Killshot Talks Lucha Underground, WWE Cruiserweight Series and More

Fans of Lucha Underground have been introduced to many new characters, and one that has captured the hearts and minds of wrestling fans is Killshot.

Known as Shane Strickland on the independent wrestling scene, Killshot was a star in the making during the first season and has developed into one of the most interesting characters in Season 2 due in part to a vignette portraying him as a soldier escaping his captors.

Add in amazing in-ring skills to a character and storyline that have depth and intrigue, and Killshot has quietly become one of the best all-around wrestlers in Lucha Underground.

Killshot recently spoke with Ring Rust Radio about Lucha Underground, the atmosphere in the locker room, the reason why he can’t be part of WWE’s Global Cruiserweight Series, his interest in eventually joining WWE, his influences in the business and so much more.

While Killshot didn’t have a huge role in Season 1 of Lucha Underground, he has become a staple of Season 2 and one of the most intriguing characters in the brand. One reason he has been able to shine is the diversity of the locker room and the camaraderie among the wrestlers.

When asked about the Lucha Underground locker room, Killshot spoke candidly:

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The locker room is one of the most diverse in the world as far as big promotions go. [That's] mainly because there are guys just coming up in the business, guys that have been around the business forever and guys that have done everything in the business you can imagine.

Everyone can learn from everyone and there are no egos backstage. No one is holding anyone back, and we embrace each other and want to see everyone else do better. Everyone is a fan of everyone else’s work.

The production is top notch and well thought out. It’s very detail orientated, as in something from Season 1 will close and not come back until Season 2 or Season 3 because the attention is so detailed that you don’t even think about it. Then, when it does come back, it hits you and makes you remember what had happened before. It’s the attention to those little details that goes a long way in what we do.

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The attention to detail and the dedication to having every person on the roster involved in a storyline is one of the reasons Lucha Underground has gained such a hardcore following. Killshot may be dominating with his employer, but there has been speculation about wrestlers from Lucha Underground joining WWE’s Global Cruiserweight Series.

Speaking honestly, Killshot addressed his contract situation, his happiness with where he is in his career and his long-term views of going to WWE:

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Contractually, I am not allowed to do that. Maybe if I wasn’t where I am with Lucha, then it would be a different story. I am very happy with where I am with Lucha and very fortunate with what they have done for me and continue to do for me.

If I wasn’t there, maybe the tournament would be something I am interested in, but right now I am very happy being used and the way my character is going in Lucha. I am doing things here that I would be able to do anywhere else in the world.

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Eventually joining WWE would be an interesting transition for Killshot, but wrestling fans are thoroughly enjoying him in Lucha Underground. While his character and story are incredible, his in-ring work is just as impressive.

When asked about his influences in the wrestling industry, Killshot spoke about those who made him the star he is today, including some of the biggest names on the indy scene:

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I would say four guys to be honest with you. The first one would be Adam Cole because he got me into CZW. While I was there, I stayed his house and trained under him and learned pretty much everything from him, as well as Sami Callihan.

Then when I started feuding with this person in CZW is when I started to learn about momentum and pacing from Rich Swann. Then I got to a different level when I was wrestling Dragon Gate [and] Evolve with Ricochet.

Those were the four mentors of mine who made me what I am. Without any one of those guys, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

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With a plethora of wrestling knowledge from the elite company he keeps, Killshot is only broadening his horizons by working with the diverse group employed at Lucha Underground.

The hope is the officials backstage at Lucha follow through with the development of the Killshot character. After broadcasting an incredible vignette featuring Killshot escaping a POW camp, the company seems firmly behind the character moving forward.

Killshot is also appreciative of his position, which makes it easier for people backstage to support him. With the right combination of hard work and a team mentality, Killshot has already started his climb to the top of the card.

For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player above (some language NSFW).