10 Things You Didn't Know About Doug Williams
9. Fascination With Mixed Martial Arts Parlayed Into Wrestling Career
When Doug Williams began watching the pro wrestling shows presented by World Of Sport in the 1980's, training and breaking into the industry seemed like a pipe dream more than anything truly tangible. There was a lack of amateur wrestling clubs, never mind those teaching people how to bump, sell or work a pro style.
As a child, Doug always maintained a heavy interest in competitive martial arts. Specifically, he enjoyed the art of Judo, beginning that particular interest aged just 11. That keen sense of youthful intrigue grew into an internal need to test himself and find a way into the wrestling business.
Coming back to the UK from Germany, Doug started seeking out a school that could teach him professional wrestling. Before then, he became a National Champion in Judo, winning the 72kgs weight competition in 1992.
To this day, Williams cites his Judo training as critical to his success in wrestling. Working with a partner, he experienced the repetition of throwing opponents and also being thrown himself. Learning how to land (later bump) was born out of that Judo background.