As we left off in my last blog, my Prowrestling dream was over.
Sure, I causally followed what was happening in the wrestling world over the years, but not even close to the degree of where I was pre-2007. That door in my life was pretty much closed… but not all the way.
Fast forward 9 years later to 2016…
I was now 26 years old living in Edmonton, Alberta working as a General Manager of a private personal training studio, when a friend of mine messaged me about a WWE show that was coming to town. As I had only been to the one show previously, I bit and agreed.
In the weeks leading up to the show, we were all diving back into the weekly shows to figure out what was happening, who was around, and learn some of the backstory going into this show.
The door was slowly starting to creak open…
Technology and access to wrestling had advanced significantly in the 9 years since I had last watched. Where as previously you had online forums, dirt sheet websites, and magazines to get your information from, now there was the WWE network with in-depth documentaries, all the previous episodes and pay-per-views, and now podcasts that broke down the barrier between fan and wrestler to a degree not previously seen.
Finally after weeks of lead up, it was show day. Like the first show I had gone to, the crowd was electric (although much smaller), but unlike the first show I could now drink – and drink we did.
The event was a blast, from seeing a rising Braun Strowman, one of my all time favourites in Chris Jericho, an great triple threat main event by Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens. It might not have been the same has the Glass Shattering all those years ago, but it was pretty awesome to be at.
And while there’s quite a bit of the show I didn’t remember… it was fun enough that I felt the urge to watch more.
The door was half open again…
Over the next year i was immersed back into the wrestling world. Catching up on documentaries, diving into different wrestlers backgrounds and previous matches, and listening to podcasts almost non-stop regarding wrestling.
Wrestling was fun again.
At that time in my personal life, I was dating someone who was going to school abroad. This left me with more than enough time for my re-investment to prowrestling. But the real game changer happened in January of 2018.
Unfortunately, there was a death in the family of my girlfriend, and she was coming back to the country for the funeral in Lethbridge (which is about 5 hours away from Edmonton for context). I left Friday night after work, meaning I was going to be driving into the early hours of the morning.
To keep myself entertained, I alternated between listening to music, and of course, wrestling podcasts. One that stood out during the drive was the E&C Pod of Awesomeness with Corey Graves. I can’t say there was anything specific that stood out about the podcast, but it was the right thing to listen to, at the right moment of my life.
During that drive in the dark on the last stretch to Lethbridge, the door was kicked right open again.
I realized at that moment that I was still in good shape/health, I had the time for at least two more years until my girlfriend was going to be done school, and that I didn’t want to live with the regret that I had never at least tried to be a prowrestler. In that moment, I knew I had to try.
Because I was caught up in the moment I pulled up my phone, and googled Edmonton Wrestling Schools… and much to my surprise I found one match – Monster Prowrestling.
I don’t advise texting and driving… but on the road I sent off an email to inquire about wrestling training, and it felt like a giant sigh of relief.
When I got back to Edmonton Sunday night, I had a message back from the head trainer and owner of MPW letting me know there was a mini-camp in February, and invited me to come out to try it. I paid my deposit, and in just a few days I would finally step foot in the ring for the very first time…
The door was now off the hinges, and there was nothing that could close it again.
(To Be Continued)
Rich,
Owner, RK Athletics
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