Kyle O'Reilly Talks Injury, Elite vs. Undisputed, More (Patreon)

Fightful Select had the opportunity to chat with All Elite Wrestling's Kyle O'Reilly before his upcoming match against his former Undisputed Era stablemate in NXT, Roderick Strong, at this Sunday's AEW Dynasty Pay-Per-View event in St. Louis, Missouri.

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp began the interview by asking the former NXT and IWGP Tag Team Champion what it was like for him to overcome his injury and come to grips with it. Kyle said he had to be patient and could only do what was in his power: rehabbing, staying positive, and knowing it would eventually improve. He said it was a huge mental hurdle to get over.

Kyle said he was not expecting to be out as long as he was, and it ended up being a blessing because O'Reilly became a stay-at-home Dad and believed he became a better father for it. Kyle said his daughter was six months old when he went out with the injury, and now she is two.

Kyle said coming back and working with Roderick Strong was an ideal situation. He told Sean he trusts Strong inside and outside the ring. He added that Strong is one of his best friends and noted that it would still be ideal even if they weren't close because Strong is one of the best ever to do it in this generation and other generations.

Sean brought back his" Shooting Softly" segment. He first asked Kyle about The Young Bucks. Kyle said they are the best and that they changed the business for the better.

Sean would then mention Michael Nakazawa. Kyle says Nakazawa is a very kind and respectful person. He believes they first met at Evolve 1. He added that Nakazawa is a cool and quiet person.

The third name that Sean mentioned was Deonna Purrazzo. Kyle says she is an incredible performer and one of the best technical wrestlers he's seen in the ring. 

The final name that was brought up was Kushida. Kyle spoke about their match in the finals of The Best of the Super Juniors. Kyle said he was mortified and thought he shit the bed. He mentioned Kushida got knocked out. Kyle noted that he's always had something unexpected happen in every big matchup he's been in. Kushida is one of his all-time favorite opponents. He knew right away they were going to work well with each other.

Sean mentions that Kyle's name gets thrown out for potentially working Josh Barnett's Bloodsport event. He said he likes Bloodsport and loves shoot-style wrestling. He added that he would be interested in working the event and believes it would be fun.

Sean asked the former ROH World Champion who had hit him the hardest in the ring. Kyle said the one that comes to mind was his only match against Bryan Danielson in a 2006 tag team match. He says Bryan hit him with a spinning-back tiger kick, which was brutal. Kyle says he wants to work with Danielson again.

Kyle mentioned watching Danielson often in the Indies before he started wrestling and would go. He said he was living in British Columbia, and it was a quick drive to go to shows.

Sean mentioned seeing O'Reilly and El Phantasmo's names often being connected. Kyle said they started in the business together. Kyle says Phantasmo is an incredible talent and is glad Phantasmo is getting the recognition he deserves.

The Elite vs. Undisputed Era says it's a dream match for them and many fans, but many things happened, and he can only prepare and be ready. 

In closing, Sean asked if Kyle had any particular goals. Kyle said he does not want to take the opportunity to wrestle for granted. Kyle believes the big matches will come if he stays the course and says he'll always give the best performance he can.

Note: This has been edited because I, for some strange reason, spelt El Phantasmo's as El Fantasamo, even though I clearly know it is El Phantasmo.