Post by The One on Jun 17, 2007 23:03:08 GMT -5
Matthew Szaban isn't afraid of a challenge, even when the deck is stacked against him. Thus, he has had as many failures as he has had successes. He's glad to have that record, as the 22-year-old Bostonian professional wrestler has found that the road to excellence someimes involves making mistakes the first time around. Such was the case two years ago when Szaban, already a great in this sport, retired to join the United States Military- he went to war got shot, came back trained Airmen and got out. Szaban responded in a way that is very characteristic in a Szaban sort of way.
"I was upset about it, and I decided that it just was not for me. I became a vetren and enjoyed every moment on the front line. But my baby needed me, and so did her mother so I came home. I eventually got obsessed with training when I was out and I decided the best way to handle that would be to return to greatness- return to the ring."
Similarly, Szaban had a rocky start in professional wrestling. At age 11 he entered into the indy federation circuit to learn the basics, and get his character established. Szaban was unsure of how to go thinking if he should be like his childhood heroes, or make a name as Szaban.
"I loved all the greats of the 1990's. HBK, Stone Cold, Sting, Lex Luger, they were all what I wanted to be and I thought the best thing would be to do what they did as closely to them as I could. I soon learned that trying to be someone that I was not was damn near impossible. I kept telling myself, come on Matt be dramatic like Sting, be a bad ass like Stone Cold, win the hearts like Shawn. It just began to wear on me and I did not know if I could keep it up. I was only 11. I started reading WcW, WWf, and eCW magazines, even WoW just to see what anyone had to say and I realized 'these are just characters.' And that was just about the time I turned 12 and turned myself from a gimmick into myself, and that is how I have been for the past decade."
Already well built at 6'2 and 200lbs at 15-years-old, Szaban was given guidance by Shawn Michaels and exploded onto the scene in Extreme World Wrestling where he won his first legitimate World Title. "I was so Happy." Szaban was finally a mainstream Champion and never looked back. For many years Szaban would be dominate in any federation that he decided to grace and their would be few if any formidable opponets.
A few weeks ago Szaban was put in a match for the ages. It was to be the match 'seven years in the making' and it did live up to the hype; however Szaban was not the one to come out on top. For the first time in his career, Szaban lost a World Championship in a match.
Jihad 'The Ruler of All' Sullivan promised to end Szaban's career, and almost did. Szaban was missing for days following the match, but his cousin Wolfe made an announcement that turned into the introduction for the return of 'The Champion of Champions.' "I may have been hurting, hell I still am. But I could not stay away, I have never been able to do that.'
XVI President Makaveli was very displeased that Szaban was able to return, especially as quickly as he did. But due to the fact that he did Makaveli saw this former champion as a competitor for the first time. Makaveli gave Szaban a shot at the title if he can once and forall put Jihad Sullivan behind him.
In the next two weeks Szaban will face Jordan Glass -preview match?- in a singles match. Then Szaban will face his archrival in a Hell in a Cell Match. If Szaban wins he gets a shot at the World Title against Glass, if he loses Szaban will face Halo and Jihad in a tag team match. "I am ready for everyone. I never back down, never have never will."
