Kit Wilson has introduced a new character on WWE television that confronts the issue of toxic masculinity, drawing from ideas he developed over time. Currently competing without his regular partner Elton Prince, who is injured, Wilson shared details about the character’s foundation during an appearance on Insight With Chris Van Vliet. This new persona integrates elements addressing harmful masculine stereotypes, reflecting Wilson’s deeper creative intentions.
How Past Concepts Influenced the Character’s Development
Wilson explained that the toxic masculinity theme was never absent from his earlier work. In fact, he and Elton Prince infused much of this concept into their Pretty Deadly tag team identity, although it was often subtle and mostly unseen by the audience. He said,
“So I guess with all of this, you have your character, and then often there’s only so much of the character that you see on screen. Then as certain people, and especially me and Elton and Pretty Deadly, we have so much of the character behind the scenes that never actually comes to the forefront, but we’ve got it in, and a whole big section of the Pretty Deadly character was toxic masculinity. I’m sure there’s tons of early promos, even on the independents, even maybe in stuff that we sent over to the company, maybe when we were trying to practice for promos that had stuff based on toxic masculinity. It just didn’t end up being the main thing we focused on. So it’s always been there, it’s always been a part of how we saw the characters and if everything was needed, then we would explain that, and we would bring up to the forefront.” – Kit Wilson
This indicates the character’s current emphasis on toxic masculinity is a natural evolution rather than a sudden creation. Wilson and Prince had long considered these themes during their time on the independent circuit and preparations for WWE, even if those ideas were not always highlighted.
The Process Behind Selecting the Toxic Masculinity Theme
When Wilson began performing solo, he presented five distinct concepts for his WWE character. The toxic masculinity theme emerged as the one that resonated most strongly with him and the company. Wilson revealed a personal anecdote about the naming of his pitch, stating,
“So then, when it came to me being on my own, I was pitching ideas. I had five big pitches I went for, and then the one that turned out to be the toxic masculinity one, I think the word document was labeled Limited Edition Kit Wilson, because again, actually shout out to [my cat] Luna. We call Luna Limited Edition, because she’s got no tail. Can you see how I’ve loosened up and got more excited when we talked about the cat? Maybe part two is cat-exclusive.” – Kit Wilson
This intimate insight highlights how Wilson’s creative process also includes personal elements, making his character development a blend of both professional vision and private life.
Implications for Wilson’s WWE Career and Audience Reception
By focusing on toxic masculinity through his new persona, Wilson tackles a complex and often challenging subject, reflecting broader societal conversations. This choice may influence his trajectory within WWE, potentially engaging fans who appreciate characters with deeper social commentary. The theme also allows Wilson to differentiate himself in the competitive landscape of WWE TV, providing a fresh approach to storytelling in wrestling.
Looking ahead, Wilson’s continued exploration of this character could open doors for both dramatic moments inside the ring and meaningful dialogue outside it, signaling a shift toward more nuanced portrayals of masculinity in wrestling entertainment.
