Last updated on February 24, 2016
By: Barbara Harmon, Assistant Editor
Brian Ferrell, a student at Volunteer State Community College, is also referred to by another name.
While Brian Ferrell is what his fellow classmates hear in class, “Brian Valor” is his name in the ring.
Ferrell is 26-years-old and pursuing his dream as a professional wrestler.
“I’ve been a wrestling fan since I was 5-years-old,” said Ferrell.
“The earliest match that I can remember watching was Macho Man Randy Savage vs The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania 7.
“Ever since then, I’ve been hooked,” he said.
Ferrell said he grew up with three brothers and they spent a lot of time wrestling around the house.
As a child, he said he collected wrestling video tapes, wrestling action figures, and wrestling magazines.
“From an early age, I always knew I wanted to be a wrestler and had an aspiration to become one,” said Ferrell.
“There were times I tried to shy away from it, because I knew about the risk and injuries.
“Seeing all the old timers who are old and broken down and can barely walk, plus the traveling and never being at home,” he said.
Ferrell said he used those reasons as excuses to pursue other things, but remained a loyal wrestling fan.
“But after a pep talk with my dad, about growing up with no regrets, it got me to thinking again about pursuing this career,” said Ferrell.
“That’s when I started looking for schools to go train at, and the rest is history,” he said.
Ferrell started training early last year in Lewisburg, Tennessee with Mikey Dunn.
After about five months with him, he went on the road with Shaun Hoodrich.
Ferrell continued to train with Hoodrich and became his tag team partner.
“I wrestle for USA Championship Wrestling, and they run shows in Gladeville, Tennessee; Lebanon, Tennessee; Dickson, Tennessee; Covington, Tennessee; and Jackson, Tennessee,” said Ferrell.
He wrestles for the Southern Wrestling Federation (SWF) in Tullahoma, Tennessee and Next Generation Wrestling (NGW) in Newport, Tennessee, as well.
“I am also one half of the NGW Tag Team Champion for Next Generation Wrestling down in Newport, Tennessee,” said Ferrell.
Ferrell has met or been in the ring with famous wrestlers like Ricky Morton, Bill Dundee and Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Ferrell explained that depending on which promotion he is with, determined if he was a heel (bad guy) or a baby-face (good guy).
He said wrestling is a typical superhero story—the heel gets heat from the crowd, and the baby-face gets cheered.
“I prefer being a bad guy—I like being a heel,” said Ferrell.
“I’m better at smack talking and feel like I’m a natural heel at heart, too,” he said.
Ferrell said it does not really bother him when people call wrestling fake, because they do not fully understand what wrestlers have to put their bodies through.
Ferrell explained that you do get hurt when you hit the mat, which is metal bars covered by wood and a mat.
“So it hurts when you get slammed on the ring,” said Ferrell. “You feel it every time.”
“Literally you are getting hurt out there, and at times I’m hurting myself more than my opponent,” said Ferrell.
“You have to brace yourself when you are doing moves off the top rope, because you are receiving the brunt of the impact,” he said.
“It’s the best decision I have ever made, and I feel that when pro wrestling is done right, it’s the greatest thing on earth,” said Ferrell.
“My only regret is that I wish I had started earlier, when I was 18 or 19,” he said.
“But now my goal is to make it to the WWE,” said Ferrell.
He will have a tryout with WWE in Nashville, Tennessee at the Bridgestone Arena, Feb. 29.
“I will be an extra talent and will possibly be on TV,” said Ferrell.
“Then, Tuesday, March 1, I will be traveling to Atlanta to have a tryout in front of talent agents and some of the superstars for evaluation.
“And I will also be on the TV taping of SmackDown, as an extra talent,” he said.
Ferrell encourages everyone to check out Monday Night Raw on the USA Network and SmackDown on Thursday nights at 7 p.m.
According to usanetwork.com, “SmackDown delivers a shot of adrenaline to viewers and bring fans over-the-top action, feats of athleticism beyond the reach of mortal men, and WWE’s special brand of drama.”
Tickets can be purchased at bridgestonearena.com, if any fellow students would like to cheer for Ferrell on Feb. 29.
“See all your favorite WWE Superstars LIVE including Roman Reigns, “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Triple H and the Authority, the WWE Divas and many more,” according to bridgestonearena.com.
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