Kevin Blackwood has high praise for KENTA.
Blackwood has had the pleasure of sharing the ring with KENTA on two seperate occasions. The first exchange occured at a West Coast Pro show in December 2023, as Blackwood and Titus Alexander teamed in a losing effort against KENTA and Chris Hero.
In October 2024, Blackwood was able to face KENTA in a singles match for DEADLOCK Pro Wrestling. Despite the fact that he still lost, Blackwood's efforts were praised, with some fans calling it one of the best matches of his entire career.
In a new interview with Fightful Overbooked, Blackwood talked about the match with KENTA and stated that he attempted to emulate his style when he came to NXT. Blackwood also credited KENTA for shaping him into a successful performer today.
"Growing up for me, I didn’t have access to wrestling outside of WWE. My first understanding of independent wrestling were guys like CM Punk and Bryan Danielson. Their style always stuck out to me. Specifically with Punk because he was straight edge and into hardcore, and those are things in my life that I can relate to. The MMA style, I was really drawn to that. I saw Bryan do the same kind of stuff, but even more intense. It wasn’t until I started training and wrestling that I would go back and watch their Ring of Honor and Japan stuff. When KENTA came to NXT, I was looking for his stuff in NOAH and Ring of Honor. I always wanted to emulate that style, but I wasn’t immediately good at it, so I would get discouraged. I had several periods where I’d stop wearing kickpads, ‘I can’t kick, what’s the point,’ but I loved (the style), I just needed to learn how to do it properly. I’d watch KENTA because I loved the way he moved, how intense he was, how he was kind of a dickhead about it. Over time, it was like, ‘KENTA is my guy. I love everything about KENTA.’ KENTA vs. Low Ki, that match is mind-blowingly awesome. I love that match. I just wanted to be like KENTA in the ring. When I got to wrestle him, it was a total full circle moment. This dude shaped why I am successful in wrestling right now."
Blackwood then talked about speaking to KENTA after the match, saying that there was an obvious sign of respect.
"He didn’t really give my any advice, per say, it was just an obvious feeling of respect. ‘That was really cool, thank you for doing that.’ He was really appreciative. Emi Sakura was there, and she was talking to KENTA. Emi complimented me a lot. Two legendary Japanese wrestlers were telling me how good I did in this match, it was mind blowing. I felt so accomplished. I really love that match. I think it will always be my favorite match."
Blackwood will get the chance to face another wrestling legend during WrestleMania weekend, as he'll take on Shelton Benjamin at Pandemonium Pro Wrestling's The House Always Wins event on April 17. Stay up-to-date with the promotion by clicking here.
Furthermore, fans can check out Fightful's full interview with Kevin Blackwood in the video linked at the top of this article.
