Former WWE star Karrion Kross, (now Killer Kross) walked out of WWE last year with no plan for what came next. By his own admission, that was because he never thought he would need one.
The former WWE star spent years believing that pure effort would keep him employed indefinitely, only to learn that job security in the company does not work that way.
Speaking on the Off the Ropes podcast, Kross reflected on how far his career has drifted from what he originally pictured. After a couple of runs with WWE,he said he always assumed he would retire under the WWE banner.
“I’ll be honest, I had no plan. I have said this for years. The story’s never changed. I always thought I was going to be a lifer with WWE,” Kross said.
The hard lesson, he explained, was realizing that staying with WWE was never fully in his control, no matter how hard he pushed himself each week.
“I didn’t understand how that really worked. It’s like, that’s not actually your choice. You’re thinking that, ‘Hey, if I just show up at 110% every single week, that should take care of it, right?’ It’s like, No, that’s not really how it works.”
Embracing The Uncertainty
Leaving WWE was never part of the plan but Kross framed the constant change that followed as something he is suited for. He described himself as someone who has lived all over the place and adapts quickly.
“I’ve lived all over the place. So instantaneous change and adaptability has never bothered me. I kind of like, in a weird way, I thrive on that because the monotonous routine of anything drives me crazy, which is also a weird paradox because I also thrive on routine and discipline. That’s just the way I am.”
That adaptability has paid off. Kross has since established himself on the independent scene, where he and Scarlett have made clear they are not desperate for a new contract, and Kross went on to capture his first world title since his WWE exit by winning the MLW World Championship at Battle Riot VIII.