Paul Heyman addressed the recent groundswell of fan support for Karrion Kross during his appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. Heyman stated that the “We Want Kross” movement is “organic” and compared the dynamic to the rise of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, explaining that allowing the audience to demand a bigger spot for a superstar is a powerful creative tool. Scroll down to watch the entire interview.
“They’ve Made It a Thing”
When asked if the fan support for Kross was a real phenomenon or just an “internet thing,” Heyman was definitive. “They’ve made it a thing,” he said. “And it’s not just the internet, it’s the internet, it’s the live crowd, it’s the people that buy merchandise. He’s a tremendous performer, and what an act he has with Scarlett.”
The Power of the Underdog
Heyman explained that Kross’s current booking, where he has not been pushed to the championship level, is actually fueling the fan support. He posed a rhetorical question to illustrate his point. “Let me ask you this, if he were getting great opportunities, if he were the Intercontinental Champion or the the US champion, right now, would he have this level of support from the crowd?” Heyman asked. “No… They love to get behind someone, the underdog, so to speak.”
“It’s Working”
Because of this dynamic, Heyman views the current situation as a success and a deliberate creative strategy. “So it’s working,” he stated. “It’s working. It’s working, alright? It’s organic.” He elaborated that the audience’s desire to see Kross elevated is what is making him a bigger star, rather than a forced push from the company.
A Comparison to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Heyman then made a significant historical comparison to illustrate his point, name-dropping one of the biggest stars in wrestling history. “The audience is calling for him to be a bigger star. And if we don’t deliver it on a timetable that an impatient audience… is going to like, they’re going to get behind him even more, which is great. They’re making him a star,” he explained. “We’re not shoving him and Scarlet down anybody’s throats. The audience itself is making him a star… It reminds me of someone else, by the way, that was in WWE that the audience felt, ‘this is our guy… We’re going to demand that you make him a bigger star.’ That guy’s name was Steve Austin.”
A Proven Formula
Heyman also mentioned that this same formula of organic, fan-driven support worked for other popular stars like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk, where the audience’s passionate demands for a main event push became an integral part of their story and eventual success. The full interview with Paul Heyman can be heard on The Ariel Helwani Show.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit The Ariel Helwani Show with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
