Colby Corino Reflects On NJPW Contract Getting Canceled, Hopes There’s No Bad Blood

Colby Corino explains why he might not wrestle for NJPW any time soon.

Colby Corino explains why he might not wrestle for NJPW any time soon.

In recent years, Corino has become one of the most buzzworthy competitors on the independent scene. He is currently a featured member of the NWA roster, and he holds the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship.

During an interview with WU Online, the host noted that Corino was set to compete for NJPW, but it was canceled. When asked about the situation, Corino opened up about how he overdosed ahead of his scheduled debut, and NJPW canceled his contract. He stated that he would have done the same thing if he was in their position. Corino also made it clear that he has been clean for nearly six years.

“So in December of 2016, I overdosed on heroin, and when they came to revive me, I had all my drugs around because I just passed out when I overdosed. So they revived me and arrested me. So then I got arrested, I spent a few weeks in jail, and New Japan, they canceled my contract because they don’t want a drug addict [working for them]. Very fair to them. Not trying to be like, ‘Oh my goodness, these people….’ No, that’s exactly what I would have done in that circumstance too. I had a very big problem. Even after that, I still messed up, and I got arrested a few more times. But now we’re at a point where I’m coming up on almost six years clean. It’s not a cloud over my head anymore. I just feel like a regular person now that’s living life, but it’s always something that you can never forget,” Corino said.

Corino was then asked where he stands with NJPW now and whether he think he’ll be able to wrestle there. Corino stated that he couldn’t say, as he doesn’t think they want to talk to him. Corino also described how he apologized to Rocky Romero, a key figure behind the scenes for NJPW, because Romero vouched for him when he first got his deal.

“I couldn’t tell you where I stand with them, unfortunately. I don’t think they really want to talk to me all that much right now. But what I can say is that a few weeks ago, I got to wrestle Rocky Romero. Rocky Romero is basically the American ambassador for New Japan. He does a lot of the communication and office stuff between them. He’s very trusted by the Japanese office. When I got my deal, he was one of the people that put his name on me and helped me out. So when I wrestled him, I was able to apologize to him and I was able to try to make those rights wrong. I made sure I was clear that I’m not trying to get a job because I’m not even sure if I could go there. I’m contracted with the NWA. But person-to-person, I felt like I wronged him, and I just needed to man-to-man apologize to him. So hopefully there’s no bad blood, but I’m not sure you’ll see Colby Corino in a NJPW ring any time soon, as much as I would love to see that happen,” he said.

During the interview, Corino stated that he and NWA are a perfect fit right now. Check out his comments here.

Check out the card for NWA Samhain here. Fightful will have coverage of the show as it airs on October 28.

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