By Patricia Rogers | Posted Friday, April 29, 2022
I remember when I would attend my sister’s dance recitals and can not help but be overcome with emotion. This is when I learned how moved I was watching people do what they were put on this earth to do. I appreciate seeing people living their purpose, and in a way have always chased that feeling with the plan to make a career out of it.
One thing I love about my generation, and even more so the ones that are coming after me: is that we have made million-dollar careers creating content about our hobbies. I guess that is one of the perks of having the internet and social media at our fingertips. We don’t have to go to school for years to learn how to make and post a YouTube video or rake up millions of TikTok followers. One could say that there really are no barriers that can keep us from at least trying to pursue our biggest dreams.
If you follow me on social media you probably know that I have been dealing with my mental health for the last couple of months, so there was not a lot I was particularly excited about. (Sorry for my absence). However, when I learned of the Beauty of Blackness in Pro Wrestling panel at NY Comic Con this past October, I had to go.
A wrestling brand called Tiger Driver and its mastermind founder Khristen Wilson applied to have a wrestling panel and booth at NYCC this year, “because he wanted to see if he could.” I learned this during an interview with Khris, for a new Men in Wrestling interview series for my podcast, Those Wrestling Girls. I was surprised to learn that he has not done many interviews, and sitting down with me via StreamYard was one of his firsts.
Khris' brand Tiger Driver has a huge influence in the wrestling space, especially among wrestling content creators and popular social media stars in the industry. His goal in starting TD was to become the “Complex of Wrestling”, a mix of music, wrestling, pop culture, and fashion.
And I’d say that he did just that. The Complex brand is a hip hop music, style, and pop-culture-driven brand, that uses the tagline, "Making Culture Pop". TD9X metal-inspired merch can be seen on all your favorite indie stars, and influencers. The TD9X’s Twitter page has 11,000+ followers.
Recently, the power of the black dollar and the lack of representation in wrestling has been a hot topic. The wrestling community, just like the rest of society, has gone through a reckoning. People are taking a closer look at representation or the lack thereof. As well as the treatment of women, and underrepresented communities (more on this in later editions).
Black wrestlers and content creators constantly have to work harder, and often are not seen as valuable as their white counterparts. We have to fight harder to get noticed or be treated as equals. The hashtag #BlackWrestlingDraws went viral among the IWC (Internet Wrestling Community) earlier this year, with fans posting this with the purpose of elevating the promotion and presence of black wrestlers and big matches.
The timing for The Beauty of Blackness in Pro Wrestling panel was perfect. This was the first NY Comic Con event since the pandemic caused the 2020 edition to be canceled. Comic book, fantasy cos-players were able to don their over-the-top looks with like-minded individuals at the Jacob Javits Center again. Wrestling has always been a part of Comic Con, with signings and appearances. However, this was one of the first times that a black wrestling brand had such a presence.
The panel featured indie wrestling star: Faye Jackson, PW Torch writer: Cameron Hawkins, former WWE writer: Kazeem Famuyide, manager: Lovely Laveau, commentator: Jordan Rose, and of course Khris. As well as a surprise appearance by AEW Star MJF.
The audience was filled with fans, and peers in the wrestling media landscape. There was love, support, and hope in the room. There was also a sense of pride that we all felt, being a part of a game-changing moment for black wrestling. There were many introductions made, and business relationships and friendships strengthened.
The panel and TD booth are what made me buy last-minute tickets to my very first NY Comic Con. Not particularly one for cosplay, I never thought there was anything for me at the annual event, as I am not into comics. But I think after the turnout this year, just for the panel, and what Khris and I think was a spike in black attendees, there will be more of a wrestling presence for years to come.
I was able to meet some of my favorites, and well-respected peers, in wrestling media for the first time. As well as support my favorite YouTubers like Alex, aka Queen of the Ring. Also, I got to meet the panelists and Lovely, who has been a friend for over a year, and was able to meet face-to-face.
It was a special moment for all of us, and we were able to go out to eat and drink for the first time in New York City. This has inspired more in-person events that I plan to host with my podcast Those Wrestling Girls.
My interview with Khris, the founder of Tiger Driver 9x is available on Patreon.