Eric Young on Winning TNA Gold, Leaving WWE, Sanity's Downfall and Vinyl Obsession

ERIC YOUNG is a two-time TNA World Champion and one of the most versatile – and underrated – performers of his generation. For more than 20 years, Young has captivated audiences with his uncanny ability to reinvent himself. From slapstick comedy to unhinged violence, underdog babyface to deranged heel, he has mastered every role with complete commitment and creative flair.

A TNA original, Young burst onto the scene in 2004 as part of Team Canada before reinventing himself as fan-favourite Super Eric. He joined The TNA Frontline and captured the X Division Championship, later stepping into the spotlight as leader of The World Elite and memorably defeating Kevin Nash for the TNA Legends Title. His unpredictable journey continued alongside Nash and Scott Hall in the nWo-inspired Band, before a solo resurgence saw him capture the TNA Television Championship.

Forever pushing boundaries, Young broke new ground in intergender wrestling, becoming the first man to hold the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship. In 2013, he reached the pinnacle, capturing his first TNA World Heavyweight Championship, a crowning moment in a career built on reinvention.

After a celebrated stint in NXT as the leader of the anarchic stable SAnitY, Young returned to TNA to mastermind the dark and dangerous Violent By Design faction, claiming more gold – including a second World Championship – and cementing his legacy.

Whether donning a cape or orchestrating chaos, Young never failed to stand out. In the ring, he delivers one of the finest elbow drops since Macho Man Randy Savage. Outside of it, he’s a respected locker room leader and mentor to the next generation of TNA stars.

Eric Young joins Ben Veal for Episode 53 of Wrestling Life to reflect on a remarkable career defined by passion, perseverance, and pure originality.

In this candid interview, one of wrestling’s most creative minds opens up about:

• Growing up in a town of just 60 people, chasing one dream – becoming a pro wrestler

• The night he dethroned Nick Aldis to capture his first TNA World Championship

• What it was really like teaming with nWo icons Kevin Nash and Scott Hall

• His WWE release in 2020 and how it all went down when the world shut down

• How he bounced back to lead TNA through the pandemic era and beyond

• Taking young TNA talent under his wing and what mentoring means to him

• Why the current TNA revolution feels different and what the future holds

• His Vinyl Obsession show, his lifelong love of music, and where that road’s taking him

Eric Young on His Legendary TNA Wrestling Run

Very few names are as synonymous with TNA Wrestling as Eric Young and there’s very little he hasn’t accomplished. Two World Championships. An X Division title. Seven Tag Team reigns. Three Legends titles. Even a TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship.

Over two decades, Young evolved from comedic misfit to violent mastermind – a wrestling chameleon with one of the most unique journeys in the business. Now, he feels that TNA is entering a new and exciting era that will see the company reach new heights.

“I think part of that is, stick around long enough. The old saying is the blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then! But man, it’s been the honour of my life. This is my professional home, this is my home as far as pro wrestling goes.

“I’ve done other things and I’m very proud of those things too but when I retire and look back, the majority of my thoughts will be with this company. The most rewarding thing is, right now, it feels like people are starting to see it how I see it. How I’ve seen it for most of my life and most of my career. There’s something really cool about that energy.

“It feels like a bit of a revolution. As an old punk rock fan it’s cool to be part of that.”

Eric Young on Teaming with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in TNA

In one of his Tag Team title reigns, Eric Young aligned with WWE Hall of Famers Kevin Nash and Scott Hall as part of The Band, a Freebird-rules faction that blurred the lines between eras. For Young, it was more than just a title run, it was a crash course in wrestling psychology alongside masters of the game.

“At that stage they were at the tail end of their careers and I was just really getting going at that point. It was kind of my first big break. It was right around that time when I was starting to get noticed and a lot of that had to do with Kevin, me and him were very close.

“I joke around about it now, pictures will pop up and fans will post pictures and I’m like, ‘Yeah I was in the nWo for like six weeks!’ Not a lot of people can say that. It’s a wild thing to be part of. Three guys that, and it’s not hyperbole, these are three guys that I idolised growing up: Kevin, Scott and Sean Waltman. Three of the best to ever do it – all in completely different ways – but PhDs in pro wrestling and storytelling and what to do and how to do it.

“I learned so much in that time with Kevin and then the time with Scott and Sean as well. I believe that is really what helped me become the performer that I am today.”

Why Eric Young Was Fired by WWE and How It Set Him Free

On April 20, 2020, during the height of the global pandemic, Eric Young was released by WWE as part of company-wide cutbacks. Five years later, the former World Champion looks back on that turbulent time. A period that began in disappointment but led to personal freedom and creative rebirth.

In this powerful clip from Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, Young opens up about his mental health, the pain of being misunderstood, and how walking away became the best thing that ever happened to him.

“To say I was excited about it would be a lie. The truth is, it was very disappointing. I’d spent over half of my natural life on this planet striving to get to that position. Everything I had done since I was 16 was curated and designed to allow me to work there. Every single thing I did, the jobs I took, the people I talked to, the shows I wrestled on, the things that I did that I thought that they would like.

“Then I had made it, but it certainly didn’t go as planned. It’s no secret that in the end there was just one person that didn’t understand me. Unfortunately, it was the only person that mattered. The truth is, they could have just continued to pay all of us and it wouldn’t have changed anything financially for them.

“I wouldn’t change any of it to be honest. Everything happens for a reason – I’m a big believer in that – and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Eric Young On Becoming TNA's Top Dog In The Pandemic Era

Just months after being released by WWE, Eric Young found vindication, winning the TNA World Championship for a second time during the height of the pandemic. In this candid interview, Young reflects on leading the company through empty arenas, staying true to his childhood dream, and why anyone not aiming to be world champion is either lying – or in the wrong business.

“I’ve never worried about holding championships. I think anyone who says that they don’t want to be World Champion is either one of two things: they're either a liar or they’re in this for the wrong reasons. I never thought about being rich or being famous or being on TV, none of that had anything to do with me wanting to be in pro wrestling. It’s what I loved, it consumed my life and I don’t know if I could have lived without being in it and around it. That’s how I looked at it. It had nothing to do with those other things.

“It’s all I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid. As corny as it sounds, I’ve been living my dream, since 1997 when I started training.”

Eric Young’s Current Role In TNA Wrestling Helping Younger Stars

With nearly two decades in TNA under his belt, Eric Young has embraced a leadership role in the locker room. In this interview, he opens up about the “circle of life” in wrestling, learning from legends like Sting and Kurt Angle, and now guiding the next generation of talent navigating TV for the first time.

“I don’t give it unless it’s asked, but it kind of is the circle of life within pro wrestling. When I started, I had tons of guys helping me. When you first start on TV, the truth is, nobody knows how to do it. Being a good wrestler is one thing, but learning how to work for the cameras is a learning process.

“Guys like Sting, Kurt Angle and DDP all helped me to hone my craft, and I hope to do that with the young guys that are coming in now. There’s such a cool mix in TNA right now.”

Eric Young’s TNA legacy is one of resilience and passion. From overcoming the setback of a WWE release to capturing his second TNA World Championship during the uncertainty of the pandemic, Young proved he was built for the pressure of leading in difficult times.

Wrestling, he says, was never about fame or money, it was a calling he couldn’t ignore. Now, with a career spanning over 20 years, Young has become a trusted veteran presence in the locker room. Whether dropping elbows or wisdom, Eric Young continues to give back to the business that made him and remains a driving force in TNA’s ongoing revolution.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lee Herbert is the author of the forthcoming book Rampage — a heartfelt tribute to the glory days of the WWF’s first UK boom. Packed with moments, merch, and memories, it explores how a golden era of American wrestling turned a generation of British kids into lifelong fans. Lee’s writing is a celebration of everything that’s great about professional wrestling. Follow the book's progress at @wwframpagebook.

WRESTLING LIFE ONLINE: REAL TALK FROM REAL TALENT

Wrestling Life with Ben Veal shines the spotlight brightly and positively on those who shaped wrestling's past, drive its present and influence its future. Widely available, the show features honest, open and inspiring conversations with many of the sport's biggest names, including Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Mick Foley, Lilian Garcia, Candice Michelle, Buff Bagwell, Doug Williams, Eric Bischoff and many more. The show is presented by award-winning journalist and content creator Ben Veal, co-author of Marc Mero's autobiography, Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman.

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