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411 Interviews: Kevin Steen of Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Part 1

October 19, 2011 | Posted by TJ Hawke

Kevin Steen has become one of the hottest wrestlers on the independent wrestling scene in the last two years. In 2010, he had a tremendous feud with his former tag team partner, El Generico, which resulted with the end of his ROH career at Final Battle 2010. Since then, Steen has invaded Ring of Honor twice: once at the Best in the World iPPV and the Death Before Dishonor 9 iPPV. 2011 has also seen Kevin Steen return to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla full time, where he became the promotion’s World Champion at the eighth anniversary show.

This is the first part of a three part interview; the other two parts will be posted at later dates. This part will primarily focus on his recent run in PWG and his invasions of ROH and Evolve. The other two parts will deal with his Ring of Honor career.

TJ Hawke: As promised, you invaded ROH at the Death Before Dishonor iPPV; you interrupted the Generico/Jacobs match, you punched Cary Silken, made Jim Cornette attack you (while you were being held by 5 men!), and then you caused fans outside to chant for Vince Russo. Is there anything you are not willing to do to Ring of Honor? What is your plan for how you can destroy Ring of Honor?

Kevin Steen: I didn’t punch Cary Silkin. I tried to give him a package piledriver before 6 guys jumped in and saved him. Then I spat in Jim Cornette’s face. And I’m extremely proud of it, because I’m sure there’s a lot of guys that wish they could do that. Off the top of my head I can think of 183 guys that wish they could. And I did it. And you know what? He deserved it. He knows he did. He deserves a lot more than that. He knows why, too. He’ll never admit it but he knows. As far as my plan, I have a plan but for now, it’ll stay with me. You’ll find out soon enough.

TJ: You said you wanted a match at Final Battle 2011. If there is one person in Ring of Honor that you could face, who would that be, and what would want the stipulations of the match to be?

KS: I don’t care who it is or what the stip is. I wish Jim would step up himself but he won’t. The best part is that they hurried up and booked Davey [Richards] in a match as soon as I made the challenge because they know what would happen to their golden boy if he tried to answer my challenge. So I don’t care who it is.

TJ: You haven’t limited your “invasions” to ROH, as you showed up at the last Evolve show. How was that experience? Would you like to do another Evolve show? Do know if Gabe Sapolsky would be up for that?

KS: I think he’d love to have me as a commentator. His RULEZ & REGULATIONS!!!! might not fit me too good as far as in ring stuff goes though. And I’m up for going anywhere anytime I feel like it. I had a blast at EVOLVE so I don’t see why I wouldn’t go back, should circumstances allow it.

TJ: While you are an outsider in ROH and Evolve, one company that you are definitively a roster member of is Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. PWG has been on about a three year hot streak of great crowds and great shows almost every time out. How does it feel to be the champion of this promotion?

KS: I’m extremely honored to be the champion. When I was away from PWG for the better part of 2 years, one of my goals before the end of my career was to go back and win the title again and I achieved that. PWG’s the best, there’s no denying it. So yeah, very proud.

TJ: You have been on 7 PWG shows this year and you have had a combined 14 matches on those shows, including three shows where you had three matches. How do you like competing in multiple matches on the same show? On the All Star Weekend commentary, Excalibur threatened to cut your pay in half (instead of giving you double pay for working two matches) as a way of discouraging other wrestlers from wanting to work more. Did he follow through on that threat?

KS: No, they paid me extra even though I didn’t ask because they are the best. They appreciate the work I put in and make sure to let me know. And as far as wrestling multiple times, for PWG, I’d do it in a heartbeat, anytime they need me to. They never asked me to wrestle twice or three times. I offered, because I owe PWG a lot. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today and I wouldn’t have experienced what I’ve had the chance to experience throughout my life.

TJ: One of the highlights of the last year in wrestling has been your matches against, and with, Akira Tozawa in PWG. What did you think of your match with him at the end of 2010? Did you have a favorite match as a tag team? Also, why were you guys not named “The Alan4L Miracle Murder Mystery Hour Fighter Dudes with Balls” as you originally declared on Twitter?

KS: I thought that match was a blast. It was awesome being in it and it was great watching it after. I try to wrestle the way I like wrestling when I watch it. And that match embodies exactly what I love in a good wrestling match. It’s intense, crazy and full of drama. We are very good at what we do. And teaming with him was just as enjoyable. We clicked right away. I think my favorite match of ours would have to be our first against the Briscoes, because I love fighting Dem Boys and it was just a blast. But all of our tags were a lot of fun, to participate in and watch. As far as the name goes, you’d have to ask Excalibur. I think Nightmare Violence Connection was pretty fucking perfect for us though,

TJ: Yes, “Nightmare Violence Connection” is pretty damn great. Your next PWG title defense is scheduled for SteenWolf where you will face El Generico in a Ladder Match. What are the odds that El Generico’s last day on Earth will be that day? Do you have any specific plans for how you will destroy Generico that day?

KS: The odds that it will be Generico’s last day on Earth are non-existent. He’ll live. But we’re both going to give it out all. And I don’t need to say that, everyone knows we will.

This is Kevin Steen vs El Generico in a Ladder match for the PWG title in Reseda, CA. Nothing else needs to be said.

TJ: For this section of the interview, I was hoping you give the readers some thoughts on some of your most recent matches in PWG:

Kurt Russellreunion: Kevin Steen vs. Chris Hero, an opponent you once referred to as the smartest worker you have ever worked with

KS: Absolutely, Chris is the smartest worker I know. And he carried me through that match. No bullshit. I’m an honest person. I think the match came off really good and it’s thanks to Chris. I was down on myself after the whole ROH debacle a month earlier, no confidence left and Chris helped me get it back with that match. I’ve thanked him several times after and I’ll do it here too. Thanks Chris! Now go make a ton of money! You deserve it.

Eight: Kevin Steen vs. PAC

KS: So much fun. PAC is a good friend of mine. I like to think I played a very small part in his success by exposing him to certain people that could help elevate his career and getting to wrestle him is always a good time. I was stoked when PWG told me they were bringing him in for a match with me. Not only had I not wrestled him in a while but I hadn’t seen him in years. So it was a good time all around. And that’s the match with the ”THIS IS WRESTLING YA FUCKFACE” quote which I think may be my greatest comeback ever.

BOLA 2011: Kevin Steen vs. Finlay

KS: One of the most eye-opening matches I’ve ever had. This guy’s just something else. So much experience. And so smart about wrestling. It was an honor to get to slap the shit out of him, even if the end result was him smirking at me before blasting me in the face. It’s a career highlight to have been in the ring with him, definitely.

Perils of Rock ‘n’ Roll Decadence: Kevin Steen vs. Davey Richards

KS: I liked it. We worked very hard. Davey’s a machine. Hard fight that was unfortunately tainted by some very dumb wrestling fans.

TJ: One final PWG question, do you think Excalibur has been shamed enough to come out of retirement after losing to your son, in your son’s first wrestling match?

KS: I don’t think so, unfortunately. I’ve asked him several times when he was coming back for one more and he’s pretty damn decided to stay retired. His reasons are extremely valid though, so I can’t blame him. I wish I was as smart as he was.

TJ: You announced on Colt Cabana’s Art of Wrestling Podcast that you are a Zoo enthusiast. What are your favorite Zoos to visit?

KS: Any zoo I get to visit with my stunning wife and handsome son. I look like an ogre when I walk around with them. It’s great.

Kevin Steen can be (and should be because it’s a hilarious account) followed on Twitter

You can also contact Steen on his Website

Kevin Steen also has a Youtube Page

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s next event is Steen Wolf: tickets can be purchased HERE

PWG’s two latest DVD releases are the 2011 Battle of Los Angeles and The Perils of Rock ‘n’ Roll Decadence: those DVDs can be purchased HERE

Video of The Perils of Rock ‘n’ Roll Decadence

Video of the 2011 Battle of Los Angeles

Thanks everybody for reading! You can send feedback to Twitter or at my email address: [email protected]. If you are a wrestling personality who would like to be interviewed by 411mania, you can also contact me in either of those ways.

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For all of my interviews (like Steve Corino , Davey Richards , Jimmy Rave , Joey Ryan , Kyle O’Reilly , AR Fox , etc.) before 411mania, check out my Road to Mania Blog (where I still do stuff like Wrestlemania Build coverage, movie/TV reviews and more).

Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can’t Lose.

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TJ Hawke

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