Matt Taven Talks Roderick Strong, ROH, Getting Jeered, IMPACT

Fightful’s Joel Pearl caught up with AEW’s Matt Taven at Greektown Wrestling’s Greektown Cup in Toronto. The former Ring of Honor World Champion discussed various topics with Fightful.

Joel would ask Taven to describe a typical Northeast Wrestling match; Taven said, “It entails Matt Taven winning.” He would add that he “would go out, slap a bunch of hands, make someone look like a Melvin, get his belt, and go home.”

Taven tells us who he believes is a standout in Northeast Wrestling. Taven named Brad Baylor; he noted that Baylor is 18 years old, just graduated High School, and has a bright future. He also mentioned other wrestlers on the roster, such as KC Navarro, Brian Anthony, Wrecking Ball Legursky, Flip Gordon, and Dan Moff.

Taven talked about reuniting with Roderick Strong in AEW. He said when he went into ROH, Strong was his mentor. Taven said that Strong took him under his wing. He mentioned that Roderick was “going through it, but he will be okay.” [Referencing the storyline with Adam Cole/MJF]

When discussing the 2019 G1 Supercard at  Madison Square Garden, Joel would ask Taven who had the idea of using the purple ladder in the match. Taven said it was his idea, and so many thoughts ran through his head that evening. Matt said he knew if he won the match, there was a possibility that he could be standing on the ladder holding the ROH World Championship, and the moment would live forever.

Taven said he did not know that the ladder was as big as it was. Taven would add that it was heavy and awkward but worked well.

Matt spoke about the “F You Taven” chants and said when he described it to his Mom. He explained that it was a good thing.

Taven gets asked about those who did not want a “Matt Taven” title reign at the time and how he handled that. He said it was one of those things he could not make everyone happy, and he wanted to prove people wrong.

Taven spoke about his time in IMPACT Wrestling. Taven said the IMPACT locker room was one of the best he’s ever been in. He said there were some familiar faces like Moose and Eddie Edwards. Matt talked about working with MCMG [Motor City Machine Guns]. He said they were people he could go to for advice. Taven believes that Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin don’t get the credit they deserve for pioneering tag team wrestling to what it is today. Taven said MCMG and Generation Me [The Young Bucks] had some of the most innovative tag team matches ever in TNA [IMPACT Wrestling].

Joel mentioned that Taven was in IMPACT for about ten months before going to AEW/ROH. When asked if that timeframe was always the plan, Taven said, “Nothing in wrestling is really planned.” Taven said it was a “we didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.”

Taven said their deal was coming up that October, but they weren’t sure what they would do next. Taven mentioned how he went from ROH to Impact within a year and then to AEW and ROH, and it all happened quickly.

When asked if Taven had aspirations to go after the ROH World Championship again, Taven said always, and it was in his mind. He said he never got his Championship rematch against RUSH. Taven says it’s something he has kept in his back pocket, and when it’s time to play that card, he will play it.