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EC IIIEthan Carter III is a hot name in the professional wrestling business right now.That last sentence there, is powerful enough to break the hearts of WWE Officials who decided to release him back in 2013. Within a period of just two years, Ethan has proven to be WWE’s loss and TNA’s gain. EC3 went on to have a solid two years in Dixie Carter’s promotion and is attracting attention from all over the world.He is pretty much on his way to be the franchise player of TNA and it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up in WWE after a few years. With EC3 popularity at the epitome and his visit to India just a day away, it would be a great time to dig into some lesser known facts about him.
#5 The Hardcore American Icon
EC3 has a handful of nicknames, but the most interesting one from the lot is: The Hardcore American Icon. It might sound like a random nickname in the first go, but there is a big story behind it. The parts of the nickname indicate the major superstars that EC3 has beaten during his TNA career. He first defeated Sting in a solid match, so EC3 became the Icon.
He then went on to defeat Kurt Angle and since Angle is considered to be the greatest American in the wrestling business, EC3 also became an ‘American’. The hardcore part came when he defeated Bubba Ray Dudley, who at the time was having a singles run in TNA. Now, imagine what will happen if he comes to WWE and defeats The Undertaker.
#4 You\'re only good as the opportunity you\'re given
EC3 lives by the motto of “You're only good as the opportunity you're given”. He said the same when he was asked about his stay in WWE. WWE was not a place where he had the freedom to build his own career as the company looked for profits for the organization rather than the wrestler. TNA, on the other hand, gave enough freedom and opportunities to EC3 which he made great use of.
“TNA has allowed me the chance to work with guys who are better than me. They’ve showed me the way to becoming a champion. The company was established on older names, but you need that name brand value to create new stars.
We were very fortunate to have guys like Kurt Angle and the Hardys, and they are guys who are willing to work with the younger talent and give them a rub. They’re less worried about protecting a fictitious spot and more interested in increasing business,” he said during an interview. So if you were trying to compare TNA and WWE, here is a big point to note.
#3 PWI ranked him 30th in 2015
The top 500 wrestlers ranking of PWI is a prestigious list to be in. The superstars who end up on the list earn a lot of respect in the business and this year EC3 was ranked 30th on the list. 30 might not sound like a fancy number to many but when you are compared to all the wrestlers from around the world; it is indeed a big achievement. Some of the names that were under Ethan Carter III are Samoa Joe, Cesaro, Sheamus, Kane, Kenny Omega, and Goldust.
He is expected to make a big leap in the next year’s ranking as well and may come out with some big surprises from now to then.
#2 He was mentored by Daniel Bryan in NXT
Before making it big in TNA, EC3 had a long stay in NXT. He was part of the fourth season and was mentored by none other than Daniel Bryan. EC3 made his in-ring debut in NXT alongside Daniel Bryan as well when they faced off against Alberto Del Rio and Conor O’Brian.
He managed to reach the final three in the competition. Johnny Curtis, who is currently known as Fandango ended up winning the season when Brodus Clay came in second for the event. EC3 had a storyline with Fandango, Kaitlyn and Maxine afterwards and his run in NXT came to an abrupt end when he was released by the company.
#1 Experience of more than a decade
Just like Rome wasn’t built in one night, the wrestler called EC3 was not an overnight star. He spent two years in TNA from 2013 to 2015, and before that he spent some time in the independent circuit. He was contracted to WWE from 2006 to 2013. Under the WWE Contract, EC3 Wrestled in Ohio Valley Wrestling from 2007 to 2008, in Florida Championship Wrestling from 2009 to 2012 and in NXT from 2010 to 2013. He got a wealth of experience from all the spells and before making it into WWE in 2006, he spent another four years on the independent wrestling scene.
His official debut happened back in 2002 and it took EC3 almost 13 years to reach where he is today. So for anyone who wants to achieve your dream: it’s going to take a lot of pain, sweat and blood to reach the top.
