In the beginning of my junior year at Bradley University, I met my friend Steve through my roommates. When I found out how much he liked wrestling and that he was pursuing it as a full time career, I was extremely excited because I've always liked watching wrestling too, but I am no where near as big of a fan as he is! I just find the sport very cool and enjoy watching with him and my roommates on Monday nights. But because I find wrestling interesting, I thought interviewing Steve (who is currently an independent wrestler) would be really fun and of course it was, because he is awesome! I hope you enjoy this interview and that you learn a little more about what it means to be a wrestler and work hard for your dreams no matter what!

1. How did you become interested in wrestling and at what point did you decide to become a wrestler?

I've liked wrestling for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I would watch wrestling Monday night's with my grandma and she would be screaming at the t.v. and I'd be screaming with her. While watching, I would be doing random flips on the couch,saying that I wanted to be a wrestler and my grandma would say "if you love something do it!" Fast forward fifteen years, I was working at Toys R Us and this random guy came in late one night. We got to talking about wrestling and I told him that I had always wanted to be a professional wrestler, and he told me that he owned his own company and that I should come and try out and so I did, loved it and the rest is history.

2. What is your training like?

Honestly, I didn't have much training. I had to learn the ropes pretty quickly, basic things like tuck and roll. Since I wrestled in high school it was easier for me to pick things up pretty quickly. I really didn't have much training and was basically told that I was good enough to be in a match and that I should just go for it so I did.

4. What was your favorite match and why?

My favorite match was recently at Dreamwave 100 against J.T Dune for the alternative title. It was my favorite because it flowed so smoothly, it was literally magic with the way the crowd reacted, and the way the match was going. I didn't win, but it was still one of the most electrifying moments of my life. That match made me realize that I don't want to do anything else except wrestling for the rest of my life.

5. Who is your biggest inspiration in wrestling and in life?

My biggest inspiration in wrestling is probably Shelton Benjamin because he is one of the most underutilized guys of the past and his athleticism and natural ability around the ring is just so fluid and he makes it look so easy. My greatest inspiration in life would have to be Muhammad Ali. Not just because of his boxing but because of who he was as a human being. He proved to everyone why he was the greatest and he proved that in and out of the ring.

(Pictured below: Shelton Benjamin and Muhammad Ali)

6. What is it like to have fans and how do they impact your career?

It's weird to have fans, I don't know. To have someone cheering you on it's just pure motivation. It's literally the reason why I get up and do what I do. Being able to see the kids howling, screaming my name, making signs for me,and just everything that they do. It brings a smile to my face and it's a joy that nothing else could bring me, it's incredible and I love it!

(Pictured below: Steve with two fans at DREAMWAVE Wrestling on October 1st)

7. What are your top three favorite things about being a wrestler?

The fans for one. Number two would have to be being able to travel and go different places. Number three is the people that I meet. I've met some of my best friends in wrestling and I never would have met them if I wasn't a wrestler. It's just a hodge-podge of different people and we all get together because we have that one thing in common.

8. How does your faith play into wrestling for you?

It plays a huge role. When I first started wrestling people would tell me, "Oh dude you're so great!" Then my pride started to take over and I would think that I was pretty great because I could do all of these things. But, as I got stronger with my faith, I realized that It wasn't me doing these things, it was God allowing me to do them. He's the one that gave me the gifts to be able to wrestle well. Once my mentality switched from me to we, because God plays a huge part in my wrestling, things have gotten exponentially better.

9. Do you have a favorite wrestler on the WWE if so, why are they your favorite?

My favorite WWE wrestler right now would either have to be A.J Styles just because he is one of the best wrestlers in the world, or Cedric Alexander  because he is still somewhat unknown and he came from the independent circuit, so did A.J Styles. I see a lot of similarities between the three of us and it's just really cool to watch them wrestle because it makes me feel like if they can make it then I can too.

(Pictured Below: A.J Styles and Cedric Alexander)

10. Do you have any tips for someone who wants to get into wrestling?

Don't listen to people who tell you that you can't do it. Or people who say that it's a waste of time and that it sucks up all of your money . It does stink that you have to sacrifice time with family and friends but, in the end when you're in that ring and you've made it, it's worth it. I haven't made it yet but, when I do, I know that it's going to be worth it.

I want to thank my friend Steve for being awesome and letting me interview him! If you love wrestling as much as he does, I really hope you enjoyed this article! If you've never been a huge fan, I hope after reading this you start to be! Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @StephenWolf309 because that's the best way to start being a fan is by following the Leader of the Pack! AWHOOOOO!!!