Most teachers spend their weekends grading papers, attending school events or relaxing at home. Carroll County High School teacher Anthony Henderson recently found himself doing something far less ordinary: stepping into a wrestling ring.
What started as a favor to a student has turned into an unexpected opportunity that could lead to a future in professional wrestling.
The journey began when recent Carroll County High School graduates Ethan Foster and Alex Welch organized a wrestling show at the school as part of a project-based learning assignment. They needed participants and Foster asked Henderson if he would be willing to take part.
“I said yes because I generally say yes to things and it sounded fun,” Henderson said with a laugh and a shrug. “It was nerve wracking, but it was fun.”
Henderson served as a manager during the first show, helping guide a tag team known as El Niño and Gaston. The experience introduced him to a world he had never seriously considered before.
That same night, one of the wrestlers approached him about participating in another event.
“He asked if I wanted to do another show and I said sure,” Henderson said.
Before long, Henderson found himself training at the Carrollton Training and Recreation Center alongside experienced wrestlers in the Professional Wrestling Alliance and learning the fundamentals of the business. The preparation involved much more than memorizing a few moves.
“Preparing was mostly basic wrestling stuff and how to sell,” Henderson explained. “So how to get hit and look like you’re getting hit basically. Drama, facial expressions and actually how to take a real hit.”
The training included learning how to react realistically to punches, grabs and other physical contact. While professional wrestling is carefully choreographed, Henderson quickly discovered it is far more demanding than many people realize.
“People do get hurt during shows,” he said. “It is more real than I thought.”
His growing appreciation for the sport led him to get the required state certification to be a wrestler and begin considering whether he might continue pursuing opportunities in the ring.
One challenge is the level of athleticism required.
“Those guys are really ripped or really strong,” Henderson said. “I’m thinking about continuing it, but it would just take a lot of work.”
His second appearance represented a major step forward. Rather than serving as a supporting character, Henderson found himself in the evening’s main event.
“I just kind of ended up in the ring the first time,” he said. “This time I was the headlining match.”
The storyline centered around a fictional rivalry with fellow wrestler Riley, building on events from the original show held at the high school. The crowd response was strong, and the performers developed an ongoing story that could continue in future events.
Although wrestling may seem far removed from teaching, Henderson sees some surprising similarities.
“I like making people laugh and stuff and I like performing,” he said. “I was in drama in school. Acting the part isn’t foreign.” He also serves as one of the Drama Club advisors at CCHS.
He also sees connections between wrestling and the daily work of being a teacher.
A pleasant surprise has been the people he has met along the way. Henderson said the wrestling community has been welcoming and supportive, especially as he learns the ropes.
“Ryan Muniak (co-owner of the PWA) was awesome to work with,” Henderson said. “Everyone was great. They were asking what I was comfortable with. They could tell I was nervous and they were very helpful. It’s a really nice group of people.”
Seeing students in the audience has made the experience even more rewarding.
“I had students at both shows, which was really cool,” he said. “I saw them in the crowd and that made it a lot more enjoyable.”
Nothing is officially scheduled yet, but Henderson believes there may be more matches in his future. Whether he becomes a regular fixture in the local wrestling scene remains to be seen. What is certain is that one spontaneous decision to help a student opened a door he never expected.
The PWA has several upcoming events in June and July. They also offer training at the Carrollton Training and Recreation Center for anyone interested in wrestling. Their events will be June 9 and 13 at the Gallatin County Fair; June 26 and July 24 at the Carrollton Training and Recreation Center.
Check out more of Henderson’s matches at the PWA YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/@pwaamerica
(Some photos courtesy of T and T Wrestling Photos.)