Featured Article: Billy Kidman

This article is taken from May 1999 edition of WCW magazine. This article was written by Frank Amato.

Billy Kidman: The Making of a Superstar 

As an emerging superstar in World Championship Wrestling, does Billy Kidman fully understand what
is expected of him?

"The pressures that are put on Billy by management and by himself can become all-consuming--if he allows them to," Bret Hart explains. "Hey, I'm a huge fan of Kidman, and if there's anything I can do
to make his move to the next level of competition at all smoother--he's got it."

Cruiserweight titlist today, and who knows, maybe shots at the U.S. or the WCW Tag Team titles are right around the corner for the likable Easterner. Dean Malenko, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and
Chris Jericho, all considered to be members of the promotion's "A" list is
talent, have successfully cut ties from being labeled as "just a cruiserweight."

Kidman, 23, is younger than all four were when they broke away from competing in a specific weight classification. And his superstar status continued to be solidified with recent wins over Rey Mysterio
Jr. and Juventud Guerrera.

Amazingly, a rotator cuff injury and a debilitating groin injury weren't enough to cause Kidman to cancel a single booking as 1999 was welcomed in. With his body badly needing a rest, coupled with new
cruiserweights infiltrating WCW, like Mikey Whipwreck (formerly of ECW), there appears to be an air of invincibility surrounding Billy.

With phenomenal showings despite his injuries, concerned veterans like Saturn have conveyed to him the importance of longevity to a wrestler's overall well-being.

Saturn says: "I told him, 'Brother, enjoy the ride but pace yourself. It's no disgrace to take a night or two off when your body is asking for it.' I thought and acted just like he is when I started out in New England. But I still had to learn everything by trial and error. The sooner Billy realizes he isn't Superman, the better off his career will be."

With the increased booking commitments and public appearances on behalf of WCW has transformed his life--personal and otherwise--into one word: hectic! This is where Kidman's personal character must avoid the pitfalls which others before him, hailed as a "sure thing," were sucked into.

With little margin of error, failure to remain dedicated inside and out of the ring ropes would land Billy back in New Jersey and Pennsylvania competing for what amounts to now as cab fare with independent
promotions.

"Billy is a home-grown superstar in WCW," Dean Malenko says. "Being a champion at any level, at best, is a fluid situation. (Billy) has the tools at what it takes to be someone special in this sport for many years to come, but does he have the discipline?"

Breaking away from Raven's Flock, and the power of persuasion of its robotic-like behaving members, is what definitely started the ball rolling in Kidman's favor. Kanyon, the lone holdover from the Flock, continues
to display hostilities towards Kidman. And although Kanyon is well above the sanctioned 220 lbs. weight limit for the cruiser contests, Billy hasn't side-stepped battles instigated by him.

"The weight of my opponents, from a championship standpoint, is vital when we sign contracts," Kidman says. "But if the strap isn't an issue, hell, I have enough confidence in my Shooting Star Press and a few submission moves that anyone is fair game for me." Tabbed by his peers as someone who has "made
it," but has not forgotten his roots and those who made it possible to reach the major leagues, Kidman has emerged as a player almost everyone has a positive word to say about. However, being around the larger-than-life behemoths like Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Goldberg, all earning contracts in
the millions, can have an intoxicating effect on any wrestler.

This is where Billy must remain rational when reviewing his options in WCW.

"Eric took a chance on giving me an opportunity," Kidman says. "I am thankful for that and have told him. But am I a fan of Eric and his nWo? No way." Growth is essential in any craft to remain competitive. Those, like Hogan, have said that the hardest struggles that they've faced was not getting to the top but staying at that level. This should send the signal to Kidman that his status in WCW is always fragile, at best.

"Look toward the future, but live for today is what I've told my buddy Billy Kidman," Chris Benoit says. "Trust few, confide in fewer, and always bust your butt in the ring for the fans. If the fans think your slacking off, they'll turn on you before you know what happened." So far so good for Kidman. With most of WCW
behind, things should only get brighter.

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