Eddie Kingston

[8.0] "World is cold, better bundle up. I met Eddie like most of the AEW fans, when he showed up accepting Cody open challenge at a random Dynamite. Their fight was good and since them I started wenting fully into his amazing style. He wrestle like a old drunk ass guy you just met in a bar fight would do and that looks fucking real. But obviously, that is not his biggest skill. He is able to comunicate and feel the crowd like nobody else in the entire roster. For me, and Idk, maybe just for me, the best talker in the entire AEW. With a high fair distance for the second place."

[6.0] "Eddie Kingston has actually given us so many great in ring performances but last year and this one he hasn't been at good at all. He is still fun to watch and I hope he can have bounce back that can help his career"

[1.0] "I don't get the hype for Eddie Kingston, I really don't. He's very sloppy in the ring and is fine on the mic. His wrestling just doesn't do it for me, those infinite chops shit he does looks weak as fuck. I mean they look weak as fuck and they look horrible, probably the worst thing I've ever seen in wrestling. Also, his finisher is ass, it's a fucking spinning backhand, that's supposed to finisher a match? Get outta here. It's a terrible finisher used by a bad wrestler. His promo work is fine like I said, he's decent enough to not sound generic and it gets the fans excited whenever he talks, but half the time he'll just ramble on about shit that doesn't even matter or even thing that shouldn't be mentioned at all. I'll never get the Eddie Kingston hype."

[10.0] "Eddie Kingston is one of the most undervalued performers of his generation, and the lack of respect he receives from large portions of the IWC says far more about prevailing fan biases than it does about his ability. Kingston is a wrestler's wrestler in the purest sense; cut from the same cloth as Mick Foley, not in terms of reckless stunt-based spectacle, but in his unmatched capacity to forge a raw, emotional bond with the audience and drag them wholesale into his struggle. What separates Kingston from many of his peers is credibility. Every word he speaks feels lived-in, every feud feels personal, and every match carries the weight of consequence. He is among the very best promos of his era, a master of impassioned, shoot-adjacent delivery that never feels rehearsed or hollow. His mid-2000s independent feuds with Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli remain definitive examples of blood-feud wrestling; conflicts driven by resentment, history, and believable animosity rather than contrived angles. In the ring, Kingston's greatness lies not in technical virtuosity or physical dominance, but in his ability to construct a fight. He elevates opponents through struggle, urgency, and emotional realism, consistently producing compelling matches regardless of who stands across from him. While he may lack the pristine technique of a Danielson or ZSJ, or the imposing physique of a classic power wrestler, Kingston compensates with grit, timing, and conviction. When he wins, it feels earned. When he fights, it feels necessary. Kingston embodies something increasingly rare in modern wrestling: the sense that he was never supposed to be here, and that he clawed his way into relevance through sheer force of will. That authenticity is why people believe in him. He does not just talk about finishing fights; he convinces you that he has, and that he will again. In an industry filled with performers who project intensity without consequence, Eddie Kingston stands apart as someone who makes every battle feel real."

[7.0] "His ring work doesn't always hit with me but I really like Eddie's promos. He's one of those people that doesn't feel like he's reading off a script. And when he stumbles over his words, it feels like it's out of emotion. And he's had loads of good matches as well, imo."

[5.0] "Simply can't wrap my head around the hype. Solid promo, but the in-ring work is just dire... and not because of his physique, I kinda dig having a wider variety of body types in wrestling, but the guy just looks phony in the ring to me, no other way of explaining it. Seems like a nice guy, glad he's found some success, but I'm never excited to see him on a card."

[7.0] "There's something I'm missing with Eddie Kingston I think - he's not overly impressive in the ring and I find him a little obnoxious outside of it. Sure there's something I'm missing because he is rather compelling, but I'll need to be proved wrong in this case"

[0.0] "Sometimes when a wrestler "looks like you picked a guy off of the street" they can really offer something different to a show and stand apart from the "Body" guys. Names like Mick Foley, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Dusty Rhodes & The Briscoes added their own charm and authenticity to wrestling in their own ways. Eddie Kingston looks like you picked a guy off of the street in the worst ways possible. He offers nothing that you would need to offset looking like a bin bag full of cottage cheese in a largely looks based industry. He's not endearing or charasmatic, he can't work and he can't talk (he can't stop coping). He is quite possibly the least athletic wrestler I have ever seen. Normally when you see a wrestler (especially an "everyman") performing in a match you shouldn't be able to say "I can do better than that" because they make the challenging look mundane due to their skill level and you'll find out pretty quick just how hard wrestling actually is. I've thought about this and I genuinely believe despite all of that with some training that I could probably be coached to put on a more competent match than Kingston. I should not be able to say this about any half-serious wrestler let alone one contracted to a major company."

[9.0] "Eddie brings realism in his approach to wrestling. He's not the most gifted athlete between the ropes but his promos are some of the best in the business. I understand criticism of his performances in matches. It can be a mixed bag and some of his offense can look sluggish, but trying to argue that he's bad at everything is bad faith bitching and only done because he works for a company that makes you leave skid marks in your tighty whities."

"Eddie Kingston deserves way more damn respect from the IWC than a majority of stars in the industry today. He's a wrestlers wrestler. He's todays Mick Foley, not as crazy with specialties style stunts like cage jumping etc. but can get that major type of fan response behind him to guide him to victory. And he WILL make a believer out of you and give you the hope that if he can do it I can do it too. A lot of hate towards him i think is unjustified, he's one of THEE best promos and shoot style talkers on the mic. His blood feuds with Chris Hero & Claudio are legendary on the Indy scene in the mid 2000s. His ability to make anyone have a great match with him is special honestly. No he's not a major technical master like a Danielson or ZSJ, nor is a muscle man like Masters or Luger, but he's a man that has fought for everything in his life, he wasn't supposed to be in the spot he is but HE made it so and if you get in his way he will make you move and I love that about him and it lacks in a lot of wrestlers of his type. All grit and talk but cant finish fights or make you think he did. Eddie can and does on a consistent basis."

"I love him for the words that come out of this man's mouth. You can tell he's fought for all he's got today. He wasn't supposed to make it-- the biggest circus act in town wasn't gonna give him his shot, but he's made good on what he's been given now. And unlike modern examples, he doesn't go back on his word. Not once. Eddie Kingston is a man with honor. And what's honor? Staying true to your word, no matter how hard people want to snap you in two."

[10.0] "I always knew about Eddie, but when I got to see him regularly on AEW tv he jump to the top of my list. I often get a little Mick Foley from him. Some one who doesn't have the most impressive physical appearance or athleticism, but the story telling is just too ingaging to deny. He has a brawler style with aspects of japanese90s in there. Not to mention I would rather listen to him on the mic than just about any of the other great talkers. That included Punk, Cody, or MJF."

[3.0] "He just feels like an actor being payed to play the role of a wrestler. His promos are rarely good, his matches are usually sloppy, his offense looks awful and he has a terrible finisher. I genuinely don't like anything about the guy. His run in AEW has featured him constantly being in title feuds and working with top guys and he usually drags the opponent down along with him. There are points in his carrer where he's shown to be capable of some good things, his program and match with Punk being the highlight of it. But he's just....bad unless carried by a much superior opponent."

[3.0] "Eddie Kingston comes across like an amateur theater actor overplaying a "tough guy" persona. While AEW has pushed him heavily--he's defeated top-tier wrestlers and even held three titles simultaneously--I fail to see how this benefits his credibility. His finisher lacks impact; how does it logically secure a pin against a powerhouse? I'm still searching for what makes him compelling. Instead of forcing an intimidating aura, Eddie needs to focus on refining his in-ring skills and authenticity."

[0.0] "One of the worst wrestlers I've ever watched. He's the definition of overrated. I can't possibly understand how people put this guy on a pedestal of brawlers and think he's some kind of wrestling legend. He can't wrestle, he can't sell. His offense is among the weakest I've ever seen, if not the weakest. His match against Tomohiro Ishii at 2022 edition of NJPW capital collision, exposed exactly what I said. He's a Temu Bruiser Brody, and I can't comprehend how people compare Eddie Kingston to him, what an unfair comparative. AEW should really focus more in potentializing new stars and actual good wrestlers, than this authentic plumber. The easiest 0/10 that I'll give, probably ever. I miss the excellent brawlers in pro wrestling, and I feel like this idolization of Eddie Kingston, comes from that search for another great brawler."

[8.0] "He's average in the ring, as he tries to go for more of a Strong Style mixed with classic ring psychology. The real magic in Eddie Kingston is in his promos. He's proof that you can bring real life circumstances and backstories into your promos, making them feel more legit without knocking down the fourth wall and breaking kayfabe (You can learn a thing or two, MJF). His delivery is also impeccable, as he's able to make you laugh and cry, depending on the kind of feud he's in."

[8.0] "Have great talking skills but a fairly average wrestler in the end. His matches don't excite me at all but he can damn sure get you exicted for his matches and his journey so props to him for that."

[10.0] "Eddie Kingston is special because of his authenticity and realism. His wrestling style is raw and direct, which makes him unique in a world where other wrestlers are more stylized. He is a great storyteller who connects emotionally with the public through his intense promos and his personal story of struggle and overcoming. Despite not having the typical physique of a wrestling star, his charisma and honesty have made him very beloved by fans. His resilience and constant fight to prove his worth make him a very special wrestler."

"[2.0] I don't understand the hype behind him, he is a good wrestler, but not as big as they made him The upgraded version of Tama Tonga, no more, he can come in the middle of the card some nights, but not the world champion His physics are so bad that he doesn't even sell properly and you can't perform many of the moves. Again, he's a pure overrated wrestler, it's like you bought Misawa from Walmart."

[8.0] "If we are talking strictly on just promo quality? Oh my god, it would probably be one of the easiest 10s of my life. One of my favorite promos in any generation of wrestling that can so easily captivate me and make me emotionally invested into literally anything that he is talking about. His undying love for professional wrestling, as well as the deep connection he has made to professional wrestling with his life is truly lovable. He feels like someone who was truly saved from his inner demons and struggles by professional wrestling, and he holds high honor to the many greats he looks up to, such as the Pillars of Heaven from AJPW. Is he one of the best workers? Comfortably not. Never really the number one in any match, and he can be sloppy in the ring, but I can't help but excuse it just by how he makes everything feel so deserving."

[7.0] "Eddie Kingston is really in the CM Punk category of fantastic talker, but completely average in ring with his ability. I respect what he brings to the table and find him to be a good TV character; however, I'm often a little underwhelmed by his in ring action when it comes to his proresu cosplay era, and think he's much more in his element in his deathmatch i'm going to shoot on everyone on the mic persona. I enjoy Eddie and think he's damn good for the business, but just not the wrestler I connect with most."

[7.0] "Eddie Kingston's wrestling is incredibly sloppy. Thankfully, he can deliver memorable promos to help people get invested into his matches. He's most likely not going to get much better given his age, yet Eddie Kingston is still a solid enough wrestler that you'll likely pay attention to his feuds."

[8.0] "Very solid 8. A pure brawler that can talk the talk, sometimes funny as hell, sometimes serious as hell. You know when the Mad King is talking, you will be hooked because of his delivery."

[10.0] "One of the brawler in the last 10 years. Great attitude, very very good at the microphone and a great worker. The rise of last year is amazing, also very good the rivalry with Mosley. Hope he will be back asap."

[10.0] "Has been amazing since his days wrestling in front of 100 people in Chikara. No other wrestlers wears his heart on his sleeve like Eddie."

[8.0] "I don't get the hate that Eddie Kingston gets. He is an amazing story teller with such a clear passion for the business. His promos are some of the realest promos I've heard and his wrestling gets way too much hate. The Continental Classic was amazing and he was honestly the most deserving to win it and earn a modern day triple crown. His recent matches with Shibata, Danielson, Claudio, and Gabe Kidd are all fantastic and I wish him a recovery from his most recent injury."

[9.0] "Eddie Kingston is a wrestler that you either love or hate, for me, he is one that I love and have loved for several years now. He was underappreciated for a long time, and now he is finally getting a chance to show what he does best on a big stage, and I love that for him. He gets people to believe, and I think that is one of the best parts about him. He's another wrestler that I think is a phenomenal promo, and that cannot be taken away from him either. I can't wait to see him come back from injury and get right back to doing what he does best. Fight."

[8.0] "It's an 8 now, but this number could definetely rise in the future. I love Eddie Kingston, he brings a passion to the sport unlike any other. In ring I think he's better than people give him credit, but I can't wait till this phase of being a workhorse in NJPW ends. I want him back in AEW cutting hard hitting promos, and fighting for championships! He has to hit soon because it's going to be too late. Here's hoping to Eddie being an AEW full-timer again."

[9.0] "Eddie Kingstons ability to get you into any match is a testament to his passion and love for the game. He has lived so many lives over the past nearly 3 decades in wrestling, and it still amazes me that I saw his run on national TV with AEW and his entire G1 Climax last year. He still has so much to offer the business, and will be a mind that will help the young guys for generations to come. Im hoping when he comes back, he will get one more run in AEW and New Japan, maybe working in the Moxley role in the latter against Gabe Kidd, Yuya Uemura, Yota Tsuji, Ren Narita, and Shota Umino. Get well soon, Eddie."

[6.0] "overpraised for being an "hidden gem" for some for decades. He is a good midcard hand and can cut a really good scathing promo but the upsides stop there. He's match format has always been all over the place. What doesn't help with a poor pace is the lost of his intensity over the years, the suplexes and strikes that are now simply paying homage and not something to take home about. Good that he got his moment being the triple crown, so we can move past the Eddie mania now (Eddie Edwards has always been better)"

[10.0] "I don't know what the point of being a pro-wrestling fan would be if you don't "get" Eddie Kingston. Like, go watch movies or read books or play video games or something. Eddie Kingston treats pro-wrestling like it's real, which is what you're supposed to do if you're a dramatic actor, which is what pro wrestlers are. The best Eddie matches are struggles, they're ugly and messy and emotional and don't have much to do with the post-ROH, post-Five Star New Japan ideal of what "good matches" are supposed to look like (and my biggest criticism of Eddie has always been that his Sleazy Yonkers Dusty shtick is a billion times better than his Oudou cosplay). Even if he finally made it to the mainstream past his prime, Eddie's been making it look and feel realer than anyone else in the game for the last 20 years."

[7.0] "Eddie is a great wrestler, his mic skills are amazing, great talker, one of the best in the business. He obviously take a huge inspiration in the 90s AJPW guys, weather it's the moveset or the Kawada ring gear, he idolizes these guys and although sometimes the inferiority is pretty clear, it's cool to watch someone cult this great period. It's cool that he is a primarily and natural talker, but at the same time act like a fighter, with his posture of less talk and no patience for soap opera and more action, this explains why he barely makes an entrance, he just walks fast into the ring with the least spectacle possible. I loved when he said that have no problem working with people he hates, he explicitly says when he hate someone, but don't act like a baby, and is completely able to work with anyone, specially if it draws money. It's ridiculous when someone tries to body shame him, or low his qualities as a wrestler... don't believe these people, Eddie is great, I just think he should focus less on trying to emulate his heroes from Japan, and be more like himself, like cutting more promos, because he's so good at it, but can't choose well his priorities."

[4.0] "Eddie Kingston used to be a great wrestler who'd deliver most of the times, but he's got lazier and lazier as time rolled away. He became the package of everything I don't want in a wrestler. He still delivers from time to time, but he's always being carried and being overshadowed. He became slow and sloppy. I legitimately have zero interest whatsoever in anything he does these days, not even his promos are entertaining anymore. I can't pinpoint when his downfall began, but we're surely experiencing every second of it. What a shame."

[5.0] "I really dont get Eddie Kingston. His offense is bad and looks phony to me. He's in bad shape, but he lacks muscle. Guys like Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens are fat but they also have muscle and carry it well. Eddie looks like a schlub, which i get is part of his gimmick but i like my wrestlers to look presentable. Call me old fashioned."

[9.0] "Eddie is a great litmus test on whether you actually like wrestling or you prefer to get your takes from podcasters and your wrestling from 30-second clips on Twitter. Sure, he's not the most technical performer, but not everything has to be a technical affair. He's one of the greatest brawlers in the industry today and his AJPW-throwback style never gets old. Put together with his passion on the microphone and you can tell he loves professional wrestling down to his bones. There is a meme that Eddie is perhaps the only man who thinks wrestling is still real, but deep down in our hearts, we'd all want it to be, wouldn't we?"

[3.0] "You know what, I'm just going to come out and say it... I don't get Eddie Kingston. Yeah, he's very good on the mic and quite honestly that alone should really give him a higher raiting, but I just really don't get the whole love for him. His in-ring stuff is just very... eh, average, he doesn't exactly stand out and his actual attire doesn't do him any favours. I never watched his CZW stuff so I can only go off AEW and NJPW, but I haven't been impressed by him at all. I get the hype in regards to his mic work and character, but in-ring he's not great."

[7.0] "Eddie's hype is kind of questionable, but I cannot deny Eddie's passion in the business. In a world where indie wrestlers doing flashy moves, spanning finishers and unnecessary spots. Eddie is one of the few indie darlings that is focused on psychology and much prefers striking than doing countless Canadian Destroyers and Superkicks. Eddie somehow is a hybrid of a Strong Style and an 80's brawler wrestler type. He doesn't have the bodybuilder-like physique but in my opinion, his body is what an ideal brawler from the 80's would look like. Check Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen and Harley Race's body and it is much similar. Promo-wise, he is very passionate and sensible. Most of his promos shows his antagonism in sports entertainment and views pro-wrestling as a passionate sport rather than a spectacle. The way that he antagonizes Chris Jericho and CM Punk and sees him as sports entertainers rather than pro-rasslers is an example of that. I like how he tries to push himself over the edge that his body can't handle much pain and pressure and doing uncalculated risks with no hesitation. Unfortunately, Eddie lacks connection to the crowd and doesn't have an exuding aura that will stand-out among the other wrestlers. Also, his matches tend to get old and repetitive overtime and somehow his matches lack excitement. In addition to that, I don't like the way Eddie copying moves from Japanese wrestlers, makes him a wannabe Puroresu guy wanting his senpai's to get notice rather than paying tributes to them. Overall, he is just an over-the-mill good wrestler but with a greater pro-wrestling IQ than most of the wrestlers today."

[9.0] "Eddie Kingston is simply brilliant. Incredibly passionate, he has some weaknesses in the ring but compensates with his passion and brings the moment to life in addition to being the symbol of independent wrestling of an era. Plus he's really good on the microphone, he puts his heart into it and can make everything exciting. Eddie reminds us that making 5 stars is good but that wrestling is also about characters, passion and stories!"

[4.0] "Eddie's strength undoubtedly lies in his promo skills, showcasing an ability to captivate audiences with his words. However, his performance in the ring often fails to live up to the same level of excellence. While his passion for wrestling is commendable, his execution of the revered Kings Road style appears lacking in authenticity, leaving fans questioning his ability to truly embody the essence of the genre. His attempts at delivering impactful moves like the machine gun chops often come across as soft and unconvincing, failing to evoke the same intensity as his idols. Despite his undeniable charisma and ability to engage fans, his wrestling ability remains a point of contention"

[5.0] "Okay. We are finally here. First of all i have to give credit to his promo skills. He is really solid with his promos. But i don't believe just good promos grant you a triple crown. Eddie is solid in promos and below average in every other aspect. I was okay with him being in ROH title picture but winning. No man. He is not fit to be a champion and AEW is killing much better wrestlers for him to go over. It sucks. I can not agree or accept him as The American Triple Crown winner, i will never accept him as my Ring Of Honor World Champion. Never."

[8.0] "For my money, despite having him lower rated than other wrestlers, I think that Eddie Kingston is the best wrestler. This is not a head-scratcher, because Eddie Kingston is the best person who ever got into wrestling, and it is purely due to his gimmick, which is Eddie Kingston, the person. I was unfortunately one of the people who first got to know him during his (AMAZING) debut in AEW, but now that I got to fully immerse myself into The Mad King's career, I am incredibly happy to see him rise from being an indy folk hero to being a modern North American Triple Crown champion. And he did it all through his influence of 90's All Japan, his profiency as a brawler despite the hateful psychos who loathe his physique for some inexplicable reason, his impeccable selling throughout each one of his matches, his unflinching honesty, his amazing promo skills, and his commitment to success despite all the obstacles throughout his wrestling career and his personal struggles. Eddie Kingston will be remembered as an amazing wrestling success story, as well as wrestling's greatest promo and character."

[5.0] "Unpopular opinion, but I just dont love him. His passion for the sport is awesome, and some of his matches are good, but I just cant get behind his style of soft chops and fake looking fighting. He can cut a good promo and again I love how much he loves what he does, I just dont think hes all that"

[9.0] "I'm really not one to gatekeep anything, I think anyone's entitled to their opinions and its whatever. But I'll make an exception here... If you dislike Eddie Kingston to the extent I've seen in the internet over the past few years... over his physique or match style or supposed "dorky boyhood dream of playing Kobashi, Kawada, Misawa, Akiyama" ajpw cosplay. You dont get wrestling. Its as simple as that. Wrestling at its core is a story, a narrative of performance and structure. The essence and quality of Kingston as a performer has always been the narrative element he brings to every match he's ever been a part of. Everything makes sense and builds upon the foundations that are there to the new developments of his persona. 2023 was probably his best year yet in this regard, with the best developed arc he's ever had. Also, he's one of the very very few guys, alongside people like Foley and Heyman, who's promos can feel 100% real every time. Theres no one like him currently."

"Eddie Kingston is the rorschach test for if you like pro wrestling or squeaky clean sports entertainment. The Mad King is my favourite character in wrestling as of February 2024, and I doubt that is going to change any time soon. The best way to describe Eddie Kingstons in-ring style is a combination of brawler and 90s All Japan, most likely stemming from being influenced by Terry Funk and Toshiaki Kawada. He is also the best mic worker in the business today, bar none. If you havent already, seek out the Eddie Kingston Players Tribune article to learn more about the man himself. (8/10)"

[10.0] "Hes amazing im not sure why so many people hate him . he is PRO WRESTLING personified. He absolutely loves the game and hes damn good too"

[1.0] "I'll give him the 1/10 because he can hold his own on the mic, but in the ring he's arguably the worst on the entire AEW roster, don't get the hype over him he just can't wrestle, I mean he tried to have a damn UFC fight against mox at worlds end, most overrated guy in the world. I'm only kind of sorry, I can't take him seriously at all, he's out of shape, and doesn't perform almost any wrestling moves in his matches with the exception of a few suplexes and the machine gun chops. He is somehow a triple crown champion in 3 of the biggest promotions in the world, and many people like danielson and others have said that losing to eddie is the lowest point of their career. He is incompetent in the ring and literally will fall down while doing nothing, he somehow botches walking it's unbearable. He can't wrestle."

"Eddie Kingston elicits a mixed response from me. While he brings a raw, street-fighter vibe to the ring, certain aspects of his performance leave me with the feeling that he isn't a "true" wrestler. His physique is the first thing. There are tons of wrestlers with non-chiseled body types (Kevin Owens, Mick Foley, CM Punk, etc.), but his seems to seem more unappealing for some reason. Also, in terms of in-ring prowess, Kingston's move set lacks any flashy or high-impact maneuvers that pretty much every other wrestler on the AEW roster has. Also, his persona, while authentic, comes off as extremely cringeworthy at times. Though, despite these drawbacks, Kingston's genuine approach to the sport and his ability to connect with the audience on a personal level cannot be matched. While he may not be everyone's cup of tea, there's a certain charm in his unpolished demeanor that resonates with a specific segment of wrestling fans, myself included. In the end, Eddie Kingston may not be the conventional superstar, but his unique presence brings a distinct flavor to the world of professional wrestling."

[9.0] "CM Punk debuting in AEW made me return to full-time watching wrestling, however Eddie Kingston made me stay to watch. I was never fully attached to wrestlers or feel like I would fight for them the way that I feel for Eddie Kingston. He has such a fun in-ring style, and hard-hitting while also being the best consistent talker in the modern era that genuinely gets the audience invested in him. I'm sad that I only get to see and learn about Eddie when he's 42 and possibly at the end of his career however from only the past years I have seen him in AEW, he is truly a one-of-a-kind talent, and in short time has become one of my favorite wrestlers ever."

[9.0] "One of the most believable wrestlers in the world today. He's just some dude from a rough neighbourhood who traded one too many All Japan tapes growing up and now has an unhealthy obsession with smacking the shit out of people. And that's exactly what makes him great."

[5.0] "Can we just admit that Kingston is the physically healthy, adult version of a Make-a-Wish kid? For whatever reason AEW is more than happy to put Kingston over many far superior, genuinely convincing talents just so he can live his dorky boyhood dream of playing Kobashi, Kawada, Misawa, Akiyama, etc. on TV. I used to like Kingston, mostly for his realistic promo style, his genuinely gritty underdog charm, and at least for the idea behind his various 90s Japanese wrestling tributes. The more I watched of him though, the more his charm of being a fellow dorky puroresu enthusiast ("he's just like me fr fr! ") wore off, and I realised that behind his cosplay he really, if anything, makes a bit of a mockery of the styles he tries to emulate. All the greats he idolises had tremendous physicality, at minimum really good athleticism, and could sell in real time without constantly making melodramatic, nasally cries of "AH! " à la Lex Luger (and without any of Luger's dorky, over-the-top ironic charm to make it tolerable or even endearing, too). His attempts at Kawada-esque disorientated delayed selling are even worse. I guess he's never actually seen Kawada sell and just does his impersonations based on what he's heard described of Kawada's selling, since his attempts are WILDLY hokey, with him pulling demented faces, needlessly flailing, and clearly just doing whatever he thinks looks 'crazy' with his posture and movements. Kawada was one of the GOATs because his selling had subtly, but Kingston clearly can't comprehend that. In terms of offence, yes, Kingston has some stiff chops, but that's literally all he has, and once he's gassed out even those will lose their impact and become pretty worthless. Besides, this is all excusing that Kingston's knowledge of Kobashi's offence seems to begin and end with 2005 Kobashi, because his chops, on top of being his only worthwhile offence, make up maybe 60% - 75% of what he does in every single match, which becomes really boring after a while. Any time he tries to throw other strikes, like running lariats and especially his scrappy beatdown strikes, they connect pretty weakly and require his opponent's selling to pick up the slack. This is even more obvious when it comes to his 'rotation' strikes, which are by far his softest and have the worst connection, hence why his Aja-Kong-inspired Uraken looks so trash. His power moves, which he should definitely use more of because they can at least sometimes look pretty good, are still never anywhere near great, and certainly nowhere near as obliterating as his heroes' own ones were. And whenever this guy takes to the air, like with his Kawada-inspired Gamengiris, it's embarrassing, with him just resembling a flying bag of potatoes more than anything. If you're gonna be 90% just a tribute act, you need to have the skills to back it up, and I don't think Kingston has those skills. He's also one of these new-age wrestlers who insist on giving themselves all the cool "main character" spots in a match, like defiantly firing up and no-selling offence or getting other such (almost literal) spotlight moments that really over-do it with the "I'M BADASS PAY ATTENTION TO ME AND MY STRUGGLE" intention and thus become off-putting because it reeks of desperation. If he at least had some subtly with how he performed those character-work spots, instead of making it a big show and dance like he always does, and if he at least had the in-ring work to back it up, then I could excuse this, but he doesn't, so I can't. This also eventually spread into his promos, since he loves acting overly serious about literally everything the person opposite him every says or does, and there's once again zero subtly whenever he tries to present any given emotion, with him instead just relying on his "AY PARTNAH IUM FRUM NU YORHK" accent to make him appears 'tough', like he's 'from the hard streets' or whatever, which has long since lost its charm when all his other negatives have become more evident. And yet, at the same time he will also CONSTANTLY be self-loathing to a nauseating extent, which plays against the 'tough guy' persona he's going for. You can't be a 'tough guy' if you're constantly self-victimising, even if its for the sake of implying how ultimately 'durable in the face of adversity' you are or whatever. And I know its taboo to request that would-be wrestling stars actually look like they could take your average high-schooler in a fight, but could Kingston at least put some mild effort into his physique? Why is THAT the one thing he's chosen to not follow from all his Japanese heroes, I wonder? He looks like a totally unathetic schlub, which would be somewhat excusable if, again, he at least had the consistent physicality or athleticism in his movements and offence to make up for it (e.g. Misawa was no genetic freak but no-one could deny his ability to make his work look convincing). Moxley isn't some ripped specimen, and I even have issues with him similar to Kingston, but I won't ever deny that, on look alone, Moxley resembles some tough street brawler I wouldn't want to cross. Kingston, though? Now HE is the real "plumber" here. The only reason I won't yet rate Kingston lower is that he's still capable of having some okay or occasionally even good matches when paired with far better opponents. His performances are almost always still mediocre at best, but until his performances are actively dragging down his matches, I have to be fair and currently only consider him 'mediocre' at worst. Man, of all the 90s puro nerds to actually end up wrestling on western TV, why did it have to be this guy?"