In an interview with Pro Wrestling Sheet, NXT’s Karrion Kross discussed a number of topics, including his first showcase match with Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee’s titles and more. Below are the main highlights:
Tommaso Ciampa being a ‘test’ as his first opponent
“Actually, to be quite honest with you, it didn’t occur to me at the time. But perhaps he’s right. It may have been. I think I get so tunnel-visioned on the task at hand. I deliberately developed a very militant state of mind on when there is something to be done, to put all my energy in that direction.”
If he was happy with the match
“Very! Very very very. It was everything that I wanted it to be. From a selfish standpoint, if I can say that. It was everything I wanted it to be in terms of the back and forth, the violence and just the vibe. I feel like Tommaso and I really accomplished a big fight feel. And that’s really what I’m always going after. I’m going after that. I want people to feel like they’re about to watch something go off that is going to feel different from everything else that they are going to watch on the show and I want them to be pumped about it on the way there. I’m always aiming for that. Always.”
The hourglass concept
“I actually had some ideas about hourglass stuff when I got on board. I don’t remember who I conveyed them to, but that particular situation was not something that either one of us suggested for that time. Maybe it was a part of creative ideas that they kind of jotted down that they were going to do at some point, but I was talking about hourglass stuff. Actually, one of the t-shirt ideas and concepts that I had suggested just recently came out with the hourglass. So we’re going in that direction, which is great! I always try to create tangible things for people on social media for an association with character. Always used hourglasses. I’m glad that we have a literal one now. It’s real cool.”
Randy Orton criticizing NXT and Ciampa after their match
“Well, here’s the thing. He’s funny. He’s actually funny. I think he’s funny. I find the things that he says funny. I’ve never met him before, but I’m assuming he probably has a great sense of humor and on social media, when I’m reading something, and I learned this years ago, I do my absolute best not to attach my own personal context to what I’m reading. That can happen in text messages. That can happen on social media. And I think what happens sometimes is, people’s comprehension of something that is written, the context of it just takes on a life of its own. And, who’s to say, there may have been absolutely nothing malicious about what he said. I don’t know. It’s a jab. Yeah, of course you can see that. But whether it was malicious or not, I would have no idea. So I just wouldn’t assume that it is. Does that make sense? … Me personally, I can only take Twitter so seriously. And I’m sure a lot of people are like that as well. They don’t mean to set the world on fire with it.”
Dominik Dijakovic
“I think that people are expecting a good match. From what I’ve read and what I’ve seen. I think we are going to surpass what people are expecting to see. Because [Dijakovic] specifically, I’ve never been in the ring with someone with a style like his. Specifically because of his size. He, in my opinion, has a striker’s lucha libre kinda hybrid style. Which is crazy because he’s very tall. And I think that the clash of styles is going to make for really interesting chemistry. I can guarantee people it’s going to be a lot more violent than they are anticipating. That much I will go on record to say. Very pumped for people to see.”
Keith Lee’s titles
“Ya know … I got big pants … and I don’t think one belt is enough. I think I’m gonna need two to be able to walk around comfortably. That’s just where I’m at currently with it right now. I’m gonna need two belts, I think.”
