10 Things WWE Fans Need To Know About Eric Young
There's more to EY than a raspy voice and a sweet beard...
Who next, Elix Skipper?! David Young? Sonny Siaki? I'm beginning to think that this is something of a covert re-run of the Invasion angle, with TNA playing the role of WCW and NXT in that of the WWF.
Either way, another big name former TNA wrestler arrived at Full Sail University last night, in the shape of Eric Young.
EY arrived and immediately headed to the top table, interrupting fellow TNA-alumni Samoa Joe and challenging the new NXT Champion. It didn't work out perfectly for the man, but it would seem he is here to stay.
Despite his lengthy tenure in TNA there is a certain freshness to Young, and NXT presents a whole host of interesting potential matches for the World Class Maniac.
Young came out with his trademark big beard and raspier than rasp voice, but what else do we know about the man? He was a part of TNA for a long time, as long as anyone else, but there must be more to this lunatic?
Of course there is. Eric Young is as talented and versatile as they come. and his arrival in NXT can only mean good things for all involved.
Here are 10 things WWE need to know about the man behind the beard.
10. He Was Trained By Waldo Von Erich
Born Jeremy Fritz in December 1979, the man who would become Eric Young was a professional wrestling fan from the get go. As has been said before, professional wrestlers are pretty much just the biggest professional wrestling fans, and as soon as he got out of high school EY went straight into training.
The man who showed Young his first ropes was none other than Waldo Von Erich. A successful wrestler himself throughout the 60s and 70s, Waldo had a run in the WWWF (which would become the WWF), going up against Bruno Sammartino during his legendary championship reign.
Despite the name, Waldo was not a blood member of the Von Erich family, but he did the name proud nonetheless.
EY was evidently a quick learner, as just 10 weeks after beginning his training he was thrust into his first match, going up against that dastardly brawler 'Suicide' Sean Ball.
Scott D'Amore and Chris Kanyon also offered some training assistance, and after just 10 matches Young progressed so much that he was given a head trainer role.