PRO-WRESTLING’S first openly bisexual wrestler has opened the first training school run by a pro in Australia – right here in Melbourne’s west.
Hailing from Florida, WWE Smackdown and former Impact Wrestling superstar Orlando Jordan on Monday launched his WildKat Pro-Wrestling Training Centre at Brooklyn.
The one-time US champion in World Wrestling Entertainment made one unforgettable wrestling debut wearing little more than yellow “Do not cross” caution tape, descending from the ceiling and writhing in the ring to Dale Oliver’s soundtrack of Simply the Greatest. With lyrics: “The women love me and the guys want to get with me.”
But behind Jordan’s 1.93-metre frame of intimidating muscle lies a man who has struggled to get to the top.
Jordan hopes his battle against prejudice will carve an easier path for others. He says it’s a shame his preferences are such a big deal.
“It sure as hell doesn’t dictate my abilities in and outside the ring.
“As a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite. Anybody who’s ever seen me perform in the ring, when it comes to my ability, that’s not in question.
“In life, in general, I think it’s important that we be who we are.
“One of the reasons I’ve always been very open about my preference is because I believe that people should be who they are.
“I’ve met younger girls and younger guys who may have questioned who they are and I think that me being open helps that, especially as someone who’s in the public eye. I understand what they go through and they can relate to someone like me in that sense because I understand a lot of the prejudice they may come through and some of the hard things they may deal with.”
Jordan, who also runs pro-wrestling centres
in the US, will be a hands-on trainer at
Brooklyn.
He says the local wrestling industry “isn’t where it should be” and he hopes to elevate it.
“I love it out here in Australia, so I thought it would be a good thing to bring what I know to the industry in Australia and see what I could do to help it grow and bring a part that I’m used to at the level that I’m used to being at.
“And of course this happens over time.
“This will be the first Australian school with someone who has actually had a career in professional wrestling.
“I’ve heard a lot of rumours that people have said this is something that I’m not going to be around for but, trust me, I’m gonna be here and I’m going to be very active in everything I do, in the ring and outside the ring to help build the industry here in Australia.
“… It was pretty gruelling in the industry coming up, but that’s been my whole life anyway.
“Nothing’s ever come easy for me.”
