Kelly Lowell interview w/ Cruiserweight Champion Chris Air
Sept 22, 2016 17:22:40 GMT -6
Melina Goldman likes this
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 17:22:40 GMT -6
(The following is an interview conducted by Kelly Lowell (@klotothestars) with Chris Air)
September 22, 2016 : Live via Skype w/ Kelly Lowell
"Hello, I'm Kelly Lowell and today I have a very special guest with me, I'm talking about one of the brightest, fastest rising, young stars in professional wrestling, of course I'm talking about Chris Air. Thanks for joining me on this Skype call. I would have preferred interviewing you in person, but I'm actually in Texas meeting with my trainer, Tyson Gregory but hey, technology is amazing. How are you today?"
"I'm doing great Kelly, thank you for having me!"
"My pleasure, but let's get right into it, and just a warning I ask tough questions at times, this one should be easy though. How was it winning your championship at WrestleBowl? That was what, your fourth or fifth professional match?"
"It was my fifth match as a pro, and only my third time on television. It is still surreal to me to be honest. I knew I had the talent to succeed but in a match like that against five other top tier competitors it is always a challenge. After I scored the winning fall over Randy Fields I just remember the pop from the crowd, and the sense of relief that I had actually done it."
*Kelly smiles, nodding her head at the answer given by the champion.*
"It was definitely a feel good moment, but you said you felt a sense of relief, but that has to be brief, right? They always say it's easier to make it to the top than to stay there. What is your gameplan going forward? Knowing you have a new target on your back and everyone will be gunning for you now."
"You're absolutely right. The relief was just from the pressure I had put on myself to prove I belonged in the pros with guys like Mercer,l and Fields. Now the focus shifts to not only show it was not a fluke, but to set a standard for Cruiserweight and junior heavyweights around the industry. I have the natural ability to do some things in the ring that very few others can, but without victories, and the opportunities to succeed, those abilities are just stunts. I need to be ready to compete each and every night because I am no longer the underdog. I am the champion."
"As champion you're the hunted, so let me ask you, right now, who do you see as the biggest threat to your championship reign?"
"That is a tough question, consider he and I were the last two in the ring at Wrestlebowl, I have to think Randy Fields is high in the list, but Austin James Mercer has the pedigree and the talent to take me to the limit. I respect both of their abilities and expect to be seeing at one of them by the time Destiny rolls around, if not sooner. Plus Honor Wrestling continues to add talent every day it seems like, so who knows who might sign just to take a shot at my title."
"Maybe I'll sign a contract"
*Kelly laughs, obviously joking.*
"Yeah, I wouldn't stand a chance, but let the fans know a little bit about you outside of the ring. Where are you from, and what put you on the path of becoming a professional wrestler?"
*Chris chuckles at the joke and smiles*
Well I grew up in Charlotte NC, and had some success as an athlete, but I didn't have the grades to play college ball. So I joined the United States Marine Corps and served for 6 years. I was deployed to Afghanistan twice and lived in Japan for the last year of my service training in the jungles. I took the money I had made from the Marine Corps and spent it on living expenses for the next two years as I tried to break into the pros in Mexico, but I really had trouble getting through the Indy scene there. It is very political and I just didn't have the connections to make it to the top...
I nearly gave up, I was demoralized from it all, but then I saw an add for Sin City Wrestling, saying they were looking for young talent, and I thought it was my ticket in the door. I set up a workout, moved to a small apartment in Vegas, and gave it my best shot.
Unfortunately for me, Aubrey Wilkinson, who called the shots there, didn't see anything in me and sent me home without a contract."
*He pauses reflecting on the time.*
"But right when I was about to give up and take a nrmal factory job, I got a call from Aubrey's husband, Talon Wilkinson. He owns Icebox MMA, and wanted me to come show him what I had. Apparently he saw my work out for SCW, and thought I had potential. That lead to a few dark matches, one for CWF and the other for Honor. Both companies offered me a deal after my matches, and I felt most comfortable with Honor. ...and here I am now, the first ever HW Cruiserweight Champion."
"Sounds like a twisting but fateful road you have taken."
*The blonde clears her throat.*
"Icebox has quite the reputation, as you know I actually almost ended up working with the people there, talk about them for a minute...is Icebox the key to your success? What happens if you wrestle someone who also trains at Icebox, does that limit your chances at walking out a winner?"
"the Icebox is amazing. From their state of the art equipment and ease of access, to the staff that runs each facility, I couldn't have asked for a better place to train! They have so many trainers who specialize in different styles and techniques that you can seemingly learn something new each and every time you step into the ring with them.
I feel like the Icebox's reputation and that I was being trained personally by Mr. Wilkinson, really helped get me into the dark matches, but even the trainers will tell you, they can provide knowledge and advice, but to be successful in the ring you have to already have the raw tools and attributes to put it all together. So while I will say that Talon and his staff have helped me succeed, I cant say that they are fully responsible for it. I have had to put in the work. Be in the gym from sun rise to sun set, and give it all I have every day to get where I am today.
And while I believe all the folks in the gym are getting great knowledge and training, I don't think it gives them an edge over me, because my number one focus is to put work everyone else in the building every single day."
"Chris Air, everyone...one more question before I let you go, I know your time is valuable and you're itching to get back into the gym, but I have to ask...what's next for you? Whether it's retaining your championship, maybe trying to add more gold to your resume? What can we expect from Chris Air to finish off 2016, heading into 2017?"
"Well Kelly, the Cruiserweight championship is just the beginning. I want to continue to work hard and move up the mountain. I have a match in two weeks against the current Honor Champion, Alex Jones, it's non title, but it is my first main event and a chance to prove I am not only the best in the Cruiserweight division, but also that I am a legitimate threat to be THE top name in the industry. I won't get there overnight, but I want to stake my claim, that starts on Showdown in New Orleans. I have a ton of respect for Alex, he is the best Honor has to offer, and I am looking forward to pushing him to his limits and working to score what would be the biggest upset in Honor Wrestling to-date."
"Let me put you in the hot seat, do you win that match? And if so, is it an upset to you, or just to everyone else?"
"One thing the Marine Corps instills in all of its Marines is that you are never out of a fight. No matter the size or weapon involved. So I expect to win every match I am in. No disrespect to Alex, but I believe I am just as talented as he is. I just did not have the opportunity or entry into the business until now. I know that I just said it would be the biggest upset in Honor history but no, it would not be an upset to me, because. I know I can win this match, and I believe I am making the right preparations to execute my game plan.
"
"Well Chris, can I call you that?"
*Laughs*
"Thank you for this exclusive interview and I wish you good luck in your upcoming match against Alex Jones!"
"Haha of course Kelly, Semper Fidelis it was great to finally get to sit down and do this interview. Best of luck to you in your recovery, by the way. Stop by the Icebox sometime and I can show you around."
The interview comes to a close as the two continue to casually chat through the monitor as the sound fade shortly before the video fades to black.
(OOC: Thanks again to Kelly for interviewing me via twitter, it was fun and the questions were great. Be sure to follow her @klotothestars)