The leader of "The Kingdom" answers 10 questions from ROHWrestling.com
Former ROH World Television Champion Matt Taven, recently sat down with Ring Of Honor for a 10 questions session. Taven would speak about growing up a wrestling fan, the original "Kingdom" group which featured: Mike Bennett, Adam Cole and himself, along with discussing much more.
Matt Taven has been in the wrestling game since 2006 and it is now at a point, for most wrestlers at least, to where they could not see themselves doing anything else but this sport. Taven would respond to the question of: "What would you be doing if you were not a wrestler?"
"Well before becoming the greatest wrestler in Ring of Honor history, I was working in the front office of the prestigious New England Patriots. This was after I received a bachelor’s degree in sports, entertainment and event management and a minor in psychology from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island; while recording music with two bands, Winslow Gray and Rookie and being a founding father of Sigma Pi Fraternity’s Eta Omega chapter. So needless to say I’d be very successful in whatever career path I would have chosen. But to answer the question, I would probably be in the sports or entertainment field, but being a lifelong fan, hopefully I’d still be in the professional wrestling industry in some capacity."
As most professional wrestlers discover their love for the business, it started at an young age and that was no different for Taven. His favorite wrestler growing up was WWE Hall Of Famer, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, but for a specific reason.
"Bret Hart hands down was my favorite as a kid. Not only is he amazing in the ring, but he has great hair too. Guys with curly hair need to stick together. Chris Jericho is another favorite of mine, but that might change depending on this cruise. I feel like he’s part of this Kingdom Conspiracy."
The original "Kingdom", as noted above, consisted of current WWE stars, Adam Cole & Mike Kanellis. Taven now has two new members of the group, who he was held Six-Man Tag-Team gold with; Vinny Marseglia and TK O’Ryan. Taven reveals the key to making a group gel with one another.
"When The Kingdom was Bennett, Cole, Maria and myself, it worked because it was real. Real friends who spend every moment with each other and truly wanted each other to succeed. With Vinny and TK, we have the same relationship. Vinny trained with Bennett and me at Spike Dudley’s Lock-Up school and TK would come through the same school years later. The three of us along with Bennett run our own wrestling school now in Rhode Island and spend the majority of our time together. There is no one I trust more or would want to protect my Kingdom with than the Horror King and the Sassy Wild Horse."
"The Chaotic Idol" is currently involved in a rivalry with former ROH World Champion, Cody. Taven was asked to give a response to "The American Nightmare" if he knew for sure that Cody would be reading this interview.
"I’d insert a picture of my perfectly sculpted jawline with my J.P. Prewitt-like hand extended out in front of me displaying the Ring of the King with these simple words underneath: Kiss the ring, b*tch."
If you want to read the rest of Matt Taven's 10 question Q&A with ROHWrestling.com, click here.
