Destiny Realized or a Shattered Dream?

I can't say it any more simply, I love the wrestling business. Growing up I've watched many people struggle with what they wanted to be. The question, "what do you want to be when you grow up" has literally driven people to the brink of insanity as the possibilities (or lack therefore) begin to unfold.

I consider myself lucky because I have not had to deal with such thought, I've known since I was 12 years old that the wrestling business was for me and nothing else (not even being a rock star) would cut the proverbial mustered. At first I wanted to be a wrestler, I mean, who at first doesn't want that. At 12-years-old it is difficult to grasp all of the components that go into making a successful wrestling show. The words "promoter," booker," and "worker" had yet to enter into my mind frame and wrestling for the WWE (then the WWF) or WCW was decidedly my career of choice. Unfortunately my genes did not agree with this plan, and my body (standing now at a mighty 5'8, 130 lbs) size never quite grew into my minds BIG dreams.

As I grew older I started to smarten up to the business, focusing more on the entertainment aspect and how the weekly shows came together from a production and creative standpoint. My dreams of main eventing Wrestlemania had been dashed (with much aguish,) but my passion and love for the wrestling business would not be deterred by anyone or anything.

In the passing years I became obsessed with becoming a known part of the wrestling business. I did not care what I had to do, who I had to bother, or how it happened, I just knew I had to become apart of the business as soon as possible.

As weird as it may sound I've always had a complex about dying young, it is just something that has always haunted me. In relating it to the wrestling business that complex has always driven me to want to do everything first, younger, and ultimately better than anyone has ever done it before. Promoters alike have praised me for my ambition and overall energy toward all aspects of wrestling—but the downside to my attitude was just as damaging and nearly ended my dream before it ever really began.

Being only 22 years old, I'm prone to mistakes. My mind lacks general wisdom that is developed only through age and life experience. I can remember trying to promote shows at the tender age of 17-years-old, what a nightmare . . . and boy was I clueless. I remember vividly promoting two shows in West Chester, PA around the end of 2002. This was it; the Mecca . . . my dream was finally going to be realized. I was going to be bigger than McMahon, Turner; Heyman . . . hahaha, the joke was definitely on me. I watched in horror as 25 people entered the building on BOTH nights and the $7,000 my friend supplied to me for the shows dwindled down to a mere $300. For most people the writing would have been on the wall, but for me, it was merely a setback in an often bumpy road toward professional success.

For about a year I stopped trying to promote shows at all cost and devised a plan to do something that had never been done before. I wanted to promote a show in the town of Owego, NY. I know, I know most of you are sitting there reading this and saying, "Where???" Owego, NY is a small town near Binghamton, NY that had/s NEVER seen a live wrestling event. I found a building where the owner was willing to pay for half of everything, cheap talent, and an audience that was starving for something like this to happen in such an ordinary town. The only thing I did not have was a NYSAC license to run the event, but who needed it? The show went to my head, I had 150 pre-sold tickets, a building owner that loved my progressive thinking, and I was running in a town that no one has ever heard of; the chances of me getting caught were slim to none, right? WRONG!!! One day before the event someone (???) called the NYSAC and got the show cancelled. I was crushed, a broken down defeated kid that was finally showing his age through salted tears and a mangled sprite. The most disheartening event that I have ever encountered was standing in front of that building on the day of the show watching my ticket sellers hand out refunds to disappointed fans and explaining to business associates the error of my ways. After that day I vowed to never do show again without the proper backing, talent, insurance, and/or state permits. And I won't, but when I do, it will be better than anything the wrestling business has ever seen before . . . this I gurantee.