Blueprint coming together just fine in TNA

BY SCOTT FISHMAN
Miami Herald Writer
Matt Morgan's confidence shouldn't be confused with arrogance.
At 7-0, 305 pounds, the athletically gifted Blueprint of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling has prepared himself for his recent ascension to the upper echelon of the company, and he has settled for nothing less.
Morgan, 32, is gearing for his second consecutive main event against Kurt Angle and two other opponents at the No Surrender pay-per-view 8 p.m. EST Sunday, Sept. 20 at Universal Studios Orlando.
``It hasn't been, `Here are the keys. Now go.' It's been something I've worked my way up the ladder to obtain and earn the old fashion way,'' Morgan said. ``This is by getting small opportunities and seeing what I do with them. I think I've done everything I can possibly do to show them that I'm ready for these bigger opportunities.
``It's always something I've always wanted. Nobody has believed in me more than me. I convinced myself years ago that this is what my goal was to be -- a main event headliner.
``If you don't believe in yourself, then nobody else will. I've been told something like this would happen. It will happen; it will happen. Well, finally a company has come along that made it happen for me.''
In the past year, Morgan has grown as a performer in the ring and out. Although he has the size, the former college basketball standout isn't putting all his eggs in one basket.
``I'm trying to be the blueprint of the new prototypical giant,'' he said. ``Not one that walks out to the ring and screams and yells, but one that goes out there and does things that is athletic, something that most 7-footers can't do offensively.
``I have a 41-inch vertical leap. It would be stupid for me not to show it at times. That's a God given talent as well. Not just being 7-foot but also bench pressing 655 pounds. Those are things I want to do to really portray my character when the time comes.
``Kevin [Nash] has been working with me nonstop on where and when to piece the parts in there. Being more stuck in the moment, like when you tackle somebody. Do you rush into the next spot or do you sit there and enjoy it?
``You look like you're almost getting to go off on that tackle. That is what I'm learning the most from Kevin Nash and staying in the moment more.''
Morgan believes, in order to progress and get where he wants to go in his career, he must follow the lead of the veterans in the locker room like Nash. The two aren't just the same size but have similar athletic backgrounds. The giant also cites Kurt Angle and Sting as two other individuals who have taken him under their wing.
``When I'm at the arena, Sting will pull me aside nonstop and give me business advice, besides wrestling and personal advice as well,'' Morgan said. ``Kevin and Kurt will text back and forth and shoot ideas, telling me to maybe try this, maybe don't do this, that kind of stuff. It's not only going to help me get better but stay at the level I'm at right now. I would be stupid to not listen to people who have done stuff I want to do in my career.''
The Blueprint is also following advice and taking precautions when it comes to avoiding injuries. It's a hindrance that has left big men virtually immobile and shortened careers.
``It's about losing weight,'' he said. ``If you look at my pictures in WWE and now, I'm leaner now than I've ever been. I have less body fat than I've ever had. I'm 305 pounds. In WWE, I was probably 370 or 360. I was pretty heavy when I started. If I did the things I did and stayed that way, my knees would be torn just like Kevin's are from putting all that stress on my body frame.
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