Dixie Carter stated in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated that she originally wanted Bobby Lashley in the pro wrestling/MMA cross-over role currently assigned to King Mo. However, Carter determined that TNA needed a different approach.
“(Bobby) what made me realize I needed an MMA fighter first,” said Carter. “Bobby’s had a very good professional wrestling career and we’d talked about doing both at the same time, but when it didn’t happen, it struck me that I was going about it the wrong way. I needed a legit fighter who wanted to wrestle.”
Dixie also mentioned that she spoke with Spike TV president Kevin Kay about finding a cross-over fighter even before Bellator entered the picture to help package a deal for King Mo.
“The goal is for King Mo to make his in-ring TNA debut in late March/early April, but Carter said “there’s no way to put a timetable on it. The reports I’m hearing from his trainers are that he has exceptional athletic ability and he’s really doing well. I’m hopeful this will make the timetable shorter.”