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What is Orange Cassidy all about? That depends on who you ask.
A number of pro wrestling fans would immediately bring up his incredible run with the AEW International Championship (a title he won for the second time ), where he took on a dizzying number and variety of challengers seemingly every week.
But others can’t look past his slacker persona and some of the comedic flourishes he peppers throughout his presentation. As Cassidy told Under the Ring host Phil Strum during their recent discussion, that’s on them, not him.
“The idea that someone says they don’t understand me or they don’t get me … that’s an active choice,” Cassidy said. “I think they choose not to. I think they completely understand what is happening.
“Why do I have to explain myself to people, right? I feel that I am going to put out the art that I’m going to do, and if you don’t like it or if you don’t understand it, that’s fine, that’s your thing.”
Cassidy noted that when it comes to art forms like painting or sculpting, observers don’t ask the artist to stand and explain what they were doing.
“And I do hold professional wrestling to that standard,” he added. “And I think it should be, and I think we all should be.”
Listen to Cassidy’s full chat with Strum above to hear more from him on:
- Why “it’s not fun to wrestle Jon Moxley”
- How he feels looking back on his first International Championship run, and which opponents and matches stand out the most in retrospect
- What he’s learned from Jake “The Snake” Roberts
- Whether or not his on-camera persona is him turned up (or down)
- Which of his early career mentors wouldn’t mind getting a public shoutout
- How “Jane” by Jefferson Starship became his theme song
- His best advice for up and coming wrestlers
- Which indie promotion had the best locker room he’s ever experienced prior to joining AEW
Under the Ring drops new episodes every week, with Strum utilizing contacts gleaned from years of pro wrestling fandom and coverage to have an in-depth conversation with a wrestler or other notable personality. Recent guests have included legendary former WCW champion Lex Luger, PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, and Impact Wrestling star and women’s wrestling all-time great Mickie James.
To make sure you don’t miss an episode, subscribe to Under the Ring on Apple Podcasts or your podcast provider of choice, or check out the Under the Ring YouTube channel to see all of the interviews in video form.