Ryan Droste passed along the following recap.
Top Rope Nation Ep. 50: Flip Gordon Joins The Show
The 50th edition of Top Rope Nation is a big one as we are joined by Ring of Honor star Flip Gordon. Ryan sits down with Flip to talk about growing up a wrestling fan and how he went about getting into the wrestling business, getting signed by ROH and a fast rise through the ranks, heading to Japan for the first time to work NJPW, the difference between working the U.S. and Japan, Flip’s favorite matches, getting cast on Being the Elite, Flip’s WWE dream opponents, and so much more.
On the differences between US and Japanese wrestling fans:
“I feel like American fans are so gimme gimme gimme. They expect us to go out of our way. Whereas Japanese fans are just so grateful just to see you. Their mannerisms are just so much more. They always say please, they always say thanks you. Some Americans will just be like hey can I get a picture, give me a picture instead of can I please get a picture. They’re just so much more passionate over there as a country. They’ll bring gifts to the show for wrestlers. It’s just a completely different culture and it’s so cool because wrestling over there is a legit sport and that’s how they treat it. Whereas here in America there’s so much wrestling it’s taken for granted.”
On how he learned acrobatics:
“I wanted to do gymnastics as a kid but my mom couldnt afford it. so i kind of just taught myself how to do flips in the backyard. and then when i went to college, i dated a cheerleader and she really helped me because she was into gymnastics. And so she kind of coached me and then her coaches coached me and advanced my gymnastics so much more. That’s why I have so much control over my body when I’m in the air.”
Favorite matches in ROH so far:
“Oh man, me and Cody is definitely one of the funnest matches I’ve ever had. Definitely going to be a match I’ll remember for a while. Me and Marty (Scurll) also had a really good match in Philly for tv. If I want to watch a match that I did that I love and very little things that I would change, I watch Cody, Marty, and Ospreay.”
You can hear the full interview at: http://www.topropenation.com/e/ep-50-flip-gordon-joins-the-show/ as well as on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, and wherever podcasts are found.