What Wrestling Means to Me

This is in response to Bray's call for a #WrestlingMeans Community Event.

[CI]You see, when I was a child, growing up in rural South Carolina, the first thing I having was wrestling. The first thing my brother and I bonded over? Wrestling. The thing that got me my first best friend in elementary school? Wrestling. What has been with me throughout my life regardless of depression, heartbreak, happiness, sadness, whether I'm smiling, crying, any of it? Wrestling!

In 2016 I came to the self realization that I couldn't settle for just being a fan, no, I HAD to be a part of it. Then when I had my (for lack of a better phrase) "coming out" moment to my family, do you want to know what happened? I was laughed at, that Thanksgiving Day my family spent the entire day berating me, and laughing at me for actually thinking I'd be able to do it.

So I immediately started thinking of ways to my dream, I started working with the goal to my dream. Throughout working 80 hour work weeks, break ups, severe depression, I finally got to where I wanted to be.

      [CI]Now I'll be honest, I've been a little out of it recently, which is probably what has fueled me into writing this blog. Because when I see something or someone that brings me down, or when someone belittles or berates me; my mind is always set at ease when I think about being in that ring. Because when I'm in that ring, I'm not welding at some crappy 9 to 5 job, I'm not someone's ex, I'm not depressed, I'm not some nobody still living on the same street, in the same town I've been in my entire life... No, for those few minutes, I'm a somebody, a winner, a star, a VIP, I'm a God Damn Marquee Attraction! Nobody can look down on me!

        [CI]The sight of seeing my son getting to play in a wrestling ring, or the sight of my fiancé cheering me on in the crowd are the greatest highs I've ever felt. As far as I'm concerned, I'm starting 2024 already on top of the mountain. Not only am I a father, not only am I engaged, but I'm living out my dream! I'm a Pro Wrestler, and there isn't anyone on this planet who can take that away from me!

        [CI]So in conclusion, #WrestlingMeans quite nearly everything to me. It got me through the lowest points in my life, points where I wanted to swerve into oncoming traffic. The people I've had the honor of meeting in such a short time being in the business are already like a family to me. They've ed me, and helped me, in some ways more than my actual family has. So dear reader, wrestling has been with me quite nearly since the beginning, and rest assured, it will be with me until the end.