Andy: Well man, how's it going?
Kent Robinson: Pretty good for the most part, just waiting for another grueling 3 months of college to start up once again.
Andy: First off, what is your character's name, and what feds is he in?
Kent Robinson: Blade....he's been in the CSWA for over a year now. Other notable feds that he has been in include the HEW, EWI (MWC), and the SCW. Some feds he has participated under his real name, Kendall Codine.
Andy: How old are you?
Kent Robinson: 20
Andy:How did you get involved in fantasy wrestling in the first place?
Kent Robinson: Well, my little brother was online one day and he was looking up wrestling info pertaining to the WWF. At the bottom of the page he was on, I noticed an advertisement for fantasy wrestling which took me to several links of e-feds. I applied to about 10 feds that day, but only one accepted me....the CSWA and that's why I will always remain loyal to that fed and its management.
Andy: Do you think it's all viewed as a game for kids, or can adults enjoy without guilt, too?
Kent Robinson: I think in a way it is a game which is geared more towards the older adolescent years and adult years. I say this simply because you must possess some level of maturity in order to realize that it is nothing but a fantasy which is strictly for fun and not take it to another level which ultimately makes you as an individual upset.
Andy: What's the things that make you really enjoy the whole aspect of roleplaying and everything else associated with it?
Kent Robinson: I personally enjoy the character development and storylines. I would prefer to see a long progression of a storyline then someone jump straight for a title. Actually seeing the scenes and the stuff happening in your imagination is the true aspect of this game in my mind.
Andy: But you're a "real wrestler," too. Does anything from that carry on over into your writing? The outlooks implied while being at tournaments?
Kent Robinson: First off, what's this "real wrestler" stuff, lol. Yes, I have participated in amateur wrestling for 13 years now both as a wrestler and as a coach. However, I do not apply my amateur wrestling experiences to my fantasy wrestling character in anyway. Actually, Blade (my character) is more of a mix between Kane and the Undertaker. I have attempted several times to expand my characters into the realms of arrogancy, technique wrestling, etc.....but in nearly every instance they failed. Therefore, I continue to remain with what is successful, roleplaying under the darkside monicker.
I love both amateur and professional wrestling, but just as I do with most things in my life....they're must be a seperation between each and every enjoyment that you have in life, therefore I never mix my real experiences with that of fantasy.
Andy: So, are you a fan of Kurt Angle, seeing as how you two both have the same past (or present, in your case).
Kent Robinson: Yes, I love Kurt Angle, with the one exception of his sub-par finishing move. I have attended a wrestling camp in which he was an instructor, I have seen him participate live in his college days, and I have even wrestled his younger brother. Not many people know it, but once an amateur wrestler is done with his Olympic participation, that pretty much brings him to retirement at about the age of 24 or 25 which is entirely too young. So, I admire the fact that Kurt Angle chose to expand his horizions into the world of professional wrestling just as several amateur wrestlers have done in the past (example: Dan Severn).
Andy: Who are some of your other favorite wrestlers?
Kent Robinson: HHH (Hunter Hearst Hemsley) is without a doubt my favorite wrestler of all-time....heel or face, he's the best.
I also like a few others....Rey Mysterio Jr. (with the mask), Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Age Outlaws, Buff Bagwell, The Outsiders, Billy Kidman, Shawn Michaels, and Kurt Angle.....to all of you ECW fans, I apologize, but I just started watching it because I finally get it on my cable and its just too early for me to chose a favorite wrestler.
Andy: What, no Vampiro on the list?!
Kent Robinson: Well, I'm not much of a WCW watcher, but with Andy's influence I have started to watch it more and more specifically for Vampiro. I must say that he is pretty entertaining, but please god stay with the Misfits and don't go back with the Insane Clown Posse :)!!
Andy: You almost had a spot in ECWA. What happened during that?
Kent Robinson: I "religiously" lift everyday but Sunday. The friend of mine who owns the gym told me about the ECWA and how he was getting ready to go to one of their wrestling schools (Wrestle Tech in Wilmington, Delaware). He knew about my amateur wrestling background and he told me that I should go with him to the school. I went and I tried out....I loved it and I passed the tryout, but the one downside was the registration fee for the training school which I could not afford (if you're a college student, then you know what I'm talking about :)). Therefore, I chose to put that on hold until I at least graduate from college and end my college wrestling career.
Andy: So, what college are you attending, then?
Kent Robinson: Delaware State University
Andy: What is the major?
Kent Robinson: Middle Level Education with a major in math and a minor in science
Andy:Any certain plans after you get out?
Kent Robinson: Honestly, I would love to find a teaching job in my old middle school district and eventually become a high school wrestling coach at my old high school. Currently, I am the middle school wrestling coach at my old middle school and I love it. However, you all know as well as I do that teachers (which I'm going to school to be) have the same summer vacation as a kid, hence I will need to find a summer job....enter professional wrestling :)!!
Andy: So, what kind of music are you into?
Kent Robinson: Mostly older rock from the 70's and early 80's....Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, Metallica, The Doors, etc. However, I like a few newer bands in the 90's such as Rage Against the Machine, Stone Temple Pilots, Slipknot, Korn, Godsmack, etc.
Andy: Favorite band out of that would be....
Kent Robinson: Aerosmith
Andy: Do you use music to ever set a mood to a rp?
Kent Robinson: Oh most definitely!! In some situations, the "mood music" is not needed, but for the most part it really aides the reader in visualizing the situation. For example, Blade's entrance music is "Du Hast" by Rammstein and for those of you who know German (Rammstein is a German band) and know Blade's personality, then you would know that they are exactly one in the same. Plus, from time to time, I'll throw in an occasional Rage Against the Machine song with a roleplay just to throw the setting off and basically pump up the reader in a sense.
Andy: And, final question . . . do you ever think a Zero/Blade match will ever happen?!
Kent Robinson: Since I first entered the HEW, I have wondered that myself. Not only that, but why not throw Havoc in there as well since Blade has never really had a legitimate match with him which did not involve an angle. I can see it now....
Blade vs. Zero vs. Havoc....hell in a cell, hardcore rules, or whatever else is necessary just to see these three wrestlers tear each other limb from limb.
Overall, it may not be a match to come in the near future, but I can guarantee you that it shall happen before Blade officially retires from fantasy wrestling!!
Andy: Well man, thanks for the interview!
