Kerry Morton talks about being the son of one of the most legendary competitors in the history of the National Wrestling Alliance.
Second-generation wrestlers have only become more common as the years go by. The daughter of Ric Flair, Charlotte Flair is rapidly becoming one of the most legendary women's wrestlers of all time. Cody Rhodes continues to make strides in his family's honor. Brian Pillman Jr. is interested in expanding his father's legacy and even Bron Breakker, the son of Rick Steiner, has joined the industry and is making waves in NXT.
Kerry Morton, the son of Ricky Morton, is making his own splash in the NWA. Now, speaking with Sean Ross Sapp, Kerry is opening up about his decision to take on the family legacy and become a professional wrestler.
“I feel like my whole life has been evolving to the day I was going to step into the ring,” he said. “When I was in school I amateur wrestled and I happened to win a state championship at that. Then I did professional theater. Right before I ever stepped into the professional wrestling ring, I did professional theater. I toured with some musicals. There are some posters in the background as you can tell, too. Just some all over this guest bedroom. I hate that anyone that’s gonna stay the night is gonna get the story of my life. I did so many. I did the Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was one of the last big tours before my contract came to an end when I was in high school. It was all involving my dad and my mom, which I’m so fortunate to have good parents that look out for me. They got me involved in acting and sports and vocal lessons and going to gymnastics or a gymnastic gym of some sort just to, I guess, looking at the bigger picture of one day hopefully becoming a successful professional wrestler in this industry and making a name for myself and hopefully making a good amount of money and enjoying my career and my love for this industry.”
Speaking about the expectation of living up to his father's legacy, Kerry says it comes with the territory of being a second-generation star and it's a conversation that he has had with other second-generation stars currently making their way in the industry.
“[I talk to these other guys—Brian Pillman, Colby Corino, there’s a bunch of names that come to mind right now—but a lot of people, they look at, especially speaking from a generational standpoint of a wrestling perspective. I’m just saying everyone expects us to be our fathers and that’s something we can’t do necessarily.] We have to make a career choice for ourselves. I’m not afraid to talk into a microphone. I’m not afraid to jump in front of the spotlight and speak my opinion. Quite frankly, I can’t wait for the day I get the opportunity to do more so. But right now, I’m just trying to get the edge in this sport. Meet people, find new people, make connections, getting leads to go to other places that have shows, and simply get better. I watch a lot of my dad’s [work]. My dad has a great moniker of being quite frankly possibly the best babyface in all of professional wrestling, which is simply one of the greatest compliments ever, especially from someone who admires this sport. It’s tough, but I’m also trying to create my own stone. I’m trying to put my own writing in stone this time. Also showing the edge to my father and then having mine and his in between,” says Morton.
Kerry Morton also speaks about the benefit of having The Rock 'N' Roll Express to learn from and says he keeps in good contact with Dennis Condrey and Jim Cornette, two-thirds of his dad's greatest rivals, the Midnight Express. Morton says that everyone passes on knowledge and he knows that just because he's Ricky Morton’s son doesn't mean that he isn't expected to make a name for himself.
“My dad and Robert and a bunch of the older wrestlers that I talk to, I keep really good in contact with Dennis Condrey, Jimmy Cornette—he’s on me all the time,” said Kerry. “He watches my tapes, he’ll send me a clip. He’ll ask me what the hell I was doing wrestling at some show. Whatever. That’s the part of it. They always tell me that, ‘Your dad was always that young and hungry babyface.’ Which is great. But, me? I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I’m a little cocky. I’m a little confident. I’m not afraid to show that and that’s something I think definitely shows [?] apart from my father, coming from the underdog perspective. Knowing me, I’m smaller in this business compared to a lot of other guys, but I’m not necessarily an underdog. I know what I have and I know what I can bring to the table. That’s something I’m not afraid to show on the microphone or tell the promoters or tell a fan, ‘Listen, just because I’m Ricky’s son doesn’t mean I can’t make my own name for myself.’”
Currently, The Rock 'N' Roll Express, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson are in the middle of their farewell tour as a duo. Kerry says that his dad's love for wrestling was rekindled several years ago when he and Robert Gibson wrestled Santana and Ortiz and that, to this day, Ricky is still so happy.
"Honestly, my dad’s so happy. His love for wrestling, like, look a couple of years ago, I think he started back at Joey Janela’s Spring Break and when they wrestled Santana and Ortiz," said Kerry. "They blew up a wrestling emotion once more and he absolutely adores this professional wrestling industry. Father time is catching up, but my father gets up every day at six o’clock in the morning. He’s off to the gym. He’s not back until about nine. From there he’s taking the dogs on a walk or he’s doing some business in his office of some sort. Then he’s watching tape and he’s on a production call for NWA or he’s talking about independent bookings or he’s talking to Robert. He loves it. I’m not the one to tell my father, ‘Hey, man. You gotta stop.’ But at some point, and we’ve talked about it recently, one of his big things he wants is being an agent for a big wrestling organization, including the NWA. Which is something he’s jumping into, but he’s also, as of now, a free agent. My dad can do a little bit of it all and I’m happy for him. He’s got a couple of other ventures. He’s wanting to start a coffee company. He’s been really pie-eyed, talking to some people about that."
As for Robert Gibson, Morton says all the years of wear and tear on his body has really accumulated for Robert and it's time for him to say farewell to the audience so that he can enjoy the fruits of his labor.
"Robert, on the other hand, the farewell tour is kinda near its end and nothing against Robert, he’s family and I love him, but my dad is always big on giving fans their money’s worth," Kerry says. "Robert is kind of beat up now. His knees hurt a lot. His hips getting kind of bad at the moment. It’s just a part, right now, of like, ‘Hey, Robert. You need to sit down sometime. It’s time to sit down, and wind down a little. Let’s do this farewell tour, let’s give the fans their money’s worth once more, and let’s go focus on something else in the wrestling industry.’"
Kerry Morton will be in action at the NWA Alwayz Ready on June 11, competing alongside his dad in three-way tag action against The Fixers, Jay Bradley & Wrecking Ball Legursky, as well as AJ Cazana, who will team with a mystery partner. Fans can order the event on FITE.
