WWE News: James Ellsworth reveals backstage conversation with Shane McMahon regarding his character

What’s the story?

On a recent edition of The Steve Austin Show, former WWE Superstar James Ellsworth opened up on a myriad of topics.

“The Chinless Wonder” revealed a rather intriguing backstage conversation he had with Shane McMahon regarding the James Ellsworth character. Besides, Ellsworth also recalled the time he realized that his standing in WWE was more than just that of a temporary internet phenomenon.

In case you didn’t know…

James Ellsworth has competed in the sport of professional wrestling since 2002, and performed for the WWE from 2016 until his departure from the promotion earlier this year.

After debuting in WWE as an enhancement talent opposite Braun Strowman in 2016, Ellsworth began garnering notable reactions from the WWE Universe—both the live audience as well as fans watching on the internet & television.

Ellsworth then featured prominently in a WWE Championship feud between AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose—following which Ellsworth began serving as a manager for Carmella until his release from WWE.

The heart of the matter

James Ellsworth recalled that he had always wanted to become a professional wrestler, as he fell in love with the sport at the age of 4/5, and idolized performers such as Ricky Morton, “The Macho Man” Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior.

Ellsworth added that while his parents suggested that he’d be better off not wasting his college graduation money on pro-wrestling school, they subsequently supported him as they knew he was going to pursue his pro-wrestling dreams either way. He continued that it was after the first 6 weeks in WWE when he knew that he was appearing on TV, that he began realizing the James Ellsworth WWE character was more than just an internet phenomenon.

Furthermore, Ellsworth narrated an interesting backstage conversation between him and Shane McMahon, which took place during Ellsworth’s participation in the AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose storyline—

“So AJ Styles couldn't find a partner, nobody wanted to team with him—it was a match against Dean Ambrose and John Cena. When I walked into the camera I heard the crowd react, it was a live shot, and we did the shot, afterwards Shane McMahon came to me and said, 'Kid, did you hear that pop?' He was all excited for me. You know Shane; he's one of the boys.”

“Once he started doing that I realized that it was real and people wanted to see the character, and see it do something. That night before I debuted, Miz beat me up on the stage and stole the spot in the match and then you didn't see me again for a month and that was when I came in to wrestle AJ Styles for the first time."

What’s next?

James Ellsworth presently performs on the independent professional wrestling circuit.

Ellsworth has time and again reiterated that he’d love to return to the WWE someday.

Author’s take

James Ellsworth is perhaps one of the classiest people in the sport today.

Ellsworth seems to be extremely grateful for the opportunities accorded to him by WWE, and his passion while speaking about the praise he received from Shane O’Mac further solidifies Ellsworth’s commitment to the pro-wrestling industry.

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