Lucha Underground's Killshot Talks Global Cruiserweight Series, His Character, Dangerous Moves, More
Lucha Underground's Killshot was recently interviewed by Ring Rust Radio. You can check out highlights below and the full interview at this link.
You were introduced to Lucha Underground fans in Season 1, but you have taken the character to the next level with your military vignettes. How have you embraced this storyline and what were some of the other ideas tossed around for you?
"Actually, it wasn't even an idea that was tossed around for me. I took the initiative with the character, and my roommate with me started writing some background to the character and then we just threw around ideas until we came up with the Killshot idea. We pitched it to some of the writers and producers and they loved it so much. Then you saw the vignettes a couple of weeks ago which helped give the character so much more color and depth. Doing that helped me change up my in-ring style from Season 1 to Season 2, as well as what happens in Season 3 later on. Being able to flesh out my ideas and thoughts on how the character should go helped me be a better overall performer for the show."
Lucha Underground as a product is so unique compared to other wrestling companies, which is a big reason why it's become such a popular alternative for fans. But as someone who's part of it, what sets it apart from other promotions you've worked for, and what's the locker room atmosphere like compared to other companies as well?
"The locker room is one of the most diverse in the world as far as big promotions go. Mainly because there are guys just coming up in the business, guys that have been around the business forever and guys that have done everything in the business you can imagine. Everyone can learn from everyone and there are no egos backstage. No one is holding any one back, and we embrace each other and want to see everyone else do better. Everyone is a fan of everyone else's work. The production is top notch and well thought out. It's very detail orientated, as in something from Season 1 will close and not come back until Season 2 or 3 because the attention is so detailed that you don't even think about it. Then, when it does come back, it hits you and makes you remember what had happened before. It's the attention to those little details that goes a long way in what we do."
You're one of the most innovative wrestlers in the world. Who or what inspired your signature moves and in-ring style?
"I would say four guys to be honest with you. The first one would be Adam Cole because he got me into CZW. While I was there, I stayed his house and trained under him and learned pretty much everything from him as well as Sami Callihan. Then when I started feuding with this person in CZW is when I started to learn about momentum and pacing from Rich Swann. Then I got to a different level when I was wrestling Dragon Gate, Evolve with Ricochet. Those were the four mentors of mine who made me what I am today and without any one of those guys I wouldn't be where I am today."
We've had many Lucha Underground stars on the show who have spoken about what the signing process was like. What were your thoughts when Lucha approached you to join the show and how has the experience changed your career?
"Honestly, I was riding with Ricochet and he was the one telling me all about how Season 1 was going; everything from the filming process to production and how everything was awesome over there. You have to see if for yourself kind of thing, so I said I wanted to go be a part of this. He referred me to Konnan, and I sent him a bunch of my CZW footage. He got it then sent it up to Anthony Jensen who is one of the producers. He emailed me back stating, "Oh, you are friends with Trevor? How would you like a contract?" The rest is history from there. It was great timing because I was on my outs with the military and I was going into Lucha Underground in 2 months, so the timing really couldn't have been any better. The network of people I knew to get me there couldn't have been any better either."
The fact that Lucha Underground programming is only one hour every week really leaves the fans wanting more, but with so much talent on the roster it isn't easy to feature everyone regularly. With that in mind, do you feel like going to two hours is something worth considering, or are you happy with how things are currently?
"I'm happy with the one hour to be honest. We get so many episodes in a season that way, so if you aren't on this week's episode, maybe two or three episodes later you will be on. Fans also don't get tired of seeing you every week in this setup, which is nice. You don't see the champ every week or the same matches every week. When its two hours, you tend to cram everything in that you can instead of giving them a tasting of what you have and then moving onto the next thing,. I think a two hours special is good for us and I like that format for the big blow off specials."
You're one of the most exciting wrestlers in the world, but is there any move you've wanted to try but haven't been able to do so yet, perhaps because of timing or because it is still too dangerous?
"The shooting star press. I have always wanted to do it and I think it's the prettiest move in wrestling. Matt Sydal has a great one. I always wanted to do it, but I have never been comfortable to try it. I have done it on trampolines and stuff, but never actually tried it in the ring. I think it's one of those moves I don't need at this point. I never built my career on a move, so I don't think I need to learn it and pretty much just stay away from it."
There have been rumors that some members of the Lucha Underground roster would be interested in joining WWE's Global Cruiserweight tournament. Is that something that interests you and has WWE reached out to you about possibly bringing you in?
"Contractually I am not allowed to do that. Maybe if I wasn't where I am with Lucha then it would be a different story. I am very happy with where I am with Lucha and very fortunate with what they have done for me and continue to do for me. If I wasn't there, maybe the tournament would be something I am interested in, but right now I am very happy being used and the way my character is going in Lucha. I am doing things here that I would be able to do anywhere else in the world."
With Lucha Underground entrenched and moving toward a third season and you getting a big push now, what are your goals moving forward? What do you want to accomplish in Lucha Underground and what are your hopes for the promotion as a whole?
"I want the promotion to grow and get to more households. I really have my fingers crossed on the Netflix deal and still hope that will happen, but you never know. I want some gold. Whether its Trios, Gift of the Gods or the Championship, that's what I want and am working to win."
Your recent segments have been among our favorites in wrestling history. Were you surprised when Lucha went full force with that segment?
"I was in shock. When I showed up to do the segment they just threw me in a van and drove a hour out into the desert in California where they had that all set up. I was like, "Wow." This is something that has never been done in pro wrestling. If it has been done before, no way it has been done to this level. It shattered my expectations. The potential that this character has amazes me. To walk in and see all the writers and producers invested in this character is a lot of pressure, but it's also very flattering. The fact that I came up with this and it's a character the writers' love so much that they are spending money on stunt choreographers to do these vignettes, it's so unreal to me."