Post by Chris Hero on Sept 13, 2007 6:43:00 GMT -5
Hey everyone. Although it's been awhile since I last posted, I haven't forgotten that people come here and check out what's on my mind every now and again. Words cannot express how appreciative I am of the support that I've been given throughout the years. September 12, 2007, marked 9 years since my first wrestling match. It's been a long wonderful trip thus far and I don't plan on slowing down or taking a break anytime soon. I truly believe that my best years are ahead of me.
I started out in a small garage in Middletown, Ohio shortly after graduating High School. I nudged my way onto some local shows and the contacts I made along the way proved invaluable. I'm thankful toward all that were kind and accepting of me when I first broke in. I often made mistakes, but my elders and peers alike were patient with me and led the way. The Internet proved itself a commodity by allowing me to branch out to other states, work for new promotions in front of new fans and meet and socialize with other, more experienced wrestlers. I spent time training with a handful of different people and I never looked back.
New opportunities led to situations where luck and being in the right place at the right time were all that mattered. At twenty years old I found myself in a Dutch airport catching a connecting fight to Germany. I didn't speak Dutch. I didn't speak German. I was just wandering around and trying to wrap my head around how this could have happened. Seven years since then, I've been around the world so many times that I often lose track. I've made friends that I will have for the rest of my life. From Ohio to Pittsburgh. From Louisville to Philadelphia. From Germany, to Japan, to England, to Los Angeles, to Chicago. I don't get to keep up with everyone as much as I would like to, but when I do have the opportunity, it's almost like no time was lost. We pick up right where we left off and I'm reminded of all the good experiences I've had. There are so many fun memories that I would need to write them all down to keep from confusing them.
Right now, things are amazing for me. I have a full schedule, a contract with Ring of Honor, I'm healthy and I'm surrounded by people that support me and drive me to do things I never thought were possible. I don't feel that there's anything that can stand in the way of my dreams and aspirations.
For those of you that believed in me and gave me a chance to prove myself, I thank you. To my fellow wrestlers that have pushed me beyond my limits both in the ring and out, I thank you.
If, at any time, you've looked up to me for advice, I hope that I was receptive and worthy of your admiration. I'm fortunate to have some of the most respectable, talented and humble students in the business. I am proud of you all. Many of you have and will continue to surpass me in different ways and there are many more on their way. If you think that doesn't push me to give it my all, every single time, you're crazy :-)
To my Mom, you've always supported me, right or wrong. Many things have changed since the Hara Arena days in the late 80's but I will continue to do my best to make you proud. I have an amazing girlfriend and although things aren't always exactly rainbows and puppy dogs, the good far outweighs the not-so-fun. I honestly believe that there isn't anything we can't do. Thank you for being you and being there for me.
Lastly, to all of you that love wrestling and appreciate what we do, no matter how flawed it may be at times, thank you. Without your continued support, we will falter and cease to be.
Here's to another 9 years. Not just for me, but wrestling in general. Let's keep this business thriving. By 2016, I hope that we all still love the sport and are reminded often of why we fell in love with it to begin with.
Thanks for reading.
-CH
I started out in a small garage in Middletown, Ohio shortly after graduating High School. I nudged my way onto some local shows and the contacts I made along the way proved invaluable. I'm thankful toward all that were kind and accepting of me when I first broke in. I often made mistakes, but my elders and peers alike were patient with me and led the way. The Internet proved itself a commodity by allowing me to branch out to other states, work for new promotions in front of new fans and meet and socialize with other, more experienced wrestlers. I spent time training with a handful of different people and I never looked back.
New opportunities led to situations where luck and being in the right place at the right time were all that mattered. At twenty years old I found myself in a Dutch airport catching a connecting fight to Germany. I didn't speak Dutch. I didn't speak German. I was just wandering around and trying to wrap my head around how this could have happened. Seven years since then, I've been around the world so many times that I often lose track. I've made friends that I will have for the rest of my life. From Ohio to Pittsburgh. From Louisville to Philadelphia. From Germany, to Japan, to England, to Los Angeles, to Chicago. I don't get to keep up with everyone as much as I would like to, but when I do have the opportunity, it's almost like no time was lost. We pick up right where we left off and I'm reminded of all the good experiences I've had. There are so many fun memories that I would need to write them all down to keep from confusing them.
Right now, things are amazing for me. I have a full schedule, a contract with Ring of Honor, I'm healthy and I'm surrounded by people that support me and drive me to do things I never thought were possible. I don't feel that there's anything that can stand in the way of my dreams and aspirations.
For those of you that believed in me and gave me a chance to prove myself, I thank you. To my fellow wrestlers that have pushed me beyond my limits both in the ring and out, I thank you.
If, at any time, you've looked up to me for advice, I hope that I was receptive and worthy of your admiration. I'm fortunate to have some of the most respectable, talented and humble students in the business. I am proud of you all. Many of you have and will continue to surpass me in different ways and there are many more on their way. If you think that doesn't push me to give it my all, every single time, you're crazy :-)
To my Mom, you've always supported me, right or wrong. Many things have changed since the Hara Arena days in the late 80's but I will continue to do my best to make you proud. I have an amazing girlfriend and although things aren't always exactly rainbows and puppy dogs, the good far outweighs the not-so-fun. I honestly believe that there isn't anything we can't do. Thank you for being you and being there for me.
Lastly, to all of you that love wrestling and appreciate what we do, no matter how flawed it may be at times, thank you. Without your continued support, we will falter and cease to be.
Here's to another 9 years. Not just for me, but wrestling in general. Let's keep this business thriving. By 2016, I hope that we all still love the sport and are reminded often of why we fell in love with it to begin with.
Thanks for reading.
-CH
