The monster Abyss is more than just a purveyor of carnage.

Behind the tattered clothes and mask is Chris Parks, a well-spoken Total Nonstop Action wrestler who has grown with the company for nearly a decade.

The veteran fielded questions during a media conference call leading to the TNA Genesis pay-per-view 8 p.m. [EST] Sunday, Jan. 8 at Universal Studios Orlando.

“The character has been around for 10 years since the beginning of TNA, so it has gone through a lot of phases,” Parks said. “I’ve been really proud to see the character grow like it has. In 2012, I’d like to see the continuance of the character maturing, different aspects of the character coming out that perhaps we’ve never seen. Just to see the character mature would be the goal for 2012.”

Through the years, the near 7-footer has worked with some of the top names in the business. He hopes to revisit a rivalry with one of them in the near future.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with a lot of people, but I would say one that jumps out in my head is to be with Jeff Hardy again,” Parks said. “I thought we had some fantastic matches, when he was with us back in 2005. I’d like to rekindle that a little bit. There is so much great talent and up-and-comers like Gunner and Crimson, as for the younger guys who I would like to work with and have programs with.”

Parks has seen Hardy turn his life around, making the most of an opportunity to prove the naysayers wrong.

“I think Jeff Hardy getting a second chance in TNA and the wrestling business is a great thing,” Parks said. “People make mistakes, and Jeff made a big mistake. I feel in my heart, since I have been around him the past few months that he is a different person, and he has changed in a lot of ways he does things. I feel in life, not just in wrestling, that people deserve a second chance as long as they work hard for that second chance.

“I think he has done that, heads and tails. I’m very proud of him. I’ve known him since 2005 when he started with TNA, and I appreciate everything he has done for the wrestling business. I feel he has overcome a lot of hurdles. As far as him getting a title shot on Sunday [against Bobby Roode], I think I’m not the only one rooting for him. There are a lot of people rooting for him. I think he is a great comeback story for the wrestling business.

With an influx of new talent coming into TNA each week, Parks has to keep his character interesting. In doing this, the big man has turned to some of the industry’s great minds.

“I have over the years taken a lot of inspiration from Mick Foley and some other folks in the business,” Parks said. “As far as people I look up to, having Hulk [Hogan] there, who I’ve learned a lot from in the past couple of years. Not so much the wrestling part of it, but the mind part of it is where he is someone I have gone to, as well as Eric [Bischoff]. It’s a good support system there. I’ve gone to Vince [Russo]. Vince has given me a lot of good insight to different things to keep the character fresh.”

Whether its barbed wire matches or falls count anywhere, the TNA mainstay has been in his share of violent battles. His latest will be against Bully Ray at Genesis in his specialty, the Monster’s Ball. These collisions haven’t been short on risks, which Parks says he is still willing to take.