From WCW/nWO Magazine, July 1998

Kidman Springs Into Action

Blame it on Jerry Springer. Or maybe tip your hat to Springer. As
amazing as it sounds, the Chicago-based talk show host has had a
profound impact on WCW's Billy Kidman. Kidman, you see, is a Springer
fanatic. He watches the show daily, almost religiously. He usually
records each show. Kidman also has purchased Springer's "Too Hot For
TV" video tapes -- all of them, and has seen each one multiple times.

Kidman clearly can tell a family fight from a family feud. When it
comes to fisticuffs, Kidman is king.

"Jerry Springer is my favorite show, where I got a lot of my
agressiveness in the ring from," Kidman said. "I know, thanks to the
Springer show, that if you see something or someone you don't like, just
go after it. Well, that's exactly what I'm doing now.

"Whatever you see on Nitro, you'll also see on Jerry Springer."

Naturally, when WCW invaded the United Center in downtown Chicago in
late-march, kidman was psyched to the hill because he had the thrill of
meeting springer that afternoon and sitting in the audience for two
shows.

"It was a blast; I had a great time there," said the 24-year-old Kidman,
always a Cruiserweight title contender. "I'm a high-flying
Cruiserweight; I've just toned it down a little to be more aggressive.
In other words, more puncing and kicking."

Straight from the set of springer. Sans the sex scenes, that is.

The squabbling family members these days for Kidman are Flock Members.
Just imagine: Today on Springer, Lodi confronts Saturn about stealing
his treasured signs, while Sickboy confronts Hammer and Riggs about
self-mutilation.

Think of the incredible sweeps-month ratings.

"The Flock is helping my career; it boosted me up a notch. I've got
more exposure, more ring-time, more credibility," Kidman said. "If
further down the line I see it's time to move along, I'm not against
that either. But now, the Flock's front-row seats are the best; you
can't beat them."

Kidman in the Flock's Top Cruiserweight, and not just because Lodi is
quick to hold a "Kidman, The Real Luchador" sigh. Kidman, in fact, is
one of the top Cruiserweights in the company. He can compete against
Juventud Guerrera, Chris Jericho, Prince Iaukea, Super Calo, Rey
Mysterio, Jr., and others on a nightly basis. And Kidman would do quite
well, thank you.

Kidman is a high-risk performer, a revolutionary wrestler who, it seems,
has not recieved the same recognition to date that others have.
Politics is perhaps the problem here too, specifically, his association
with Raven & Co.

Kidman, mind you, is a wrestling die-hard. At age 16, for instance, he
asked veteran grappler Afa to train him. Granted Kidman didn't actually
start training until he was18, he has long been motivated to excel
inside the squared-circle.

"I don't feel like I've made it in wrestling, and probably won't until I
have a title run," he said.

Well, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Kidman is only a Shooting-Star press away
from championship gold. Regardless of who holds the title at the time.

Said former wretler Terry Taylor, "He could be a Cruiserweight Champion
some time."

Now known as The Seven-Year Itch, Kidman's top-rope finisher is one of
the most lethal moves in the sport -- for the one who does it. Chris
Jericho, for instance, once tried the reverse moonsault -- or, gainer,
in diving terms -- and broke his hand. Former WCW star Johnny B. Badd
used the move so often when he left WCW that he needed knee surgery
because he kept landing on his knees. And another mainstream wrestler,
while performing the move in Mexico, landed face-first, knocked out his
two front teeth and separated his collar bone. "It's a dangerous move,
there's no doubt about it," Kidman said.

"Some say I stole the move from Jushin 'Thunder' Liger and that is
basically true. It has always been in my head to try it, but I never
thought I would be able to do it until I saw a tape of him do it."

Kidman also has a revised version that he used off the apron of the mat
onto the floor. He first used that version a frew moths ago on Monday
Nitro onto Eddy Guerrero During the impromptu Cruiserweight Battle
Royal. Kidman has executed the running version of late onto Psychosis
and Chris Benoit, amont others.

"I used to do (the running version) into a pool, so I just figured if I
can do it with the water and the pool-deck being parallel... with more
room from the apron to the floor, I should have not problem doing it,"
Kidman said. "when I do the Shooting-Star or the running version, I
have no fear; none at all. This is what I do; this is my job. The move
comes fairly easily to me; the only time I might have fear is if there
is a lot of sweat or dirt (on my boots or the ropes), or if fans throw
things at the ring and it gets wet out there. Sure, then it kind of
worries me a bit, but I do it anyway."

We just had to ask Billy about his incessant itching.

"That's none of your business; it's my personal problem," he said.

Credit: "Contributed and entered by Fatman, and Fatman Co."