Following Elton Prince’s injury on WWE SmackDown last summer, Kit Wilson faced uncertainty regarding his role in WWE’s programming. With his tag team partner sidelined, Wilson struggled to secure television exposure as a singles competitor. Early this year, Wilson introduced a new version of his character that openly challenges toxic masculinity, which has since resonated with fans and helped establish him on the WWE blue brand. Recently, Wilson discussed in an interview on Insight how this persona came to be and shared details about one of the original character ideas he presented to WWE.
Origins Rooted in a Response to Toxic Masculinity
Wilson explained that the earlier Pretty Deadly character heavily incorporated themes of toxic masculinity. He said,
“A whole big section of the Pretty Deadly character was toxic masculinity. So, it’s always been there, it’s always been a part of how we saw the characters … initially I think I had like 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.’”
This candid reflection revealed that the new direction was planned well before his solo breakthrough.
Challenges Transitioning to a Solo Career
Wilson admitted that stepping out on his own after Prince’s injury was daunting, likening the experience to
“going to school for the first time.”
He navigated several weeks of trial and error during dark matches and WWE Main Event tapings. This process eventually allowed him to refine and embrace the character he now portrays, establishing confidence away from his former tag team partner.
Significance and Impact of Wilson’s Reimagined Persona
Kit Wilson’s successful transformation on WWE’s platform marks a crucial turning point in his career, overcoming early uncertainties to connect with audiences through a socially conscious gimmick. His willingness to confront toxic masculinity within wrestling narratives breaks new ground, potentially influencing WWE’s character development approach. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how this persona evolves and whether it leads to broader storytelling changes within the company.
