Interview with International Megastar, Low Ki (March 2011)

The World Warrior, Low Ki. Known as, KAVAL in his run in WWE

Recently, I had the time to interview former WWE and TNA star, Low Ki (KAVAL). Low Ki is known internationally as a top notch talent with experience from some of the biggest promotions all over the world. He was last seen in the WWE as KAVAL, and since his release has been relatively quiet in terms of his future. I got to ask Ki many various questions based on his humble beginnings to his growing popularity all over the world as well as his future plans.

I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did conducting it! Thanks again to Low Ki for having the time to conduct this interview.

Rallo: First off, Mr. Low Ki, I’d like to thank you for taking time to conduct this interview with me. First question is, growing up when did your passion to become a professional wrestler begin? Was there any ever doubt in your mind that you could one day not make it due to your small stature or was there always that, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight that the dog brings,” mentality?

Low Ki: I grew up watching Pro Wrestling. My family watched it before I was born and I was brought up the same. No. I don’t really care what anyone else thinks. I’ve always gone about my business the way I see fit and since i cannot match strength and height with most in today’s environment , the one thing I can do is outlast them. I’ve wrestled in 3 different decades so far.

Rallo: In your early wrestling career, are there any people that helped you get your first break in the business? Did you ever have a mentor or an inspiration of sorts that had helped get your name out there to get a career going? If not, how did you break into the wrestling industry?

Low Ki: Homicide, more known as a member of Latin American Xchange, began my training. Jim Kettner of the ECWA in Delaware refined it and prepared me for the business aspects.

Rallo: Since bursting on to the wrestling scene in the late 1990s, you have been in many competitive and historic battles. From the early days on the Indy circuit to your time in big time promotions such as the WWE, ROH, and TNA, what do you feel is your favorite experience? Also, who were/are some of your favorite people to work with inside of the ring?

Low Ki: It didn’t involve any of them. My best experiences have all been in Japan. After all these years, I still don’t have favorites because everyone presents something different, so to me, it’s like a challenge.

Rallo: As well as you are known on the American circuit, you are just as well known on the Japanese wrestling circuit. Can you tell us about the differences of the Japanese wrestling experience compared to the American pro wrestling experience? How did everything work behind the scenes that differed from American wrestling?

Low Ki: Japanese culture is structured and a business/class system grounded with respect. With that said, the appreciation for competition and performance is much higher than in the US. Most Japanese wrestlers have backgrounds in different fields such as Judo, Baseball and Amaresu, which adds to their credibility as athletes. Every company Ive competed with always did what they said they would do.

Rallo: Moving on to some more recent topics, at the end of last year you had been released by the WWE following a series of losses on Smackdown right after winning WWE NXT. Can you perhaps shed some light on the situation and explain what happened that led to the parting of ways between, “Kaval” and World Wrestling Entertainment? Have we seen the last of Low Ki on prime time television?

Low Ki: I was supported by the WWE universe to succeed, that’s where my support ended.  Maybe the last of KAVAL. Low-Ki hasn’t been on primetime since 2004 with TNA.

Rallo: Although you have departed from the WWE, it seems as though many wrestlers you had begun your career with have flourished in the WWE. CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Tyler Black, amongst others have all been signed by WWE and they all seem to be in some form of success (with the exception to Black, who has yet to debut on TV). My question for you is, what do you think the affect of these top Indy stars signing with WWE and TNA (Daniels, Young Bucks, etc) will have on the quality of the independent circuit? Also, wondering your opinion on some WWE/TNA stars and your thoughts on how they are being booked on television as of late.

Low Ki: The quality of independent wrestling has lessened over the years because of the lack of oversight from the veteran class. The newer generation has little concept about the business aspect of this profession and is suffering because of it. I’m not a booker so I don’t know what the intent is on how some are booked.

Rallo: What are your overall thoughts on mainstream wrestling today? How do you think the product could improve and what things do you think could be worked on? What home grown WWE/TNA talent do you see as the “Next Big Thing?”

Low Ki: Sports entertainment/Mainstream wrestling is getting killed by UFC. When you insult the intelligence of your audience time and time again, you will lose their interest and it will be hard to peak their interest again or just cater to those who accept to lower quality. There is no such thing as the “Next Big Thing” when no company wants to allow wrestlers time to mature and develop properly.

Rallo: Now it’s time for probably the question on a lot of people’s minds. Over your tenure with the WWE, you did become very popular, very quickly due to your high octane offense and unpredictable, unique ability. With that being said, many have referred to you as a future staple in a major company with a lot of smaller wrestlers (Rey Mysterio) taking a step down. Do you see yourself ever returning to WWE for another shot at success and to presumably fill the role of a soon to be gone, Rey Mysterio?

Low Ki: Time will tell. I don’t forget many significant things in my career. I won’t become or replace someone else. There is only one Rey. There is only one Low-Ki.

Rallo: As of right now, what’s next for Low Ki? Any goals on your mind that you’d like to achieve? Anything you’d like to inform your fans about; such as your United Warriors Project on Twitter?

Low Ki: That project has ended. Currently, I challenged participants on Twitter to better themselves. Not many people are challenging this generation beyond a video game console. I’m also observing the environment Pro Wrestling is functioning on. Drastic change needs to be made and maybe I will be the one to make it. Id like to return to Japan and continue competing internationally. I’d like to continue challenging those who consider themselves the best in the world.