By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Current Ring of Honor champion Austin Aries says he thinks he could be the next ROH wrestler to jump from ROH to WWE after the recent signings of Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness.

"I think the reality of the situation is if you're WWE and you're looking for talent, you're going to want the best guys out there, and you're gonna look at Ring Of Honor, because that's where the best talent is," Aries said on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show to promote this weekend's ROH shows. "Who knows, maybe I'll be the next guy to go."

Aries was in-character as a cocky heel in the radio interview talking down to the ROH fans who are upset Danielson and McGuinness are leaving for WWE. He said he can't stand "snobs" who are concerned things won't be the same for Bryan and Nigel in WWE and won't be the same in ROH after they leave.

"There's nothing more I hate than a wrestling snob. Quite frankly this is a business, and it's about making money, and right now, the WWE is the place to make money," Aries said. "Obviously we love the art form and passion about what we do, but these guys want to make some money. They put their time on this level, and I have no doubts that if given the opportunity, they'll be successful, because that's what they've done their whole career."

In the statement above, Aries seemed to be hinting he wants a chance in WWE by talking about Danielson and McGuinness having an opportunity to make money in exchange for sacrificing some of the art form of pro wrestling. His quote could easily read "Aries wants to make some money. I've put my time on this level, and I have no doubts that if given the opportunity, I will be successful, because that's what I've done my whole career."

Aries's previous national exposure was in TNA from mid-2005 to mid-2007. Aries returned to Ring of Honor full-time where he became one of the top heels in the wrestling business and eventually became the current ROH champion.

Aries says he feels insulted that people think ROH is set to crumble when Danielson and McGuinness leave the promotion. Despite putting it out there he would like a run in WWE, Aries says he's the rock of ROH right now.

"I think the company relied on me for a long time. You talk about pressure all the way back to my debut at Generation Next, when basically we were put in position where we had a lot of the company's future riding on our backs, and we were thrust in the spot to either swim or sink...and we swam," Aries said. "I like to think every time I was put in a high pressure position, I've always delivered."

FYI: Aries will be defending the ROH Title against an unnamed opponent at Saturday night's show in New York City. Aries is also booked for tonight's ROH show in Boston. He will be in a tag match with Rhett Titus against Colt Cabana and Kenny Omega. Show & Ticket info.

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