Slick talks about how his character was a result of racism, creating the Akeem gimmick, the Jive Soul Bro video, and more
This week’s edition of JG’s Radio Free Insanity is on the air and available for
download right now at WorldWrestlingInsanity.com. This week’s guest is the one
and only “Doctor of Style” Slick (Rev. Ken Johnson).
James Guttman begins the show by talking about how he grew up watching Slick in
WWF. James talks a bit about some of the old school guests that have been on
Radio Free Insanity. He mentions how if you go over to ClubWWI.com, you can
hear all the Radio Free Insanity archives. Not only have performers like Samoa
Joe and AJ Styles appeared on the show, but many stars of the 80s and 90s as
well. Guttman mentions names like Jimmy Hart, Bobby Heenan, Ted DiBiase,
Kamala, Tracey Smothers, Nick Bockwinkel, The Mountie, Demolition, Koko B.
Ware, and others. JG says that Slick is a performer he wanted on that list for
a long time and he was happy to welcome him.
After that, James talks about the pseudo-retirement of the Big Show. He
compares Show to other giants in the business. Guttman says that Biggie didn’t
have to wrestle the style he did and could have gotten away with far less in
the ring. He brings up how some “giants” couldn’t even do a fake choke right
(which is something JG says ever little kid has done to a friend at some point
or another…better than some of the “giants” who have done it on TV.) James also
looks back at Show’s career from start to finish and how his early mega-push
screwed his head up a bit. To Paul Wight’s credit, though, he was able to
bounce back and have a successful career with WWE.
After that, Guttman does the weekly reader-voted Moment of Insanity and then
sends us over to part two for the interview with Slick.
Part Two of Radio Free Insanity begins the melodic tones of “Jive Soul Bro“ by
Slick. James mentions that the full, uncut interview with Slick lasted for 40
minutes and is available right now on ClubWWI.com. JG says that besides what
you’ll hear on the show today, Slick also talks the wrestler who thought he
would “steal his heat,” why Power and Glory didn’t get over, being a second
generation performer, the wrestler Slick managed but didn’t like, why Vince
McMahon created the “Reverend Slick” character, and much more. With that,
Guttman cues up the interview.
JG welcomes Ken “Slick” Johnson to the show and begins things by asking what
he’s been up to. Slick says he left WWF in 1993. Since then, he’s been trying
to win souls for the Lord and show people the ways of Christianity.
Guttman brings up Ken‘s run in WWF and says it came at a perfect time because
right after he got there, they came out with the Piledriver album. James says
his friend got the VHS before he did and the first thing he said was, “You
gotta see Slick eating his yard bird!” Ken laughs and says he was apprehensive
about doing it at first because he didn’t think he had any talent. He was
excited though, despite thinking he might fall on his face with rapping. Slick
says that the producers were very good and it all turned out well. He also says
that the people in the video were just citizens of the community that came out
and just joined in.
James asks about the famous transformation of One Man Gang to Akeem. Guttman
says that one day he was the Gang and then Slick took him into an alley and
next thing you knew you had 400 pound George Gray dancing like an African
Dream. JG asks how much influence Slick had on that character. Ken says that
entire concept was his. It came to him one day and he went to Vince McMahon
with it. They saw it as a way to revitalize their characters and give them “a
shot in the arm.”
Guttman talks about how Akeem eventually teamed with the Big Bossman. He
mentions how Slick had a great run managing Bossman against Hulk Hogan. James
specifically brings up the cage match where Ken took a beating at the end. JG
asks if Slick ever thought he would be in such high profile situations. Johnson
says he always aspired to it.
“I gave it all I had. I tried my best to excel at my craft. Of course, Hogan,
as you know, is phenomenal and just the hottest thing going in that era. So it
was easy and I was fortunate enough to have top performers that worked with him
all over the country. We made a lot of records in attendance and gates at that
time.”
James brings up how many guests they’ve had on all praise Hulk Hogan. He asks
Slick what he thinks of him personally. Johnson says that Hogan’s a great guy
with a great heart for people.
Guttman brings up WWE’s nostalgia train and how many of yesterday’s stars have
new life on DVD now. He asks Ken if he was offered a legend’s contract. Slick
says “no.” He says it offends him a bit. He’s been gone for 13 years. Aside for
a brief conversation with Vince McMahon about a comeback in 1998, he hasn’t
talked to them at all. Kamala and The Gang both have done spots with them.
Slick wasn’t approached though. James asks Ken if he thinks it could be because
the product is so raunchy now and they might not think he’d be interested due
to his beliefs. Johnson doesn’t think so:
“No. I don’t believe that at all. I think it’s due to the color of my skin…Did
I open up a can of worms there?”
James says “no” but asks Slick to elaborate, citing how others have made
similar comments. Ken says there was some indirect racism. He encountered the
use of the “n word” by people who didn’t know he was around. No one used it to
his face.
“My whole character was the result of racism.”
Ken says that “Slick” was a product of WWF management at that time not having
any personal interaction with African-Americans. So everything they knew was
stereotypes.
JG then lets everyone know that Doctor of Style is accepting bookings again.
Slick says that he wants to do wrestling bookings and anything he can to
promote his faith. JG gives out the email:
Info@ICWrestling.com for anyone that wants Ken on their shows. James mentions
that you have to have an actual show and can’t just ask Slick to come sit in
your backyard with you. Johnson says he’ll sit in someone’s backyard if they
pay the booking fee, but Guttman tells him to not say that. James mentions that
with people paying hundreds of dollars on Ebay for phone calls from wrestlers,
Slick will spend a lot of time in people’s yards if he agrees to that.
The full, 40-minute interview is available right now on ClubWWI.com. Slick also
talks about the problems between Brian Blair and The Iron Sheik, the wrestler
who thought he would “steal his heat,” why Power and Glory didn’t get over,
being a second generation performer, the wrestler Slick managed but didn’t
like, why Vince McMahon created the “Reverend Slick” character, the surprising
name that Slick wanted to bring to WWF, WrestleMania 3, and much more.
Source: Gerweck
