With a professional wrestling career that began in 1994, Chris Harris became a familiar face in TNA Wrestling and had a brief stint in WWE. However, his transition from TNA to WWE did not go as planned, leading to his eventual departure.
Chris Harris, known for his tenure as part of America’s Most Wanted alongside James Storm in TNA, signed with WWE on January 29th, 2008, shortly after leaving TNA on January 11th of the same year.
During an interview with Steve Fall of Ringside News, Harris candidly discussed the obstacles he faced while transitioning to WWE. He reflected on his time in WWE’s developmental system and his struggles adjusting as an already established wrestler.
“I had a dark match one time and then I started spending the majority of the weeks in Florida, in the developmental system. There’s certainly something you have to go through to learn the style of WWE. I could sit here today and say I don’t know what that is because I never learned it. I wasn’t there long enough. I was willing to go down there, but a lot of that was just training. I didn’t go down there, especially at 35 or 36 years old, and start doing a thousand bumps a day. I was ready to wrestle.“
I’d been in the business 15 years and had my experience with TNA and TV. So, if it’s developmental, let’s develop me for what you have ready for me. Instead, I was just down there beating my body. At that point, I needed to start counting my bumps. I didn’t know how many I was going to have left and could potentially have the best years right in front of me.”
Harris expressed disappointment in WWE’s lack of preparation and creative vision for his debut. He shared his resignation to a name change upon joining, recognizing the rarity of retaining one’s name when switching from TNA to WWE.
“They didn’t have anything ready for me. They had no preparation, they didn’t know what they wanted to do… I knew coming from TNA, it just wasn’t normal to come in with your name… I assumed going into WWE that Wildcat Chris Harris wasn’t coming with me and that there was going to be a name change.”
Harris highlighted the lackluster promotional efforts and how he was given inadequate material for his promos, leading to a disappointing first impression in WWE.
“Everything I had said Wildcat on it, so it was thrown together that day. A basic black singlet, and when you’re making a first impression, that’s why people don’t forget that. It’s been 15 or 17 years, and people don’t forget that… We did so many takes, and they kept changing the lines to where it was driving me crazy.”
The culmination of these experiences led Harris to feel professionally and personally disheartened, driving him to contemplate leaving WWE and returning to TNA. Unfortunately, TNA was not ready to welcome him back, leaving Harris with few options.
“It affected me personally, and I felt like my career was going down the toilet. It tore me up… All I wanted to do was go home, and my home was TNA. I wanted to go back there, but they just… It’s funny because so many people switch companies in wrestling… but there wasn’t any opportunity on the table.”
In spite of these challenges, Harris stressed the importance of taking risks in one’s career. He was released from WWE on August 7, 2008, which many fans consider a turning point for his wrestling path.
Do you believe Chris Harris deserved a better opportunity in WWE? How do you think WWE could have handled his talents differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
When using any parts of this transcript, please credit Ringside News.
FAQ Section
Why did Chris Harris leave WWE?
Chris Harris left WWE due to a series of frustrations, including the lack of preparation for his debut, poor creative direction, and a disconnect between his experience and the treatment he received in WWE’s developmental system.
Did Chris Harris ever return to TNA after leaving WWE?
No, when Harris reached out to TNA after his time in WWE, he discovered there was no opportunity for him to return, as the company was still upset about him leaving in the first place.
What was the reaction to Chris Harris’s promotional material in WWE?
The promotional material for Chris Harris in WWE was largely criticized for its poor quality and lack of creativity, leaving a negative first impression that fans still remember years later.
How did Chris Harris feel about his time in WWE?
Harris felt embarrassed, defeated, and believed his career was “going down the toilet.” He described his exit from WWE as being among the darkest days of his life.
What is Chris Harris known for in the wrestling world?
Chris Harris is best known for being one part of the successful tag team “America’s Most Wanted” with James Storm in TNA Wrestling.