1/28/2011:
Well, it's been a few months since you've seen me, but I'm happy to say that Gregory Iron returns
to Reading on February 19th for CHIKARA! I will face off against Icarus of F.I.S.T., and I'm
determined to make this my first victory in a CHIKARA ring. Now, I know Icarus is pretty devious, and
always has a trick or two up his sleeve - defeating him will be no easy task, friends. But I've
thrived off of overcoming tough challenges my whole life, and this situation will be no different
for Yours Truly.
For those of you who don't know, I was born with a disability known as Cerebral Palsy. C.P.
is a form of brain damage that effects the mobility of muscles throughout the body, usually on one
side. My particular case gives me extremely limited use of my right arm, hand, and to an extent, my
right leg. Living with a disability has always been a tough challenge, but one I've fought time and
time again to overcome.
I went to therapy until age 7 so I could learn how to walk properly, and maintain
some sort of daily function with my arm. In school, I was teased, both for my disabilty, and my dream...
to be a professional wrestler. For me, wrestling was always my escape from the negatives in my life, whether
it was the kids poking fun at me, or problems at home. All the other kids wanted to be policemen, or fire fighters,
or doctors. But I knew being a wrestler was the life for me.
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People said it couldn't be done. "How can a guy who can't even tie his shoes become a pro wrestler...?"
Despite the critics, at age 16, I began weight training. At first, it was frustrating. There were several
excercises I couldn't perform, and I could only bench press twenty pounds. Today, weighing a mere 155 pounds,
I am able to bench press 220 pounds. At 19-years-old, in a small building on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio,
I began training to become a wrestler. It was the most intense pain I ever went through. Somedays, I wasn't
sure if I would even get an opportunity to have one match; four years later, I've had hundreds of matches
across the country, inspired people with my story, and met tons of people through wrestling, that have made
me the man I am today. I've been very fortunate. Despite my affliction, through hard work and perserverance,
my dreams are becoming reality.
My debut at this past year's Young Lions Cup tournament was a huge moment for me. When I started wrestling,
it was a goal of mine to wrestle for CHIKARA. A big part of me had always wondered if I would be
accepted by the CHIKARA fans. But there was no doubt in my mind after my match in the YLC tournament
against Lince Dorado. Though I lost in the ring, rising up in the middle of the squared circle
that evening, and receiving a standing ovation from you great CHIKARA fans was one of the greatest victories
of my life. It gave me the courage to take on the massive Tursas on Night 3, and again, though I came
up on the losing end, I once again had your support. It was a very emotional weekend for me, almost surreal,
and I can honestly say I will never forget it.
Which brings us to the next CHIKARA event. Icarus, I hope you don't plan on underestimating me on February 19th. Lince
had that mindset, and it almost cost him the tournament. Bring everything you have, because I'm planning on leaving
with a win. Come February 19th, you're going to find out why I'm called "One Armed And Dangerous"...
GI
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