Kevin “The Smasher” Smets is a former Innergeekdom champion. He also competed in the teams division and in the 2019 and 2022 Free For Alls. Along with Kaiser, he is one of the founding members of The Dungeon. Here are his reflections on the show that we all love, in his own words.
Looking back on the Schmoedown, what is the most memorable moment that you were personally involved in?
This is definitely a two-parter… at the end of 2019, I won the IG title after a long road of redemption after my loss at Collision. Culminating at the biggest show of the year, finally getting that gold. The moments leading up to that match with Kaiser backstage getting me in the zone, playing music and keeping me sharp. I’ll never forget that. The second part is a moment I have on video actually – when the Action Army was on the street after the show, and Bateman was there with his title, and I ran up to the group, lifted my title in the air and shouted “ACTION ARMY!” and they responded with cheers, that is a moment etched in my mind forever. I’ll tweet it out when this article publishes. Both amazing moments for me.
What is the most memorable moment that you were not involved in?
Hands down seeing my friend Rachel Cushing win the title from KO at that epic Throwdown PPV, live and in attendance just a few rows back. I know how much that meant to her, and to the league as a whole. Nothing can top that for me as well.
Which of your matches would you say is the best you played?
Definitely the Spectacular 2019 title win. I was so in the zone by the end of round 1 I had no doubts of the outcome. I even corrected Kristian and Mark when they asked me a question in round 2 I had gotten a few months prior, I requested a new question. I was so in the zone they could have asked me 50 more questions.
Which match that didn’t involve you would you say is the best you ever saw?
Same answer as before – the Throwdown with KO – if you recall, it started out almost as a rout, but Mike clawed his way back to really make it interesting in the end, there. And all time great match! Probably for me the best ever.
How would you describe the Schmoedown’s impact on you?
I think everyone knows the answer to that. The support I had during my great battle. Mark sending me texts of Mollie every Monday with words keeping me going, Kristian calling me after my diagnosis and telling me to stay strong, and pitching me literally to a T how the end of last year’s Spectacular ending turned out – that was something that kept me going, working to get to that moment… and of course the community literally saved my family with the Smash-a-Thon – keeping us afloat literally for the 10 months I couldn’t work due to battling cancer. The fans from the very beginning took me and Kaiser in, even when we were supposed to be the bad guys! So I will ALWAYS be indebted to the fans and community. I owe them, quite literally, my life!
I will add that while I was best friends with Kaiser, the show brought us even closer so I’m so thankful for that as well. Love that sum’bitch!
What will you miss most about the Schmoedown?
Getting to throw on the Dungeon armor (my hoodie) and along with my best friend Kaiser, act like a complete lunatic in the vein of the wrestlers of the 80’s and 90’s all while just answering questions about Star Wars, Harry Potter, and countless other geek movies. But to quote Luke Skywalker… “No one’s ever really gone…”
Much love my MTS fam!
Kevin Smets can be found on Twitter @kevsmets.
