An Exclusive Interview With Kip James |
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Friday, 02 May 2008
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JAMES' ADDICTION: IS KIP POISED FOR SERIOUS SUCCESS? By Gerry Strauss The time: 5am, Friday morning. The place: a popular 24-hour gym, just down the road from the hotel that many TNA superstars are staying at following an iMPACT event in Orlando, Florida. During the day, this place is packed, but at this hour, only two of us are here, just myself… and Kip James. “I asked you here at this time because I wanted you to see what I’m all about,” Kip stated bluntly while settling into bench press position. “I wanted you to see the real Kip James.”  Certainly, James has reason to believe that his public image might not be consistent with his personal work ethic. After all, the former member of the “Voodoo Kin Mafia” has made more headlines and won more fans with catchphrases than championships. His many in-ring accomplishments have always been overshadowed by his extracurricular antics, a fact that seems to annoy him to no end.“Look, I’ve always liked to have a good time…who doesn’t?” Kip spouted. “I started out in this sport as a quiet and respectful rookie, but I ended up catching fire with the biggest bunch of degenerates that wrestling has ever seen. I became a rebel, and the fans dug the fact that I followed my instincts instead of the rules. People like to be shocked, but that was never my actual goal… I was just doing whatever I felt like doing. The problems came when my image began to overshadow my abilities.” Indeed, longtime fans can certainly remember a time when Kip’s crotch-chopping ways took precedence over his win-loss record. “It was a double-edged sword for me,” said Kip. “On one hand, I’m making huge amounts of money and packing arenas. But, when the rankings were set, and when people would talk about who the top wrestlers in the sport were, I was always ignored. Always. I knew that I was better than anyone in that ring, but I took it on the chin because I was blinded by the fame. I was distracted by all the money and fun… especially the fun I had with my best friend.” Without saying another word, I instantly know whom he is talking about: longtime tag partner BG James. Perhaps no two individuals have ever clicked as a unit both in and out of the ring like Kip and BG, and their chemistry helped to make them one of the most popular teams in wrestling history. “We rose to the top of the wrestling world together back in the 90’s,” recalled Kip. “Eventually, we had to take a break, both for personal and professional reasons. I still knew that I had all the potential in the world to be a star, but I was just so damn accustomed to the team lifestyle, I didn’t make the best transition.” Fast forward a few years, as Kip finally prepares for a new lease on life in TNA. Making headlines around the world, his arrival was heralded as a new beginning for his career, but he ended up going right back to BG. “It was the natural thing to do,” said Kip. “I wanted to find out if we still had that chemistry, and we did… to a point. But, things were different. I’m more mature now. I didn’t want to just have fun anymore. I want to win, at all costs.” Kip continued. “I knew for awhile that we were treading water. With BG’s attitude, we were never going to reach the promised land, but I stayed put in the name of friendship. Then, he won a tag team title shot, and chose to team with his dad instead of me. Well, that was the last straw. It was a sign… a sign of things to come.” It was Kip himself who abruptly ended both the partnership and friendship, viciously attacking father and son on national television, letting the world know that a new era in his life was taking form. “Let’s just call it a change in priorities,” Kip stated bluntly as he changed weights. “No more fun. No more games. No more friendships holding me back. I’m 6’ 3”, 260 pounds, with the best vertical leap in the sport. I have a lifetime of experience in this sport, but I have spent too many years just being good enough. Now, I want to be the best, and I know I’ve got the tools to get it done.” I remind him about Jim Cornette’s announcement about the “Deuces Wild” tournament then night before to crown new TNA Tag Team Champions. As one of the “Egotistical 8”, Kip will have the opportunity to compete for the gold, but his partner will not be of his own choosing. “That’s fine by me,” Kip said, much to my surprise. “I didn’t say that I was against being part of a team. Just don’t expect me to buddy up to whomever Cornette sees fit to stick me with.. Hell, the days of giving a crap about my partner are over. Let whomever it is go his way, I’ll go mine…he just better show up ready to hold his own, because I’ve got some gold to win.” When I asked him about the potential of being paired up with BG in the tournament, Kip offered up the following: “If that happens, so be it. But don’t expect another reunion. As far as I’m concerned, he’d better stay out of my way or I’ll just knock him out and win the tournament on my own. I carried him on my back for ten years, so it wouldn’t be much of a change if that were the case.” As Kip went back to his weights, his intensity was almost palpable. For years, his cockiness has become the stuff of legend, acting as if he were the biggest superstar in wrestling. Now, after all this time, is he finally ready to prove it? All new TNA Wrestling T-Shirts and DVD releases - GET THEM NOW AT SHOPTNA.COM |
