October 1st 2024.
Zachary Wentz recently made his return to WWE television after being terminated by the company two years ago. The TNA Wrestling star is set to face his former teammate Wes Lee in a highly anticipated Street Fight on the October 1 episode of NXT. It's been quite a journey for Wentz, who was let go by WWE in 2022 after a controversial selfie from seven years ago surfaced online. In the photo, he was seen imitating Adolf Hitler.
After his departure, the now 30-year-old Wentz issued a statement apologizing for his actions and taking full responsibility for his behavior. He expressed shame and regret, acknowledging that there was no excuse for his behavior. However, he has since bounced back and returned to WWE as part of their ongoing partnership with TNA.
In an exclusive interview with The Agency, Wentz opened up about his experience and the period of time when he thought he would never step foot in a wrestling ring again. "I really thought that I was never going to wrestle again. And it was pretty dark, but at the same time, you can't live in that misery," he shared. He credits his Rascalz "brothers" Trey Miguel and Wes, as well as his fiancée and NXT star Gigi Dolan, for helping him through the difficult time and working hard to earn a second chance.
"People see your heart, and they know who you are as a human being," Wentz stated, reflecting on the support he received from the wrestling community. Despite the setback, he continued to receive bookings and was grateful for the opportunity to prove himself once again.
In his previous statement, Wentz mentioned taking a step back from social media to educate himself about the Holocaust and the importance of bringing awareness to the tragedy. He reiterated this sentiment in his interview with The Agency, stating that he is not a person who promotes hate and that he believes in constantly educating oneself and striving to be a better human being.
Wentz also shared that wrestling served as an escape for him during the difficult period after his termination. He revealed that NXT boss Shawn Michaels stayed in touch with him and that fellow Jewish wrestler MJF publicly defended him last year. "Me and Shawn have been in contact since everything, he's been very good at checking on me," Wentz said.
Currently appearing on both TNA and WWE television, Wentz is preparing to face his former teammate Wes Lee on Tuesday night. He promised something special for the match, stating, "I feel like a lot of people have only really seen my high flying stuff and my tag team stuff. But I can fight with the best of them. I actually enjoy weapon matches. I think the creativity for them is insane."
In preparation for the Street Fight, Wentz has been seeking advice from WWE legends Matt and Jeff Hardy, who he considers his idols. He has been studying their classic TLC matches with the Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian, and he has been grateful for their guidance and support. "Those are my guys. So every time I see them, I just thank them. And I try to talk to them as much as possible without trying to - I gotta give them their space. But it's absolutely wild. And they're both wonderful human beings too," he shared.
Despite branching out into singles competition, Wentz's passion lies in tag team wrestling. He credits the Hardyz for igniting his love for this style of wrestling and always wanted to be a tag team guy. "My heart was just in tag team wrestling. I feel like it's more fun and it's more of a challenge, too. You have more pieces of the puzzle to put together instead of just two," he explained.
With that said, Wentz is excited to showcase his skills as a performer in his highly anticipated grudge match with Wes Lee. He is determined to show a different side of himself that people may not have seen before. "I'm just ready to show another side of me that I feel like a lot of people haven't seen," he expressed.
Fans can catch Wentz in action on TNA+ as he faces WWE superstar Wes Lee in a Street Fight on NXT. It's sure to be an intense and unforgettable match. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, feel free to reach out to the The Agency entertainment team through email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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