📈 FIELD GUIDE 67: Aim Higher

Long ago, in the days of high school, I failed Biology whilst in my rebellious teenage stage. When I repeated the class, I found myself with a pretty diverse, and all around cool group at our shared table.

Jonathon was one of those cool people. He was (and is) remarkably intelligent and such a positive force in the world. He brought many smiles to Biology class and is now doing the same in education. Not only is he spreading his light in the classroom, but he’s spreading joy and enthusiasm in the world of wrestling.

Jonathon moonlights as a referee for professional wrestling and is making a name for himself in the community. He’s got his sights set on the biggest of big leagues in wrestling and he’s making it happen.

I hope this weekend, Jonathon can inspire you to do something despite the challenge that it may present you. Anything is possible.

Happy Weekend.

Name

Jonathon Boatright

Location

Georgia

Soundtrack

I found the sport of professional wrestling when I was four years old. I remember walking into my friend’s apartment, and seeing the spectacle live on their television screen. I remember seeing the debut of Kane, and thinking, “This is AMAZING!” I sat and watched more wrestling in awe, being captivated by the larger than life characters being played out on the screen. The kid me would be proud of the person that they became, because they are chasing the dream that only seemed like an impossible task to achieve, just not as a professional wrestler, but as a referee.

In order to tell you the story, I have to go back to the Fall of 2021. My friend, Marty Miller was starting up a promotion in Georgia that is called Hope Championship Wrestling. If my memory serves me correctly, this was our third ever show for the company. That day was busy, from setting up chairs to ensuring the audio equipment was working for the music.

There’s a lot that goes on when running a wrestling show. About thirty minutes before bell time, I could tell that Marty was stressing. I asked him if there was anything that I could do to help, and he told me that a referee had not shown up yet, and he was not answering his phone. That was then when he gave me a look (a look I know now that indicates he has an idea). “Hey, you have been watching wrestling almost your whole life, do you want to ref?” Without hesitation, I said, “YOU BET!”

It wasn’t until five minutes later when the nerves hit. I am very blessed that my very first match was with two men that are well-known on the Georgia independent wrestling scene: Skrilla the Great (who stars in The Peanut Butter Falcon) versus Fry Daddy (been on AEW and a close friend in the business). I went back to a couple of months ago to watch the match, and MAN! It is true when they say if you want to get better, you have to put in the work. That’s exactly what I did!

For the first two years, I strictly did shows with Marty. I was able to get some training with world-renowned referee Nick Patrick. While I only got to train with Nick Patrick for a month, I learned so much that I still use to this day. One day, Marty told me to branch out to get more bookings for shows. And, that’s what I did. However, I knew that I needed more training. While I was at a show in Panama City Florida, I met up and coming wrestlers Jay Tyler, Travis 3K, Eddie Hindrixx, and Grayson Pierce. After reffing their match, they said, “Hey! You need to come to The 4!” That next week I went!

Now, you may be asking yourself, “What’s the 4?” The 4 is a professional wrestling school known as the WWA4 (World Wrestling Alliance 4) located in Atlanta, Georgia. The trainer is truly one of the best in professional wrestling: AEW Superstar AR Fox. He is responsible for many wrestlers and referees that have graced many a television screen or cell phone. The two main ones that come to my mind is currently one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, Austin Theory, and the first black female referee in WWE, Aja Smith. So, needless to say, I am in the right place learning what I need to know.

Now, why am I pursuing my dream as a referee? I have had cerebral palsy all of my life. It is something that has tried to define the things that I would do in my life. When I was little and into middle school, I was made fun of for my limp. So, as a person that has been told that he was not going to do many things in life, I was bound to show people that I will achieve anything that I set my mind to. When I got the chance to become a referee, I knew that I had to chase my dream!

However, I am not only chasing my dream for myself. I am chasing the dream to show others that have disabilities that it is possible to follow your dreams. So many people have been told that they cannot do something because of their disability. It is important to know that you can adapt in order to chase your dreams. Make your own path! You can do it!

By the end of 2024, I will be on tv/cell phone screens reffing in a big independent wrestling company. I will also work with wrestlers who I have watched growing up (some I have already gotten to work with, which is crazy).

My goal for my professional wrestling career is to end up in WWE reffing at the biggest show in professional wrestling: Wrestlemania. My ultimate goal is to inspire others to chase their dreams. Anything and everything is possible.