5 Questions with NWA World Television Champion Thom Latimer
The pressure’s on! At NWA 75, Thom Latimer faces Chris Adonis in a marquee match-up for the NWA World Television title.
If Thom Latimer can defeat Chris Adonis at NWA 75, he earns the right to ‘cash in’ his “Lucky 7” for a shot at the World’s Championship.
On the last NWA Powerrr before the NWA 75 pay-per-view, Adonis attacked his partner Latimer during a battle with Crockett Cup winners Mike Knox and Trevor Murdoch. Now it appears a title match between the two joins the already stacked PPV.
It’s not just Latimer’s belt up for grabs though. If he can survive his former ‘Strictly Business’ stablemate, Latimer finally reaches the “Lucky 7” — and receives a World’s Title opportunity! We speak to him ahead of the battle.
Chris Adonis and you were friends a long time. What went through your mind when he attacked you?
I can’t say it didn’t break my heart a little. Hands down Chris is the best wrestler the company has. There’s not a lot of people I look up to, respect, and get on with in general — let alone in the NWA. I watched the guy as a kid on TV. Years later, we form a close bond, text everyday, and he’s someone I look forward to seeing.
We didn’t have the best chemistry that night, but is that a good enough reason to toss me to the wolves? I don’t think so. He’s frustrated; I am too. We should both be World’s Heavyweight Champions — or, at the very least, be in the mix. I think he wants to make that point. Unfortunately, he made it at the expense of our friendship, and — worse for him — me!
After our match, I hope he shakes my hand and realizes he f*cked up. And I’ll tell him, ‘You either get to the back of the line, or once I’m heavyweight champion, we can do this again once it means something.’ He jumped the gun, to be honest.
Many say “The Masterpiece” is the greatest TV title challenge to date. What is your take?
He truly is the real bench mark for my reign as NWA TV champion. Saying that, I’ve beaten him before, so I know it’s doable. This situation is different, however; he’s got a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove. He’s got nothing to lose, and I do. I’m looking at Chris like he’s the NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion. He’s the guy I have to beat to become what I already should be. I don’t think Chris realizes what he’s done. He has to be able to live with himself after his failure to capture my TV title.
It seems nobody can escape “The Masterlock.” How will you avoid it?
Chris Adonis viciously attacked his tag team partner and long-time friend, NWA World Television Champion Thom Latimer, on NWA Powerrr.
Simple, I’ll never get in it! When we meet at NWA 75, it will be a battle of which of us locks on our submission first. I think the person who walks out as NWA World Television champion will be as simple as who gets his hold on first. Will it be The Masterlock or my Crossface? I think you know my answer.
Kamille keeps saying you’re destined to be NWA Worlds champion. Do you feel she’s under appreciating your reign as NWA World TV champion?
No, not at all. I think Kamille sees me as more than just the NWA World Television champion — like I do. In both our minds, I should be holding the “Ten Pounds of Gold” right now as the NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion. The TV title has a legendary history, which I’m proud to be part of… and Kamille is incredibly happy for and supportive of that. At the same time, she also knows I currently own the wrong belt
If you successfully defend against Adonis at NWA 75, you could cash in your ‘Lucky 7’ for a shot at the World’s Title. Do you have a preference whether Tyrus or EC3 walks out as champ?
Correct, if I beat Chris, I get to ‘Lucky 7’ for a shot…It’s funny though. I didn’t realize I could just toss away a championship and somehow get a shot at the World’s heavyweight champ. Here I am, defending my title over and over… What an idiot! Why do I even defend it? Next time I’ll just toss the TV championship away like trash and get my title shot. Got it!
‘Jokes' aside, I am a fighting champion. If that means I go another seven, or 20, or 50 wins, I’ll do whatever to solidify my name as a fighting, defending, winning and people’s champion. I’ll fight until it’s undeniable to everyone that I am the future of the NWA, the benchmark and measuring stick of what it is to be a professional wrestler in the NWA and the world.
EC3 or Tyrus? I couldn’t give a @#%$. One will have what I want… and that one will know 100-percent that the target on their back is reason to worry — because I’ll be coming for the bullseye!