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WWE superstar Ivar has admitted it was ‘frustrating’ to miss out on a match at WrestleMania 40 . The supremely athletic heavyweight, who has been branching out as a singles wrestler while his Viking Raiders partner Erik is out with an injury, has revealed there were talks for a ‘Meat Mania’ match featuring some of the company’s biggest bruisers, but it didn’t make the cut. Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk in Philadelphia, he said: ‘Yeah, obviously, it’s frustrating. You want to be on WrestleMania 40, the biggest WrestleMania of all time. It doesn’t always work out, right?’ There had been calls for the match on
Social Media in the buildup to the huge premium live event weekender, and Ivar has confirmed those talks extended to the creative team too. ‘I mean, there were talks about Meat Mania behind the scenes, but it just didn’t pan out,’ he added. ‘There’s only so many slots at WrestleMania, and we didn’t get the last one.’ It means a lot of talent didn’t make it onto the card at Lincoln Financial Field, which Bronson Reed and Otis among those to miss out. That doesn’t take away from their talent, with Ivar in particular delighted with his recent run against some of the best Raw has to offer. ‘There is so much great talent, you get guys like Sami Zayn, Ricochet, Bronson Reed, Otis, [Chad] Gable, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods,’ he said. ‘All these guys I’ve had singles matches with – what amazing, talented wrestlers.’ Ivar had plenty of nerves going into this solo run with Erik out of action, and while he’s loving it, he admitted his ‘heart’ remains with the Viking Raiders. ‘Absolutely, it could,’ he said on the subject of whether his singles stint could see him rise up the card in his own right. ‘But I feel like my my heart is always gonna be with the team. Yeah, we made it here together. And I feel like we’re always gonna be that team,’ he added, before offering up an exciting alternative. He teased: ‘That being said, I don’t see why we can’t go a New Day route . Yeah, and be together and both do some single stuff and then meet back together as a team when the time’s right.’ Giving an update on Erik’s current status, Ivar revealed his longtime friend and tag partner is still recovering, and they’ll figure out what the future holds when the time is right. ‘We’re probably months away from Eric returning, it’s gonna be a wild, slow and steady recovery,’ he said. ‘So I’m just doing what I can do great as a single star and cross the bridge we get there.’ WrestleMania 40 continues tonight at midnight, live on the WWE Network. Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you. MORE : Historic WWE championship reign ends at WrestleMania 40 MORE : WWE enters brand new era as Triple H kicks off renaissance at WrestleMania 40 MORE : Reporters caught in bloody brawl between WWE superstars as WrestleMania media event takes chaotic turn