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“The Natural” Kenny King is an alumnist of MTV/WWE’s “Tough Enough 2.” He made it to the final four where he lost to Linda Miles and Jackie Gayda. What has he been up to since TE 2 ended? What was it like to be on TV? I asked him about that and more in this interview conducted before IPW’s Collateral Damage TV taping on July 19, 2003.
Alan Wojcik: When you first saw the original “Tough Enough,” was that a signal to you that “I can do that?” Was watching the show the inspiration for you to audition for TE 2?
Kenny King: Absolutely. I hate seeing people do stuff that I know I can do. When I was living in Florida, my friend and I would watch the show and thinking I can do that. I love wrestling but it was kind of like how do you become an astronaut, you know how do you become a wrestler? I was in Las Vegas and happened to read in the paper that the WWE was holding auditions for TE2. Reading that article made me send in a tape.
AW: What did your family think when you told them, “Mom, Dad, I want to try and become a WWE superstar.”
KK: They knew I was a fan of wrestling. They have been very supportive in my dreams.
AW: Were you nervous as you appeared to be in the audition ring when the MTV/WWE panel, including Ivory and Al Snow, are asking you many off the wall questions?
KK: I was very nervous but happy to be there. I knew I had made it through a major process just to be in that ring. They knew I had a football background, so JR (WWE VP/Talent Relations Jim Ross) began to ask me football related questions. He asked me what coverages I would run in this situation. I came through with flying colors.
AW: What went through you mind when you name was called to be a member of the house and the training process?
KK: Hot damn!! Then I thought if I made it to the house I was going to win the competition.
AW: For those that have never seen the show, describe an unedited day in the life of a WWE Tough Enough competitor?
KK: Morning was started early by Linda (Miles) who would sign gospel hymns around 6:30am. So the morning usually began with one of yelling, “Linda shut the hell up” (laughs.) Next was packing lunch and traveling 45 minutes to an hour in LA traffic to only go about 15 miles to Trax West. We would run a mile and working out. Then we went to Optimum Fitness which was not my favorite thing to do. That beach stuff was crazy. From there going home, eating dinner and maybe hitting the hot tub. Then sleeping and doing it all over again.
AW: In the first couple of weeks did it ever cross you mind I want to quit and go home?
KK: Not during the first couple of weeks. There were definitely times I thought, “Why did I send that tape in.” You have to get up day after day and get beat up. There were times where I did second guess but I never doubted if I stayed with things I would succeed.
AW: Did you enjoy the improvisational class that was part of your character development?
KK: That was right up my alley. I’m an actor by trade, acting since I’m 8 years old.
AW: How cool is it to have your own WWE action figure?
KK: That was the first goal in my life. My other goal is to be in a video game. I might wear it on a necklace to say to people do you have an action figure, ‘cause I do!! That is the coolest thing in the world.
AW: The TE 2 cast had many WWE superstars come to Trax West and the house. Was there anyone in particular you were really blown away to meet?
KK: Without a doubt Chris Jericho. I was a “Jericho-holic” from way back. I was excited to talk with him and got him to put the Liontamer on me.
AW: Was Al Snow as funny as the TV show portrayed him to be?
KK: Al is the funniest bastards I have ever met. He’s always got to say something on anything. I love Al like a dad. Any time WWE comes to Vegas I bring out my “l Snow is my Dad” sign, which he sees and yells you’re not my son. Al is a great guy and enjoyed all my time with Al.
AW: From the other side of the fence, how hard is it to be in the ring with Ivory and not drool?
KK: Very hard. It’s very hard but it is also very easy because as beautiful as she is, she acts like one of the boys. She was a great teacher and was as cool as hell.
AW: Why do you feel Jackie Gayda and Linda Miles won the WWE contracts?
KK: To be as politically correct as I can, I don’t look as good in a bathing suit or a thong. Bottom line. They did not choose workers, which was obvious. They were looking for a certain thing and they got it in Jackie and Linda.
AW: Some media writers compared the “Tough Enough” series to another MTV show, “the Real World.” Did you feel the MTV/WWE people made you look different when the shows were edited together?
KK: I have met several real world people including “the Miz” who I think was in the NYC cast. Living in Vegas I met that cast. You have to realize they are making a TV show and making “characters.” There were a few times I was portrayed in a way I didn’t remember. But in the end, it’s all about ratings.
AW: Did WWE ever approach you with an OVW Developmental deal?
KK: I was not approached with any deals. They don’t know what they are missing out on and what a great wrestler I have become. They will be saying wow, we need to pick him up right now.
AW: You have worked for many independent promotions, including IPW Hardcore. Do you have a personal favorite promotion?
KK: Production wise, UPW out in California. They’ve had many guys move up to the WWE like Spanky, John Cena and Victoria. IPW fans are great; they remind me of an old ECW crowd. You get many shows that have “smart marks” that want to analyze everything you do. IPW fans are there for the show. They sit and enjoy the show, I have respect for that.
AW: Have you been approached by NWA: TNA or MLW?
KK: Not yet but I do like the TNA product. All these promotions being on the east coast like MLW, NWA: TNA and IPW Hardcore could make me move back to Florida.
AW: Is there one Indy worker you would want to wrestle?
KK: That’s a tough one but I can name you three. Low Ki, Amazing Red and Frankie Kazarian. Frankie is someone I admire and it’s a shame he isn’t working for the WWE
AW: Where do you hope to be at the end of 2003?
KK: One of the PWI top 500 wrestlers. That’s not cockiness, that’s the truth. I hope to have a WWE deal, been to and back from Japan working for Zero-One.
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