When it comes to momentum at the start of 2020, not many wrestlers have been as red hot as “6-Star Booty” JT Energy has these past few months.
In early November, at Central Empire Wrestling’s final show of 2019, Energy defeated “Buns of Steel” J Fowler and “Rapid Delivery” Rory Fox in the same night, earning the opportunity to wrestle WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Six days later, Energy won his first singles championship, defeating Jaysin Strife for the 3XW Pure Wrestling Championship during 3XW’s Straight Outta Franklin Jr. High event.
This momentum carried over into the month of December when Energy made multiple appearances on WWE television as a member of Baron Corbin’s security team.
Then on the December 23 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, Energy, wrestling as Travis Horn, had a nationally televised match against Erick Rowan.
The match didn’t last long, Rowan essentially squashed Energy in less than five minutes, but that’s not the important part. The important part was that he had made his way onto the flagship show of WWE. His use of a candy cane as a bribe to Rowan made his appearance more memorable than the previous wrestlers Rowan crushed.
That brings us to last Saturday, January 4 and Central Empire Wrestling’s Bridge City Slam 2. That night, Energy had arguably the biggest match of his career when he not only wrestled but defeated Jerry “The King” Lawler in front of a jam-packed crowd inside the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, Iowa.
JT Energy with the pin on WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler
My son Emmett and I had the opportunity to interview Energy after Bridge City Slam 2 and we discussed his beginnings in wrestling along with his current momentum.
How long have you been wrestling and where did you initially train?
I have been wrestling going on four years now and I trained at Black and Brave Wrestling Academy. It started in Moline and now they’re in Davenport right across the river.
What inspired you to get into professional wrestling?
The larger than life characters. The old VHS tapes that I saw at my local video store. From the second I watched guys like Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, The Ultimate Warrior, I was hooked.
What promotions have you wrestled for?
I’ve had the chance to wrestle for Central Empire Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Revolver, 3XW, SCW Pro, Magnum out of Nebraska, Funky Monkey Wrestling, Zowa Live, so I’ve had the chance to get my toes wet here and there.
What did having that match on Monday Night Raw with Erick Rowan mean to you?
It was a dream come true. I got to be in a Monday Night Raw WWE ring and be part of a show I grew up my whole life watching. I was able to stand in that ring across from an opponent, regardless if I won or lost, it was a moment I will never forget.
How important was this match with Jerry “The King” Lawler tonight?
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would wrestle Jerry “The King” Lawler. Did I think maybe he would announce a match of mine if I ever gained enough fame and success in wrestling, sure, I thought that was possible. The fact that within a month he called a match of mine on Monday Night Raw and then I got to wrestle him, there is no way that I would’ve believed that. I would’ve never thought that him at 70 years old, being just a machine and going out there and entertaining, I just hope that I am the same way when I am his age because being able to do what we do that long is amazing.
My Son Emmett’s Question: Who is the one wrestler, dead or alive you would choose to have a match with?
One of the guys who got me hooked on wrestling was Macho Man Randy Savage. If there was the ability for me to face the Macho Man, I would lose my mind. That’s a dream match when I think about that era of wrestling, I love it. He was the man, he had the best outfits, the amazing entrance music, the elbow drop, Macho Man all the way.
What does 2020 look like for JT Energy?
I want to keep the momentum rolling, the ball is rolling and I want to stay on it. I would like to not only stay in the places I’ve had the opportunity and have been fortunate enough to work with, but I’m hoping to get some more eyes on myself. I want to expand my horizons into states that I have not been into, work for promotions that I’ve never had the chance to and then just learn, learn, learn. Because everything I want from this business, regardless if you see JT Energy in the ring as a good guy or bad guy, I want to get to where I want to be the right way.
With a career-defining victory, over a certifiable legend under his belt, JT Energy could be on the cusp of a monumental year. Fans of the independent wrestling scene need to take advantage when they can to see him live and in person because it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on TV screens in the very near future.
2020 could be the year of the recently crowned “Booty King.”
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