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screwjob.de:  Please introduce yourself. While I and most independent fans will know you for sure, some readers may not. So the reader will know where to settle you.
Low Ki: I have been a Professional Wrestler for almost 8 years. I have competed for top companies around the world including the former WWF and WWA in the US, Pro Wrestling Zero One , All Japan and Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan. I am from Brooklyn, New York and currently wrestle for TNA under the name Senshi, or soldier, and hold the X Division Title.
screwjob.de: When and why did you get into wrestling?
Low Ki: I did not have the intent on becoming a wrestler. At the beginning it was something to keep me busy and have fun. But when I realized I could do something special with it, I became more serious and worked harder.
screwjob.de: You were trained by Homicide and Jim Kettner if my memory serves me correct. While most people will have heard about Homicide, who is Jim Kettner?
Low Ki: Jim Kettner is the promoter of the East Coast Wrestling Association in Delaware and has been since 1967. His hard work and influence have enabled a majority of the superstars in the US companies, such as Christopher Daniels, Christian, Jeff and Matt Hardy, Kidman, Simon Diamond, as well as myself to name a few.
screwjob.de: How would you describe your wrestling stile?
Low Ki: I have always described my style to be "adaptation". I do not approach every match the same, although very physical for the most part.
screwjob.de: What is the meaning behind your in-ring name Low-Ki?
Low Ki: I used it as a play on words. Originally it was 'low-key', which in the US means more mysterious, quiet or laid back. Ki is the japanese term for your centered energy, which Low Ki represents low centre of energy, which I bring the opposite when I wrestle. The name is a unique adaptation over the transition from independent rookie to more experienced Pro Wrestler around the world.
screwjob.de: I always wondered if you ever had the intention to do professional MMA. Your stile resembles something very MMA-like in my opinion.
Low Ki: I currently train but do not have the interest or time to compete. I am more involved in Professional Wrestling and intend on focusing on that for some time.
screwjob.de: As far as i remember you once knocked out Dan Maff at an RoH show with a kick. We know wrestling is a risky thing to do, but isn't something like that quite a flaw for a wrestler?
Low Ki: Only in the US. The US wrestlers and fans forget that this is a very physical sport, accidents are going to happen. I didn’t intend on knocking him out, but it happened. I don’t feel bad about it.
screwjob.de: So, where do we start in your illustrious career. Let's see, since RoH you're quite a household name for Indy fans, but what have you done prior to that, prior to 2002? On your website it says you wrestled a lot at feds like WXW, Jersey All Pro & ECWA. I always have problems understanding what the US Indy scene was like prior to 2002, so was there any difference to today? (without Japan & stuff like that of course)
Low Ki: The US independent scene was not as physical as it is now. With MMA being so popular, you see more fighting technique and physicality being used in Professional Wrestling. It was more oriented to the WWF style than the competitive style shown in Japan.
screwjob.de: I understand you had a little developmental stint with WWF. The system must have been a bit different then today, because at the same time you were still working Indy shows. So, did that time benefit you at all?
Low Ki: I wasn’t involved in the WWF developmental system. I was on a match by match basis, by invitation only. It was a great experience because it was all positive with criticism and experience.
screwjob.de: In 2001 I think you won the ECWA Super 8 Tournament. It seems this tournament is really important in the independent scene, isn't it? What is so special about it?
Low Ki: It is important although many don’t realize it. It is the only company in the world that can create an atmosphere where you can be in the learning process every time you are there with all positive results. It has one of the best rosters for learning I’ve ever seen.
screwjob.de: Then you started wrestling for RoH. Now, I have to say I thought you were the perfect fit for that company. After all you character is based on "honour". Did you feel the same way back then?
Low Ki: It wasn’t a character. That is how I present my wrestling. I was just happy to wrestle as I still am.
screwjob.de: At the same time TNA started, which meant wrestling weekly live on PPV. A big boost for you? How big was TNA at all at that time? Just an Indy fed with a PPV deal or more?
Low Ki: TNA was a great help to my success. It gave me a lot of experience into how to present wrestling on TV and PPV on a consistent basis. I cant say how big it was, I was there on and off once wrestling in Japan.
screwjob.de: At about the same time you became TNA X Division Champion. I guess you as a wrestler can compare TNA then and now. Is there anything left from those old days? Did you ever think that TNA would make it as far as it has gotten now? What did you think about the Wednesday PPV concept?
Low Ki: I have only been there for a short time since my return. I believe the only active wrestlers are myself, AJ, Jarrett from the first event. The PPV concept was definitely something unique, which they seem to want to use as a separation from WWE.
screwjob.de: Do you think TNA is better today than it was during your first stint? Or was it better back then, just not financially successful?
Low Ki: I think it has better direction, but I cant say for sure if it is better. I haven’t been there long enough.
screwjob.de: You were a part of one of my favourite tag teams back then, as you were a part of Triple X with Chris Daniels and Elix Skipper. Just out of curiosity, what's it like working with someone like Daniels, who some people call the greatest wrestler alive today?
Low Ki: I don’t know about the greatest alive, but he is definitely one of the best in the world. Teaming world class wrestlers really boosts your confidence in your wrestling as well.
screwjob.de: Then, you left TNA. Today people are still saying you demanded to be booked in better and longer matches and wanted more money. So, what’s the reason you left TNA?
Low Ki: Have to love the internet. I left to gain my experience in Japan. Wasn’t anything further than that.
screwjob.de: Getting back a bit in time, I think it was in 2002, you went to Japan for the first time. You competed for Zero 1 MAX. On your website it says wrestling in Japan was your number one goal. Please tell us what is so fascinating about Japan, tell us why you needed to go there.
Low Ki: I competed for Pro Wrestling Zero ONE, not MAX. The Japanese treat Pro Wrestling with respect. The wrestlers are trained and tested for abilities. Not like in the US, where almost anyone can wrestle now.
screwjob.de: Let's stay in Japan. How was your first experience there? Did you get treated well? Did you learn Japanese?
Low Ki: It was great. I was introduced to Japanese business. I was always treated well and learned a little Japanese.
screwjob.de: in late 2005 you switched companies and wrestled for Pro Wrestling NOAH. As far as I know that's quite unusual, isn't it? Normally the first company you work for in Japan marks you. After all, have you been chosen or did you chose to work for NOAH?
Low Ki: I chose to move to NOAH after business failed with ZERO ONE.
screwjob.de: The NOAH roster includes some quite legendary names, first and foremost Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa. How do you feel wrestling in the same ring, sometimes the same match as those guys who sold out the Tokyo Dome?
Low Ki: It is an honour to wrestle against them, as well as a test of ability. The Japanese legends will test your ability to see if you are worth being on the roster, which I enjoyed a lot.
screwjob.de: I guess you've been training in Japan as well. Super Dragon once said in an interview that the usual Japanese wrestler trains so hard, it was ridiculous. Is that true? On the other side, many people say Japanese wrestler look kind of out of shape, so doesn't seem they train that much. What's the reason for that?
Low Ki: I don’t believe so. He did not fair well in All Japan apparently, so I find his remarks questionable. I was in All Japan and the training was consistent and hard like all the other companies. I think that the Japanese are just not able to look like body builders. They can train very hard but I think its their genetics that stops them.
screwjob.de: So, now you're at NOAH, touring their shows in Japan. At the same time you are back in RoH. All that flying Japan-USA and vice versa must be very exhausting. Can you even do that on a long term basis?
Low Ki: It is very exhausting on the body. But, you must want to do this in order to tolerate it. It wont be suitable for everyone.
screwjob.de: Your character on the Indies changed notable at that time. You transformed from a pure wrestler to some kind of a gangster, forming the Strong Stile Thugs with Homicide and B-Boy in JAPW and the Rottweilers with Homicide and the Havanna Pittbulls in RoH. Why did that happen? After all your character in NOAH stayed as it was before.
Low Ki: That was aimed at US companies. I disliked the state of US Pro Wrestling and showed it by returning to old ways that people never expected.
screwjob.de: In late 2005 you visited Germany for the first time in your career as a wrestler as part of a NOAH tour along with Kobashi, Akiyama and Go Shiosaki. Do you remember anything special about that show in Essen at wXw?
Low Ki: It was a very unique atmosphere. I have never wrestled in front of fans who could touch the ring, it was very small but very lively.
screwjob.de: Then, in 2006, things get serious once again. Again you leave RoH. Whats the reason this time? The internet is buzzing about it being a financial thing...
Low Ki: Not at all. We couldn’t agree on our business discussions so it was best to separate altogether.
screwjob.de: Then you announce you're stopping the NOAH tours. Is that a final thing, or is there the possibility to see you there again anytime?
Low Ki: Hopefully no. I want to concentrate on my competition in TNA so I want to limit my travels to Japan for some time.
screwjob.de: Then the bombshell explodes, Low-Ki is back in TNA! But he isn’t Low-Ki anymore, he is Senshi. Wrestling news sites say that TNA wanted you to sign over the rights on the Low-Ki name, but you didn't want that. So you basically created a new name for their exclusive usage. Is that right?
Low Ki: They wanted a new approach and I did not have any problem with it. The name changed but everything else remained.
screwjob.de: Can you tell us a difference between Ki and Senshi? Is it really the same?
Low Ki: Nothing is different. Senshi means soldier, as opposed to Warrior as the commentary has stated.
screwjob.de: Will you continue to do independent bookings now that you're back on TNA?
Low Ki: Yes.
screwjob.de: You start on TNA was quite amazing, pinning Chris Daniels in your first match back. What does the future hold for you? You will be competing in the X Division I would think, but are there possibilities to see you in the heavyweight competition anytime? I also would like to ask if you think a personal dream match of mine could be repeated. We want to see you vs. Samoa Joe on PPV  .
Low Ki: I don’t believe I will be competing as a heavyweight for a long time. I would like to fight Joe one on one, but I believe he has other involvements currently.
screwjob.de: I was quite amused to see you wrestle Jushin Liger at an RoH show. The japanese feds obviously are not like the US ones, otherwise Misawa would have told you not to wrestle Liger, because he represents New Japan. In fact, there are quite often talent exchanges, even in the high profile ranks. Why do you think there are no exclusive contracts over in Japan, like WWE has them?
Low Ki: I don’t represent any company in Japan, so it was not a matter for me to wrestle Liger. The Japanese approach wrestling differently than in the US. Can you imagine if Austin would have faced Goldberg in 1998? They understand how to work together.
screwjob.de: While reading your website I saw you listed about 20 - 30 wrestlers as the greats of the sports, as your idols. What have these guys (and girls) done to be in your personal hall of fame?
Low Ki: They have contributed variously to Professional Wrestling. All skilled in their own ways and very admirable.
screwjob.de: Since you also women there, I have to ask you. Womens wrestling is kind of dead to the general audience in the USA, thanks to Vince and his way of presenting women on TV. On the other hand womens wrestling is big in Japan. What do think about womens wrestling in general?
Low Ki: Womens wrestling is not emphasized as a credible part of Professional Wrestling. It is difficult for other women to want to be athletes when they see women showing their bodies in order to keep jobs.
screwjob.de: On you website you list your goals. It says you want to "bring back respect for Professional Wrestling in the United States". What do you mean by that?
Low Ki: Pro Wrestling in the US is not taken seriously anymore. With the popularity of MMA, it is difficult to present it as a legit athletic challenge. My training and passion will give me opportunity to do so.
screwjob.de: Your website is overall one of the best I've seen about a pro wrestler and really enlarges your character in the ring. What made you think for example to put your thoughts and quotes in there?
Low Ki: Just to present something different, I wanted something that could have an affect with readers.
screwjob.de: If you had to pick the best match in your career so far, which one would it be? Your website say you had 500+ matches so far, so there are quite some opportunities.
Low Ki: I don’t feel I’ve had my best so far. I believe my best should be my last. Each wrestler is different so the matches will be different as well.
screwjob.de: Who would be you dream opponent for a match, and why?
Low Ki: I still would want to fight Great Muta one day. He was the one who developed my interest in Pro Wrestling.
screwjob.de: Last but not least, your chance to say anything you want to the people who read this interview.
Low Ki: Thank you for reading and stay tuned, I believe the best has yet to come.
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