Why Do You Do It? - A Look into Life on the Independent Wrestling Circuit

A good friend of mine just poured out his heart and soul on myspace and inspired me to write this:

A lot of my "normal" friends ask me, why do you stay in wrestling? They've heard about the ups and downs, the bump and bruises, the meager compensation. They ask me if it's worth it and they ask me a lot. They ask when they might see me in pain from being sore from the night before or at the gym when I can't perform that last rep because I tweaked my back or shoulder again. They ask me when I squat down to pick something up and complain about me knees. Is it worth it?

Before I answer that question, I need to back up several years.

I should have gotten into this sport/business 15 years ago. If I had followed my heart instead of my head that's the way it would have happened. My father was a rugged construction worker carrying probably 50-60 more lbs. than his frame was meant to hold. He'd always ask me in his gruff voice "why do you watch that fake shit?" I'd say I watch it because I enjoy it. But the more Dad watched his attitude changed, "you know there are actually some pretty good athletes on there", he'd say.

My mother was the throwback housewife, she really only worked when we got in a financial crunch. My father worked A LOT, ungodly hours. Unfortunately being a Momma's Boy taught me a lot about fear. My Mom always worried whether it was about me or about her health or about bills and she's still like that to this day.
So when I told my parents I wanted to be a professional wrestler they were less than thrilled. You're too small. You're not an athlete. They'll kill you. They even videotaped a story about Larry Sharpe's Monster Factory hoping it would discourage me. It didn't. But the weight of their disapproval did. Being an only child, knowing my parents had lost two children before me always weighed heavily on my mind and the last thing I wanted to do was disappoint my parents.

So I didn't follow my dream. I tried to follow theirs instead. College came and went, jobs came and went, relationships entered my life. Step children. Comfort. Weight gain. My parents divorce.

10 years gone before you could blink!

In August 2000, I was coming off a neck injury. I was in a great deal of pain and was going to rehab three times a week and it wasn't working. I'd been to neurologists because I was losing feeling in my arm. The pain came suddenly for no apparent reason, I just went numb one day and before you know it was in the hospital. Then the pain followed.

I finally went to a chiropractor. He was the first person that seemed to actually understand my symptoms. After about three weeks of treatment I felt normal again. I'd always heard chiropractors were quacks and they'll hurt you...you know what? Dr. Murray (I still remember his name) helped me more than any doctor did in my life.

But coming off something like that didn't seem like the ideal situation to get into the business. I was working on a construction site and met a guy by the name of Kevin Moon. His dad is a local radio celebrity here in Charleston. I found out he was a ring announcer and pretty soon I was in...fate is a funny thing...

...and my parents were less than thrilled.

But this time I followed my heart. Maybe the injury made me realize how short time really is. And through all the ups and downs of the business I still remain. I never became a great wrestler. I'm sure old injuries, age and lack of physical condition contributed to that. But I would compare my training to anyone else I know on the indies and believe me it was rough. I found other ways to contribute as a referee and a manager. Ring announcing would come later.

So back to the original question: why do I do this?

I've traveled, sometimes thousands of miles at a time. I've met friends I never would have met had I not got into the business. I've gotten to meet people I grew up watching on television. The crowd gets me pumped, especially when I'm the heel manager drawing the heat. It's not always fun but I can't escape. I have to keep performing. Because when I do, I feel more alive than I do at any other point and time. I'm part of a brotherhood, something that no one can take away from me except me when I finally hang up that suit and put that cane away to collect dust in the attic.

Six years later, I do it for love of the game. It has to be in you. It can't be taught and it can't be appreciated by "regular" people. It has to flow through your veins and permeate your thoughts.

But the best part is watching some of these guys, much younger than me, trying to follow that dream Watching them with that same drive, that same passion...I know some day one of those guys is going to make it.

As for my parents, you know what the first thing is they tell people about me? "My son's in the pro wrestling business!"