Ghanaian talks video games, Sting, Dean Ambrose and more
Wednesday 15 October 2014 13:19, UK
It’s surprising that Kofi Kingston found time to chat to Sky Sports.
Not only does the former United States and Intercontinental Champion spend many days on the road with WWE, but, as we found out, when he gets home he has to deal with the capers of a livewire young son.
However, whilst watching his boy bounce around his garden, Kingston gave us the lowdown on his recent link-up with Big E and Xavier Woods, and the impending release of video game WWE 2K15.
So read on for the Ghanaian’s musings on those topics, as well as wrestling icon Sting, the unhinged Dean Ambrose, and the excellent facilities used by WWE’s NXT division.
If you like comic books and animals you should also stick around…
Hi Kofi. How are you and is the sun shining?
KOFI SAYS: I am great and the sun is shining in Tampa. At the moment, though, my young son is jumping around in dirty puddles and trying to eat a stick, so I’ve got my hands full.
We want to get ahead and we think we can do that together.
Good luck with that! Anyway, we have seen you, Big E and Xavier Woods form sort of alliance recently. What’s the deal?
KOFI SAYS: We are trying to get something off the ground, hopefully sooner rather than later. I don’t want to go into any details as I am very superstitious about counting chickens before they hatch, but we have been having matches at live events and when we come over to the UK, I will be teaming with Big E.
Sounds intriguing. What drew you together in the first place?
KOFI SAYS: We have lot of similarities, including our love of video games, and a very similar vibe. Like all WWE Superstars, we want to get ahead and we think we can do that together and be stronger as a group. We are trying to find ways to climb that ladder and be effective. Our little group should be awesome when it happens but let’s wait and see.
You mentioned video games there. Are you hotly anticipating the release of WWE 2K15?
KOFI SAYS: Of course. I haven’t got a next-generation console yet but I’m going to have to get one now that I’ve seen WWE 2K15. The still shots and videos that have come out have looked more realistic than any other video game I’ve ever seen. You can see the sweat and pores on people’s faces and the mannerisms are just so smooth. I don’t know whether to get an Xbox or a PlayStation so I’ll probably get both. It’s just a shame that my time to play has become scarce with the birth of my son.
Will you play as yourself or another Superstar?
KOFI SAYS: I always play as myself on games as I think it’s so cool that I am in a video game but I will play as Sting, too. It is awesome that he is in WWE 2K15 and every time I see the commercial with the orchestra and their painted faces it gives me chills. I never thought in a million years that I would see Sting in the WWE in some way, shape or form so I am definitely looking forward to being him.
Would Sting be your dream opponent?
KOFI SAYS: Sting would definitely be up there but I’ve always been a Shawn Michaels guy. I think he is the greatest of all time as I have never seen him have a match that wasn’t great. He was a joy to watch and still is whenever he comes back and does bits and pieces. He is someone I am striving to be like and one of the big reasons I am even in WWE today.
As well as video games, you are also a big comic-book fan. So who would you class as the greatest comic-book hero and villain of all time?
KOFI SAYS: Spiderman is just classic for me. He is the ultimate underdog with high-flying moves and corny jokes, so he has the same athleticism and humour as me. My favourite villain, therefore, would be Venom as he and Spiderman had some great battles.
Dean Ambrose is must-watch TV at the moment. Is he as mad off TV as he is on it?
KOFI SAYS: His whole unstable thing is not a gimmick, it’s really him. Dean keeps himself to himself and is very much a lone wolf. He always has the crazy look in his eyes so it is really cool to see him blowing up. This is a guy from the new generation taking over and I am interested to see where it goes. I’d never met him before he got in WWE but was aware of his success on the independent scene and he has taken that passion onto our company. He knows his stuff, has been around the block and things are starting to pay off for him.
Dean obviously came through NXT. With so many up-and-coming Superstars in that system, does it keep you permanently on your toes?
KOFI SAYS: It shouldn’t take NXT to keep you on your toes. Every WWE Superstar wants to be the best so whether NXT was there or not I would always be looking to improve. However, NXT does raise the bar because the facilities these guys and girls are working in are top drawer. In our Performance Center in Orlando, there are seven rings – including a special one with a softer mat that is perfect for high-flyers to practice their daredevil moves – and 15 or so great trainers. You’ve got Billy Gunn, Joey Mercury, Norman Smiley, Bill DeMott and so many other people whose brains you can pick. NXT is a great place to soak up information and I know there are wrestlers there who are gunning for my place.
I was reading on Wikipedia that you used to do capoeira – a Brazilian martial art – when you were younger. Can I trust Wikipedia?
KOFI SAYS: You can! I didn’t do loads but I did a little bit. There is a guy in Tampa who trained Batista that I still see every now and again but it’s been a while so I should probably get together with him soon.
Speaking of Batista, did you enjoy his performance as Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy?
KOFI SAYS: I did. He was awesome and played Drax to a tee. I was really excited when he got the role as I knew he and the film were going to be huge – and I was right because it is the highest grossing film of 2014. Kudos to Dave for hitting Hollywood in a major way because it is not an easy thing to do; lots of people have tried and lots of people have failed. I hope that when the sequel comes out he is in that, too.
The UK Tour is coming up for you soon. How pumped are you for that?
KOFI SAYS: Really pumped. The UK crowds are always amazing and always rowdy. People are so loud and it is always a joy to perform in front of them. There are a lot of football chants and because we are only over there twice a year fans really get into it. All that energy comes out and it’s really fun. Raw and Smackdown are great, of course, but I also love the intimate live events with the fans on top of you.
As a football fan, did you enjoy Ghana’s World Cup displays?
KOFI SAYS: We had a really tough group with Germany, USA and Portugal so we didn’t disgrace ourselves, despite ony getting one point. I would have loved to have seen the Black Stars get into the knockout stages but USA were a real surprise package. I think we played better than England anyway…
And finally, on Raw we saw a bull, an alligator and a bunny in the ring. It’s animal overload at the minute, isn’t it?
KOFI SAYS: It is and the gator is my favourite. It’s becoming a real animal kingdom at the moment and we may need to get an animal division to help them out. We’ll see where it goes and whether any other creatures show up. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Gobbledy Gooker made a return as Thanksgiving is right around the corner!
WWE Hell in a Cell will be shown at 1am on Sunday, October 26 (Mon) on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) and on Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 752).
WWE Hell in a Cell will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 743) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (channel 752) until 9pm on Saturday, August 23.
Repeats showing will last for three hours, with the final showing BEGINNING at 9pm on Saturday, August 23. The event is priced at £14.95 for UK customers, €21.95 for customers in the Republic of Ireland.
Viewers can call 08442 410 888 from Tuesday, October 14 to book WWE Hell in a Cell. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
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