Being involved in professional (or independent, if you weeel) wrestling has provided me with some wonderful memories, life experiences, friends and acquaintances. When else could I have been involved in the production and promotion of several television programs, digital programming and internet pay-per-view? How many people can say they got to meet and work with their childhood heroes on a professional level, to become one of their peers? How many people actually went ahead and lived out a childhood fantasy, a boyhood dream?
But aside from living out a dream, I gained valuable experience that applies to my professional life and career. I got first hand experience and knowledge on social media marketing, event promotions, event production, sales, TV production, talent coordination, branding, public speaking, networking, public relations and more. As far as hobbies or side businesses go, they experience I gained has and will prove to be far more valuable than any dollar I made over the last 9 years as a wrestler.
At a kid in the early 1990’s I watched Rick Martel, Bushwhacker Luke and Honky Tonk Man in the WWF and got to work with all of them. At 15 and 16 years old I idolized Raven. I wrestled him 3 times over the course of 2010 and 2011. During the Attitude Era I watched Gangrel form the Brood and Tommy Dreamer become an Extreme Icon, I wrestled them too. And there are countless others that I’ve learned from and travelled with from Eugene and Rhyno to Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Konnan.
After 9 years and with my priorities and goals changing I know that my time in the ring is coming near its end. Unlike many I will not “retire” rather I’ll simply be taking a break, perhaps indefinitely, perhaps only for a short period of time. And though I may step away from the ring, my involvement in wrestling won’t be over as there are other aspects that intrigue me and that would allow me to make valuable contributions, especially considering it involved the production of a weekly TV series available throughout the Province of Manitoba and throughout parts of Canada. Besides, retirements are for people making a meaningful income and in wrestling they never truly stick!
Whatever the future may bring and whatever new challenges may lie ahead, I look forward to contributing to the growth and development of the local wrestling scene and Canadian Wrestling’s Elite as a top Canadian independent wrestling brand.
