THE TWO SHEDS INTERVIEW by Julian Radbourne
E-mail: twosheds316@aol.com
Website: www.twoshedsreview.com
Low-Ki is one of the most famous wrestlers currently plying their trade on the indy circuit in America. The hard-hitting star was the first ever Ring of Honor World Champion, as well as being one of the pioneers of the X-Division in TNA. I had the chance to catch up with Low-Ki for this exclusive interview.
Julian Radbourne (JR): Low-Ki, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule for this interview.
Low-Ki (LK): Thank you for having me.
JR: Let’s start with some background information, where you’re from, that sort of thing.
LK: I grew up on a military base in Brooklyn NY. Was fairly athletic, playing football and basketball but didn’t have direction until I was introduced into martial arts and wrestling. I debuted in 1998 for the LIWF company, which is now closed.
JR: When did your interest in professional wrestling begin, and who were your favourites back then?
LK: I was a fan because of my family’s interest in it. Watching events on television and cable were normal activity.
Back then I was a big fan of Sting, Hulk Hogan and the typical fan favorites. But the one who stood out most to me, was always The Great Muta.
JR: When did you decide that you wanted to become a wrestler, and how did you go about finding a training school?
LK: I had no interest in it. I was content being a fan just watching it and wrestling around with my cousins when we watched it on TV. I was asked to come to a school in Brooklyn and was just practicing as a something to do. I wasn’t serious until I began training under Homicide.
JR: How hard, or easy, was the training?
LK: How’s this, I almost bit my tongue off the first time I got into the ring with Homicide.
JR: How long did you train before your first match?
LK: I trained about a year and 8 months before I debuted.
JR: What were your thoughts and feelings going into that bout, and how would you rate your performance that night?
LK: I wasn’t nervous or anxious, I knew what my gameplan was and I just wanted to do it. Looking back, naturally I can’t bare to watch it, but at the time I thought it was cool.
JR: Since your debut you’ve competed for a number of promotions all over the world. What companies have you worked for, and which promotion has been your favourite?
LK: I’ve wrestled for many but the more memorable are the World Wrestling Federation, East Coast Wrestling Association, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, NWA TNA, Zero One Pro Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and currently Pro Wrestling NOAH.
JR: You’ve also won numerous titles during your career, most notably the Ring of Honor World Championship & the TNA X-Division title. Which title victory was most memorable?
LK: The ROH title was more of a mental accomplishment for me considering the conditions I had to fight under. The X-division title a little different considering the only way I defended was against more than 1 person at a time.
JR: I first became aware of you when you won the ROH title in the four man, sixty minute iron man match. I remember seeing an interview you conducted straight after the match, where you were very emotional. What was it like competing in that match, and becoming the first champion of a fledgling promotion?
LK: It was hard. I was exhausted and in allot of pain from the match and dealing with the death of a friend just compounded those two conditions.
JR: You were also one of the pioneers of the X-Division in TNA. Would you say that the X-Division is the main reason that TNA continues to this day?
LK: I think it plays a major part in its success.
JR: Of course, ROH and the TNA X-Division have different styles to other wrestling promotions. What’s it like competing in these kinds of matches, and do you have to change your own wrestling style while competing there?
LK: Well they’re different clearly by environment. ROH has a more underground feel to it, while TNA has to deal with an overall Television appeal. I don’t change my style at all. My style has always been adaptive to whoever I wrestle.
JR: As well as competing on the indy circuit in America, you’re also a regular visitor to Japan. What promotions have you worked for in Japan, and how does working in Japan compare to working in America?
LK: You mean wrestle. I have wrestled for Pro Wrestling Zero One, All Japan Pro Wrestling, GAEA and Pro Wrestling NOAH.
JR: Being a Brit, I’ve also got to mention your time over here as well, working for the Frontier Wrestling Alliance. How did you come to be associated with the FWA, and what’s your opinion of the British wrestling scene?
LK: I came to the UK a year prior my first FWA appearance, for another company. I met Alex Shane at that event and he was able to contact me afterwards.
JR: One match in particular that comes to mind is your bout with Flash Barker at the Frontiers of Honor show in 2003, which was something of a dream match for British wrestling fans. How would you rate your performance, and the match overall, from a personal viewpoint?
LK: It wasn’t my best match, but it was definitely taxing and painful. Unfortunately I injured myself within the first few minutes of the match which did limit my abilities somewhat, so I wasn’t pleased with the outcome. I did watch it long after and was very surprised at the punishment we both gave one another. I would definitely like to see Flash one more time if he chose out of retirement.
JR: Any plans to return to Britain in the near future? I know that British fans would like to see you over here again!
LK: I love going to the UK. I will be returning on October 1st for 1PW in Yorkshire. I look forward to my return especially since it will be Chris Sabina and myself against Jenny Storm and Jody Fleisch.
JR: The majority of wrestling fans regard you as one of the stiffest and most solid workers in the world right now. Is this how you yourself view your wrestling style?
LK: You mean wrestle. It doesn’t concern me. I am a WRESTLER. It is what I have trained to become and continue training to improve on.
JR: A few of the wrestlers I’ve interviewed have an ultimate goal of working for WWE. Is this something you’re working towards, or are you happy to continue to work on the indy scene and in Britain and Japan?
LK: You mean wrestle. I am content wrestling in Japan. It took me 4 years to reach my dream, and its going on 3 competing in Japan and I am still not at my best. To me that means I have to work harder.
JR: Can you describe for us how you prepare for your match, what sort of routines you go through?
LK: Fairly simple. I train. I relax. I focus and go wrestle. Nothing close to the maniacal routines I used to have where I would try to break a wall or 2 with strikes.
JR: Like many wrestlers you’ve probably suffered from your fair share of injuries during your career. Which one has been your worst?
LK: Almost breaking my neck. It’s just something that comes with the territory.
JR: Looking at the big picture, what’s your overall view of the wrestling business as it currently stands, and if you thought that anything needed changing, how would you go about changing it?
LK: I don’t follow the US scene as I did in the past so I wouldn’t have a fair assessment on it. But from the few things that I have seen, its apparent that there are more younger inexperienced wrestlers than before.
JR: How do you like to spend your time away from the ring?
LK: Exactly how you put it, away from the ring. I withdraw myself from any relation to wrestling in order to separate business and personal life.
JR: What advice would you give to anyone wanting to break into the wrestling business, in any capacity?
LK: Be Patient. It’s a quality that is a necessity. I have also lost it at times. I have also learned to use it. But it is such a defining quality that it can make a world of difference.
JR: Where can fans see you compete in the upcoming weeks and months?
LK: More evolving of Low Ki.
JR: Anything else you’d like to plug while we’re here?
LK: I look forward to returning to the UK in October and am very interested in what its wrestlers have to offer.
JR: Low-Ki, it’s been a pleasure and an honour talking to you. The best of luck with your career, and I hope to see you on British soil sometime soon.
LK: Thank you.
