I went to the Ohio Valley Wrestling school immediately after college. I enjoyed the “performing” part of the industry, but disliked the culture that existed behind the scenes (you learn quickly why so many don’t make it past 45).
I left after six months because of boredom (First, the WWF had just bought the WCW and sent most of the unused talent to the OVW, which resulted into a bottleneck of being able to train in-ring. Secondly, the only three people - The Prototype, Shelton Benjamin and Rico Constantino - who were willing to train with me were in the transition of moving up to the main roster) and that I was still eligible to train at the USOTC for the Olympics because of my University National Championship in 2000. Also, it helped that USAW had just hired my coach from NDSU, Pete Isais, as their new National Events Director. FYI, Pete’s son just finished his first year as a WR as a Bison.
As far as my gimmick went, I planned on using my Majestic monicker I came up when I was in the ninth grade. Unfortunately by the time 2001 came around, the WWF wanted to rid themselves of comic-book personalities and be more realistic. This is why “The Prototype” never existed on the main roster. I knew his first name was John, but did not know his last name was Cena until I was living at the USOTC and saw him make his TV debut against Kurt Angle in 2002.
In regards to me “performing,” I’ve posted this gem before. It’s the only match I was a part of during my time in Louisville, KY (technically, it was Jeffersonville, IN at the time).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_sb1j-0lSjI
Using my iPhone to Tapatalk-a-tap-dance on the F’Hawking graves of dead feelings from those who worship Nazi-sympathizers.