TNA belt surreal for Cage

Carries lineage of NWA
By TIM BAINES

Last Sunday, legendary Dory Funk Jr. ambled up to Jay Reso and offered up some words that will always be special.

"He came up to me and said, 'Today is Feb. 12. The first time I won (the belt) was Feb. 11 ... 37 years and one day ago.'"

Reso, who wrestles as Christian Cage for TNA, was nonetheless thrilled to win the championship strap at that night's Against All Odds pay-per-view, defeating Jeff Jarrett. Not just for the fact that he could put some gold around his waist -- he fully appreciates the fact that the TNA belt holds the NWA lineage, of which Funk was such a huge part.

FAMOUS

"I was so overwhelmed, I didn't even hear the announcer call my name as the new champion," said Reso. "It's neat. It's surreal to be able to hold it. You look at the names that have won the NWA title -- Ricky Steamboat, Dory Funk, Harley Race ..."

Reso, of course, grew up in Orangeville, Ont., famous for, well, its wrestlers. Adam Copeland, who wrestles in WWE as Edge, also recently won a heavyweight title, but lost it quickly to John Cena. Copeland and Reso are best of buddies.

"It would have been neat if we had (the titles) at the same time," said Reso, who added that, soon after winning the title, he got a text message from his buddy.

'A BIG DEAL'

"This is something I felt I could deal with if I got the opportunity," said Reso, who joined TNA three months ago, turning down an offer from WWE. "It's a big deal to have the title, especially since we go prime time in a month (TNA's Impact will air Thursday nights at 8 o'clock on Spike TV)."

- For years, Bret Hart has said it wouldn't happen. He would never return to WWE. Not now. Never. Well, as Jerry "The King" Lawler squeaked into the microphone on Monday Night RAW: "Check the weather forecast in hell ... I think it just froze over." Hart will be inducted into WWE's Hall of Fame in Chicago on April 1, the day before Wrestlemania. Hopefully this will give everyone a bit of closure. Hart, despite knocks against him by others like Shawn Michaels, is an all-time great -- a guy who made a difference.

credit WinnipegSun.com