When WWE debuted the facton ‘RETRIBUTION’, fans already knew how it would work out. Even with a talented roster of talent, this faction was doomed from the start – which left the likes of Shane Thorne stranded on the roster without anything to do. This would continue until the end of his run when he’d be released – but not due to a lack of Thorne trying.
Shane Thorne Was Having A Grand Time – Despite Not Making It To TV
While speaking on the Two Man Power Trip podcast, Shane Thorne would explain that after moving from Monday Night RAW to Smackdown Live, it suddenly became nearly impossible to get on TV. However – this was not a bad thing, and Thorne was able to find the silver lining.
“I was at SmackDown every single week and I think I got written into the show and off the show, four or five times. It became comical of how long I could be employed without doing anything. How many times can we stop and start this? No idea. Run out of time on the show? SmackDown is a shorter show.
I’d wrestle in the ring before the shows. Train with people. Some of the most fun I had in WWE was working on SmackDown, on the main roster run where I may not have been doing anything, but hanging out in the ring with people and wrestling.”
He would even go into detail on some of the pitches he made to get onto TV during this time.
“One of them was a basic backstage where Pearce and Deville were talking and they were like, ‘here’s a new person for SmackDown…Shane Thorne,’ and I’m like, ‘Hey guys, how ya doing?’ Sami Zayn would come cut me off, make it about him. Cool, whatever gets me in there. I’m not pitching to become World Champion. Just put me in the background. Just so I exist. My part got cut because they didn’t want me to be Shane. They wanted a new name. Call me Dave, Bob, John, whatever. You’re just going to call me Thorne in a few weeks anyway.
People don’t have two names. Who cares, whatever gets me out there. Me and Toni Storm did this thing with Corbin where he was down on his luck. They came up to Toni and go, ‘Here is your part for that.’ ‘What about my bit?’ ‘Uhhh, sorry, you’ve been cut.’ In 15 minutes, they cut all of them. I had a few chats with Vince, spit balling ideas, it just never came to.”
A Return To NJPW Shows Promise In The Future Of Shane Haste
Since his WWE release, Shane Thorne has been able to make his return to New Japan Pro Wrestling. Under his old ring name of Shane Haste and aligning with JONAH, we’re seeing The Mighty Don’t Kneel faction return to the promotion. A reunion with longtime tag team partner is expected, even with Mikey Nicholls now being part of the CHAOS faction. Right now, Haste is mainly going to be working with NJPW Strong – but hopefully can return to Japan in time. Previously, Haste & Nicolls mainly worked for Pro Wrestling NOAH, where they were two time GHC Tag Team Champions.
Do you expect TMDK to make a splash in NJPW? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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