Eddie Kingston on Suicide Prevention Month, Hip-hop and More in B/R Q&A

Eddie Kingston (Credit: AEW)

One of the pro wrestlers who has been open about his journey with mental health is Eddie Kingston, who is helping to spread the word about suicide prevention month.

He wrote an excellent piece for The Players' Tribune about this topic, as well as talking about it in multiple interviews.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Crisis Text Line, and the new 988 hotline are some of the things that All Elite Wrestling has recorded special videos for.

Many pro wrestlers have committed suicide. Chris Kanyon, Hana Kimura, Daffney, Eddie and Mike Graham, Crash Holly and Kerry Von Erich are just some of the names we have lost.

The way people view mental health has changed recently. It will be easier for people of all ages to discuss their own well-being if people in prominent positions are willing to open up.

The New York native spoke with us about a number of topics, including hip-hop, movies, Mala Kai Black and more.

What impact has suicide had on you?

Kingston has lost a few friends to it. I did not try it. I like to call it the breaking point. I feel like the word'suicide' has been around for a long time. It seems like it has been there for a long time. I don't recall a time when that word wasn't used.

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“You may think people don’t [care], but one person always does." @MadKing1981 shares his story.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. AEW is committed to the mental well-being of our talent, staff & our fans. We encourage anyone struggling to reach out & get help: @afspnational pic.twitter.com/2m6tKDaDYK

What affects other people when a person takes their own life?

You think maybe you hurt one person when you get to that point. You think nobody cares when you go to that dark place. One person cares. For a fact one person will care. Once that person is affected by what happened, another person will also be affected, and so on and so forth.

It's not just you who's hurting, it's your friends and family as well. They are there regardless of whether you think they are or not. I want people to understand that even though you may feel alone, there is always someone who will be hurt and affected by it.

It takes one person to be affected by losing you, and then the next thing you know, they may get depressed, and they may get down now." They can do it to their significant other as well. There is always a domino effect.

When you feel down, how do you bounce back?

It took me a long time to realize that I have a support system around me. I would shut it out because I didn't see any hope when I was at that point. I don't care if people care or I have a good support system.

I learned that I have a good support system and that I need to lean on them. When other people are good human beings who are there for you, there's nothing wrong with leaning on them. You are there for them. I also learned to breathe through difficult situations.

It's hard to sit back and breathe when you're in the moment and angry. Your mind is going to play tricks on you once you reach that point. You have to slow it down because it is going to be everywhere. The most important thing I learned was to calm myself. It's a good way to calm your mind.

When things get tough, who are some of the people you rely on?

You just said everybody. I like keeping that close to the vest. You could say my character is me. There is a lot of reality to what I do. He has been a huge person in my life, helping me out and being in the support system. Also, Ruby.

I feel bad for Ruby sometimes because we've been friends for a long time. She has always had my back. Same thing with Mox. You get what you watch on TV. Those are the main ones.

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“It does get better. Keep pushing.”
September is Suicide Prevention Month. AEW is committed to the mental well-being of our talent, staff & our fans. We encourage anyone struggling to reach out & get help. @truewilliehobbs shares his story.

Resource: @988Lifeline pic.twitter.com/nY5cBRr7cg

What happened to your friendship with Ruby Soho?

"Oh, man." It's a long time since. Billy Roc was her trainer when she first started wrestling. I decided to look out for anyone who is a student of his who I knew was a good person.

I do that for some people. Another example isPepper Parks. If he says, "Hey, King, this kid's my student," or if he has a student, that's when I'll know. I will be looking out for them. They get advice and stuff from me. That is how it all began. I wanted to look out for her because I knew she was one of her father's children.

As time went on, we began to talk about things more deeply. We just clicked and understood each other. She got me right away as the friendship grew so fast.

I pushed her away in the beginning. I've tried to push them all away from my support system because they had my back. They've all been there for me. I'm very fortunate that they decided to stay with me. They stayed the entire time.

Is pro wrestling good for your health?

If you let it, it will cause a lot of stress. If we let any job stress us out, that is with any job. I get to let out my frustration in the ring. I get to let out my frustration when we do a promo or a segment on television. At the end of the day, I am doing me. My therapy is my promo.

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"It's okay to not be okay. It's okay to ask for help."

September is Suicide Prevention Month. AEW is committed to the mental well-being of our talent, staff & our fans. We encourage anyone struggling to reach out & get help. @refAubrey shares her story.


Resource: @CrisisTextLine pic.twitter.com/DV7jHd4lFu

Are you a fan of rap/hip-hop albums?

That's so difficult. The first two are the ones that come to my mind. There are three I just got it, yeah? Nas' 'Illmatic', DMX's 'It's Dark and Hell is Hot', and 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' are some of the best rap songs of the past 50 years. I'm going to say those three because they're the first three that came to my mind.

There are more. There are two albums, 'Me Against the World' and 'All Eyez on Me'. There's a song called "Ready to Die" by Biggie. There's more than one Ghostface 'Ironman' album to choose from. This is going to be lengthy. My man's name isScarface.

Who would you partner with for a match?

Kingston: Wow. I need to say my man. We'll make it happen.

What do you think will happen to Mala Kai Black?

Kingston thinks he's doing big things. I've known Malakai for a long time. I'm not sure. When I was in Germany I met him. He will be a star when he is ready and when he wants to be. I wish him and his wife all the best and I know they are both happy.

I know him and he's going to be okay, I don't know them as just performers or pro wrestlers, but as a human being, I know him. He has a supportive system around him.

We always have Aew stars review a movie or show to give them an opportunity to talk about something fun and give readers a chance to see a bit of their personality.

The Mad King talked about a few things he has watched.

He said that the last movie he watched was the one about love and thunder. When I am home from the road, I don't get to go out much. I don't want to leave my house. I just watched the new House of the Dragon episode. I'm a big fan of Game of thrones. Even though I disliked the way the last two seasons ended, I still enjoy the GOT world and lore.

Nerds like me will sit down and watch the history of this house on the internet. I'm that person. I read a book. A clash of kings was what it was called. I watched the TV show after reading that book. I also think of Rick and Morty. I watched it the other day. It was yesterday. That's a great cartoon.

I was not a fan of the movie. Too many jokes. I don't like saying that because I like Taika Waititi. I was like, "My man, this guy is trying to kill people, or something." He's supposed to be a god butcher and you're making fun of him. Some parts of the film took me out of it.

If you're in the US, here are some suicide prevention resources that are easy to find.

Save.org has a list of international resources, including crisis centers, online chat services and emergency services.

There is always someone willing to listen and there is always another solution. There is no shame in asking for assistance if you need it.

The quotes were edited for clarity and conciseness. The full interview with Kingston can be heard in the video above.