Lance Archer Compares Backstage Politics In US & Japan

AEW

The Murderhawk Lance Archer has spoken out about the difference in backstage politics between the United States and Japan in a new interview.

Lance Archer spoke to Busted Open Radio about the difference in atmosphere, saying:

“I think the big thing in Japan is it’s very heavy on tradition. The guys start out, Japanese boys specifically, though more recently you get guys like Bad Luck Fale, Jay White, who have gone through the full system as Young Lions, as they come up, they get a lot of opportunities that a lot of guys didn’t get. It’s a respect thing, it’s a tradition thing. And I think that’s kind of where the politics exist in Japanese wrestling, because it’s kind of a structured system. You start here, you move to here, you go to here and keep continuing to go up, depending on how well you do.”

Going on to expand to discuss the dynamics from a Western perspective, Archer said:

“In the US, western wrestling, or whatever, I think a lot of times it’s a flavor of the month type situation. Who has the better relationship with someone who’s in the position to make those decisions and stuff like that. And that’s just life in general. We’re talking about wrestling because that’s what we’re doing right now. But I think life in general works and exists in the same way.

“If you’re close to somebody who’s in a good position of power, there’s a better opportunity that you’re going to advance with whatever you’re doing, whether it’s wrestling or working at 7-Eleven. It’s going to help you move up. I think that’s kind of how wrestling works, especially on the western side. And the Japanese side is steeped in tradition.”

Lance Archer may be known currently for his work with All Elite Wrestling however he boasts a long and storied career that includes wrestling for NJPW, TNA and WWE.

Transcription via Wrestling Inc. 

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• Lance Archer
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