By: Courtney Wood 

Independent professional wrestling is an industry that attracts many different kinds of people for various reasons. Aside from  the ability to gain a “second family” and sense of community, many people are drawn to the crazy world of indy wrestling to prove something to themselves. This motivation is some of what initially brought Josh Jade into the business and has been the strong force that’s kept him here for twenty-five years. In that quarter of a century, Jade has gone from being a member of the ring crew trying to earn a spot on the show, to a seasoned performer trying to give back as much as he can by mentoring the next generation. 

Josh was born in 1983 and he grew up loving professional wrestling. He cites ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage and Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat’s legendary match at WrestleMania Three as his favorite match of all time, as it encapsulates everything he loves about wrestling; the more technical approach to performing and the superstars ability to tell grand stories through their moves. Given that he loves this style of wrestling, it is no surprise he idolized the man that summed it up the best… “the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be” Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart. When he got older, the greatest luchador of all time Rey Mysterio made him feel that he could become a wrestler too. Like Rey, Josh has struggled with not being the biggest guy in the locker room and was constantly told that he was “too small to make it”, but if Rey did not let it stop him, it would not stop Josh either. In 1999, determined to prove everybody that told him he was too small wrong, a 15-year-old Jade began working on the indy’s to get training. He helped set up and tear down the ring and ran the show’s sound production to get his foot in the door while learning a lot about how a wrestling show is put together and ran. Eventually, he would have his first match with his best friend who became a brother to him; J.C. Grunge. 

Even though wrestling was his first love, it was not the only sport Josh played. In high school he played football showing diverse ability as a linebacker, defensive end and running back. This is truly when he learned leadership and the importance of giving back. Football would take him all the way to Germany, where he would play semi-professionally. After high school on August 24th 2005, Josh joined the army and was an active military member until March 4th 2011. 

Fueled by all of the life lessons football and the army taught him, and the strong belief that he was born to do this despite being told he was too small, Jade decided to focus on wrestling. For the next few years he would wrestle as often as possible trying to perfect his craft. By focusing on a more technical style like his idols, he became a tag team champion with J.C. The two would also feud a lot over their careers, which Josh cites as his favorite feud and Grunge as his favorite opponent to wrestle. Wanting to learn as much about the business as possible, Josh also worked as a writer, booker and promoter for Mid-Ohio Wrestling. This position helped him become a better wrestler as it forced him to think about the wrestling business differently and more in depth than he would have otherwise. This also satisfied his desire to give back to the business as he gave many young wrestlers (a lot of whom were like him) chances and opportunities they might not have gotten otherwise. 

Now that he is at this point in his career, Josh has decided to put his energy into helping the younger guys in the locker room. He wants to share his experiences (including the ones that are not so good) and his knowledge to leave the business better than he found it and to give back where he can. This slightly altered focus does not mean that he is slowing down as he is still competing and grueling violent matches for the rush of adrenaline it gives him. It is impossible to say how much longer he has left in the business, especially now that J.C. Grunge has retired, but what is certain is that Josh Jade will make the most out of every opportunity he is given and will leave it all in the ring every time he steps into it.