Matt Cross known as “Mdogg” has wrestled in 19 Countries wowing the audiences with his unique style. Matt has racked up victories and taken titles all across the world! This guy, with all his victories and titles is still as humble as ever and I think that is what makes a champion. Matt has an interesting story about how he became the wrestler he is today, read on…
Where are you located?
Born and raised just outside of Cleveland, Ohio
What is it that you do?
I'm a full-time, independent professional wrestler. Essentially, professional wrestling is my journey through a punk rock life. I act as my own agent and with a completely DIY spirit, perform all over the world entertaining crowds and myself. I've been doing this for a lucky 13 years in over 20 countries now.
When did you realize that this is what you wanted to pursue?
My Mom once told me, "Matt, you're either gonna be homeless...or famous." I'm working hard each and every day to try and make it the later.
Describe a few steps you took to make this happen.
Growing up in small town Ohio, boredom, and an early attraction to Straight Edge (which I still believe in), left me with limited creative outlets and entertainment options. I took to the backyard to fight with friends and we emulated what we were seeing on television at the time. A company in Los Angeles caught wind of some crazy kids jumping off their parents garages and before I could even really process everything, I was flown out to California and put in a video series (The Best of Backyard Wrestling), and a video game (Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home for PS2 and XBox) as both a playable character and the cover model. Having had a taste, I decided that professional wrestling was something that I genuinely wanted to pursue, and trained at a local Cleveland school for about a year before being cast out into the deep end of the professional wrestling pool. A decade long background in Gymnastics helped me to stand out and I was able to begin trailblazing my own path. A path that I continue down to this day.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I just wanna live a life half as cool as the breakdown in Operation Ivy's 'Junkie's Runnin' Dry'.
What are some of your accomplishments as a beard grower?
I always say, "for those that can't, I do". Beards, once they hit a certain point, get a lot of attention, and it's a very interesting conversation starter/ice-breaker. I'm shown a lot of enthusiasm and at times, disappointment from those unable to realize their own bearded dreams. I carry the spirit of those 'beards that never were' with me, and am always proud to inspire others. I did a contest here in Ohio two years ago and got 8th out of 36 beards. A year later, I was asked to be the 'celebrity' guest judge for that same contest. I thought that was sorta neat.
What do you believe makes a quality beard?
Literally, density.
Figuratively: conviction, dedication, purity and purpose.
What advice do you have for aspiring beard?
Stay the course. Don't let some 'itchy stage' keep you from real ultimate power. That phase is meant to weed out the weak.
Did you ever think you would be were you are today?
I've spent Thanksgiving, with Hulk Hogan, in Australia. I was once in Dublin, on St. Patrick's Day, with WWE Superstar Sheamus. I've been among half a million people at Woodstock Poland and I've wrestled in front of 72,000 at the Stade de France in Paris. I exchange texts with Stone Cold Steve Austin. I've eaten eyeball tacos in Mexico City. I've wrestled in prison's before murderers. I've visited schools in the Middle East and hospitals in Hawaii. I've been hungry in Hungary, ate Belgian waffles in Belgium, and sang Karaoke with members of the Yakuza in Japan. I've danced until 5am in Bogota, Colombia and I wrestled on the Ultimate Warrior's final show ever in Barcelona, Spain. I don't think that anyone could foresee a life like this....and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Where can readers find out more about you?
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to read a little about my journey through the underground, secretive, and largely misunderstood world of professional wrestling. I encourage everyone to follow my bearded travels, and interact with me at:
www.twitter.com/mdoggmattcross
www.facebook.com/mdoggmattcross
www.instagram.com/mdoggmattcross
