An Interview with Kayden Keller - Part 1

It's my honor and privilege to interview one of underground wrestling's most prolific heels, Kayden Keller.

Kayden poses triumphantly over Nathan FX (with Kirk Donahue at ringside). - Wrestlefest 4

Hi Kayden, I hope all is well... What is your origin story as a pro wrestling fan? I've heard Randy Orton was one of your early crushes.

My first exposure to the WWE was one of Randy Orton's early matches during his Evolution era. I can also safely say this served as my gay awakening as well as the start of my interest in all forms of wrestling.

Randy Orton as WWE Intercontinental Champion, 2004. 

I understand you wrestled in high school, did that play a part in you realizing you were turned on by wrestling?

I began my amateur wrestling career around the time I was discovering my sexuality, though that wasn't the reason I chose to pursue wrestling. At the time I was not a fan of team sports and wanted to go it alone in competitions, though that has changed over time. In fact, my sexuality eventually contributed to me giving up on wrestling in school to avoid being outed.

Like many of us, I'm sure you searched the internet to find gay oriented wrestling. Do you remember the first video you bought? What's an early favorite that you can still go back to?

The first wrestling site I found was actually No Rules Wrestling shortly after they launched. Although now I wouldn't rate it highly compared to other sites, it was a good outlet for me at first and I watched several of their early videos starring Drake. For another early favorite, BG East's Jaxx O'Doul was always a hot commodity in my eyes.

Drake ties up Matt Meadlock - NRW

If you could go back in time, who would be some classic underground wrestlers you'd want to face? Personally, I think a Kayden vs Brad Rochelle or Cameron Matthews match would be appealing.

While those are both great choices, my absolute first choice would be Brooklyn Bodywrecker. I feel the man was the total package in just about every way, from his build to his performance to his charisma and heelish nature. In some ways I've tried to model my performances after his over the years.

Brooklyn Bodywrecker overpowers Liam Ryan, Tag Team Torture 2.

What led you to join BG East? Was your debut tied to Ty Alexander or did it just turn out that way?

My debut with Ty was a happy coincidence, I actually spoke with Kid Leopard directly when I was recruited. I got the chance to tryout and then show my stuff on camera, and the rest is history.

Now you're considered one of the top heels at BG East, was that a role you had envisioned for yourself or was it a direction you were steered into?

I was very much steered that way at first. I didn't expect to play the heel when I first joined, but I was tall, bearded, and in all black gear and the crew opted to direct me to largely squash a lot of my early opponents. I've certainly grown into the role since then and it comes naturally to me now, but I never expected that when I started.

Ray Dalton teabags Kayden - Old School Meets New 3.

Your match with Ray Dalton (Old School Meets New 3) was your first match shot with BG East. That was a pretty intense and erotic initiation, how do you look back on it now?

To say I was intimidated would be an understatement. I had just arrived and watch two experienced pro wrestlers finish a very technical match, and I was instructed to dress and climb in the ring straightaway with a muscular porn star for an erotic match. The BGE crew took good care of me but there wasn't much they could do about my being almost literally petrified by nerves. Then, partway through the match, things just started to click for me and I was able to go with the flow and enjoy what we were doing. I still feel it isn't one of my best matches, but I'm glad the fans enjoy seeing a rare beatdown on twinky Kayden.

Kayden grabs Ty Alexander by the balls - Raunchy Rookies 7.

Your match with Ty Alexander (Raunchy Rookies 7) was your first released match. I consider it an instant classic. I'm sure I bought it soon after its release. What are your thoughts on that match?

Ty and I had met and wrestled before this match and knew we would be debuting together. While I've learned and changed a lot since then, I'd consider that match one of the best I could have made at that time. The chemistry we had went a long way to making everything flow smoothly.

Dylon Roberts sleepers Kayden - Demolition 21.

Another match from your early days I enjoy is from Demolition 21 vs. Dylon Roberts. To date, this is probably the closest you've come to being a babyface, presentation wise.

Agreed. That was another hot match from early in my career when I was still finding my way as a heel. Dylon was much more experienced and aggressive than me at the time and he did a good job of putting me in my place for the camera.

You've posted a photo of your younger self in the BG East ring, dressed in all white gear. Does that mean there's more babyface Kayden matches that haven't been released?

That picture is actually from a private match that wasn't filmed. However, I do still have a few unreleased matches from my early days where I was much more of a babyface, so keep an eye out for those.

Personally, I've been yearning for a Kayden babyface run since you've started. Would you consider it? If so, what heels would you like to face?

That's a tough one. Making a face turn at this point would be a tall order with my reputation. We would probably need a suitably dominant heel to make it convincing. I'm open to suggestions.

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This is the end of part 1. In part 2, we chat more about BG East, the UK Wrestling Hub, WatchFighters and other wrestling related topics.