During a recent Q&A session with AdFreeShows, ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston discussed the possibility of being involved in the creative process, whether wrestling is moving backward, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On why he thinks the wrestling business is moving backward: “I think that the … business is going backward, in a sense of … the fans [knowing] everything already. You know the magic. You know there’s bookers. … It’s all been exposed, you know what I mean? For years now.”
On fans being sick of wrestlers complaining about backstage drama: “Cool. You know everything now. I believe people are done with it. People don’t want to hear us on Twitter, b****ing and moaning [about] what’s going on backstage. People don’t want to know how much fun I had with my opponent that night in the ring. … They want to be lost.”
On not wanting to take away the escape of wrestling from fans: “People need an escape. So why the f**k am I gonna take that escape from you?”
On why he wouldn’t want to be involved in creative booking: “No, no, no. I’m bad in the sense that my idea is right. I don’t care about your f***ing opinion. If I was in control of something creative or booking, and I had someone who I don’t respect, ‘Just be happy I’m giving you something.’ If they are coming up to me, ‘I want to do this and that.’ I’d be like, ‘I don’t give a f**k what you want to do. You’re doing what I tell you to do, do it your way, and make it work.’ That was the schooling I was brought up in, so that’s why when Tony says, ‘You’re fighting this person.’ ‘Okay.’ If I have an opinion on it, I’ll say it, but at the end of it, I always go, ‘it’s not my show, I will do what you give me, and do it better than you think.’”
On how he views his job: “That’s my job. Whatever you give me, I’m supposed to make it work. That’s the schooling I came up from. I don’t blame the younger guys who never got that schooling. They don’t know. Am I going to help them? Absolutely not, let someone else do it. That’s not my job either. We have producers and agents, that’s not my f**king job either. I don’t want to be stressed. I stressed for 18 years before I got to AEW, I don’t want to f**king stress. I want to fight, whether it’s on Dynamite, Ring of Honor, Rampage, Collision, I don’t care, let me rock. If you don’t, that’s fine, I’ll stay home until it’s time to go. I’ll recover and work out. I don’t f**king stress. The only time I stress is when I fight somebody because I’m trying to hurt them.”
Kingston will defend the ROH World Championship against Katsuyori Shibata this Sunday at AEW WrestleDream 2023.
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In a recent Q&A session with AdFreeShows, ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston shared his thoughts on various aspects of the wrestling business. From the exposure of behind-the-scenes workings to his stance on wrestlers complaining about backstage drama, Kingston provided insight into his perspective as a professional wrestler.
One of the key points Kingston made was his belief that the wrestling business is moving backward. He attributed this to the fact that fans now have access to information and are aware of the inner workings of the industry. The element of surprise and the magic of wrestling have been somewhat diminished due to this exposure.
Furthermore, Kingston expressed his understanding that fans want to be lost in the world of wrestling and use it as an escape from reality. He emphasized the importance of providing that escape and not taking it away from the audience. Wrestling serves as a form of entertainment and relief for many, and Kingston recognizes the significance of preserving that aspect.
When it comes to being involved in the creative process and booking decisions, Kingston made it clear that he prefers not to have a say. He stated that he believes his ideas are right and doesn’t care about others’ opinions. If given control, he would expect wrestlers to do what he tells them to do and make it work. This mindset stems from the schooling he received in the industry, where he was taught to follow instructions and excel at whatever is given to him.
Kingston also discussed his approach to his job as a professional wrestler. He believes that his role is to make any given situation work, regardless of the circumstances. He mentioned that he doesn’t stress about backstage politics or helping younger wrestlers because that’s not his responsibility. His focus is on performing at his best and delivering impactful matches.
In conclusion, Eddie Kingston’s insights shed light on his perspective as a professional wrestler in today’s industry. He acknowledges the exposure and challenges faced by wrestlers but remains committed to providing an escape for fans through his performances. With his no-nonsense approach and determination to make every situation work, Kingston continues to leave his mark in the wrestling world.