Georgia Wrestling History: View from Inside the Ring

VIEW FROM INSIDE THE RING

FALL FROM GRACE …
– Jimmy Rave

April 21, 2009

Everyone knows by now that I am no longer employed with TNA Entertainment. When I got that call late February, it was like a shot in the heart. I’ve been working at making something of myself since the age of 15. Then I finally made it. Yeah, I lost a lot on TV for the better part of 2 years, but its business. I made a lot of friends, got a lot of knowledge, and even got a few trading cards. TNA sent me to the biggest tournament in all of wrestling, New Japan’s Best of the Super Juniors. They gave me an opportunity, a chance and an experience that can’t be replaced. My last day there I felt like I hadn't done it all for nothing. The agents and the office all gave me sound advice. Learning from guys like Dutch Mantell, BG James, D Lo, Christian, and Jim Cornette is an honor. Working for TNA was a privilege.

It was hard being away from my beautiful wife and daughter for so many days at a time. Going from one part of the country to the next, but hey, it was a job. Luckily, I had a good support system. With my family and my friends, I couldn’t ask for better friends than the ones I’ve made in wrestling or a better wife and daughter. Although, Z's I'm still waiting on a track suit.

When I got the call that I was done, I immediately went into a depression. What did I do wrong, who did I piss off, what could I have done better, was it me, was it money? …. All this goes through my head. What am I going to do now? Do I keep wrestling or focus on my other business ventures? Then I got a call that changed everything.

March 21, 2009, changed my outlook on pro wrestling forever. ROH brought me in as a surprise for their 7th Anniversary show in New York City. The company I had left 2 years earlier was giving me a second chance. I first wrestled for ROH in 2002 against AJ Styles in Philly at the Murphy Rec Center for 3 minutes. Then they gave me and Nana the ball and we ran as fast as we could, feuding with AJ Styles, CM Punk, Generation Next, and Nigel McGuinness. First person I saw was my good friend Prince Nana. Old times! Then I ran into all the boys who helped make this company and kept it going for the time I was gone. I felt like I had lost something though. I remember when my “crown jewel” music hit my nerves were going absolutely insane. I hit the curtain and the 2000 people made me feel like a star again. The “welcome back” chants, the Embassy hand signs, and the response was overwhelming. Everything I worked for those 11 years made it worth it. I’ll admit I was very emotional. I was on the verge of leaving this business I love so much because I felt like I hit rock bottom. Now, me, “the Crown Jewel”, and Prince Nana are back in full force.

Not only that but now I’m getting offers left and right to do other shows. I’ve been in talks with some big stuff coming up. I’ve been wrestling for a wonderful company in Phenix City, AL, called Great Championship Wrestling. They have been taking up my Thursday nights and I believe they have a lot of potential to become a huge show. I just did FCW in Carrollton, GA, wrestling an old friend Shaun Tempers. He’s came a long way from TWA in Dalton from 7 years ago. I have a ton of respect for him. The cool thing has been running into guys I haven’t seen in 8 or 9 years and getting to be treated as an equal not just a young boy.

Maybe my release was for me to find my passion for wrestling again. Right now I am unstoppable, motivated, hungry, focused, and determined. I’m training hard, dieting, and studying. I’m here to steal the show, I’m here to make you remember my name, and I’m here to build a legacy.

Jimmy Rave
“The Crown Jewel”
www.JimmyRave.com
Bookings: Showbis@aol.com