167 days. It took 167 long days for me to hit my first offensive maneuver in Pro Wrestling. What was the date? June 24, 1994. What was the location? The ECW Arena, Philadelphia, PA. What was the move? A forearm to the face. Who was the recipient of this devastating forearm? Jason Knight, "The Sexiest Man on Earth".
Jason Knight "The Sexiest Man on Earth" & Joey Styles
Jason was mostly acting as a manger in ECW at the time who would get under Joey Styles skin in interview segments asking Joey, "How do you like my suit?". He was looking to add the ECW Television Championship to his stable but I kept beating his guys denying him his goal. On June 24th I was scheduled to defend the championship against Chuck Williams, professionally know as The Rockin' Rebel, with his manager Jason. Chuck had a tendency to talk down to me and took great pleasure in making fun of my small size. He'd always tell me to take my shirt off and try hanging with the real men. I was already self-conscious about being so small but Taz told me not to worry about it as that's just how he was.
Chuck Williams - The Rockin' Rebel
As we were having the match, Chuck decided to embarrass me a little more. He ripped my shirt off and said, "let's see if you can still get over without the stupid shirt". Not sure if I would or not but in a few minutes we'd find out. when the time came, Jason hopped up on the ring apron, I ducked a move from Chuck and as I hit the other side of the ring I leveled Jason with a left handed forearm to the head. Jason took a bump and the crowd popped (cheered). To Chuk's dismay he said, "I guess your still over". This was the official "start" of my rivalry with Jason.
Jason told me the plan was for us to have a one-on-one match on August 13th at the ECW arena. HE would call me with all his ideas for the match and eventually we had our match figured out move for move. My memory was never very good and what we had planned seemed like quite a lot to remember. Looking back it wasn't that bad but at the time I was just the "beat up" guy who would do what he was told in 3 minute matches. I tried memorizing everything but it wasn't sticking. Jason would quiz me and I'd fail 90% of the time. I thought he had to be getting frustrated with me but he never showed it.
August 13th was a double shot. Which is when you'd have 2 shows in one day. the first show was at a youth camp that Todd Gordon worked closely with and Jason and I used it as a warmup for that night in Philly. To put it mildly, I SUCKED!!! I forgot almost everything and the match was BAD!. After got back to the locker-room, Jason pulled me aside and gave me a stern talking to. Her'e a basic recap of that conversation.
Jason - what happened out there
Me - I forgot something and then I got nervous and forgot even more
Jason - you know we have this same match tonight
Me - I know I'm sorry
Jason - Don't be sorry, be better.
Me - OK (feeling like complete dog shit)
Jason - You are a very talented young man relax and have fun. It will click
Me - I hope so
That night at the arena I was the most I'd ever been in wrestling. Even more nervous then my first match. Jason sat down next to me and we went over the match yet again. I was still forgetting some things but it was better. He said, If I felt like I was forgetting something, just do what I "felt" I should do. As long as we communicated out there we'd be fine. I immediately relaxed a little bit. The match went fine. Until the Pitbulls came out to the ring, grabbed both my legs and pull me off my feet and into the ring post crotch first. (Luckily Paul Heyman gave me a little secret to protect my nuts before I went to the ring). Jason ended up pinning me to become the new TV Champion and I was happy for him.
After the match Jason thanked me for putting him over (letting him win). We shared a beer and he told me a match can be planned completely, not at all but usually it's somewhere in the middle. As long as you can follow your opponent, lead your opponent when necessary and talk, you can always get through a match. The most important thing is to relax, listen to the people and trust your instincts. Seems simple now but in August on 1994 it blew my mind how easy he made it seem.
Jason was always willing to give advice and offer feedback after my matches. He was also willing to work with me and do whatever to put on a good show. I feel like Jason doesn't get the recognition he deserves when it comes to my career. A lot of that is probably my fault because his name doesn't come up often which I'm going to change starting today. Jason was just as important to my in ring career as Mick Foley & Steve Austin. Thanks for everything Jason. I appreciate you more then you'll probably ever now. Oh, and by the way... I love your suit!