Austin Aries Thinks Jay Lethal Stole Paparazzi Championship Trophy, Talks Changes In Impact Over The Years

This isn’t Austin Aries‘ first rodeo — or pogo — in Impact Wrestling.

The current Impact Heavyweight Champion is in his third stint with the company, with his first dating back well over a decade. When speaking to Fightful.com ahead of his title defense Sunday at Slammiversary against Moose, Austin Aries revealed why it is that things are going so swimmingly now. 

“I’ve been through all different incarnations in my time with TNA and Impact Wrestling. This time, to me, feels different. There’s a whole different energy and a different thought process and foundation that’s being laid down behind the curtain. With talent, not just how they’re contracted, but communication levels, the amount of collaboration with other companies. I’ve been at odds with the company over the course of my career. I don’t think that’s any secret. The ideals I had an issue with are no longer attached to this. Right now we’re showing with the product and with the locker room, this is a different Impact,” said Aries. 

Aries was infamously suspended once after failing to make a flight to a TNA show because of a snowstorm. Once he did make it to the shows, however, he was involved in one of the company’s most fondly remembered angles — Paparazzi Productions. The storyline saw him win a bowling trophy provided by Kevin Nash, which Aries says he doesn’t still have. 

“I don’t, and I’m a little upset about that. We had about a two year investigation on who took it. I think it was Jay Lethal. We’re not going to make any statements about why I think it’s Jay Lethal, but that guy has sticky fingers,” Aries joked. “In all good fun, I don’t know what happened to that trophy, but it would be displayed proudly if I had it.”

Pushup contests, pogo sticks and more, all for nothing.

You can see Aries’ full comments above.