About two years ago, I began my journey in the sport of wrestling. I remember watching the WWE’s top stars on my television as a child, and I asked myself, “When can I start doing this?” On Christmas morning of 2014, I found the Independent Wrestling Federation’s website and immediately sent in my registration. Two weeks later, I received an email that accepted me into the training program; best Christmas gift ever, right?
I began training on May 4, 2014 and began wrestling on live events the following month on June 13, 2014. I haven’t missed an IWF event since! Prior to my first day as a student, I attended the 17th Annual IWF LOUD n PROUD Event to benefit Relay for Life. It was then that I knew I had to pursue my dream; the show, the crowd, the stars, and the electric feeling that flowed through the Nutley Rec Center on that night blew my mind away— I would never look back.
I received a small taste of fame early on, as I was featured in The Observer, a local newspaper that found interest in my desire to chase such a big dream. “Call him the ‘Golden Boy’ of the Ring: North Arlington teen Cammett aspires to become professional wrestler,” was the top story in the sports and recreation section of that week. The opportunities and exposure that I have received in such a short time amazes me. This was the first of many times now that I had been featured in a local newspaper along with other wrestlers, promoting an upcoming event or supporting a great cause in our countless community outreach appearances. I have had the pleasure of being a guest of Bert Baron’s on his morning radio show on 1450 WCTC, and have also been in-studio to observe interviews conducted by Sirius XM’s Busted Open Radio.
During my time as a wrestler, I have had the privilege of learning from some of the best, people who have made it in the world of wrestling. I have received pointers and knowledge from WWE Legends Dr. Tom Prichard, The Honky Tonk Man, Tito Santana, Bushwhacker Luke, Tommy Dreamer, Hustler Rip Rogers, and The Fantastic’s Bobby Fulton. Also, I have learned from IWF graduates who are currently working for the WWE; Superstar Darren Young, NXT referee Shawn Bennett, and Kev Kage have all given back to the wrestling school that gave them their start, and I have been able to benefit greatly from those visits. Darren Young even featured me and other wrestlers in training in his “Day in the Life of D-Young” video, which meant the world to all of us at IWF.
These experiences have humbled me greatly and remind me how lucky I am to have found the IWF on that Christmas morning. This journey has been an amazing one so far; as I am sure it will continue to be. There is no doubt that there is much more to come, as the past two years have been a chapter of the book that will continue to write itself, with the pen in my hands. Everyone that has lent a hand in my training has said the same thing, “There’s nothing like wrestling,” and guess what, they’re right!
