Eddie Kingston Reflects On Changing His Mindset After Injury Recovery

Eddie Kingston has been open about his struggles while he recovered from injury, and he recently discussed how that changed his mindset now that he’s back. Kingston was out of action for over a year after suffering a ACL and meniscus. He returned at AEW All Out with a win alongside HOOK.

King spoke in an interview with Gabby LaSpisa and talked about how that difficult period helped him develop a new attitude. You can see highlights below:

On Nearly Quitting AEW During His Recovery:

“I was out for 18 months, right? In those 18 months, I must have quit AEW at least six times. Just because of my own mental, right? For 18 months I didn’t know who the f**k I was without the wrestling ring. And I just realized, ‘When I get back, I’m not going to give a f**k anymore, and just be me. And not please anybody, just please me. And protect my people. That’s it.”

On His World Title Aspirations:

“Do I want to be World Champion? Yes. Very simple, folks. You become World Champion, you get that belt. That’s your trophy. You get more money, you get more sway with the office. That’s the most inside baseball I’m going to give you. You get more sway with the office, you get to pick who you’re going to fight, you have more power over who you’re going to fight. You have you’re able to say ‘No’ more.”

On His Mindset Now:

“When I say I don’t give a f**k, it’s because I’m gonna get up the next day, win or lose, and go back to work. And try to get there again. Because what drives me nuts and also drives me to keep going and not give into the anger, and the wanting to quit, and the self-destruction. Which is so easy for me, which I’ve done most of my life. You know what I mean? When I get close to an opportunity, I like to self-destruct because… I don’t think I’m good enough.

“But that’s why I got to the part of, ‘I don’t give a f**k. Because I’m going to keep going no matter what, folks. Win or lose, I’m going to keep going because I have no other choice.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Gabby AF with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.