EC3 Criticizes WWE Run And Modern Wrestling Style In New Interview

Posted by admin on March 9th, 2026

Michael Hutter, known to wrestling fans as EC3, recently spoke about his career and shared strong opinions about the modern wrestling industry during an interview on the Sportshadow YouTube channel. The former TNA World Champion discussed his final run in WWE, his current status in the industry, and his views on today’s in-ring style.

During the conversation, EC3 reflected on his return to WWE in 2018 and revealed that he was not enthusiastic about being called up to the main roster from NXT. According to him, he already expected problems with how he would be used creatively.

“When the call up came, I didn’t want to go because I knew it wasn’t going to be the right call,” EC3 stated. “I knew it wasn’t going to be good.”

After joining the main roster, EC3 was placed into a storyline where he was largely silent on television. The performer described that period as one of the most frustrating parts of his career.

“It was definitely not creatively fulfilling and it was definitely not something I look back on and enjoy,” EC3 said. “It sucked balls, it was the worst, it killed me inside, I hated every second of it. But also, it’s not my choice. They paid me money to be an employee. Do what you’re told.”

EC3 also explained that many creative decisions during that time came directly from Vince McMahon, which sometimes meant that previous developmental work was ignored.

“I think whatever Vince at the time said, went,” EC3 noted. “So if like, we’re blowing it up and we’re pulling 17 of your guys up right now like he’s like, ‘Okay, that’s what we got to do.’”

Since his release from WWE in 2020, EC3 has not signed with a major promotion such as WWE or AEW. When asked about this, he suggested that his outspoken approach may have affected his opportunities.

“I’m also probably blackballed from most of them because people can’t handle my authentic truth and that’s fine,” EC3 claimed.

He currently works on the independent scene and runs his own promotion, Exodus Pro, where he focuses on developing talent outside of major company systems.

EC3 also shared criticism of modern wrestling matches. He believes many performers focus too much on complicated moves rather than storytelling and character development.

“I don’t like the lack of matches on big shows,” EC3 said. “I don’t think every match needs to be 35 minutes too. I think you can get a lot out of like a depth of talent getting over in quicker matches that are not necessarily have to be 50/50 all the time.”

He continued by explaining that athletic ability alone is not enough if fans do not care about the wrestlers involved.

“I love athleticism, dude. I love athleticism, I love kicking ass, I love being in shape,” EC3 stated. “But that doesn’t matter if you don’t care who I am and why I’m doing what I do… I mean I love athleticism, but [I don’t like] cosplay dancing and doing moves that don’t make sense.”

EC3 also dismissed the value of rating systems used to judge matches.

“Ranking a match that was designed to get something over with a quality decider doesn’t make sense to me because the purpose of it was to do what it did,” EC3 explained. “The purpose of it wasn’t to fit in this criteria that is made up and bastardized.”

According to EC3, character work remains the most important element in professional wrestling.

“I definitely preferred character in a sense because if people do not recognize or empathize or dislike or like or care about the character, there’s a very small sector of fans that are there just for the grappling and the moves,” EC3 said. “Where the character makes the difference. I’m definitely geared towards character, but you don’t have great matches if you don’t have two people you care about.”

He added that even highly respected technical wrestlers succeed largely because of their personalities.

“Extraordinary and enlightening and hilarious,” EC3 said regarding Bryan Danielson’s personality. “He is a great character. So character to me is most important because everything trickles down through that.”