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What’s the story?
In an interview with ESPN, former WWE Superstar Ken Doane opened up on a myriad of topics.
Doane spoke about Vince McMahon pitching The Spirit Squad gimmick. Besides, Doane also recalled working with D-Generation X, as well as being trained by Killer Kowalski at the age of 13.
In case you didn’t know…
Ken Doane has competed in the sport of professional wrestling since 2001, and is perhaps best known for his time as part of The Spirit Squad as Kenny Dykstara. Doane performed for the WWE from 2005 to 2008 and briefly returned to the WWE from late-2016 to early-2017.
The Spirit Squad comprised Kenny, Johnny, Mikey, Mitch & Nicky (Dolph Ziggler), and most prominently feuded with D-Generation X back in the mid-2000s.
The heart of the matter
Ken Doane stated the following on Vince McMahon pitching The Spirit squad gimmick—
"(Vince McMahon) turned and said, 'Guys, this is my idea, (and) it's gonna work because I'm telling you it will work. He said, 'I want cheerleaders; male cheerleaders; there's nothing that gets more heat than male cheerleaders—' I kinda looked at the other guys out of the corner of my eye like, 'Is this a joke? This is a good joke. You guys went all the way out to get Vince in on this?'"
Additionally, Doane explained that he and the other Spirit Squad members were huge fans of DX members Triple H & Shawn Michaels, and used to argue with one another as to who gets the honour of taking the Superkick at the hands of Michaels. Doane added that he learned how to slow down, tell a story, and work a main event match by performing with Triple H & HBK.
Furthermore, Doane elucidated that he approached Killer Kowalski when the former was just 13 years of age and asked Kowalski to train him. Doane added that Kowalski initially refused, however, Doane persuaded him by pointing out that if he starts training right away, by the age of 18 he could be ready for the WWE—following which, Kowalski took Doane under his wings.
What’s next?
Ken Doane presently competes on the independent professional wrestling circuit.
Meanwhile, D-Generation X members Shawn Michaels and Triple H serve as a trainer and backstage executive/on-screen talent respectively in the WWE.
Author’s take
Ken Doane is spot-on as regards his analysis of the invaluable knowledge he gained from Triple H and Shawn Michaels about ring psychology and pro-wrestling guile.
Besides, Doane seems to be quite impressed by Vince McMahon’s genius move of putting forth The Spirit Squad to garner heat from the WWE Universe. Here’s a fun segment to remind fans of the heel group’s antics—
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