Exclusive: Flip Gordon Says His Friends Leaving For AEW Caused Him To Overthink Things, Feels Rejuvenated

Flip Gordon has been in wrestling for just over four years, making his debut in April 2015 in a battle royal at a Chaotic Wrestling event. In his four years in the business, Flip has already turned himself into one of the top names on the Independent scene. He’s become a focal point and building block in Ring of Honor and last year, he won over audiences in Japan with his performance in the NJPW Best of Super Juniors tournament.

Gordon seemed destined for the top spot in Ring Of Honor earlier this year when an MCL tear sidelined him for most of the first quarter in 2019.

Speaking to Fightful in an exclusive interview, Gordon revealed that his time away helped him recharge after his non-stop schedule and rise up the ranks.

“I have this new confidence and I’m more motivated and more obsessed with wrestling than ever. At the end of last year, I felt like I was burned out. Now, I’m rejuvenated and ready to go,” said Gordon. “I’m still new at this and a lot happened towards the end of last year. I was overthinking a lot of things and overwhelmed. With my friends leaving and not knowing where I’m gonna stand, I wasn’t sure how much ROH believed in me. Then I got injured and that was a mental (hurdle) as well. But it was a blessing in disguise because I got to refocus and re-fall in love with wrestling.”

Gordon’s rise up the ranks in ROH was helped by his association, and friendly rivalry with, The Elite. Gordon made frequent appearances on Being The Elite and had an ongoing feud with Cody Rhodes. And while they were rivals on-screen, Cody had kind things to say about Gordon prior to his final ROH appearance at Final Battle and venture into All Elite Wrestling.

Speaking to Busted Open Radio, Cody stated that Flip Gordon is a guy ROH could build around once The Elite left the promotion. When I asked Flip about being the face of ROH, he said, “I would love to think that (I’m a guy ROH can build around). But I know that I’m still new and young. A lot of people look at that because, in the past, people who have been young and don’t have much experience can get in trouble or do something stupid. There’s that stigma on younger guys and it can haunt someone like myself. I hope I can break that because I would love nothing more than to be ROH Champion. I have what it takes, I have the mindset and the work ethic.”

Gordon was given a big spot at ROH-NJPW G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden back in April, answering Bully Ray’s open challenge and scoring the victory for his team. He recently headlined ROH’s War of the Worlds tour in Buffalo, defeating Bandido in the main event. 

He was scheduled to take part in the Best of Super Juniors tournament in May, but visa issues forced him out of the tournament. Gordon talked to Fightful about the visa issues, which you can read by clicking here. 

Gordon will compete at this Friday’s ROH Best In The World, and at the following television tapings in Philadelphia.