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There are some people in the wrestling business that you just look at and think, "They're a star."
Now, hopefully, I won't sound too judgemental here, but "commentator" isn't usually the type of role that comes to mind following that statement, but one man who just well and truly looks - and sounds - like a major part of a promotion is Insane Championship wrestling's JRK.
JRK, also known as James R Kennedy, has been nothing short of 'Top Class' as one of the voices of ICW, and that's no mean feat! Being a major soundtrack to arguably the world's hottest - and definitely the most insane - promotion around right now definitely doesn't sound like an easy role.
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JRK makes it seem easy.
In saying that, he does have all the right tools. A lifelong wrestling fan, an incredibly experienced writer, and a man who carved his path into the business almost a decade ago and has since worked with ICW and WCPW/Defiant - JRK knows the industry inside out - so I grasped at the opportunity to gather some insight from one of the best ccolorcommentators in the business with both hands when it came up.
So, first things first, I have to ask - I know you're incredibly passionate about wrestling, as is obvious for anyone who's heard you on commentary or simply follows you on Twitter, but what got you into wrestling as a fan?
The first thing I remember seeing is an old VHS a neighbor had on. I tagged along with my mum when she went over for a coffee with a friend, and her son was watching WrestleMania III. This would be around 1992 or so, so I was only young. I vividly recall standing there and (pretty awkwardly) gawking at the screen in their living room as this kid innocently tried to enjoy his tape.
Something about the atmosphere gripped me. The characters were colorful the crowd were loud and the whole thing just seemed like one big circus. To a little boy who loved cartoons and had quite the imagination, it seemed special. I had to know more, so obviously I pestered that family every day for the next year or so, borrowing a different VHS each time.
Poor them!
And of course, there's only one question I can ask next - what got you into wrestling, and particularly commentary, career-wise?
I was pretty cheeky! Cutting a long story short, I spotted ICW's Mark Dallas on Facebook in 2010, could see by his profile pic he was standing in a wrestling ring and messaged him looking to get involved as a manager. He directed me to Ross Watson/Kid Fite's training school and encouraged me to send in a promo. When I did fire through a nervy to-camera piece, he booked me on the spot, so I must've done something right.
By 2017, I was getting a bit tired of managing. If I'm being totally honest, I needed a new challenge, and I didn't feel particularly wanted as a manager anyway. That's an ongoing problem with managers. Some wrestlers just...don't want one.
Back then, WCPW (which would go on to become Defiant) were dabbling with Matt Striker in the color role, but he couldn't commit to every date. That's how I got the gig, and I'm forever thankful Dave Bradshaw on play-by-play was the first guy I worked with. He was never anything but patient, switched on and helpful.
NEXT: "I think it's important never to restrict yourself to just wrestling, wrestling, wrestling, if that makes sense."
COMING UP: "I get annoyed when I see some fans treat opinion pieces as gospel."
Now, I think the role of color commentary might be one of the most underrated and understated in the business. It was only as I got older that I realized just how much a good color commentator can bring to the table, so to speak, and how much people like yourself can add to the product. Who are your influences, or even just your favorite commentators around just now?
I love Bobby Heenan's work. There's no doubt that I and many others have ripped that man off so many times it'd be impossible to count. He's a major influence, but so are others like Jerry Lawler, Joel Gertner, Paul Heyman, and Don Callis. It'd also be remiss not to mention Corey Graves; he's a stand out these days, and it'd be foolish not to take tips from someone who's currently smashing it.
Perhaps weirdly, I've always taken inspiration from sources outside of wrestling too. I'm a huge sports guy, so I cherry-pick little nuances from and take notes on folks like football's John Motson or the NFL's Joe Buck and Al Michaels. I think it's important never to restrict yourself to just wrestling, wrestling, wrestling if that makes sense.
Broadcasting is a fascinating business.
One thing I need to say as a writer. It's INCREDIBLY frustrating being an ICW fan, for no reason other than I struggle to put into words just how amazing the promotion is - everything from the in-ring work to the production. Can you do me a massive favor here? Please do my job for me and try to tell our readers why ICW is so special.
I'm obviously biased due to my long association with the company and because Mark Dallas gave me my first gig, but only a fool would overlook the atmosphere ICW creates. When I returned as a color man in late-2018, I was impressed by the way fans seemed so invested in the product. There were literally people crying in the crowd when Lionheart won that belt at Fear & Loathing XI.
The same thing happened at Fear & Loathing XII when Stevie Boy returned, and that kind of emotion sums up ICW for me. The product is one people care for deeply. They've got such a connection to it, and that's incredible to see play out.
NEXT: "The sunglasses were a tactical choice."
COMING UP: "Wrestling is supposed to be fun, and that's occasionally easy to lose sight of."
So, I know you're perhaps better known for commentating these days, but you're pretty well versed in managing too! If you could manage any wrestler on the planet, who are you choosing?
This might be an answer that'd surprise some people, or maybe not, but I'd pick Joe Coffey. He's someone I've admired for almost a decade now, and he's gone from strength-to-strength. It says everything that some top, top figures in the industry are complimentary of his work these days. Joe's one of the best this country has ever produced.
The only problem there is that he might not need a mouthpiece, but that hasn't held me back before. For example, I managed to forge a good relationship with Joe Hendry when I worked with him, and his mic skills are second to none. It was all about working together and knowing when to shine the spotlight onto him. That was my job, after all.
On the female side of things, I firmly believe that someone like Angel Hayze is a superstar in the making. She's turning heads for all the right reasons, and she's still fairly new. I love working with young talent anyway, so it'd be a great match.
One very simple question I have to ask. You have a very particular look - as in there's one item you're never spotted without. Why the sunglasses? What was the inspiration there?
Open and honest time! I'm actually not the most overconfident person, and I've sometimes struggled with shyness and/or social anxiety. As a kid, I was always the quiet one who'd down a few cartons of Ribena, get hyped up on sugar and come out of his shell. That hasn't really changed.
The sunglasses were a tactical choice. They're a mask of sorts, and I got the idea from reading Bret Hart's autobiography. So, if anyone says that sounds lame, just know the 'Hitman' did it first. Seriously though, that was a big part in me choosing to wearing them, and it just sorta' stuck. It didn't hurt that I was playing a 'Sports Entertainment Agent' gimmick at first either.
I'm obviously more confident in front of a camera nowadays after almost 10 years of this stuff, but the glasses did help in the early days with nerves.
NEXT: "There are no rules when it comes to personal preference."
I've saved this one until near the end because it could be controversial, but as someone who's done a bit of writing in your time, what's your opinion on "wrestling journalism"?
I've been writing about wrestling since I was a little boy. Back home, I've still got loads of scrapbooks and notepads full of articles and ideas. It's been an obsession ever since I clapped eyes on that 'Mania III VHS tape at a neighbor's house, and I've been lucky enough to turn writing into a career.
One thing does sadden me though. I get annoyed when I see some fans treat opinion pieces as gospel. Without naming names, a certain journo's star ratings system has created a culture in which people believe matches rated lower on that particular scale are worthless. It's unfair, it's restrictive and it shouldn't be taken as the law.
Enjoyment is subjective, but there are those who preach a more elitist view than others. It's sad to think that these fans look down on those who like different things about wrestling than their favorite writer does. There are no rules when it comes to personal preference, and I think too many forget that or feel guilty for liking what they like.
And one final question - what's the end goal and the ambition for James R Kennedy?
It sounds cliched, but I'm honestly just enjoying the ride. That's not to say I don't have goals, and I'm proud to say that I've achieved an awful lot of ambitions I had when I started this journey in 2010.
I want to continue to learn as a color commentator, branch out into some play-by-play, maybe do some more radio and generally have fun. Wrestling is supposed to be fun, and that's occasionally easy to lose sight of. My main goal is to turn the right heads and earn my way to an opportunity with one of the bigger companies. I'm absolutely not above or adverse to putting a shift in, listening to feedback and doing everything I can to improve.
Wrestling commentary is something I love, and I'm lucky to have had the experiences I've had with it to date. I only want more.
You can follow JRK here, and ICW here, and subscribe to ICW On Demand here.
