Post by Admin on Apr 1, 2020 17:07:27 GMT
After hearing from Gus Arnold yesterday about Kenneth Marshall's desire to take more control over his career when he returns to the ring - I thought I might ask him to elaborate on those intentions. As I did with Gus, I stood outside of the 'Warehouse' and had a candid discuss with the Canadian grappler.
I started off light, and ask Kenneth for some honest feedback on Liam Beesley and the way he has been conducting these workouts. Kenneth said that Beesley was the breath of fresh air that Gus has needed since opening Northern Pro Wrestling. Kenneth said that he used to handle some of the training requirements prior to his most recent escapades in the world of professional wrestling from 2018-Present. Kenneth spoke highly of Beesley's temperament and his overall ability to connect with a student in a constructive manner. I asked Marshall if there was any residual 'heat' between the two of them since they found themselves competing over the Midwest Tag Team Championships for the better part of 2019. Kenneth responded that their times on opposing sides of the ring is what has deepened the level of respect the two share for one and other. Marshall went as far as to say that Beesley has been instrumental in Marshall's rehab program - which he believes has helped him accelerate his timeline for an in-ring return. Marshall concluded the topic by saying that Beesley has assisted in bringing a fresh perspective to his diet and training regime that he wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to.
When I switched topics and asked pointedly about who Marshall wanted to get into the ring with, the look in his eye changed. The traditionally stoic grappler was finally showing a little more 'raw' emotion. Without hesitation, Marshall said that Oxford Osland and I-69 were first and foremost his targets. Marshall said that I-69 have been a thorn in his side for nearly a year, whether it be alongside Alec Kirkland, or during his quest to unseat Oxford Osland as the North American Champion. Marshall said that I-69 (Allan Joseph & Wayne Sherlock) were physically responsible for his injury - but that it was Oxford Osland who ordered the attack to keep his North American Championship safe. Lo and behold, a mere month later - Karma struck and Osland is no longer the North American Champion. This was where Marshall transitioned and spoke about his history with Robbie Farside in The House of Strong Style promotion. Marshall said that he and Farside had found themselves at odds on many occasions, and were no strangers to one and other. The one fact that Marshall couldn't get over - was that in the semi-finals of the 'Strong Style Summit' it was Robbie Farside who was able to edge him in victory. Now that Robbie Farside is leading the charge as the 'top guy' in the NAWC, Marshall is looking to obtain an opportunity to challenge Farside for the coveted championship upon his return.
I asked if there was anyone else out there that he had his eye on in regards to competition. Marshall said that he would like to 'run it back' with Brinley Bishop. In December of 2018, Marshall and Bishop wrestled to a time limit draw in front of the fans in Halifax a week prior to the Crowning of a Champion tournament. Marshall said he has kept an eye on Bishop, and sees that he is doing great things as one half of the North American Tag Team Champions - the same championship that he failed to win alongside Alec Kirkland at Anniversary Celebrations in December. Marshall said that the two men carry a high level of respect for one and other, and could see them wrestling against one and other down the line. Another name that came up, was Sato Watanabe. Marshall said that he is aware of Watanabe's reputation as one of the top stars in the company BRAVE in Osaka. Watanabe has wrestled one match, as part of a six man tag team bout - to which he secured the decisive pinfall. Marshall said that should Sato decide to start competing on a regular basis in Northern Pro Wrestling - that he would like to test himself against him.
When I asked Marshall about the status of his relationship with Alec Kirkland, it drew a long pause. Marshall then shared that 'Technical Authority' is something that will always be there - but that he felt it was the proper time for the two of them to distance themselves from one and other. Marshall said that the rivalry they shared from 2016-2018 was a thing of the past, and that he wished Kirkland well with whatever he decides to do. Marshall said that he is available to discuss the sport at any point in time that's convenient - but that would be the extent of it until further notice.
Before I could ask my next question, Marshall went onto heap praise on KUMA. Marshall said KUMA has been hungry and humble from the moment he set foot inside of the warehouse, which caught him off guard initially due to his reputation from Calgary - and his affiliation with Malek Fredericks. While Marshall didn't elaborate on whether the relationship between Fredericks and KUMA was frayed - he did mention that KUMA would be an ideal ally for just about anyone on the NPW roster. Marshall went onto to praise KUMA's willingness to set his ego aside in the 'camp's' quest to sharpen Callum Ross' skillset. Marshall finished the interview by saying that he was eager to be able to start training at 100% speed and velocity - and looked forward to working with both KUMA and Ross as the 'warehouse' had no intention of ceasing operations anytime soon.
I started off light, and ask Kenneth for some honest feedback on Liam Beesley and the way he has been conducting these workouts. Kenneth said that Beesley was the breath of fresh air that Gus has needed since opening Northern Pro Wrestling. Kenneth said that he used to handle some of the training requirements prior to his most recent escapades in the world of professional wrestling from 2018-Present. Kenneth spoke highly of Beesley's temperament and his overall ability to connect with a student in a constructive manner. I asked Marshall if there was any residual 'heat' between the two of them since they found themselves competing over the Midwest Tag Team Championships for the better part of 2019. Kenneth responded that their times on opposing sides of the ring is what has deepened the level of respect the two share for one and other. Marshall went as far as to say that Beesley has been instrumental in Marshall's rehab program - which he believes has helped him accelerate his timeline for an in-ring return. Marshall concluded the topic by saying that Beesley has assisted in bringing a fresh perspective to his diet and training regime that he wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to.
When I switched topics and asked pointedly about who Marshall wanted to get into the ring with, the look in his eye changed. The traditionally stoic grappler was finally showing a little more 'raw' emotion. Without hesitation, Marshall said that Oxford Osland and I-69 were first and foremost his targets. Marshall said that I-69 have been a thorn in his side for nearly a year, whether it be alongside Alec Kirkland, or during his quest to unseat Oxford Osland as the North American Champion. Marshall said that I-69 (Allan Joseph & Wayne Sherlock) were physically responsible for his injury - but that it was Oxford Osland who ordered the attack to keep his North American Championship safe. Lo and behold, a mere month later - Karma struck and Osland is no longer the North American Champion. This was where Marshall transitioned and spoke about his history with Robbie Farside in The House of Strong Style promotion. Marshall said that he and Farside had found themselves at odds on many occasions, and were no strangers to one and other. The one fact that Marshall couldn't get over - was that in the semi-finals of the 'Strong Style Summit' it was Robbie Farside who was able to edge him in victory. Now that Robbie Farside is leading the charge as the 'top guy' in the NAWC, Marshall is looking to obtain an opportunity to challenge Farside for the coveted championship upon his return.
I asked if there was anyone else out there that he had his eye on in regards to competition. Marshall said that he would like to 'run it back' with Brinley Bishop. In December of 2018, Marshall and Bishop wrestled to a time limit draw in front of the fans in Halifax a week prior to the Crowning of a Champion tournament. Marshall said he has kept an eye on Bishop, and sees that he is doing great things as one half of the North American Tag Team Champions - the same championship that he failed to win alongside Alec Kirkland at Anniversary Celebrations in December. Marshall said that the two men carry a high level of respect for one and other, and could see them wrestling against one and other down the line. Another name that came up, was Sato Watanabe. Marshall said that he is aware of Watanabe's reputation as one of the top stars in the company BRAVE in Osaka. Watanabe has wrestled one match, as part of a six man tag team bout - to which he secured the decisive pinfall. Marshall said that should Sato decide to start competing on a regular basis in Northern Pro Wrestling - that he would like to test himself against him.
When I asked Marshall about the status of his relationship with Alec Kirkland, it drew a long pause. Marshall then shared that 'Technical Authority' is something that will always be there - but that he felt it was the proper time for the two of them to distance themselves from one and other. Marshall said that the rivalry they shared from 2016-2018 was a thing of the past, and that he wished Kirkland well with whatever he decides to do. Marshall said that he is available to discuss the sport at any point in time that's convenient - but that would be the extent of it until further notice.
Before I could ask my next question, Marshall went onto heap praise on KUMA. Marshall said KUMA has been hungry and humble from the moment he set foot inside of the warehouse, which caught him off guard initially due to his reputation from Calgary - and his affiliation with Malek Fredericks. While Marshall didn't elaborate on whether the relationship between Fredericks and KUMA was frayed - he did mention that KUMA would be an ideal ally for just about anyone on the NPW roster. Marshall went onto to praise KUMA's willingness to set his ego aside in the 'camp's' quest to sharpen Callum Ross' skillset. Marshall finished the interview by saying that he was eager to be able to start training at 100% speed and velocity - and looked forward to working with both KUMA and Ross as the 'warehouse' had no intention of ceasing operations anytime soon.