that I would just pick his brain like so I mean he I was a huge fan of him. I think he's awesome. uh talent >> of course >> and and he was always willing to sit there and talk and share everything with me >> and uh yeah so I was getting ready to do my promo which is kind of they would give you an opportunity hey do a 30 second promo or something and get in the ring and do and I was getting ready to do that and he stopped me and he said um you know hey in my book you you've aced these tryyouts I think there's really something special about you and hiring is coming up and if I get the chance I'm going to put your name in the list. And I was of course beside I played it cool but inside I was beside myself >> inside. Inside inside you were jumping up and down.

[00:10:42]>> Yeah. Right. And so a few weeks later that's when >> I got the call from a guy named Canyon who was the head of talent at the time and he said we'd like to offer you a contract for to come down to NXT and join the performance center and the whole system and stuff. Yeah. So that's where it really began.

[00:10:58]>> That's that's where it all really started.

[00:11:00]>> Really all started in that decision. But that's where that's where the career started.

[00:11:04]>> So you were with WWE for how long?

[00:11:07]>> I actually did 10 full years with WWE.

[00:11:10]2014 to 2024.

[00:11:12]>> Um, and man, it's actually unbelievable to say I did a decade with them.

[00:11:18]>> Decade is is strong tenure with WWE, especially with, you know, there's people that come, they go, they're there for a year, two years, they're gone.

[00:11:26]>> People cycle in and cycle out. M m >> I think it's interesting how you're one of the ones that did come in and created and built a character.

[00:11:35]>> Sure.

[00:11:36]>> Because as as we know in wrestling there's a lot of great wrestlers.

[00:11:40]There's people that are good on the mic.

[00:11:43]There are you know the character but it it's putting it all together.

[00:11:46]>> Yeah.

[00:11:46]>> Is and that's something that you have.

[00:11:48]How did you get in there and kind of find your character and your voice in the middle of it all?

[00:11:56]I always have to give credit to Dusty Roads uh for this one because of course I had ideas floating around in my head of like how do I envision myself as a pro wrestler? What's that presentation like? And I ran through the mix actually of trying a few different characters and I can remember Dusty Rhodess one time saying just go up there in front of our promo class and stuff. Yeah, just tell me about yourself. Just go up there and tell me about yourself. And uh so I went up and I talked and sure enough one of the things I said was that I like to play blues guitar and I don't know I can't even remember what else I said but that stuck out to him and he said you know what how about next week you bring the guitar and I said okay cool next week I brought the guitar and uh I can remember I just kind of told another story about my life when I was kind of picking at it and when I was done I kind of strummed it and Dusty just sat back and he was like there it just there it is, you know, and he sort of it was just from that moment on the guitar really never left my side and he sort of started, you know, molding me as we kind of, you know, he loved these old Woody Gunthy movies and Johnny Cash and the Drifter idea just it it really does captivate the American or not just American but the imagination of >> people and that that old west, >> you know, caricature of PE. So, there's really something there. And it he just latched on to it and I loved it and it was it was cool. I got to be mysterious and cool. And then one day one of my coaches said, um, you know, how about you sing a song before your match? And I said, about what? He said, uh, anything. Just sing any song.

[00:13:38]And I remember that before the match that night, it was in Largo, Florida. I sang a song sort of making fun of the crowd. and they booed so hard and so long that it was like, "Oh, that's that's it.

[00:13:51]>> I'm going to do that now, too." You know what I mean?

[00:13:53]>> Right.

[00:13:53]>> Um, so that's really and then over the next year or so, uh, I had even gotten wind, you know, hey, Vince McMahon's got his eye on you and, you know, we're they're looking at you and stuff. And so I really started to hone the stick and the way I would wrestle and work and all that stuff. And um, and it grew in popularity with the crowd even before I made it to Monday Night Raw. And that I think I had mentioned to you before. It was after an NXT TV taping, a couple years in and um Triple H was running through everything that had went down that night. Hey guys, we did a great show. We need to work on this. Hey, some of these guys did a great job tonight.

[00:14:35]And at the end of it, he says, um, and by the way, Elias Samson, uh, you're going to drift your ass to Monday Night Raw. And just the whole wow friends and stuff, they every I can remember a buddy of mine jumped over a table and tackled me right on the spot. And uh just everybody was so happy for me. Just like >> yeah, >> just a great moment. And I went up and I I shook Hunter's hand and he said uh you know the real work starts now. And I was like here we go. Let's go.

[00:15:03]>> That kicked off the you I was on Monday Night Raw next week from there on out for the next couple years pretty much every week.

[00:15:10]>> Amazing. Yeah.

[00:15:11]>> Yeah. That's a great that's a great story. That's the thing that everybody >> when they have the childhood dream >> Yeah.

[00:15:17]>> that's the conversation they all wait for. The call, the contract, the conversation, the call up. Sure.

[00:15:23]>> You know, you you've walked through all those phases that everybody dreams of.

[00:15:27]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:15:28]>> Right. And then you have a decade in there with WWE and you've created >> a character that is known and will always be known. I think you've you've really I know you've still got more to go, >> but you've cemented something in the in the wrestling business >> that will always be and that's that's a a strong mark.

[00:15:47]>> Yeah.

[00:15:47]>> You know, for for something you've done, >> too. Yeah. That's um that's really crazy to think about. And you know there's a lot of you know I can I I I when I hop on the Independence I can go to I literally would go to Italy and do my thing and people would just >> right >> they get it right you know and they just they love it there or when I come back to NXT after however long and do it and it's like >> there's something like I said that just for whatever reason for what however many couple minutes I would sit on that stool on Monday Night Raw and talk to the there was connection that actually formed with people, you know, it's really cool.

[00:16:27]>> And it never left.

[00:16:28]>> Yeah.

[00:16:28]>> So, you were there for 10 years.

[00:16:32]>> What happened?

[00:16:34]>> How did it How did >> I know?

[00:16:35]>> Yeah.

[00:16:36]>> I think about this all the time, by the way. Um, but, you know, I mean, you're going to get the standard answer, those budget budget cuts and stuff like that, which, you know, okay. I mean, I kind of shrug my shoulders at those kind of answers, you know. I know personally that um as the months were kind of coming up before I got that call that hey, you know, we're going to let you go, there was a lot of um back and forth on creative things to where it was almost like we put them here, we put them here. Let's just set them off to the side and we'll figure something out.

[00:17:11]And then they never really do figure something out, >> right?

[00:17:14]>> And I I mentioned to you too, I was I went super hard. I came up with different pitches and outfits and characters and I tried to talk to every single you name it from the top to the bottom. I said I'll fly out to Connecticut tonight. I'll I did all that stuff, man. And uh ultimately, you know, you get hit with that call. Hey, you know, you haven't been on TV for x amount of months. We're paying you this much money. We got to let you go. And uh and that was that, man. That's how that chapter of the career wrapped up, you know. Yeah. Pretty frustrating. I get that. Yeah. I'm a big believer in seasons.

[00:17:51]>> And you know, someone like yourself that has a decade like that, right? Now, you've moved into a season where, frustrating as it is, >> you move into a season where you you don't know what you're going to do.

[00:18:02]Right. You you walk out of WWE, that season kind of stops for a moment seemingly, >> which no means not yet.

[00:18:10]>> Right. Right.

[00:18:11]>> Right. That's a great line.

[00:18:13]>> That's a good one. Huh. So, you know, you you walk out of there and then then how do you feel? Like, do you are you going to keep wrestling? Like, what where's your mindset when you left the WWE?

[00:18:23]>> Um, I was just I was angry at the whole thing, to be honest with you. Um, I thought I was very good at what I was doing. I thought the crowd really still connected with me, so to speak. I, you know what I mean? I was very confident, like, you just put me on TV and let me do my thing and it'll work.

[00:18:41]What are we doing? you know, I was very angry about that, I guess. Um, and I kind of was just indifferent towards wrestling, you know, that's my dream.

[00:18:49]And so, I was frustrated, you know what I mean? And a lot of people were very much like, >> dude, just keep going and do, you know, keep it up and stuff. And, uh, buddy of mine asked me to come out to do an independent show. He's just like, just have fun and you do whatever you want, man. Total free. Sammy >> Callahan.

[00:19:08]Uh, yeah. No, he he's awesome. What a great dude. And yeah, he let me come out, do a show, had a fantastic match with a guy named Speedball Mike Bailey.

[00:19:17]And I just remember after that being like, "Oh, this is like a blast. This is super cool. I can do this." And so I started doing that, doing that, doing that until I did it independent and totally random. Uh, one wrestler canled.

[00:19:32]They called in Tommy Dreamer. Me and him ended up being a tag team that night.

[00:19:37]Uh, we had some fun playing with the crowd. We had a wrestling match. And afterwards he's like, "Dude, I've got this idea for you. Hear me out.

[00:19:45]>> TNA and this, this, and that, and Joe Hendry and the whole thing. I think it'd be really fun." And um eventually I was like, "Yeah, I think that'd be a great idea." And since coming to TNA, so Tommy brought me in. Uh it's just been awesome, dude. TNA has been a blast.

[00:20:00]I've I feel like I got in at like such a great time because they're just, you know, they're 8,000 people in arenas and stuff, and now we got a TV deal on AMC.

[00:20:09]It's It's cool.

[00:20:10]>> That's how we met.

[00:20:11]>> It's cool. That's how we met. That's right, man. So, I'm >> grateful for that.

[00:20:14]>> Me, too. Me, too.

[00:20:15]>> Yeah.

[00:20:15]>> And so, now you're with TNA and love Tommy, by the way, man. He is uh >> big brother to everybody in a sense. You know, he's great.

[00:20:23]>> So, you walk into TNA, which you bring so much value there. And now you're in this company. We've got, you know, a new deal with AMC.

[00:20:30]>> Things are moving along.

[00:20:32]>> And you get a phone call, >> you know, last year. Yeah. that says, "Hey, >> I know you were here for a while, 10 years, but we want you to come back."

[00:20:41]>> So WWE gives you this call, right? As we create this partnership now with TNA and WWE, which has been amazing. So we have talent going back and forth and of course you being, you know, main roster with TNA, they say, you know, Elijah, we want you to come back. What was that like?

[00:20:56]>> Um, that was an interesting mix of feelings, too, right? Because it's like, um, you know, you broke up with your ex.

[00:21:03]are you sure you want to just go in the you know what I mean? Um it's a it was a weird for me it felt kind of weird you know for them it's probably just business as usual but I had a lot of emotions um because I I you know just a million things running through your head of we could have just done this and that and switch why you know that stuff point is uh ultimately Tommy was like I think it'll be good I think it okay I'll go do it and it was awesome I came out there the crowd was awesome they were chanting welcome home they you know that It's a cool little >> talk about that. Welcome home.

[00:21:38]>> Yeah.

[00:21:38]>> You don't hear it that often.

[00:21:40]>> You're right. Yeah. No, that and that's >> You were told me there's welcome back.

[00:21:43]There's all these other things, >> right?

[00:21:45]>> Why do you feel like they said welcome home?

[00:21:47]>> Yeah.

[00:21:47]>> How did that feel?

[00:21:50]>> It did stand out to me at the time that they chanted welcome home >> and it was strong. I saw it.

[00:21:54]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:21:55]>> Yeah. Yeah. It was just like this uh I don't know what the term is, guttural.

[00:22:00]Again, I hate to use the term connection, right? Um >> that's what it is.

[00:22:04]>> Yeah. because those people, I don't know how many or whatever, but it's like they probably did see me in NXT not that long ago and come through the system and they watch my journey through WWE and Wrestlemania and all the way and here I am again. Uh so it did in a sense probably to a lot of them feel like a homecoming >> and that was cool because like I said you know sometimes a guy comes back and they chant welcome back or welcome this and that and for me it was welcome home and that was definitely unique and stood out to me. It was special.

[00:22:36]>> Yeah it is special >> and you could see Shawn everybody else and all the people I've met full circle for all of that come back you know and >> everybody there you know welcome you with open arms. You could see it and feel it.

[00:22:47]>> Yeah. So you come back, they're they're starting to put you on TV. They're building a little bit with you. Trick.

[00:22:54]Yep.

[00:22:54]>> And you build to this match.

[00:22:56]>> Yeah.

[00:22:56]>> Right. And you've got your match. You're back in WW. Back in WWE doing your match.

[00:23:01]>> Sure.

[00:23:02]>> And you know, it was interesting because as we've gotten to know each other, >> uh, we were doing so much together that >> I had talked to medical there and and I was going to be in town.

[00:23:13]>> Yeah. And they were like, you know, hey, come on by and sit ringside and you we got, you know, a bunch of talent here.

[00:23:18]We'd love to have you. So went in >> and they they hooked up the IFB and I I went and sat ringside.

[00:23:24]>> Yeah.

[00:23:24]>> And got to be there, you know, the night you were there. Yep.

[00:23:27]>> And sitting out there with medical, I'm watching the match >> and I couldn't believe it.

[00:23:33]>> Yeah.

[00:23:34]>> So talk about that.

[00:23:35]>> Yeah. Um Yeah. I mean there there it is, man.

[00:23:38]>> I wanted to be there in the vic for the victory with no injury, but tell me what happened. Let it be noted I won this match. Um but >> yeah, I was in the mix there with Trick Williams. I was up on the top rope doing a move I've done quite a few times at this point. Um I jumped off the top rope, my knees land on his shoulders and we kind of typically just kind of go down. Um and just the the momentum, whatever it is, I took him a step or two back. And for me, it caused me to sort of trajectory, you know, diagonally down towards the mat just faster than usual.

[00:24:14]And I just tried to stop myself. I just threw my hands out like you would just naturally, right? And uh and it just wasn't enough on that day. All my weight come down and my left arm just went and my tricep tore off the bone here. Um I didn't know at the time. I didn't I knew something bad had happened. And if you watch, you'll see I grab my arm and my face hits the mat. And >> I get up, but I I actually I think I wrestled about another eight minutes with one arm. And if you kind of watch it back, you'll see my arm's just kind of >> It is. And you're shaking it. You're like shaking the deal. And >> I I remember I stepped outside the ring and I'm trying to figure out like how bad is that? What did I do? I couldn't uh flex my uh tricep muscles and I was like, that's not good. Um, yeah. And I can remember a doctor on the side was like, "What's going on?" Like, "My arm is >> right >> messed up." You know, he's like, "Do we got to call the match?" I'm like, "Do not call the match." So, >> we got through the match. Uh, got the win, right? That was a big deal. And come to the back.

[00:25:16]>> Everybody, you know, said their thank yous and all that stuff. I ran right into you, which I didn't know I'd see you that that time.

[00:25:22]>> Um, and then everybody started checking.

[00:25:24]I think you felt right around.

[00:25:26]>> Most everybody was like >> tear put the ultrasound on it.

[00:25:29]>> That's right. Yeah.

[00:25:30]>> Some people could just feel it. They're like there's no connection anymore. They put that ultrasound on and pretty much confirmed it. It's like oh jeez. Okay.

[00:25:37]So the tricep is torn, >> dude. And uh and I now I I got to give a lot of credit to the WWE medical team and staff.

[00:25:47]>> 100%.

[00:25:48]>> They were on it. They made the calls, all this stuff. They got me in the MRI like the very next morning. Yeah.

[00:25:54]>> Um I did that. They got the results.

[00:25:57]They called like the best surgeon in Orlando or whatever. And uh maybe in the country, I don't know. And they were like, "Can you get them in?" They got me in the very next morning. Uh so it was like a 30-hour gap between injury to surgery. I mean, they were just on top of it. So very grateful for all the connections there.

[00:26:16]>> And it was so great just being there and watching that.

[00:26:18]>> Yeah. Being there with you, one thing I could see was you when we knew it was torn.

[00:26:23]>> Yeah.

[00:26:24]>> The look in your face.

[00:26:26]>> Yeah.

[00:26:26]>> Said everything. You didn't say it out of your mouth, >> right?

[00:26:29]>> But your look said everything.

[00:26:31]>> It was like, I just got back. Y >> I just got my win.

[00:26:34]>> Sure.

[00:26:34]>> Right. And then this happens. Why? You know what I mean? And that all that you could see going through.

[00:26:39]>> Yep.

[00:26:40]>> But I really have got to say too, you're right. The the partnership, a lot of times partnerships, people don't know how they're going to go. And these guys, I mean, you're our guy.

[00:26:51]>> Yeah.

[00:26:51]>> Right. And they could have easily said to me, you you know, here.

[00:26:56]>> Yeah.

[00:26:57]>> Right. And they didn't. Dale, Dr. Gary, Dr. White, they all just said, "No, no, no."

[00:27:01]>> Yeah.

[00:27:02]>> We'll make the call.

[00:27:03]>> And I mean, like you said, within the next morning, MRI, surgery, the next day, Dale was like, "We've got it."

[00:27:09]>> You know, we'll we'll help any way we can. And I just appreciate that for the partnership because it >> one thing I love about w with WWE is that I have seen now that we've been integrated.

[00:27:21]>> Yeah.

[00:27:22]>> Is how much they care about their talent.

[00:27:24]>> We care. I know that cuz I'm I'm the guy that does that.

[00:27:28]>> But to watch them care about a guest in their house technically that night >> says a lot about the company.

[00:27:34]>> Yeah, dude. I'm couldn't agree more. You know, they could have easily said, "Well, that's on TNA. We'll figure it out."

[00:27:39]>> That's right. Um, I do I think there's I do think there's probably a part that I was there for 10 years and I did form relationships with all these medical people that they said that's our guy too, you know.

[00:27:51]>> Seriously. Yeah, you could see it.

[00:27:52]>> So, and Dale has always been good to me through other injuries and just through the PC and stuff. So, >> but yeah, I mean those guys just they were on top of it. Very grateful.

[00:28:01]>> Yeah, same here. Is grateful for that.

[00:28:04]>> So, you get the injury, you go have surgery, right? within 48 hours basically you're in surgery.

[00:28:10]>> Yep.

[00:28:10]>> And you come out of surgery. Talk about >> talk about what your mindset was coming out of surgery.

[00:28:18]>> Um coming out of surgery, my first thought literally is like how quick can I get to Adame Med and uh get the Advita treatment? I probably called Larry >> which is stem cell therapy.

[00:28:30]>> Stem cell therapy, >> right? And so talk about that because that's something that >> you know I think not enough people know about and a lot of athletes now are getting stem cells for various reasons but you knew that that would help you in the healing process some way somehow.

[00:28:45]>> Yeah. Yeah. Of course. I mean you hear things over the years right but I had taken a great interest in it in the last I'll say year or or so uh with Adamed and Larry and Larry is so passionate and I incredible how much knowledge he's picked up over this stuff and what and he could just tell you about everything and what does what and these type of cells and that and some of it's over my head dude but it's like the results essentially speak for themselves in a lot of these um trials and testimonies and the you know we I know there people's ACL's are regrowing and um you know just overall anti-aging effects people's brains are healing and connections and why and kids with autism and uh Parkinson's and MS and I just the the list goes on and on and on for how much >> uh you know I know the ter the technical term is like regenerative regenerative medicine and it's really that really is what it It's like regenerating your youth, your health, your blood, your muscles, your tendons, whatever it may be.

[00:29:54]>> Um, that maybe goes wrong along the way in your life, you know, they regenerate.

[00:29:59]Pretty incredible stuff.

[00:30:00]>> Yeah, it is. So, you go in >> after surgery. How long was it before you had the treatment of the stem cells in the in the tricep?

[00:30:07]>> I I think, you know, and I thank Larry for it, too. I I got in there as soon as I could. I think within four days maybe from like and only probably because it was a weekend or something like that like >> uh I think I had the surgery on a Thursday or f Thursday or Friday and by Monday morning I was getting the uh stem cells in there >> and dude I >> and what did you notice like right after that you know like tell tell me the kind of the healing process from that >> what did you notice right after that >> some things I just were obvious right away I mean I was in a fast, right? I was all stitched up and everything like that. Uh, I could not sleep. I could not get comfortable and my hand looked like a balloon. I mean, it was just >> completely swollen, right? And within 24 hours, my hand looked like normal.

[00:30:56]>> And I was able to sleep. So, just that alone, it was like worth it. You know what I mean? Just for that.

[00:31:01]>> Um, and then what was really incredible to me was that first off, it stayed.

[00:31:07]>> It was like it got rid of uh what's the term? The inflammation or what? It's like it totally got rid of that and it stayed off. It wasn't like, you know, just temporary. The next day it comes back. It was gone. And when they finally removed my cast, which was maybe a week and a half, two weeks later, >> I remember the doctor, you know, I was already moving uh you you shouldn't even be able to move it at all at that point.

[00:31:29]It's all so tight. But I was able to do like 30° within like >> I like I'm going to say 12 days or something. I I have it technically tracked somewhere.

[00:31:37]>> But that's amazing. And then I remember he looked at my scar and he was like this is like >> incredible you know. Yeah. So I have to give credit to the Advita treatment >> because when the doctor and the surgeon is blown away by what he's seeing, okay, well something >> unique is going on here.

[00:31:57]>> So they're telling you 8 n months.

[00:31:59]>> Yeah.

[00:31:59]>> Which is standard recovery by the way.

[00:32:01]Okay. That's not far-fetched. Sometimes some guys or some athletes can come back seven eight maybe.

[00:32:06]>> Sure. Yeah.

[00:32:07]>> But you came back in three and a half.

[00:32:09]>> Yeah. Yeah. That's uh again it's >> that's not just good clean eating, >> right?

[00:32:14]>> There's something else along with that.

[00:32:15]Yeah. No, the stem cells played up.

[00:32:17]>> It was crazy because I can and I can remember personally that like around I'll say 10 weeks I was like, "Oh, like I'm already sort of feeling like it was starting to feel." You know what I mean?

[00:32:31]Yeah. Um, and so it was it was only whatever. I think by by 10 weeks I started thinking in my head like, whoa, I'm not that far off. 12 weeks I was like, I'm pretty good. And then they cleared me technically.

[00:32:45]>> I think right around that time, three and a half months or something like that, which it's always a little extra.

[00:32:49]The surgeon is always like >> extra precautious, extra give it space time. And he was like, dude, like he checked my whole thing and did all the tests and stuff and he was like, >> okay, be safe. you're on your own. I don't want to see you again. You know, like that kind of thing. And I said, "Dude, >> it is." Yeah. No, it was very, very nice. And this is when I came in, >> you know, they said nine months probably. And I was like, "Oh my gosh, dude. 9 months."

[00:33:14]>> It was like like a decade.

[00:33:16]>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It does.

[00:33:17]>> Um, so I I have to really think some of that that treatment there played a huge >> It played a major role. Yeah, it did.

[00:33:25]>> So, what would you say to someone if they're looking to do stem cell therapy?

[00:33:30]>> You know what I mean? Like if somebody's injured, if they're hurt, if they've got a knee that is bothering them or shoulder, I mean, what >> I tell you, I already I already recommend it to anybody that's like dealing with stuff or whatever. You know, I've got friends that um have had, you know, surgeries and um you know, just I I think of the Hardies who have just been beat up and and stuff like that. I'm like, "Guys, stem cells winter park. Get them done. You 15 minutes you'll be in." Yeah. So, like I literally will like if anybody comes to me with anything, I'm like, "Have you considered ST?" I'm I'm that guy now.

[00:34:02]Um, but and it's all for good reason. I want them to feel better. I want them to get better faster, feel better, uh, look better. I mean, like, aesthetically, I I know a buddy of mine with the same exact injury who he's got a whole zigzag puffy scar just from that alone. Yeah.

[00:34:22]>> Um, so yeah, I mean I'm like a huge advocate of it now, having personally experienced it, >> I could they, you know, Larry and crew and doctors, they they'll present me the science of it all, but nothing speaks like the actual experience and the results, you know what I mean? Yeah.

[00:34:39]>> And now you're back. So then back back at it, which is great, man.

[00:34:43]>> Yeah. Yeah. Thank you.

[00:34:44]>> So what's next for Elijah?

[00:34:46]>> So you're in TNA. What's what are your goals in wrestling moving forward? Sure.

[00:34:51]I mean, dude, now that we got the TV deal, I think the sky is the limit, man.

[00:34:55]You know, uh Elijah could be the world champion. Will be will be. Thank you very much, man. Appreciate that. Um and just to bring more eyes to the product.

[00:35:05]I'd love to do crossover things where I'm in an AMC show and an AMC actor's hanging out with me. You know, a lot of that kind of stuff I think could be super fun. I think the character Elijah fits in the mix with a lot of their programming and things. So, those are some goals right there. Um, and then just grow the character, evolve into the next iteration of whatever, uh, it's going to be and really have fun and not take any of the moments for granted, which is, uh, >> you know, sometimes you're so I'm so bullheaded on what's the next thing and this, this, and that, you know, I sometimes I need to stop and appreciate the moment, >> you know, things like that. And I really try to do that. Yeah.

[00:35:49]>> Yeah. It's really good, >> you know, just to kind of wrap up. So, you were a skinny kid growing up, you tell me. Right.

[00:35:55]>> Yes.

[00:35:56]>> How has fitness, >> nutrition, how has that played a role in your development >> as a person, >> but also in wrestling?

[00:36:05]>> Oh, man.

[00:36:06]>> Is that a centerpiece?

[00:36:07]>> Yeah, of course. Of course. I mean, first off, as a skinny kid who wanted to be a wrestler and I saw, you know, I could think of Triple H and Kurt Angle and some of these guys just with like awesome physiques and it's like, well, if that's what the champs look like, I got to get there somehow or another, you know? So, I can remember at a very young age, maybe 17, I started having like regular like this is my diet and this is what I'm eating. And you know at family dinners my family would be like come on aren't you going to you know >> modified meal prep thing right. Yeah.

[00:36:39]Yeah. Right. Right. Um and so you know you go through your trials and errors and all that stuff and uh you work with what you can at the time and try to make the best of it. But yeah, I mean the the fitness aspect and really now me and me and you talk is like the longevity maybe even again considering doing the Advita as a almost preventative if that's uh >> as an IV just to flood the system as a preventative for anti-aging and longevity.

[00:37:07]>> Yes. Yes. Like these are things I'm seriously considering now and uh a lot more focus on that. you know, 10 years ago when you just younger and you know, but now 10 years later after getting beat up and injuries, it's like I should probably start really caring.

[00:37:24]>> For sure. But you're in great you're in still in great shape.

[00:37:27]>> And I think you know what's interesting is now in wrestling, >> you're seeing a lot of the top talent like people say, well, leave room for the, you know, let the young talent come up, right? There's a lot of that kind of conversation right now. But guys that are in their late 30s, 40s, >> you're seeing you're seeing talent in their mid4s that still look like >> they're in their early 30s because of what they did in their 20s. So this whole thing with fitness and eating clean >> really started. That's why guys like AJ Styles >> looks the way that he does, >> right? Randy Orton looks the way that he does. Now early on he probably wasn't into the fitness and all that, but he really got into that and it's changed a lot. So you're seeing I think a lot change based on people's fitness and eating habits >> that they did 10 15 years ago like yourself.

[00:38:17]>> And so what I always say is it's interesting when you look at someone that's 50 >> Yeah.

[00:38:23]>> 20 years ago.

[00:38:24]>> It was maybe the guy with gray hair, plaid shirt, penny loafers. He looked older.

[00:38:28]>> Sure.

[00:38:28]>> But now 50 is Tom Brady.

[00:38:31]>> Oh yeah.

[00:38:31]>> You know what I mean? So it's like looking at that you got so much more runway >> with what you have based on your habits.

[00:38:38]Sure.

[00:38:39]>> So you added DMED in there, you had stem cell therapy, your habits that you have now, and really the sky's is the limit for your career. So a another decade is definitely there, >> which is really cool to see.

[00:38:49]>> Right. Right. Right. Yeah. I mean, and those are things that were not in the conversation, you know, 10 years ago, and now they are. And now you've got guys like that, and who knows what's, you know, next for people. And you know I I got adm and these things like that and whatever that becomes of it. It's like you know definitely opens up the whole door of potential there >> and for health and feeling.

[00:39:14]>> That's what I'm saying because you got to look at you know even past wrestling right the habits that you have now are creating that >> there's a term in wrestling we always talk about a bump card.

[00:39:22]>> Yeah.

[00:39:23]>> Right. Right. Right.

[00:39:24]>> But I think something like a damed >> extends the bump card.

[00:39:28]>> Of course.

[00:39:28]>> Right. For all of us.

[00:39:29]>> I mean of course. Yeah. 100% >> 100%.

[00:39:32]>> How um how has faith played a role in your life, >> man? Um you know, my whole life, it's tough to say. Um I'll say I I had an I'll call it an experience when I was uh maybe fiveish years ago, you know, call it your I don't know, enlightenment moment or you know, John says, "I was blind and now I see." You know what I mean? And it's the the revelation of the resurrection of the life and the truth and the light and life uh of course within you. I always think of Paul saying uh this is the hope of glory Christ in you uh the God of love and peace and joy and then you know so you have that in you and it comes out of you and then you begin to see God in other people and you see them in your neighbor and your friend and the community and all of a sudden you see God's hand at work in uh you know I mean let's talk about stem cells and everything and the the I'll call it divine powers at work with how that goes down and >> you know just everybody that comes comes together to create a wrestling show. We always pray before our shows and stuff like that, man. It's like >> and we want, you know, from the audience and the kid and now all of a sudden, like I said, and you got your uh Holy Spirit glasses on and you just see it through this way. It's a a beautiful vision uh in the midst of what can be dark times or hard times or, you know, whatever else because life is always going to be coming at us. Right. That's right.

[00:41:01]>> But I always think about Christ working in us. So >> that's a good word. Cool.

[00:41:05]>> As we close this thing out, would you mind praying for anyone that would watch this podcast? Just a just a short prayer for for them, whatever they're going through or maybe they're watching right now. And >> you know, maybe need some encouragement.

[00:41:17]>> Yeah. I'm uh I'm not the best at just spitting out prayers or anything like that, but >> uh for anybody listening, I pray that God touches your heart >> in a way that lets you know that God is uh there for you. He'll never leave you.

[00:41:33]He'll always be there. And God loves you. And that's important. You're never alone. No matter what you're going through, you're never alone. You've always got a friend in Jesus is uh a popular song, but it's the truth. And for anybody out there that is considering health um avenues, you know, pray about what you might find at Adia, Adia Med, Adia Vita. Look into this. Uh I could tell you I'm speaking from my heart here. Um, when I tell you that there are serious conditions in the world in people and any age, any spectrum, whatever it may be, it's worth looking into, considering, your health is just got to be one of the most valuable things uh we have in this life.

[00:42:23]So, don't take that for granted. Uh on top of that, you know, I just uh I pray anybody out there listening that needs encouragement to to lean into community uh lean into your local church, your local leaders, uh and reach out and hear the good news of of what Jesus has done.

[00:42:45]So there you go. Good word, man. Just ran it.

[00:42:47]>> Appreciate you, my friend. Always good.

[00:42:50]>> All right, man. Amen.