Sterling James Keenan
Posted by Daniel Johnson
on 11/04/2006
Interviewer's Note:
Sterling James Keenan has competed in such organizations as Ring of Honor, multiple NWA territories, 1PW, and 3PW among others. Since debuting as a wrestler in 2000, Keenan has at times performed double duty as both a wrestler and a manager giving him unique insight into today's world of wrestling. Extra special thanks to Keenan for taking part in my three-part "Managing To Survive" series after being reached through his official website, SterlingJamesKeenan.com, which led to this full-length interview.
Daniel Johnson: Growing up, what wrestlers most influenced your wrestling style and were there any managers that helped influence your mike skills?
Sterling James Keenan: I don't think I intentionally took anything from anybody, but as I watch myself, I catch mannerisms from other wrestlers. I've seen myself emulate guys like Ric Flair, The Rock, and Randy Savage to a small extent.
Daniel Johnson: How do you think managers can be best utilized in the matches themselves?
Sterling James Keenan: Managers should add to the match, without taking the focus off of the match itself.
Daniel Johnson: What is the single most memorable moment that you have working with a manager (either with or against) personally?
Sterling James Keenan: I've been having a great time in England with Abyss. In 1PW, I manage/team with him. But nothing in particular stands out.
Daniel Johnson: How do you think professional wrestling would be best divided between its entertainment & athletic aspects?
Sterling James Keenan: I think people worry too much about the division. Wrestling is an art form and trying to divide all the things that make it such a wonderful thing just detracts from the overall enjoyment.
Daniel Johnson: Are there any specific areas that you have worked in that have been more responsive to your mike work than others?
Sterling James Keenan: Not that I can recall. I usually try to make whatever I say, relevant to the city or town that I'm in, to relate as much as possible. Sometimes responses are different than what I envision, but rarely is there a lack of reaction.
Daniel Johnson: Do you think that different areas appreciate certain aspects of wrestling more than others? If so, what are these areas and aspects?
Sterling James Keenan: Definitely. The Northeast Indies are all about great technical wrestling, high spots, fast-pace et cetera. Down in the southern states, they seem to love old-school, storytelling matches more, without as much need for killer spots. Not to say that one area doesn't appreciate the other, but those are the ones that stand out to me.
Daniel Johnson: Are there any managers in today's wrestling scene that stand out to you?
Sterling James Keenan: My man Armando Alejandro Estrada. He's always been super cool to me and entertains me to no end. I see him being one of the managers in the vein of Heenan, Cornette, et cetera one day.
Daniel Johnson: What do you find to be the benefits of mostly working as a singles wrestler?
Sterling James Keenan: I like having control over what happens in my matches.
Daniel Johnson: How can singles athletes work best to raise the value of a singles championship such as the IWC Heavyweight Title?
Sterling James Keenan: By being a fighting champion. Defending it against high-profile opponents. Maybe not defending it as frequently, but making it a much bigger deal when it
is defended.
Daniel Johnson: While holding championships such as the NWA East Tag Team Titles and the FC Tag Team Titles, was it more difficult to have to work with a partner in helping raise the value of a title?
Sterling James Keenan: To be honest, I can't remember much of anything about either of those reigns. They were both very short and I can honestly say that I did little or nothing to raise the value.
Daniel Johnson: Who have been your favorite opponents to compete against for the titles that you have held?
Sterling James Keenan: Definitely Fabulous John McChesney. We feuded for the IWC Super Indy Title for the better part of a year. We brought the best out in each other.
Daniel Johnson: How can temporarily injured wrestlers best keep involved in wrestling?
Sterling James Keenan: When I was injured a few months back, I did my best to keep my face around. I cut promos, managed, et cetera so nobody forgot me.
Daniel Johnson: How can permanently injured wrestlers best stay involved in wrestling?
Sterling James Keenan: Same thing as temporarily injured ones. Or, if you have the available time and the right mind for the business, maybe booking or writing.
Daniel Johnson: In the hardcore matches you have had, what have been some of the most dangerous moves that you have had to take?
Sterling James Keenan: A DVD from the top rope was pretty freaky and actually a Styles Clash against AJ went wrong and I could've broken my neck the way I landed. Luckily I didn't.
Daniel Johnson: Are there any wrestling moves that you think should only be performed by/on wrestlers and not by/on managers?
Sterling James Keenan: I think managers should stick to managing, save for the occasional spot like when Heenan would tag, Cornette would do 6 Mans, et cetera.
Daniel Johnson: What differences have you noticed between performing in large arenas compared to smaller venues?
Sterling James Keenan: The smaller venues are fun because you can really react to the fans more intimately. Larger venues, however, give me a rush that the small ones can't. I feel larger than life in a big arena and I'm willing to leave it all on the line.
Daniel Johnson: What has been the most unique match that you have participated in?
Sterling James Keenan: I just competed in an 8-Man Elimination Tables match at Ballpark Brawl. You basically had to put people through tables to eliminate them. It was pretty chaotic.
Daniel Johnson: Have you either witnessed as a fan or been involved in any situations were you think managers may have detracted from a feud?
Sterling James Keenan: Not necessarily a feud, but definitely matches. Some Indy managers don't know their place and want to steal the spotlight from the guys really doing the work.
Daniel Johnson: On the other side of that question, have there been any feuds that you think have been greatly benefited by a manager?
Sterling James Keenan: Absolutely. Throughout the 80s, many of the top feuds were made way better because of great managers, like I named, Cornette, Heenan, Jimmy Hart, et cetera.
Daniel Johnson: In what direction would you like to see the role of managers go in the next few years (fading away or going to greater heights)?
Sterling James Keenan: I think managers are invaluable in some cases. Sometimes guys have all the right tools to be great, but lack mike skills. I think, however, that the business is too easy to gain access to now and it's become overrun with managers who don't know what they're doing. I truly hope those kind of people start to fade away.
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