Kofi Kingston Focused On Being A Main-Eventer In WWE; Whether He Would Turn Heel

As WWE marches toward WrestleMania, the career of Kofi Kingston appears to be in a downward trajectory. Since losing the Intercontinental Championship to Wade Barrett on the New Year's Eve episode of Raw, the regularly spotlighted wrestler has yet to win a match on Raw, SmackDown or at a pay-per-view event. Despite his slipping standing, Kingston has his sights set on breaking into the main event scene.

"I'm focusing right now on breaking into that top tier," said Kingston to SLAM! Wrestling promoting WrestleMania. "I feel that now I'm so close, you know. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but like I said, I feel I can go out there with anybody and be great. It's just a matter of getting opportunities to do so and staying the course of what I do. I always say that I don't have control over what the direction of the show will be, and what storylines I'll be in. But what I do have control over is being in the ring and doing what I do. Regardless of what's going on and whomever I'm in there with, I'll be able to go out there and do some incredible things. It's like I said, I always want to be moving ahead."

Kingston has been involved in multi-man matches at WrestleMania since 2009, and is hopeful that this is the year he will be featured in a singles match.

"When we were kids and fantasizing about being a WWE Superstar — I actually had a Bugs Bunny doll that I used to practice all my moves on — you always imagine yourself being in the main event a WrestleMania. Me and Bugs Bunny. You always envision being there in a singles match. Just you and your opponent on the grandest stage of them all. The selfishness comes out, but you want more eyes on you than on having them on other people in your match," said Kingston.

The multi-time champion says he would be willing to compete against anyone at WrestleMania since he prides himself in his ability to have a great match with any talent.

"I'm not picky at all. I pride myself on being one of those guys that can go out there with anybody and have a great match. I have the mentality that it doesn't matter who I'm in there with, we'll tear the house down regardless," said Kingston.

Kingston has been a fan favorite during his entire run in WWE. While he has no plans to turn heel, he would be up for it if the fans wanted it.

"It's all about how the fans see you," he said. "Going back to The Rock, people used to love him initially. But then they started chanting 'Rocky sucks.' And for no reason really. Maybe they just got sick of him, or were able to see through the character and see that wasn't who he really was. Whatever the reason, it was the fans that actually made The Rock start thinking about becoming The Rock. I really have no idea. Everyone has a different story of how they go back and forth from good guy to bad guy. Nobody really knows what the future holds. And I think that's one of the best things about it — that unpredictability factor."

Kingston also discusses his entry into the professional wrestling industry, the change from his initial Jamaican character, his luck in avoiding serious injury, living in the public spotlight and more. The full interview is available here.