It has been said numerous times that Eddie Kingston was never meant to make it to the top of professional wrestling.
Kingston fought his way out of Yonkers, New York (often literally), and defied mental health problems to eventually make it to the second-biggest wrestling promotion in North America and one of the biggest in the world.
Arguably Kingston’s biggest strength is that he’s real. Fans know who he is and what he stands for, and this makes them feel like one of their own has made it to the big time. In a world of larger-than-life performers, Eddie Kingston’s relatability sets him apart in the eyes of many.
Speaking on a recent episode of his FTR podcast, Dax Harwood praised Kingston for these qualities, comparing him to the legendary Dusty Rhodes. The American Dream famously cemented his status as one of the all-time greats by representing the man on the street in his battles with millionaire playboy Ric Flair.
“I think Eddie is our version of Dusty Rhodes. The common man who can talk better than anybody else in the business, and make people feel a certain way. Doesn’t matter what situations he is put in, he still makes the people feel a certain way about what he’s doing. That is a very rare commodity, quality, in your arsenal. He makes people care because what he says, he believes. When he fights, he believes that too.”
During the conversation Harwood opened up about his friendship with the star, reflecting on Kingston helping him through his own mental health struggles.
“When I was going through it bad, dude. He was one of the very first people in wrestling, besides Dan [Cash Wheeler] who came up to me. It was in the gym and he asked if I was okay. And you can ask him, I broke down and cried in the gym because everything was not okay with me.”
Eddie Kingston Recently Caused Chaos On Social Media
One of the things that have endeared Kingston to fans is the fact he’s not afraid to speak his mind. Something which recently set social media on fire as he launched into a tirade about MJF and essentially the entire AEW roster.
Kingston last wrestled on AEW television on the January 13th episode of Rampage when he teamed with Ortiz in defeat to the Kings of the Black Throne.
H/t to 411Mania