Eddie Kingston: If You’re Going To Beat Me In New York, You’re Going To Have To Kill Me

Eddie Kingston is prepared to fight like his life depends on it to finally vanquish Claudio Castagnoli and capture the Ring of Honor World Championship in New York. 

Eddie Kingston and Claudio Castagnoli will meet one-on-one for the Ring of Honor World Championship and the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship in Arthur Ashe Stadium at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam. 

Eddie Kingston has already made it clear he has no respect for Claudio, but this time, the fight is in his backyard, and Eddie Kingston says Claudio might have to kill him to beat him in New York. 

“If you’re going to beat me in New York, you’re going to have to kill me,” said Kingston to Sports Illustrated. “Claudio is going to have to put me down for a lot longer than three seconds.”

Eddie Kingston also reflected on the New York roots of the Ring of Honor World Championship, with former champions like Homicide, Xavier, and Low Ki in its lineage. Kingston says the championship belongs with a New Yorker. 

“If Ring of Honor never took off in the early 2000s, there would probably never be AEW,” said Kingston. “Ring of Honor wanted to be different. A lot of AEW guys wrestled for Ring of Honor, too. My mentor, Homicide, was the world champion. Xavier was the world champ. Low Ki was the first-ever champ. Those are all New Yorkers. The belt belongs with a New Yorker.”

Eddie Kingston is coming home to New York and always plans to protect his home. 

“New York is home, and I’m always going to protect my home,” said Kingston. “I’ll make the only promises I can make. If you miss this, you’re going to regret it. And I promise that I’m going to fight until the end.” 

Tony Khan has compared Eddie Kingston to the Jerry Lawler of New York. Read more here.

Fans can check out the full AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam card here. Fightful will have full coverage of the show on September 20.