SG> To a casual wrestling fan, how would you describe ECWA?
JK> I describe the ECWA as a place where we entertain a lot of folks of all ages and make a lot of dreams come true (on both sides of the guard rails). The ECWA provides an evening of great family fun.
SG> Does the ECWA have any relationship with any other wrestling
organization or organizations?
JK> We have had a solid friendly relationship with the WWF. We have been very fortunate to have had several WWF talents on many of our past and present shows. We also hosted a WWF Dojo show in 1999 which featured a young Kurt Angle and others.
SG> I believe you trained Simon (Lance) Diamond. Is this true? Have you trained other wrestlers fans might be familiar with?
JK> Yes, I trained Simon Diamond. I have also trained The Haas Brothers (who are currently under WWF developmental deals) and I have helped others earlier in their careers such as: Christian, Kidman, Test, Crowbar, and many others.
SG> With the WWF being the only national promotion, do you anticipate booking more and more familiar wrestling faces?
JK> It all depends on who may be available in the near future to work on independent shows. The list of affordable/available talent is not that big. I don't forsee a lot of the higher marquee value talents being available in the near future.
SG> What does a wrestler with ECWA make? How does that compare to what other independent promotions pay? An ECWA wrestler can make anywhere from $0 to $125 per night depending on the evening and what the booking has called for. I am not sure what other promotions are paying (although I hear many different ranges of numbers from time to time)
JK> I noticed that WWF announcer Kevin Kelly is your current ECWA champion. How did that come about?
Kevin Kelly just lost the belt at our last show on May 5. Kevin has been a talent on our roster since November 2000 and has been the main guy behind several heel factions within the ECWA. He won the belt from Cheetah Master with the help of hi "Alliance f Defiance" members, Billy Fives & Rick Fuller.
SG> Tell me about the current ECWA talent roster. Who are your brightest stars?
JK> The Haas Brothers are perhaps our most notable performers right now as they are WWF developmental wrestlers who came from the ECWA. Other performers on our roster such as Scoot Andrews, Cheetah Master, Reckless Youth, Ty Street. Low Ki, Simon Diamond and others are very talented stars.
SG> Which other independent promoters do you respect the most?
JK> I have a lot of respect for Les Thatcher, Terry Golden, Jim Cornette.
SG> What is your general opinion about the current wrestling landscape?
JK> I think that wrestling is on a down hill trend and it will drop further before something brings it back. I think that without WCW and ECW the gap between the 1 remaining big league and the independents is even further apart. I also think fans are turning to other forms of entertainment.
SG> How did the annual Super 8 tournament come about?
JK> TheSuper 8 came about when we started a weekly TV show in 1997. We needed to crown a TV champion so guys like Kidman, Ace Darling & Simon Diamond came to me with the idea of doing an 8 man tournament to crown a new TV champion. It was such a success we kept the concept going and we are now preparing for the 6th annual Super 8.
SG> If money was no object, who would you most like to book for ECWA?
JK> Ric Flair or Chris Benoit.
SG> What was the greatest match that you have personally booked?
JK> Many of the Super 8 matches have been outstanding. In addtion to the Super 8 matchups, I would have to say Reckless Youth v Christopher Daniels, Simon Diamond v Cheetah Master (30 minute iron man match) A 4 way match featuring Ace darling v Crowbar v Simon Diamond v Reckless Youth comes to mind also as outstanding. Christian v Test was a great match in the ECWA also.
SG> What is your background in professional wrestling?
JK> I started the ECWA in 1967 in my backyard. I have been running shows since that time. I was trained by Victor Rivera, Miguel Feliciano, Joe Alfano and Bulldog Brower. I wrestled for other independent groups from 1978-83 but spent most of the time since 1967 developing the ECWA. I have done some part time training/promoting for the WWF during the past 6 years.
SG> I don't believe the ECWA has any television. Is there a chance that could change?
JK> The ECWA has had TV two different times. Each time we ended our
TV program because folks were sitting home watching the talents for free rather than coming to the arenas. There are no plans for an ECWA TV show at this time.
SG> In the past, you have seen the likes of Billy Kidman, Christian, Scotty 2 Hotty come through the ECWA. What is your opinion of these stars?
JK> Each of these current superstars spent a lot of time in the ECWA. Scotty came in and out for several shows and he was a tremendous addition to our roster. He is a great guy and our fans loved having him on the ECWA shows.
Kidman was with us for 3 years before leaving to move up to the WCW. He came back a few times since then and it was great to watch this young man grow in his talents during the 3 years he was on our roster. He was a lot of fun and we are proud to have presented him for 3 years in our ring.
Christian, was our ECWA Heavyweight Champion for 1 year before moving up to the WWF. He was brought in to replace an injured Cheetah Master who was our most popular star. Christian is a very intense "thinking man's wrestler". He is always striving to be the best he can and his determination paved his way all the way to a top spot in the WWF. I am very proud of Christian and what he has accomplished. They are all great talents, and very good friends who I see and talk to every once in a while.
SG> Do you have any advice for anyone hoping to break into the wrestling business?
JK> Finish your schooling so you have something to fall back on. If you are going to get into wrestling, do it for the right reasons and learn it correctly and most of all be safe and have fun (no matter what level you are on).
SG> You have booked the Reckless Youth in the past. Why do you think the WWF passed on bringing him?
JK> Reckless has been on our talent roster for almost 6 years. He is a tremendous talent. I am not sure why the WWF passed him by. I think it was also his decision to move on, which I can respect. He not being in the WWF is somehow a loss (both for the WWF & for him).
SG> What is your opinion of the WWF's developmental promotions - Memphis, OVW, UPW, and the IWA in Puerto Rico?
JK> I know more about OVW & Memphis. I do not know Rick Bassman and have not seen his UPW organization. I know Victor Quinones but have not seen his IWA product. I know Jim Cornette in OVW and have visited there. He and Danny Davis are doing tremendous jobs in readying young talent for the WWF. Terry Golden in Memphis is also doing a good job with the young developmental talents there. Look for some great new WWF superstars to come from these areas in the next year or so.
SG> I know you have booked Steve Corino in the past. Do you forsee him getting a spot in either the WWF or WCW?
JK> I am not sure what Steve's future will hold. I am not too familiar with his relationship with the WWF/WCW. I wish him the best in his endeavors.
SG> Is running the ECWA your primary income/job?
JK> I have worked for the DuPont Company for the past 24 years. I do the ECWA on a partime basis (more for the fun).
For more information about the ECWA, please visit:
http://www.ecwaprowrestling.com/
