In this corner...

Today I'm going to tell a tale that only a handful of people that know me are aware of. It's a part of my past that seems almost forgotten at times, but it's a fun part of who I am...

I once was an independent professional wrestler known as "Downtown" Dave Dynasty.

For about five years (2000-2005) I competed in the squared circle throughout Indiana (with an occasional gig in Chicago). My home promotion was Hoosier Pro Wrestling based in Columbus, Indiana (http://hoosierprowrestling.bravehost.com) but I competed in any group that would have me, often wrestling 3-4 times a week during my busiest period.

I began as a manager with HPW. My debut match was managing a wrestler named "Psycho" Sam Cody as he wrestled "The King" Roy Presley. I will never forget how nervous I was as Sam and I stood behind the curtain waiting to go out. As his music played, "Psycho" looked at me and said "Lead me out kid, but don't get too far ahead of me. If I can't see you, I'll never be able to find my way to the ring". Sam had horrible vision. My wrestler lost that night, and I took a guitar over the head from Mr. Presley. I would spend most of time managing "Outlaw" Jesse Houston, who's in the picture to the left with a very young me.

Eventually I worked my way into actually wrestling. I almost always played the heel, or bad guy. It's a weird gig to go out each night and try to make people dislike you. One night I must have been particularly wicked, as I remember a fan telling me he was carrying a knife and he would "get me after the show". Needless to say, I made sure to walk out in a group that night. The world of wrestling was very exciting, and being in front of a crowd always gave me a rush. It was very much like being a part of a live comic book, with heroes and villains battling for control.

I eventually won the HPW Heavyweight Championship, and although some people say there's little value to holding a title, I was very proud that for a time I was the top man in the promotion. My time as a competitor was cut short however, as to many blows and falls caused discs in my neck to compress. A doctor warned me if I continued to wrestle, I could begin to lose use of my arms and suffer more severe back and neck problems. To this day, I sometimes feel numbness and tingling in my arms that is a result of some of the damage done.

So I dropped the title in my final match, hung up the boots, put my villain days behind me, and Dave Dynasty was no more.