Kahyman restakes claim in MMWA-SICW
Posted by reimaginejournalism on July 18, 2009
Former MMWA-SICW Junior Heavyweight Champion Kahyman retired from professional wrestling in 2008 after a knee injury that ended his career. Photo by Mike VanHoogstraat
By Kari Williams
It started like any other match. Champion versus challenger. Battling for the Junior Heavyweight Championship. Then something happened. Something that changed the course of one wrestler’s career.
“I was in a match with A.J. Williams. The week prior we had wrestled, and I felt like I got direct contact to my thigh. [I] didn’t think much of it. It healed by the next week. We wrestled. The match went extraordinarily well. I won my title back. The very next day, my leg pretty much exploded,” said Kahyman.
Back in Feb. 2008, Kahyman was on top of the world, having regained his title and defeated his nemesis in Williams. But one freak accident changed that. His quadricep and groin were torn. Both sides of his legs were strained. And retirement called his name.
“The hardest part [about retirement] was having to quit way before I was ready to do so. About a month or two month later, I broke down and cried in front of my wife because I had to quit something I was genuinely good at way before I was ready to give it up,” said Kahyman.
Being forced to walk away from something he loved, Kahyman became a recluse to the wrestling world. He stopped watching wrestling all together—it was too much to bear.
“I stayed away from wrestling completely. I couldn’t even go to a show…It broke my heart to sit there and watch anybody do what I love to do,” said Kahyman.
In the four years he wrestled at South Broadway Athletic Club (MMWA-SICW), he grew close to the wrestlers, as well as the fans. He missed the interaction with fans and the companionship almost as much as in-ring competition.
“[I missed] the people, the fans. The comaraderie with the guys who I am friends with in the locker room. It’s like you have an entirely other family, and it was like all of a sudden I was kicked out of that family,” said Kahyman.
Kahyman and A.J. Williams battled for months in order to win what each claimed was rightfully his--The MMWA-SICW Junior Heavyweight Championship. Photo by Mike VanHoogstraat
While coping with what he thought was his retirement, the former MMWA-SICW Junior Heavyweight Champion turned his focus toward rehabilitation. Kahyman worked with his specialist, Dr. Ziegman, as he went through a standard physical therapy session. Slowly, he began to regain strength, and began weightlifting and swimming four to five times a week. That took eight months.
Then the itch to return to the ring surfaced.
“My rehab was going faster than expected, and it had been about a year after my retirement. And I started thinking about it, and I started watching wrestling again, and…about two months ago, I made a decision that I was going to come back,” said Kahyman.
Kahyman gradually began to watch MMWA-SICW shows again, and as his return drew near, he could not help but notice how The Connection was running rampant on the promotion.
“I was really getting tired of the Connection just treating this place as their own playground and trying to run over everybody… what irritated me was watching [them] just [do] what they felt like they could do, and I felt somebody needed to do something about it,” said Kahyman.
Phil E. Blunt and Kahyman go to war in Jan. 2008. Kahyman recently called out Blunt, saying, "Phil E. Blunt, the man with a million dollars worth of talent and a two cent head, I’m looking forward to wrestling him again. And, if he remembers correctly, he hasn’t pinned me in over three years." Photo by Mike VanHoogstraat
After his first match back against Lumberjack Abe, Connection Member and Current MMWA-SICW Junior Heavyweight Champion Dave Vaughn tried to attack Kahyman, which only adds fuel to the fire.
“First thing’s first, I’m going after the Connection. Other than that, I don’t know if I’m going to bother with the Light Heavyweight Championship again. Apparently, me and Dave Vaughn have an issue that’s unresolved, so we’re definitely going to get something taken care of,” said Kahyman.
Through all of the heartache and pain of leaving professional wrestling; the months spent sitting at home, not being able to do what he loved most, Kahyman persevered and emerged victorious in his return match. Only time will tell how things will fare between The Connection and Kahyman, but one thing is for sure—Shaft, Dave Vaughn and Phil E. Blunt need to keep an eye out for MMWA-SICW’s resident vampire.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 
Kahyman said
We will know if I am to continue wrestling within the next week. As of Sunday afternoon my knee has been popping non-stop and I am suffering from the occasional shooting pain that feels as if I have been shot with a nail gun. I saw my specialist this morning and just returned from having an MRI. As soon as I know you will know. I hate to admit it but this may really be the end. DAMNIT!!!!!!!!!! Yours Truely Kahyman
Random said
Should have left the boots hung up……David Vaughn will destroy you
Kahyman said
And the resluts are in I went by this afternoon to pick up the MRI results and it is offical, I am done. There is a tear in my ACL that will neeed sugery in the near future. I am truely sorry if i have disappointed anyone and I thank those who allowed me to come back even for such a short lived return. Who knew this would happen and obviously my legs are not what they once were. I thank you once again and wish you all the best of luck in the future.
Kahyman.
PS Thank you Kari and the MWR staff for the great coverage and fantastic site. May your success continue.