"Like insisting Brock Lesnar keep doing the Shooting Star" - Former champion defends WWE's decision to push controversial star in 2017

A former WWE champion recently defended the company's decision to push an ex-colleague back in 2017. TJ Perkins praised Enzo Amore for putting eyes on the cruiserweight division at a time when it needed a boost.

Perkins was crowned Cruiserweight Champion after winning the Cruiserweight Classic in 2016. WWE then launched 205 Live to showcase the division, but it seemingly lacked star power, which led to Amore's push the following year.

The Certified G defeated Neville to win the Cruiserweight Championship, helping the division gain more viewers. However, it was criticized by fans who thought that Amore's lack of in-ring abilities didn't fit the division.

In an interview on That's Wrestling!, TJP was asked about what it was like to work with Amore. He had nothing but praise for the controversial star, who was released in 2018 due to sexual assault allegations. He even compared him to Brock Lesnar in terms of being properly used to fit the needs of the product.

"I think he's so talented. I wish that he had more time there to do his thing, and he's another guy that I thought added to the depth of what we had. It's just he's so different that I think a lot of people didn't want to give him a chance for certain traditional reasons. (...) He's a better wrestler than people think he is. It's just he knows the value of his strengths, so he sticks to that. It would be like insisting Brock Lesnar keep doing the Shooting Star. Brother, he's got so much better other strengths than that. He doesn't need it," Perkins said. [H/T - WrestlingInc.]

It is a fact that Brock Lesnar has the Shooting Star Press in his arsenal, but rarely used it on the WWE main roster. Lesnar eventually executed it at WrestleMania 19 against Kurt Angle, but botched the landing and gave himself a concussion.

---

Enzo Amore claims he was called the 'Promo God' by WWE Hall of Famer

While Enzo Amore may not have a lot of fans for his in-ring skills, there's no denying that he had the gift of gab. Amore is one of the best promo guys in recent memory, even claiming that WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman once called him the "Promo God."

"This isn’t a lie. This is what Paul Heyman called me, 'Promo God.' If there’s one guy I would want to work on the stick in this business, give me the guy you all consider to be the best at it. Give me Paul f**king Heyman," Amore said in an appearance on Wrestling Shoot Interviews back in June. [H/T - eWrestlingNews]

Since being fired by WWE, Enzo Amore has worked with promotions such as Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and Major League Wrestling. Amore also launched a music career under the name nZo, releasing two albums and one mixtape.