FORT WORTH, Texas—Tommy Prince’s life in wrestling began during his time in theater, back when he was an assistant stage manager in a production of The Secret Garden.
Play rehearsals took place at an event center that his brother also went to for pro wrestling training. After seeing his brother train one day, Prince said he felt as though wrestling was something he could do and began training as well. That didn’t mean it was easy, Prince said.
“Everybody goes through their first bumps and bruises,” Prince said. “It’s not an easy business to be a part of, but it took me until about my third match to understand really how professional wrestling is and what you have to do to be great at it.”
Prince was no stranger to combat sports, though, and the resilience it takes to push through the pain. Prior to his wrestling career, Prince spent eight years earning his black belt in American karate, culminating a year where he competed in 55 tournaments and finally earned the belt in an eight-hour test.
Having experience in both martial arts and theater, it’s no surprise that Prince found himself uniquely suited for the world of professional wrestling. Prince said theater work fits seamlessly with professional wrestling.
“It definitely has for me,” Prince said. “When you’re coming up with how you want to be presented in the ring, its definitely a theatric approach. You want to think about what you’re doing, how you’d walk, and how you’d react to certain situations. It makes that character more real when you’re in the ring and people can connect with it easier if you believe in what you’re doing.”
It was realizing the presence of this connection between wrestling and theater that allowed Prince to flourish early on in his career. Realizing that the presentation of professional wrestling was its own play allowed Prince to rely on his theater skills to rise to the top of Metroplex Wrestling, also known as MPX.
Prince said he has faith in wrestling’s future. Even though many of the wrestlers fans know and love are beginning to retire, Prince said he believes that the up-and-coming generation will be able to take the mantle. But before that happens, Prince said he has his own ambitions.
“I feel like in 5-10 years I want to be even higher than I am now,” he said. “I mean, I love MPX, I’ve been here a long time, but I can’t just stay. I’ve got to be able to grow.”
These words are particularly poignant as Prince enters a new stage in his career. Traditionally a tag team specialist, Prince is a record breaking six-time tag team champion with his former team, The Scorn.
He left The Scorn last December, separating from the team he believed was holding him back. Now Prince is determined as ever to show fans why he is “The Supernova.”
