Post by 人間ダイナマイト Jon Kellar on May 27, 2016 17:41:12 GMT
THAT'S ENTERTAINING
Covering all Entertainment, All of the Time.
24/05/2016
SPORTS > PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
In an exclusive interview, Angela James meets with Jon Kellar ahead of his return to the ring and interviews him about his career.
Jon Kellar is an Icon. He even has it among his accolades, an accolade earned by his outspoken rebellious stance against the wrestling industry's shift towards a more "Entertainment" centric nature, and away from the Sporting side.
In more recent years, the Human Dynamite has been quieter with his political views of the industry he has worked in for almost two decades, but it's clear to anyone visiting his new hideaway in Tokyo that very little has changed.
A short spell with EWC, combined with big payday matches against John Pariah and Eva Hikari have allowed Kellar to escape the financial problems he found himself in when his wife, Dyna Might, passed away. Now he lives in a small apartment complex in Tokyo, providing affordable accommodation to students wishing to learn Martial Arts and Professional wrestling.
When I meet Kellar, he has just finished a three hour work out in the new gym. His training routine focuses on cardio, speed, sparring, and submission work, and the complex even has an in-house nutritionist. Kellar's focus on perfecting his art, right down to the small details, will come as no surprise to anyone that has followed his career, notably his time with global promotion GroundZero Wrestling 2K1.
"I wanted to re-shape GroundZero Wrestling 2K1 into something different," he says, "with the departure of characters like Seth Raide, Vyle, Amuun Ma'at and Quake I felt like the opportunity was ripe to try something new. We had the likes of Leon (Corbin) and Kandi (Fortune-Corbin) who I felt had been overlooked because they didn't have the right "look" or "image". These were magnificent in-ring talents but the company didn't see money in them, so I wanted to change the company."
At the start of 2006, Jon Kellar had been with GroundZero Wrestling less than a year when he captured their World Heavyweight Championship from then-champion Vyle. He would go on to hold it for most of the year while forming a powerful alliance with Leon Corbin, Zac Sharp and Kandi Fortune-Corbin. His feud with Nathaniel Davis, the man who would later induct Kellar into the company's hallowed Ring of Honor, particularly emphasised the contrast of Kellar against the industry.
"Davis defeated me for the World Heavyweight Championship," Kellar reminds me, "but then I defeated him in what was advertised as a title match just a month or so later. Management didn't want me as champion and either stripped me of the belt or retro-actively declared that it wasn't a title match... I can't remember which now. In any case, when you beat a champion in the ring you prove you are the better man, so I created my own World Championship. People called it a vanity project, and many still do, but for me it was about saying "I am the true champion, because I am the best man in this company."
This desire to be a "true champion" still fuels Kellar, and it is this desire that has led him to return to professional wrestling despite amassing an impressive 9-0-0 MMA record in just a year. He will appear for New Japan Fighting Championship in their crossover Pay-Per-View with Lucha Libre promotion "Guerreros of Lucha". Kellar has only made a handful of appearances for the promotion but has a well publicised friendship with owner James Patterson. It is Patterson that fans have to thank for Kellar's return.
"It was the craziest thing," says Kellar, "the first time James asked me to come to NJFC to participate in the Collision Course tournament I was at my lowest ebb, I wasn't sure I could still get it done. He offered me a dream match with John Pariah and I couldn't do anything but accept. I didn't win that night, but John and I had three fantastic matches all of which I am deeply proud of."
"Then, out of the blue about a month ago, I'm in a park in Tokyo and James is there. Pure coincidence of life and there he was, and he offered me another match. I listened to what he had to say, and again, I didn't feel I could say no."
But what of his opponent? Eric Darkthorne has made great waves in NJFC by amassing a long undefeated streak. Although that streak has now been broken, Kellar doesn't see that as a problem.
"Streaks end," says Kellar, "nobody wins forever in this industry. But there's something to be said for that old proverb about wounded beasts being more dangerous. Eric is a fantastic wrestler. His submission base is solid, his kickboxing is probably better than mine, and he has a freakish amount of power. That doesn't change just because Konrad (Raab) put him down for a three count."
I ask Kellar if he is scared, he laughs.
"Of course I am," says Kellar, "you'd have to be stupid not to be, but just because I'm scared doesn't mean I don't think I can beat him. Fear stops me underestimating him. Fear makes me more prepared, heightens my senses. He may be the size of a small car, but I know I can beat him."
I ask him now, his response: "That would be telling. Suffice to say Sean (Kellar's manager and trainer) and I have really done our homework on this one. I have no intention of being Darkthorne's resurrection, the man who helps him bounce back. I intend to beat him. "
The conversation turns to the future, I ask Kellar what's next for him, and whether he has any plans to involve himself in GroundZero Wrestling 2K1's crossover with Pure Amusement Wrestling. Kellar is notably silent on that last issue.
"All I will say is that right now, I'm signed for a three fight deal for NJFC," he says, "and all my focus is on that. Obviously I'll wrestle Eric Darkthorne and then I will be at the Festival of Puroresu next month competing for the Word Championship, and then I'm signed up for one more fight but James and I haven't nailed down a date yet. It may be that I extend my stay."
I point out the presumptiveness of assuming he will have that role at the Festival of Puroresu, he chuckles again.
"It's not being presumptive," says Kellar, "I intend to beat the living hell out of Eric Darkthorne, win the match, and go on to challenge for the World Championship. Make no mistake, I'm not in this for a farewell tour or because I'm looking for ways to fill time. I'm back, and I'm back to be the best man in the company. Nothing more, nothing less."
Angela James interviewed Kellar for "Thats Entertaining" sports section, on 25 May 2016. All information was correct at time of print
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
She did WHAT with a German Shepherd and a tub of mustard?
Cowell's shocking response to rumours
of being a complete douchebag....
Theory of Evolution to no longer be taught
in British Schools after leading expert fails to
explain Boris Johnson....
