Saturday, August 17, 2019
Strong As Steel
I recently received an email from independent American wrestler TJ Steel. Steel writes, "Had some health issues just after the last time we spoke. Years before I even thought of getting into wrestling, I broke my neck in a car wreck. Pieces of bone were torn off my C7 vertebra and over time, bone spurs formed and two discs in my neck became compressed. It's the reason why I only took about one booking a month since 2009. Another worker (*I'm not sure if he means wrestler) recommended I see a certain chiropractor who was able to fix a lot of his neck problems. This Chiro ended up being a miracle worker to me; both my discs have decompressed. By all accounts, I am 100% for the first time in my ten year career. This has given me a whole new lease on wrestling. I can now squat in the gym again which has put some much needed size in my legs as well as strengthening my core resulting in a more defined six-pack. But the best thing is I have been able to add and even make little changes to my in-ring style. I can work a much more exciting and quicker pace now; I've even added moves like a top rope blockbuster as well as springboard maneuvers. So because of all this, promoters have begun to take notice and show more interest. I'm being flooded with bookings from all over the place...it's amazing! Since I don't travel, I have settled on working Global on the first weekend of every month, PPW on the second, CSW on the third, and I either take off or work a single shot for someone on the fourth." Steel attached several photos (see below) and links to recent matches. Congrats on all the bookings, TJ! More power and more success to you! Thanks for the pics and links. Write again soon. Here are the links to the videos: TJ Steel vs Chris Miller (7/20/19), TJ Steel & Steve Boz aka Bruz Brothers vs Freak Show (4/20/19), Bruz Brothers vs Bernardino & Andrews (7/5/19), and Bruz Brothers vs Haters (8/3/19).
TJ! I don't know if you read these comments, but you look amazing, dude. I'm so happy you're feeling better. I don't think anyone here knew about your health issues, but knowing that you'll be back in the ring on a regular basis is great news indeed. Stay healthy and safe, and keep packing on those pounds. Also, now that you're changing up your ring style, you should think about changing up your ring gear. Since you're digging your legs more, maybe trunks are in your near future? Regardless, congratulations.
ReplyDeleteYes, he does read these comments.
DeleteWhat a wonderful piece of meat!
ReplyDeleteBeen thinking of doing trunks actually. Stay tuned ��
ReplyDeleteThat would be great, make sure the match gets caught on tape! Hopefully it is against a worthy opponent too. Good luck.
DeleteGlad you're feeling so much better!
DeleteMaybe you can answer a question I've always wondered about. Aside from just the "look," why do some wrestlers choose long trunks over short? Is it being self-conscious about one's legs, cold/drafts, less likelihood of a wardrobe malfunction, or something else? Anon.
Hey TJ, I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to read this blog and our comments. It shows you truly care about your fanbase, even though this blog is obviously for reasons additional to an appreciation of wrestling. Keep up the great work!
DeleteHi TJ (and bruno), thanks so much for sharing. I had a slipped disc almost 10 year ago now from the gym and have always been conservative ever since. I feel I'm slowly on my path to building my best body.
DeleteYou've got such a phenomenal body I would've never guessed you've been on a similar journey as me. It gives me hope I can keep getting closer to guys like you.
To reply directly to your contemplation about the trunks, that is ... just cruel and unusual, lol
To answer your ? About the reason y sum wrestlers choose tights while others choose trunks is really a case by case bases kind of thing. While I'm sure sum guys choose tights to hide their smaller or less defined legs thats only 1 of the many reasons. I knew 1 guy that always wore them Cuz he was too lazy to shave his legs. Also, sum guys might b afraid of being exposed for having a less than impressive package, wen u wear trunks ur not really "tucked" like wen ur wearing tights, so it pretty easy to c a bulge, lol or lack there of. Other guys like being able to have lots of designs & or logos on their gear and theres not much room for that on trunks, other than what u can fit on ur butt cheeks pretty much, which, unless ur Rakishi, isnt very much room ��. But for me, my answer will prolly seem dumb & make me sound like a mark, but its the truth so w/e. I chose tights cuz Chris Jericho & HBK were like the reasons y I got into the biz. I always idolized them & wanted to be them wen I was growing up, so of course I always thought their looks were killer, from the kinds of kickpads, boots & of course tights that they wore. But, now that my legs have put on size & also becuz i sew my own gear, iv been thinking of trying trunks jus for a change. But I think I will wait & maybe go trunks once me & my brother in law, Steve Boz break up our tag team The Bruz Brothers. That won't b for awhile tho since were tag champs in 2 companies & have ALOT of 'Bruz Bros' shirts to sell b4 we break up ����.
DeleteWell Chris Jericho went with trunks later, so you can still follow him there haha. HHH did the same and he definitely got huge and really owned it (continues to I guess though I'm not up-to-date). Oh yeah and Shane Haste/Thorne is back to trunks now that he's single again.
DeleteIt's interesting to hear you talk about wrestlers being sensitive about package size. It always felt like a gay thing as that's all I ever hear and feel the pressure of, but I guess it's universal to all men.
I feel my heart sinking as you say it'll be awhile til you do trunks. Oh the pain
Though maybe what you're saying is we have to buy all your tshirts so you can move to trunks?!
Thanks so much for the answer and the amount of thought you put into it. Kinda awesome that you replied at all!
DeleteYour reasons make a lot of sense(and Rakishi, yeah, HA! He could rent out Advertising space to other wrestlers). I get the matching Bruz Bros. long tights thing (esp. since Boz is your b-in-law, and that is a tighter bond than most tag teams have), although you can always try out the trunks when you appear solo, as in Premier. Anon.
You should wrestle adrian matthews and maybe borrow some ideas for trunks?
DeleteHappy that one of the greats is doing well. TJ Steel is always fun to watch and a fantastic wrestler so I can't wait to see his new matches. While I'm interested to see him in trunks I do have to say I really dig his current ring gear. The colors really make him pop!
ReplyDeleteTJ Steel (with trunks) vs Tristan Archer plus good camera angles = prime time match.
ReplyDeleteWould be great in a match as part of his continuing feud with Matt Vine (another BoW alumnus).
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Rlhk7Vz04
Anon.
TJ Steel.Thanks for sharring your story.It is truly a miracle and that you are making a great job with this second gift..The first one that you are alive aftet the accident.The second one is that you made a change to be better and share to have a positive attitude of keep going strong.Honestly motivating.
ReplyDeleteFYI: "worker" is wrestler-speak for... well... "wrestler." So yes, he did mean "another wrestler."
ReplyDeleteAlso, PLEASE CHECK OUT MY NEW MATCH! It was for the CSW Tag titles. Possibly my best tag match ever. If u want u can start it 4:00 in to skip the lame ass promo in the beginning that we arnt even in. Thank u & enjoy!
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/jB_SyFDS5u0
Already downloaded the day it popped up the Youtube channel, but haven't had a chance to watch it yet. Looking forward to it! Anon.
Delete