James Storm On Being Featured On NXT And TNA At The Same Time, WWE Future, TNA World Title Series

Recently on the Taz Show: Bodyslams & Beyond, 'The Cowboy' James Storm talked about his NXT debut and departure from TNA.

Storm said that his NXT debut was a positive experience, but he did not know how the crowd or the performers backstage were going to react.

"It was cool because, sitting there at the go position, I didn't know how exactly the crowd would take to me. It was very cool because, I think, when I came out, people at first, really didn't believe it was me until, of course, I got all the way out there and the lights hit me. They just went crazy and that was such a good feeling and, just for a second, I kind of just smirked for a bit. I was like, 'alright, this is fun again'." Storm continued, "and, all the guys in the back were so respectful. I mean, [Triple H] has done a tremendous job with those guys down there."

Storm stated that WWE brass had some pointers for him on his performance following the match, yet the positive fan reaction to his debut surprised them.

"Of course, they give critiques here and there, I mean, but for 95% of it, it was all great. Everybody came up and I think it actually blew them away. They were expecting a good response, but I don't think they were expecting the feedback and how much it exploded on social media and everything like that."

Storm claimed that he did not ask to bring beer out to the ring for his NXT debut out of respect for 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin.

"With respect to Austin, it's one of those things, I'm old school, and until he says, 'hey, go ahead, man,' I won't." Storm added, "Austin told me a while back, 'you don't have to bring the beer out [to the ring] because people already know that you're a beer drinker'."

Storm acknowledged that he understands why the NXT announce crew made no mention of his history with TNA and said that making mention of it would have been unnecessary.

"It's hard for them not to mention it and I know exactly why they didn't, but at the same time, I don't think they really had to because people knew it anyways."

Storm, who has been featured on TNA television despite debuting in NXT, joked that he needs to find a third television show on which to appear after being told that Rick Rude appeared on ECW, WCW, and WWE programming simultaneously. Storm said that he did not know he was going to appear in TNA's Championship Series tournament, as he was told the match that was used was filmed for international television.

"TNA would just film [matches] so far in advance and that was done back in July. Yeah, back in the early part of July. And, to be honest, I already said this on social media, I actually wasn't told that it was going to be a World Series title match. You know, World Series or whatever. I was told it was going to be used overseas, international stuff. That is exactly what I was told, but you know as well as I do that once they have it on film, they can do basically whatever they want to do with it. Yeah, and I understand. And I don't think they knew exactly what they were going to be doing either, so they're like, 'hey, lets do this and we can make something out of it if we need to'."

Apparently, Storm was granted his release from TNA to help his sick uncle run his construction business in Tennessee and the opportunity to work for WWE did not come about until after.

"I went to Dixie [Carter] and I talked to her and I was just kind of burnt out there, and, to her credit, I mean, she granted me my release and she understood and everything. And I didn't know about WWE at the time." Storm added, "my uncle actually had a massive stroke and I was going to go back and I was going to help run his business because he has a huge construction business in Tennessee, so that's what I was doing. And then probably a month, a month and a half, afterwards, I get a phone call just saying there's interest [from WWE] and whatever and how do I feel about it."

As for what the future holds for Storm, 'the Cowboy' indicated that he is waiting to see what happens next with WWE, as he has had no indication as to what his next steps will be.

"I'm still waiting to talk to the higher ups and everything and see where it goes from there again."

To check out the rest of the show, click here.

Source: Taz Show: Bodyslams & Beyond