Wrestling INC: You've worked at a lot of places like ROH, TNA, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and Pro Wrestling Noah. With today's talent, many are going straight through the WWE Performance Center. People feel the talent isn't as well-rounded with their style since they don't work all the different territories. How do you think working in so many different places has shaped your skills and quality as a performer?
Strong: Obviously, if you have an opportunity to travel the world and wrestle against the best wrestlers, you're going to get better. If you don't get better, you probably shouldn't be wrestling. At the WWE Performance Center they don't get the opportunity to travel and get all the great experiences. They do have an advanced range of coaches there and they try to bring in the best of their knowledge for those guys in that situation. They're not going to get the knowledge or experience that I've had by traveling the world, but for the most part it can't be that bad to have all those amazing coaches in one spot.
Wrestling INC: You had a WWE tryout this past spring. How did that go and what was the experience like?
Strong: It was great and one of the best experiences of my life. To be in a competitive nature with a bunch of other athletes, it was awesome. The WWE Performance Center was fantastic and those guys are lucky what they have there. They have the chance to become very good if they want to. I can't say enough good things about it.
Wrestling INC: Have you heard from the WWE since the tryout? We've heard that you and Kevin Steen were the standouts at the tryout.
Strong: I've had some communication with them.
Wrestling INC: You had a tryout with them about 10 years ago when you took part in the open challenge with Kurt Angle.
Strong: I wouldn't necessarily call that a tryout, but I did accept Angle's challenge. It was kind of a one and done thing. I actually went there to hang out with some friends the day it actually happened. It wasn't planned to happen, but it was a great experience to step in the ring with Kurt Angle. I've been waiting since then to step in the ring with him again. Whenever Kurt's knee is better, I'm waiting for him.
Wrestling INC: You're currently not under contract with ROH, right?
Strong: No, [I'm not currently under contract with ROH].
Wrestling INC: Is there a contract in the works or are you playing it by ear right now?
Strong: Things are day-by-day. Everything is done for a reason. I'm letting the pieces fall where they may and we'll go from there.
Wrestling INC: We've had ROH talent go onto superstardom in the WWE. If Kevin Steen was to go to the WWE, how do you see him faring there?
Strong: Kevin will do as well as he would anywhere. He's a super talented guy and he knows exactly what he needs to do. His willingness is what makes him so successful. He loves wrestling and he'll be as successful as he wants to be.
Wrestling INC: For fans who have never ordered an ROH show, what can they expect from the Best in the World pay-per-view this Sunday?
Strong: People try to compare us to the WWE. We all bring something different to the table. You're going to get guys giving it their all in every match. They're going to be intense, passionate, and when they leave the ring you're going to see guys who gave everything they had. They get you emotionally invested in these matchups. The Ring of Honor guys want to be the best. The wrestlers that step out there will be passionate ones that love the company and want to be the best.
Read more at http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0620/577218/roderick-strong-talks-roh-ppv/#ICmswapUqXwcuSjF.99
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