'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When Aiden English' vocal performance was interrupted by the sonorous strains of a familiar song, last week on SmackDown Live, the whole world sat up to take notice and welcome a beloved former NXT Champion to the main roster, an act many feel has been long overdue. They sang in unison to the melody of Roode's familiar theme song, inaugurating his arrival as only the WWE Universe can.
Bobby Roode is someone who dominated TNA, both as a tag team and singles competitor, and made quite a splash since his NXT debut, last year in Dallas. Few backstage have a bad thing to say about the glorious one, and everyone agrees that he will change the landscape of SmackDown Live.
Backstage rumours indicate that WWE is very high on Roode, and his path of glory has only just begun. We bring you 5 interesting and surprising facts about Bobby Roode and do ask you to contribute with some yourself, in case we've missed out on any.
#5 His one unfulfilled wish
Many professional wrestlers have compared Roode's work in the ring to one of the greatest of all time, 'Mr. Perfect' Curt Hennig. Roode has gone on record to say just how much he was inspired by the man and the fact that he has studied footage of Hennig's from AWA onwards.
Roode's biggest unfulfilled ambition is that he never got to face his hero inside the squared circle or even meet him. Superstars such as Billy Gunn have mentioned how much Roode's work mirrors that of Hennig and the fact that Roode even moves like Hennig does.
We guess this is one of those dream matches that never happened. Thankfully, Roode's other dream opponent is John Cena at Wrestlemania, a much more likely possibility by far!
#4 His theme was originally written for his NXT rival
One of the most unique aspects of Roode's character is his infectiously catchy theme song. As first reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the song was originally written for a man who had many clashes with Roode in NXT — 'The Artist', Shinsuke Nakamura.
However, when Nakamura first heard Glorious Domination, he believed that the song did not really fit his character and personally supervised his own theme song entitled 'The Rising Sun'. Because of that reason alone, Roode had access to 'Glorious Domination', a song that has become synonymous with his grand entrances.
The same holds true for Nakamura as well, whose theme song works wonderfully for him. Is it any surprise that these two songs are two of the most played WWE themes on YouTube, with over 25 million plays between the two theme songs?
#3 He wrestled for WWE as far back as 2001
While many believe that Bobby Roode always belonged in WWE, it is not widely known that he was in the company, as far back as 2001! Yes, this is definitely not his first WWE rodeo. He not only wrestled dark matches before Raw and SmackDown but also appeared on shows such as Velocity, Sunday Night Heat and even Jakked/Metal back then. Here's a video of him wrestling Billy Kidman on Velocity, dressed in a rather strange attire indeed.
Various reports indicate that while Vince McMahon was impressed by Roode's performance in the past, he was categorically told that he would not be hired, and asked to find employment elsewhere. Roode went to TNA and became the longest reigning champion in the company, in due course of time.
#2 He was the NXT locker room leader
Being the locker room leader is a very coveted spot, where all the boys and girls look at you for advice and motivation. The Undertaker famously bore this mantle through his WWE run, and Roman Reigns has achieved this prominent backstage position as well.
In little over a year, Bobby Roode became the NXT locker room leader, dispensing advice and guidance to those who needed it, in the locker room. He called it the most special thing that's ever happened to him, in an interview with Channel Guide Magazine:
It is probably the most special thing to happen to me. Being able to headline TakeOver events, especially during WrestleMania weekend with Nakamura into SummerSlam weekend. It has become a huge time for NXT. I really don’t go out of my way to take anybody under my wing, but people do come to me for advice and certain things like that, which is really cool. It has been this gratifying experience. To be looked upon as a locker room leader and someone who can be counted on is nice.
Just goes to prove that nice things happen to the nicest people.
#1 He almost opted for a career in hockey instead
As much of a wrestling fan as Bobby Roode was, throughout his life, he wanted to be a professional hockey player, because hockey is in every Canadian's blood! At the age of 19, he realized that he wasn't going to make it in hockey, and decided to focus on wrestling instead, as revealed in the interview below.
Another career that he once considered was that of a law enforcement officer, as he revealed on the Colt Cabana Podcast. Ultimately, every road led him to wrestle, and Roode has achieved the kind of success that others can only dream of. We are glad, and we wish him all the best for the future.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
