In Turnbuckle Times first exclusive interview, Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell) sits down with KC Navarro (@KCwrestles) to discuss his time in TNA so far, including signing with the company, working with AJ Francis, First Class, the NXT-TNA crossover, his future goals and opponents he’d like to face, and so much more.

What’s your mindset heading into what could arguably be one of TNA’s biggest shows ever, Slammiversary?

“It’s unreal. I remember when I wrestled with The Hardys, and it was one of the biggest crowds in the US, and that place was rocking. San Antonio was rocking. So, I can only imagine what it’s going to be like. I did a media appearance for an Islanders game, and I was in UBS Arena for the first time, and I was like man, this place is going to be insane for TNA. I’m pretty pumped up. I think it’s so good for TNA to be in an arena where so many big companies also run in, and now we are there too. I’m very blessed to be a part of it, I think it’s going to be great, and I think it’s one people will remember for a very long time.”

What was it like to sign with TNA and now be able to call it your home?

“TNA is a place I’ve wanted to be at for so many years. I started being in front of TNA around 2018/2019, and I was like 18/19 years old. I knew right in that moment that this is where I wanted to be. I loved the locker room then, I love the locker room even more now. I just kept grinding. I always had it in my focus. I knew I was going to end up in TNA at some point. 2024, I was blessed with that opportunity, out of nowhere I got put up with Laredo Kid for the Digital Media Title on the countdown for Under Siege. From there, I just kept trying to show face and do what I had to do. I was the first unsigned guy to wrestle an NXT talent on TNA television. I wrestled Eric Young, and next thing I know I’m getting called to be at Emergence, tagging with AJ Francis, in First Class, fighting for the tag team titles, and right after that I was offered my deal. It’s crazy that right after I was asked to go down and cut a promo on the Hardys because that was my next match. I was like wow, throw me in the deep end why don’t you. I’ve just been blessed. I set goals when I got the offer, The Hardys were at the top of that list, and I got that. Wrestling Joe Hendry was on that list, did it. Wrestling Nic Nemeth, arguably one of my heroes and inspirations, my biggest one, got to wrestle him multiple times. Mike Santana too. I’m blessed. Did I expect it to happen so fast? Absolutely not. But, now I have bigger goals and that’s to go for a TNA World Title, X-Division Title, or Tag Team Title. AJ and I have big goals, I have big goals for myself, and now I’m ready to conquer TNA in 2025 myself, for sure.”

What has it been like working with AJ Francis, someone who has been on somewhat of a career resurgence since coming to TNA?

“Working alongside him, I have the best seat in the house. I’m literally his tag team partner so I get to see all of his ideas, and all of his progression. When I came in at Emergence, to think how fast we did our thing. Everyone finally got to see what he was about. Even before I came in. Everyone got to see what he did at Slammiversary last year. Arguably the best match of the night. He’s just been proving why he deserves to be in the spot that he’s in. He’s been proving why he deserves to be the TNA World Champion and have those big matches like he did with Nic Nemeth at Final Resolution. To be side by side with him has been a learning experience for me. I’m just so grateful to be there alongside him, and I can’t wait to see the big things either he does on his own or we do together. It’s going to be a good year for First Class, I’m telling you that.”

What was it like working with the likes of ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) and The Hardys?

“To start with ABC, me and Ace Austin came up together. So, it was very cool that on my first night with the company I was able to wrestle one of my guys that I came up with. Chris Bey as well, both of those guys are my best friends. To be able to be put in that position, what a way to start for me. It’s not like I’m going in uncomfortable or with people I don’t know where I might be nervous. They were able to calm me down and remind me who I am and told me that I belong here with them. Within those two nights, those guys showcased me, and helped me. Then the next step, the third match was against The Hardys, dream. That’s something that when I got brought in I would joke with my friends about wrestling The Hardys. I didn’t really think that it would happen so soon. It was my third night with the company. To work with them and them being so giving, they want to do something. Everyone is like “oh The Hardys, they’re past their time,” screw that. They are GOATED. Jeff Hardy is moving. They’re coming up with new stuff right now. When I was wrestling them, that new move, the Plot Twist, I was the first guy to take that. For them to trust me with that, like hey we’re going to hit this new move tonight and do it on you, it’s like wow. I remember Jeff looking at me and asking if I could do that, and I told him I think I’m capable and told him I’ll make it look so good they’d want to keep doing it. Hey man, now look at them, they’re hitting it on everyone, even NXT guys.”

Whether it be the partnership with NXT, or the incredibly talented roster they have, TNA is on fire right now. What’s it like for you to be a part of it?

“I think that this was the time I was meant to be here. Those five years I was chasing to be in TNA and it just didn’t happen, I just thought it was so coincidental. When I came in, the stars aligned. Now, they’re partnered with WWE, and that’s the work of God. I’m blessed. I’ve been grinding and was asking myself why’s this not happening. The moment I decided to trust God and let him do his thing, I just sat back, put my hands up and grinded away. For me to be in this position with this company, this is a company I’ve wanted to call home for a very long time. I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be here. For me to walk around right now in those brand new Blacksmith Track Suits that everyone should go pick up, to represent TNA everywhere I go, like TNA is so much bigger than what people think it is and it’s only getting bigger and bigger. I like to say we’re #2, I think we’re close to #1. We’re getting there man, and for me to be a part of this is a blessing. I’m ready to be a part of this partnership. It’s going to be a good year for us. It’s going to be a great time and everyone should watch TNA.”

What are your future goals, whether for First Class or you individually?

“First Class, obviously I’d love for us to win the TNA Tag Team Championships. I honestly think it’s inevitable and will happen in 2025. We’re doing our thing. We’re very much hated but you have to hate the good people. We’re the people who people hate to love and love to hate. We’re kind of like the Miami Heat. That’s my favorite basketball team. When LeBron and Dwayne Wade were there. That’s what AJ and I are. We’re the Dwayne Wade and LeBron James of TNA. I think we’ll win those TNA Tag Team Titles. I think at some point AJ will be the TNA World Champion, and I also think at some point I will be the TNA X-Division Champion or even the TNA World Champion. That’s what I think will happen with us. It’s going to be gold and diamonds for everyone.”

What future opponents would you like to square off with?

“When it comes to who I want to face when it comes to TNA, I’ve accomplished a lot already. I’ve main evented IMPACTs, been on pay-per-views, and wrestled the guys that I said I was going to wrestle. Joe Hendry, Mike Santana, Nic Nemeth, The Hardys, Eric Young, Steve Maclin, the guys I want to work with, I got it out of the way. Now we have Elijah, so I’d love to work with Elijah. We go back. Honestly, I get tagged in this a lot. There’s one guy in NXT that everyone wants to see me wrestle. His name, is Mr. Bouncy Boy, Je’Von Evans. At some point, I’d like to meet up with Mr. Bouncy Boy and show him what First Class is all about.”

Is there a message you’d like to leave to anyone reading this?

“The message is this. I truly believe that all this happened because TNA got blessed, but I truly believe that 2025 TNA is going to make the biggest IMPACT in the professional wrestling business you’ve ever seen, and you’re not going to want to miss an episode. You never know who is going to show up, and you never know where we might show up. This is going to be the year of TNA.”