5 Things About Bobby Roode

On an episode ofImpact WrestlingBobby Roode won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on November 3, 2011. He held the belt longer than anyone, defending it for 256 days before Austin Aries took it at Destination X in 2012.Destination XRoode held the TNA World Championship in 2012. This long reign shows TNA's faith in Roode to carry the company as champion.

Before signing with TNA Wrestling, Roode tried out with WWE from 2001 to 2004. He appeared as an enhancement talent on WWE's B-programming, such asJakked, Metal, Sunday Night Heat, andVelocityVince McMahon approved of Roode, but WWE's talent management did not see a spot for him on the main roster. They thought he was too good for developmental territories.

Studying Bobby Roode's matches and knowing "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig's in-ring work shows similarities. RoodeVelocity claimedhe watched and re-watched Hennig's matches before getting training to copy certain traits, techniques, and poise. If Hennig were alive now, he would likely see Roode as a "perfect" student of the game.

Not everyone has a good pro wrestling game from training. Before Dwayne Johnson became "The Rock," he was "Flex Kavana." In his past life as an indie worker, Triple H was "Terra Ryzing." When Bobby Roode debuted, he was "Total" Lee Awesome. Take that in.

Roode changed his name because Mike Awesome became more famous, and he did not want to look like a copy. Also, he realized "Total" Lee Awesome was "Total" Lee Awful. He used variations of his real name for his career.

On an episode of Colt Cabana'sArt of WrestlingRoode told the podcast that his backup plan was to become a corrections officer if his in-ring career failed. He studied to be a C.O. for over a year but then decided to focus on his passion. He did not use an "Officer Roode" gimmick in the indies. It is not great, but it beats "Total" Lee Awesome.