Eddie Kingston has opened up on his ROH World Championship win at AEW Grand Slam.
At AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam 2023, Eddie Kingston defeated Claudio Castagnoli to retain the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship and win the ROH World Championship.
The New York crowd was heavily in favor of Kingston, who is a native of Yonkers and the show took place in Queens. His victory was greeted with a massive pop from the fans, which made for an emotional celebration.
Speaking to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, the new ROH World Champion opened up about his title win and admitted that the New York crowd made it special. Eddie said:
“You know me, I’m always hard on myself. I think I always could have done better. But the crowd was the best part.”
“I’m biased, but New Yorkers, they’re the best. They don’t just cheer for you, they fight for you.”
“I saw it all the time at Yankee Stadium. It’s how we are. The match was fine, but the crowd made it feel bigger. They took it from a four to a ten.”
Kingston continued on to describe how he is not used to the kind of love that he has been getting, saying:
“It feels great when the crowd cheers, but it makes me nervous.”
“I’m not used to this kind of love. It makes me ask myself, ‘Why do they love me?’ Then I start doubting myself. It’s all part of my curse.”
“But as long as people are fans of pro wrestling, that’s good enough for me,”
Kingston concluded by thanking the fans for supporting wrestling, saying:
“Professional wrestling is my mixed martial arts. So thank you very much for supporting pro wrestling.”
“Me, I’m the guy who grew up in Yonkers–I’m still that guy. So when people cheer for me, or want to take a picture with me, I get a little bashful. I don’t see the big deal. I’m just me.”
“But I am blessed and lucky enough to do the dream job I’ve wanted since I was nine. I don’t see myself as a big deal. I’m still the kid from Yonkers.“
You can see and hear Eddie Kingston’s initial reaction to his ROH World Title win below:
EXCLUSIVE!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 21, 2023
Our cameras caught up with NEW @ringofhonor World Champion Eddie Kingston, after his historic victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City #AEWDynamite #AEWGrandSlam pic.twitter.com/Py9KroRlpT
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