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He knew what he wanted to be

He knew what he wanted to be

Posted: May 8th 2017 By: Vinny Berry - Wrestleville.com

Not too many wrestlers at the age of 23 can say they have been wrestling for eight years, unless that wrestler had started when they were 15 years old. For Barrett Brown from Seven Points, Texas, he did.

His Mother had always known of his passion for the sport, so she got in touch with one her friends from high school that did some professional wrestling around the North Texas area. His name was Cody Cunningham and he agreed to train the determined teenager.

“Wrestling was always a part of my family and I just grew up with it,” said Barrett Brown. “I always wanted to know what it felt like to be in front of a crowd and to know what it meant to be a larger than life figure for the fans. So that was always an aspiration for me.”

Barrett met with Cunningham and the two became really good friends. The two trained off and on together for about four years. Cunningham was able to pass on a real solid foundation of wrestling skills to the young teen.

“He taught me the bare basics of wrestling. I had no idea of what I was getting into,” said Brown. “Despite my age, he treated me like an adult and didn’t hold anything back.”

While he was still 15 years old, he had his very first match, doing some small local shows around the Dallas area. After Brown had been wrestling for a year, he wanted to grow as a wrestler, so he reached out to Killer Tim Brooks and Johnny Mantell. They were veteran wrestlers that had made names for themselves, and had successful careers in professional wrestling.

“I wanted to branch out further than just the small local shows. So, I went to train with them,” said Brown. “I got on some of their shows and they opened a lot of doors for me even though I was so young.”

Brooks and Mantell stressed the fundamentals of wrestling and the importance to paying attention to the details. He was taught the psychology, the history, and how to appreciate the business.

One of Barrett’s big breaks in his career came when he was just 18 and he started wrestling on television under Matt Riviera’s promotion Traditional Championship Wrestling in Arkansas.

“People that I had worked with were telling me if I ever had a chance to get on that roster to do it,” said Brown. “That was when I felt like I was really getting the ball rolling.”

With Brown being on the Traditional Championship roster, it proved to be an important stop in his career. Not only was he getting his name out in public with the T.V. exposure, he was given opportunities to wrestle some famous names in the business like Cowboy Bob Orton.

Orton is a second generation wrestler and the Father of WWE superstar Randy Orton. He started wrestling in 1972 and has wrestled all over the United States and around the world. The Cowboy has been associated with a countless number of promotions including the NWA, WWE, and All Japan Pro Wrestling. He has held single and tag team titles almost everywhere he has wrestled.

“I think that was the biggest match that I have had in my career name wise. I got two years of knowledge just being in the ring with him,” said Brown. “He has been wrestling longer than I have been alive. I didn’t know what good was until I got in the ring with him.”

Brown pinned Orton, which was a huge win in his career, but what he gained by being in the ring with the veteran wrestler was priceless. After wrestling with Orton, Brown noticed that his footwork and timing started to improve and worked better for him when he would step into the ring with his opponents.

“He helped with those two things and that is what I took from him after having that match,” said Brown. “I was really able to learn a lot of knowledge that I was able to incorporate with what I already knew to get better.”

Now that Barrett has been traveling and introduced to different wrestling styles, his confidence in his in-ring abilities is growing, and he’s been able to focus on major career goals. He wants to win the NWA Jr. Heavyweight Championship that is currently held by Arrick Andrews.

In 2012, Brown had a shot at wrestling for that title when Kevin Douglas was the NWA Jr. Heavyweight Champion, but after nearly 15 minutes, the match was stopped by the referee due to interference. Even though the match didn’t end the way he would have liked it too, it was still a special moment in his career.

“It was very surreal to me because I wasn’t even 19 at the time. I didn’t expect to receive anything that important until I was 20,” said Brown. “I think we put on such a good match because our styles were so similar and it was like a clashing of the minds.”

While growing up as a wrestling fan, Barrett knew that the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was the title of all titles. At five feet six inches and 160 pounds, the junior title is a closer reality for Brown to achieve. Putting that belt around his waist would mean more to him than just being Champion.

“My original trainer Cody was a big NWA fan,” said Brown. “If I win that title, I’d be able to show him that I did it. It would make everything worth it.”

 

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  • 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19

  • 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
  • 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
  • 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
  • 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
  • 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
09-13
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  • Rex Mori Sep 17th
  • Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
  • Angel Reed Sep 18th
  • Billy Robinson Sep 18th
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