The Match That Made Me Dream Again
Anderson Knight, Hollywood Joe, and Zeeko. Photo Credit: Leonard Brand
For as long as I can remember, I have been a pro wrestling fan. Growing up, I idolized Cactus Jack, Hulk Hogan, Mr. Perfect, Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels, and Terry Funk. As I became an adult, my favorites have been AJ Styles, Bron Breakker, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, and CM Punk. I have always been invested in their matches, their characters, and how they constantly evolved. My love for professional has not stopped at just mainstream wrestling. The love I have for the industry is something a lot of people don’t understand except for those who are in it.
In 2003, a good friend of mine in high school wanted to train to become a pro wrestler. It is something we both loved and bonded us. Going to watch him train and watching his early matches is how I become fully exposed to the independent scene in Michigan. I always dreamed of being in the pro wrestling industry. I loved the characters, the showmanship, and the theatrics of it all. Unfortunately, the dream of being an actual pro wrestler wasn’t in the cards for me. I was born with Congenital Heart Disease, bi-lateral club feet, and my liver outside of my body. Having multiple surgeries for each issue was already damaging enough on my body. Even though, I physically couldn’t be involved, I still wanted to find a way to contribute.
From 2004 to 2011, everything I did to try and get into the business, I did it the wrong way. I was arrogant, immature, and very uneducated to what the pro wrestling industry was actually about. I rubbed a lot of people the wrong way and associated myself with the wrong people at the time. Needless to say, if I was ever going to learn about the industry, it wasn’t going to be happen at that time. In the summer of 2011, I had burnt myself out on pro wrestling when it came to the Michigan Independent Scene. I stopped going to matches and following what was going on within the state of Michigan. I still watched WWE and Impact Wrestling and that was the extent of it. I had no desire to ever go to another local pro wrestling show again.
I met Anderson Knight right around the same time I stopped going to shows. I had seen him around some shows and he would occasionally stop by the gas station I was working at. We discovered that we also both had a love for pro wrestling and it instantly made us buddies. Thirteen years later, that buddy has become one of best and closest friends even outside of pro wrestling. In 2014, Knight began training under Josh Raymond, who is one of the most respected pro wrestlers in the Midwest. By the time 2014 ended, CJ Anderson (Knight’s previous name) was born and I was happy that a friend of mine was wrestling all over Michigan.
A key element to this story took place in February 2014. On February 12, 2014, I underwent my third open heart surgery at the Meijer Heart Center in my hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. During my recovery in the hospital, pro wrestling photographer, Leonard Brand came to visit me in the hospital. He brought me some really great wrestling pictures and a pro wrestling magazine. He had always saw the best in me when others didn’t. He knew I loved the wrestling industry and just wanted to be involved. His presence that day gave me hope and made me realize, I didn’t have to be in the ring or at ringside to be involved. I had journalism skills that I could to promote pro wrestling in Michigan. I switched gears and stopped making about myself. I made it about others and highlighting the incredibly talented pro wrestlers in the state of Michigan.
I began following the independent scene once again in 2015 because of Leonard Brand being a friend and Anderson Knight being the friend that I wanted to go watch wrestle. By following Anderson Knight, I began to learn about wrestlers like Aaron Orion, Alex Weir, Ace Evans, Blake Acumen, Isaiah Broner, Jack Price, Jumal Kyng, Tommy Vendetta. I also reconnected with wrestlers like BAM, Fabuzio, Frank Stein, Jack Verville, Jeff King, Jimmy Shawlin, Josh Raymond, Max Morrison, Nate Mattson, Noah Lott, and Schwartzy. I began to ask Raymond and Mattson questions because I wanted to learn about the industry the right way. I am very grateful to the veterans who didn’t hold the past against me and gave me a clean slate to do things the right way. However, it didn’t end there.
On December 3rd, 2017, I met Zeeko for the very time. He was going by Salem Ash at the time and he wrestled Dre Jacobs in a very impressive match in Jenison, Michigan. My first impression of Zeeko was a great one. He was very down to earth, humble, and a very positive person. He had superstar written all over him. Eventually became Salem Ash became Karam, and he rose through the ranks very quickly. The places he has been and the people he has worked have been very impressive. It’s because of Zeeko, I learned about Jake Something, Ren Jones, Rohit Raju, and Xavier Walker. Between all the guys I learned about by following Anderson Knight and Zeeko, I’ve never been bored watching matches matches that various promotions or Hardcam Frio have put out there on YouTube.
Fast forward to 2021, I began to dream again about certain matches and how I could make those matches happen. On, September 19, 2021, I attended IPW Brawl in Battle Creek, MI. I wasn’t expecting any surprises that day. I just needed a day to clear my head and watch a fun pro wrestling show. That night, the show opened up with Zeeko returning to IPW for the first time in nearly a year. He had not been in IPW due an injury that sidelined for six months. I was in total shock and awe of seeing someone who had become a friend. I honestly thought that was the highlight of my year as a pro wrestling, but little did I know what was coming next.
On October 16, 2021, I attended IPW Pink Out, just outside of Kalamazoo Michigan. Prior to this, Anderson Knight had stopped wrestling due to health reasons and being burnt out. His last match as CJ Anderson was in January of 2020. When IPW resumed shows in 2021, I invited Anderson to come out with me to watch and expressed to him how much I missed seeing him wrestle. I always believed in him like I did with my good friend in high school. On this particular night, Anderson Knight had agreed to come watch the show with me, but he was running late due to a family event. The opening match was about to start and the first person out of the curtain was a returning Anderson Knight. My jaw hit the floor and for the first time in my life at an independent wrestling show, I was absolutely speechless. I was happy, overjoyed, and felt somewhat responsible for his return the ring. As a fan, I was happy. As a friend, I was happier.
Over the last three years, I have continued to follow Anderson Knight and Zeeko. I’ve continued to follow IPW and help get the word out about their shows in my hometown of Grand Rapids. In July 2023, things drastically changed in my life for the positive. I began working Patterson Ice Center. Working there has been a huge blessing. I work with amazing people who believe in me and support my ideas. One of those ideas was making Patterson Ice Center the Grand Rapids home to IPW. On September 2, the first Independence Pro Wrestling show was held at the rink. IPW Redemption was a success and the wheels began turning again.
Patterson Ice Center was established on October 1st, 1994, which made this year the thirtieth anniversary of the rink. I wanted it to be special and the only way I knew how to make it special was by bringing in an IPW show to end the weekend on a high note. This time was different for me though. I met with IPW management and Patterson Ice Center management and asked if this could be extra special. It was in that meeting I had requested Anderson Knight versus Zeeko to take place. I wanted to show everyone that two very important people in my life as friends and myself as a fan, deserved to share the spotlight together. IPW Powerplay was one of the greatest shows I’ve had the pleasure of watching, but Anderson Knight versus Zeeko is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. This match made dream big again and set some bigger goals for the future. It was motivational and inspirational for me.
I’ve often said that if you have disabilities or physical limitations, that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your dreams. Find yourself people like Anderson Knight, Zeeko, Leonard Brand, and Josh Raymond. Find those people who believe in you and support you like the management at Patterson Ice Center. With the right attitude and the right people in your corner, anything in life is possible.
Photo Credit: Leonard Brand
Anderson Knight
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@andersonknightwrestling
X- https://x.com/EnforcerKnight
Zeeko
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/zeekybaby_/
X- https://x.com/zeekybaby
Independence Pro Wrestling
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/IndependenceProWrestling
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@IndependenceProWrestling/
Patterson Ice Center
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/PattersonIceCenter
Website- https://www.pattersonicecenter.com/
