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EditorialWrestling With Struggle: The Story of Zach Gowen

Wrestling With Struggle: The Story of Zach Gowen

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It is Saturday March 8, 2014 at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School gymnasium in South Paris, Maine. Big Time Wrestling is holding a live wrestling event featuring former WWE stars such as Matt Hardy, wrestling legend Vader, and Zach Gowen.

The high school is lined with fold out tables along the walls filled with wrestling t-shirts of every size and color, DVD’s from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Ring of Honor (ROH), and various independent wrestling promotions, along with every wrestling action figure imaginable.

Tonight, Gowen is wrestling against professional wrestler Benny Jux. Gowen is playing the role of a “babyface” who is viewed as a hero and cheered by the fans. Jux is the “heel” or the villain who the fans boo and jeer. Jux is already in the ring taunting the fans as the fans boo him, awaiting Gowen’s arrival.

Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” blares over the gymnasium as the crowd cheers loudly.

“From Detroit, Michigan, weighing 169 pounds, Zach Gowen!”

Gowen walks towards the ring in his wrestling shorts with a large letter “Z” on the right side and a white ribbon on the left side. He is wearing his prosthetic left leg and walking to the ring with purpose with his arm raised, as the cheers grow louder.

In spring 1991, when Gowen was in second grade he sprained his left knee playing soccer. His leg never healed and within six months he broke his leg again and was experiencing constant pain. The doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

“They sent me to a hospital in October 1991 for a biopsy so they could surgically go in and see what was going on and the results came back that I had a cancerous tumor on my left femur,” Gowen said.

Gowen was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, and the sixth most common type of cancer in children. Osteosarcoma is one of the few types of cancer that begin in bones and can sometimes spread elsewhere, usually to the lungs or other bones. Males are more likely to have osteosarcoma than females, with most cases involving the knee.

According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for patients with localized osteosarcoma is in the range of 60% to 80%.

A recovery plan was set that involved two months of radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery with 10-12 months of radiation and chemotherapy afterward. This form of cancer is more likely to be cured if all of the visible tumor can be completely removed by surgery.

“At the time we didn’t know what the surgery was,” Gowen said. “We didn’t know if it was going to be a limb salvage surgery—where they cut the tumor out—or if they were going to amputate.”

In January 1992, Doctors concluded the best way to prevent the cancer from spreading to the rest of Gowen’s body was to amputate his leg.

“I had no choice but to grow up and get used to it,” Gowen said. “I had to deal with a real life tragedy usually reserved for adults.”

As he approaches the ring, Gowen removes the leg and his hoodie and starts jumping in place on his right leg. Gowen hops up towards the ropes and grabs them with both hands as he makes his way into the ring. He heads toward the corner of the ring to his left and using the ropes as leverage proceeds to jump into the ring. He poses for the fans as they let out another big cheer.

Three weeks after his surgery, Gowen watched the 1992 Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View at his grandmother’s house. The Pay-Per-View event took place on January 19, 1992 at the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, New York. The main event of the Pay-Per-View saw “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair win the WWE Championship in a 30 man Royal Rumble Match.

The Royal Rumble is a match that begins with two wrestlers in the ring, with the remaining participants introduced one by one at timed intervals. Elimination occurs when a wrestler throws an opponent over the top rope, with both feet touching the floor. The last person standing as the winner, after all participants have entered the ring.

“For the first time since surgery I was engaged in pro wrestling and I was engaged with that event, “ Gowen said. “I didn’t feel the pain of not having my leg and I didn’t feel the pain of having cancer.”

Gowen would later discover independent wrestling. Independent wrestling is classified as any professional wrestling promotion that is smaller than a major televised promotion. Independent wrestling is viewed as the minor league for professional wrestling.

Unlike big companies like WWE or TNA that have television deals and broadcast internationally, independent wrestling promotions typically focus on the local area and are much more dependent on revenue from show attendance than professional wrestling companies such as WWE. Because of the lower budgets that independent promotions have, most independent promotions offer low salaries, and the wrestlers that make the most at independent wrestling shows are typically well-known talent.

Most independent wrestling promoters can’t afford to rent a large arena or attract enough fans to fill the space like WWE, and instead make use of any almost open space—such as a high school gymnasium—to put on wrestling shows. Because independent matches are rarely televised, independent wrestlers who have not already gained recognition in companies such as WWE are given less exposure during the shows. However—much like in other professional sports—scouts from major promotions attend independent shows, and if a wrestler makes a good impression they may be offered a full-professional contract with a big company like WWE or TNA.

WWE wrestling is considered a full time job—where wrestlers that appear on TV can make anywhere from 75k a year up to 2 or 3 million a year—according to Gowen.

John Cena—a WWE wrestler who is considered one of the most popular and well-known wrestlers in the world—makes about $2,750,000 a year and is provided with first class travel and accommodation, according to an article on ringsideaction.com. This does not include the 6.25% stake that he has in merchandise sales. Cena is the top merchandise seller in WWE today, selling five times more merchandise than the number two merchandise seller, CM Punk. 

Gowen said that most wrestlers that wrestle for independent promotions lose money paying for gas, traveling, and food on the road. Few can break even in a professional wrestling career and a very limited number of independent wrestlers can support themselves only through wrestling as a career.

“I’m lucky enough due to my reputation, history, and gimmick to be one of the select few where wrestling is my main source of income,” said Gowen.

Joe Dombrowski—a play-by-play commentator for various independent promotions who just released the Zach Gowen documentary “Finding Zach Gowen: The Life Story of Pro Wrestling’s First One-Legged Superstar”—agreed with Gowen’s claims. He said that because of the variations between companies that it would be impossible to give a specific breakdown of wrestler’s salaries.

“It would be very difficult to boil down to averages—naturally, young talent just starting out are lucky to make anything,” he said. “Some who have been around for years and years but haven’t seen much progress climbing the proverbial ladder are likely only marginally better. Established commodities can make a healthy living, making hundreds, or perhaps even thousands for an appearance.”

However this doesn’t account for deceptive promoters who leave without paying their wrestlers.

On April 26, professional wrestler Gregory Iron posted on Facebook that Hardcore Roadtrip promoter Mark Livingston faked a heart attack and left the show without paying any of the wrestlers that performed. Iron landed on his neck and head during a match for the promotion and didn’t get paid for his appearance.

“Who knows the potential permanent damage I may now have for performing on an event for which I wasn’t even paid for,” said Iron in a Facebook post. “Do not support Hardcore Roadtrip.”

In addition to injuring his neck wrestling in a match that he wasn’t paid for, Iron also posted on Facebook asking his fans if they knew the name of a good massage therapist or sports physician. Iron explained that as an independent wrestler he has no medical insurance and is weighing out his options.

Independent wrestlers and promotions have utilized the Internet in recent years to reach a larger audience, with some fans that regularly perform for various independent promotions gaining notoriety among fans through the use of social media.

 “I accidentally stumbled into an Indy wrestling show in my hometown and they [the wrestling promotion] were advertising a wrestling school,” he said.

As soon as Gowen saw the words “wrestling school”, he knew he was going to start his journey. The following week, he started training at the House of Truth wrestling school with professional wrestler Truth Martini. Gowen wrestled without his prosthetic leg, considering it dead weight.

“It’s a hindrance for me and gets in the way when I want to do anything quick or athletic,” Gowen explained. “I wrestled in high school without my leg on so I knew in terms of maneuverability I’m much better without my prosthetic leg on and it was never really a thought to wrestle with it on.”

The bell rings and the match starts. Gowen is quick on his feet, despite the fact that he only has one leg. He jumps toward Jux, who quickly dodges his attack. He proceeds to roll twice to regain his footing before charging at him around the ring on his two hands and his foot like a dog as Jux runs in fear. Jux runs out of the ring as Zach gets back on his leg and hobbles around the ring. The fans applaud Gowen as Jux is being taunted by audience members for acting like a coward.

Dombrowski described his first impression of Gowen.

“Before I’d even met Zach, I had seen him when he made his TNA Wrestling Pay-Per-View debut in January 2003,” said Dombrowski. “I was absolutely blown away by the amazing athletic feats a guy with one leg was able to do.”

Jux gets back into the ring as they start to taunt each other. They approach each other as Gowen wraps his arms around his opponent’s head placing him into a headlock. Gowen flips Jux and Jux lands back first onto the wrestling mat with Gowen on top of him, continuously applying the headlock. Jux gets loose from the headlock and pushes Gowen down constricting Gowen’s head between his legs in a move referred to as a headscissors.

One year after making his wrestling debut, WWE contacted Gowen. He was a 19-year-old student enrolled at Eastern Michigan University and worked as a cashier bagging groceries at a local produce market.

 “When they called me and offered me a contract I liken it to Willy Wonka offering somebody a golden ticket,” Gowen said. “Of course I said yes and I think anybody would’ve said yes but I didn’t really understand the gravity of the situation I was in.”

Although Gowen had joined WWE, he still didn’t feel completely comfortable in his own skin.

“Zach was in WWE, but was off the road for a weekend, so he accompanied [independent wrestlers] Jimmy Jacobs and Alex Shelley to an independent show here in Pittsburgh, just to hang out,” said Dombrowski. “At the time, Zach was an awkward 20-year-old kid with major emotional issues who didn’t believe he fit in at WWE and I was an awkward 17-year-old kid with major emotional issues who didn’t believe I fit in where I was, because that was my first show as a regular play by play commentator.”

Gowen made his debut on in May 2003, aligning with a masked Hulk Hogan— who was using the alias Mr. America—against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Sean O’Haire.

Hogan and Piper were rivals who enjoyed mainstream popularity wrestling each other in the WWE—then known as the WWF—in the 1980s and 1990s.

Hogan was an all-American character who was featured as a face, or a good guy, and touted as a larger than life superhero-like character. He encouraged children to say their prayers and eat their vitamins and frequently overcame adversity when he faced the heels, or the bad guys.

Piper’s character was a Scottish character that was known for his signature kilt and bagpipe music. He was well known for his rockstar-like persona and despite playing the bad guy, was frequently a crowd favorite.

. “I was born in 1983,” said Gowen. “Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan were my male role models growing up. These guys are not only wrestling icons but they’re cultural icons.”

Their most well known match together was at the first WrestleMania Pay-Per View—which is the Super Bowl of professional wrestling—which featured Hogan teaming with Mr. T against the team of Piper and professional wrestler “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndoff in the main event.

During the segment, Piper pulled off Gowen’s prosthetic leg, revealing Gowen as the first—and so far the only—disabled wrestler in the history of WWE.

 “Their idea was to heavily feature me with these established stars to get my story the most exposure,” Gowen said.

Gowen breaks out of the hold as both wrestlers get back to their feet. Gowen runs toward Jux and proceeds to flip him onto the ground and place him into a headlock before Jux escapes and places him into another headscissors. This sequence happens once again until Jux rolls out of the ring for another short breath.

Gowen is the only one-legged wrestler in WWE history, but not the only one in professional wrestling. Independent wrestler Michael Hayes is also a one legged wrestler.

Hayes was deployed to Iraq in 2006 when his Humvee was struck by a roadside explosive. Hayes suffered extensive burns, multiple fractures, nerve damage, and lost his left leg to just above his knee. Hayes was the only survivor of the four in the vehicle.

“He wrestles with his prosthetic leg on and he lost his leg in Iraq or Afghanistan I believe,” Gowen said. “He was in the army overseas fighting the good fight. He got attacked and lost his leg and decided he wanted to get into wrestling, bless his heart.”

Jux gets back into the ring as Gowen lies on the mat. He attempts to run and jump toward him and hit him in the chest with his elbow, a move called an elbow drop. Gowen rolls out of the way and gets back to his feet as Jux’s body hits the mat. Jux gets back up and turns around as Gowen jumps into the air and drop kicks Jux right in the chest. Jux falls to the ground and rolls out of the ring once more.

Instead of waiting for Jux to run back into the ring, this time Gowen takes matters into his own hands and does a “suicide dive”—jumping over the ropes onto his opponent. The fans cheer loudly as people in the front row stand up in appreciation.

Gowen also teams with Gregory Iron, a wrestler with cerebral palsy, as the “Handicapped Heroes”.

“They are truly an inspiration proving that no matter what the odds you can still go out and accomplish your dream,” said wrestling fan Leonard Bibbs.

Gowen is seen as a hero and a role model and his career helped pave the way for other disabled wrestlers; Michael Hayes and Gregory Iron were both inspired when they saw him on WWE television.

“I was a senior in high school when Zach first showed up in WWE,” said Hayes. “I thought then that was one of the coolest things I’d ever seen.”

Iron explained how much wrestling alongside Gowen means to him.

“Teaming with Zach is honestly a dream come true for me,” Iron said. “When I saw Zach on WWE TV in 2003, it was hard to envision that I would be teaming with him a decade later. To share the ring with a guy that I look up to so much is amazing.”

“Fundamentally our team is a match made in heaven,” Gowen said. “I think we can reach a larger audience and make more of a difference and have more of an impact because our stories are so real and are from the heart.”

Gowen proceeds to get up and high five fans in the front row. He takes a hat from a little boy and puts it on as the fans start to laugh and starts throwing punches at Jux. They make their way back into the ring. Jux is just inside the ring past the ropes as Gowen is outside the ropes and Gowen charges his shoulder into the sternum of Jux. Jux writhes in agony as Gowen flips over the rope and Jux and attempts to pin him down for the three count, a move referred to as a sunset flip. Jux escapes and bounces off of the ropes to kick Gowen in the head. Jux uses a gutwrench powerbomb; locking his arms around Gowen’s waist, lifting him up, flipping him over, and slamming him down to the mat back first. Gowen flips onto his stomach as the fans boo Jux.

Gowen’s first televised match with WWE was in July 2003 teaming with Stephanie McMahon against The Big Show.

Throughout Gowen’s short tenure in WWE, owner Vince McMahon—portraying his larger than life ‘Mr. McMahon’ character—constantly ridiculed and belittled Gowen on television.

The story of this match was that Gowen was on bad terms with WWE owner Vince McMahon because of his association with Mr. America. As a result, Gowen and McMahon’s daughter Stephanie—who was also on bad Terms with him—were put into a handicap match against The Big Show. Vince McMahon billed this as the first ‘real’ handicap match and the scripted stipulation was that if the team of Gowen and Stephanie McMahon won the match that Gowen would “earn” a WWE contract.

With assistance from professional wrestlers Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, Gowen and Stephanie McMahon defeated the Big Show, winning Gowen a WWE contract.
“The match was executed perfectly. After I pinned Big Show the referee raised my hand and I looked out at the sea of people cheering,” he said.

Gowen was given a standing ovation for his performance in the match, and many wrestling fans still remember that moment to this day.

“The first time I saw Zach Gowen wrestling was back in 2003 when he moonsaulted The Big Show on Smackdown,” said Bibbs. “I was amazed to see that despite his handicap he went and accomplished his dream.”

Jux puts Gowen into a headlock and the fans cheer Gowen on, encouraging him to attempt to break the hold. Gowen starts to fight his way out, and the fan chants grow louder as he starts standing up and trying to get loose. Gowen wraps his arms around Jux’s head and drops straight down for a move called a stunner. Jux holds his jaw in pain as even the referee gasps and covers his mouth upon witnessing the maneuver, expressing his shock. Gowen turns around as Jux steps up and off Gowen’s chest, and hits the back of the Gowen’s head with the other foot, an enzuigiri.

“People need to know that Zach was a kid with a dream—that he wouldn’t let anything stop him from living it,” said Dombrowski. “Zach is a guy who had happiness ripped away from him at every turn of his life, but refused to wallow and sulk and ultimately found that happiness and made it permanent.”

Jux goes to the corner of the ring, climbing on the structure holding the ropes in place, known as a turnbuckle. He taunts the fans causing them to boo as he jumps off the turnbuckle toward Gowen. Gowen puts a foot up which effectively hits his opponent in the face.

Despite this positivity, Gowen started developing a need for drugs and alcohol. He was discontent, always feeling different and never feeling comfortable in his own skin.
“I found the answer to all of life’s problems in drugs and alcohol,” he said. “When I consumed drugs and alcohol they worked very well. But there came a point when they stopped becoming my solution and started becoming a problem.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, when a person is addicted they may not be able to control their drug use and may continue using the drug—despite the fact that it can cause problems with physical and mental health, relationships, employment and the law. Drug addiction frequently starts out with casual use, with the user becoming more and more dependent on the drug of choice.

When addicted to a drug, it is possible that the addicts may want to quit, but most people simply cannot do it on their own. Striving for the elusive feeling from when he first consumed drugs and alcohol, Gowen became an addict—he didn’t want the drugs and alcohol but needed them to survive.

“It wasn’t until I reached that turning point—I didn’t care whether I lived or died,” he said. “I wasn’t suicidal but I didn’t wanna live anymore. I had a spiritual intervention and came to a point where I didn’t care what the end was gonna look like.”

Gowen didn’t know if death or recovery was going to be his end, but at that point he felt that he’d welcome whichever one came first with open arms.

Beginning in September 2007, WWE started offering rehabilitation to all former WWE wrestlers. According to the WWE corporate website, the goal of this is to help any former talent that may have a substance-related dependency problem.

In Feb. 2010, Gowen spent 30 days undergoing treatment.

“I was willing to put my ego aside and I was willing to be humbled and achieve humility for the first time in my life,” he said.

WWE sends an annual letter to former employees telling them about the program. In January 2011, 663 letters were sent out to former WWE wrestlers. The letter explains that the WWE is offering to pay for drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation for any formerly contracted performer. It explains that any conversation between a former employee and WWE will be held confidential and that the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They emphasize that the treatment will be paid in full and that there is no cost for formerly contracted talent or their families. Rehabilitation is provided for all former performers regardless of the circumstances of a wrestler’s departure or how long they performed for WWE.

In addition to this, WWE has a confidential hotline for former talent to call and seek admittance to a certified treatment center, with all expenses covered by WWE. WWE also retains contact with talent who have entered a rehab program or reached out for WWE assistance.

Throughout his recovery period, Gowen said that his wife has been a saint. Although he has been sober for four years, they were together for six.

 “She was with me through the darkest times and she saw something in me and she loved me even when I couldn’t love myself,” he said.

According to the WWE corporate website, six percent of former WWE wrestlers have accepted assistance.

Gowen and Jux both get back up in opposite corners. Jux runs toward Gowen, who jumps up and kicks Jux in the face, before getting up onto the turnbuckle and jumping down to dropkick him.

Gowen shows off and poses for the fans and their cheers grow louder. Gowen runs toward Jux, but Jux applies a front face lock to Gowen, lifting him to an upside-down position and attempting to slam him backward down onto the mat, a suplex. Gowen counters the suplex halfway through and uses his body weight to fall backward so that Jux is forced to dive forward onto his head, a DDT.

Gowen has been taking suggestions since completing his treatment and hasn’t felt the urge to pick up a drink or a drug. He is happy to sat that he can raise his can be there for him and is proud that after achieving sobriety he can be a responsible partner to his wife.

“The idea that my son will never have to see me drink, never has to see me drunk, never has to see me high, never has to see me abusive, that in itself is a miracle,” he said. “It’s an opportunity that I have and it’s a lot of responsibility that I have but I welcome it with open arms.”

“Zach is an amazing family man,” Dombrowski said in agreement. “And seeing him with his child would bring a smile to even the most cynical of people.”

Gowen goes to pin Jux and win the match.

“One! Two!”

Jux kicks out of the pin attempt as the fans scream in disappointment.

“Honestly I love my life and I couldn’t say that before,” Gowen said. “but I can look at the man in the mirror and I can say I love my life and to me I can say that’s a miracle.”

Jux stuns Gowen and kicks him in the face.

“One! Two!”

The fans scream loudly as Gowen kicks out of the pin attempt.

The Handicapped Heroes inspire others through a new career in public speaking through CoolSpeak. CoolSpeak was founded in 2009 and delivers key programs and events to keep students inspired, parents involved and teachers engaged while promoting student outreach.

“They are the premiere speaking agency for talking to kids and I believe my story is meant to be shared,” Gowen said. “I’m 30 years old and I’m learning a brand new career and a brand new skill which is scary but rewarding.”

CoolSpeak CEO and President Carlos Ojeda Jr. explained the working relationship between Gowen and CoolSpeak.

“Zach is currently in the early stages of developing a professional relationship with us,” said Ojeda. “Zach called me last year to ask questions about the speaking business.”

Ojeda has been in the public speaking business for 15 years and his company has been operational for the past five years. Their goal is to provide inspiration to students to allow them to achieve their full potential.

“I’m always down to help someone who wants to help kids,” said Ojeda.  “It’s our passion and the more messengers we can get out there the better.”

Kayden Reinke, a 14-year-old wrestling fan that travels an average of 45 minutes to an hour to wrestling shows across Ohio—and has also suffered from cancer—explained how Gowen has inspired him.

“He’s proved that health issues shouldn’t stop you from achieving your goals and getting where you want,” said Reinke. “Pro wrestling is like my vacation from all the needles and medicine.”

Ojeda told the story of when Gowen joined CoolSpeak, explaining how in 2013 he spent an hour on the phone with Gowen. He then invited Gowen to a symposium for aspiring youth speakers.

“He attended and impressed us, so I invited him to shadow me through a tour through Michigan, where he lives—he did great,” said Ojeda. “The kids loved him and his story, so we began to move forward with his development.”

“Dare I say no one has ever lived a life quite like Zach has,” said Dombrowski. “And maybe that’s why there’s no one else on this earth quite like Zach is. It is an honor to call him a friend, brother, business partner, colleague, and inspiration.”

Ojeda also explained how Gowen will be joining CoolSpeak for the “Get In Gear” college readiness program.

“Getting the opportunity to do some speaking with Zach is a pleasure,” said Iron. “Our stories individually are incredible, combining them makes them extra special and I believe that our stories send a message to kids that all dreams are possible, so long as you chase them.”

“That [inspiring] is what they’re out there doing,” said Hayes. “And it’s a great learning tool to be able to see it all.”

When Gowen does a speaking presentation he can tell his story, which he feels makes more of a difference than when he’s wrestling in a ring.

“When I’m on the stage and I have my words, my presentations and videos I can take you on a journey that will hopefully plant a seed of inspiration or change a life or two,” he said. “It’s been incredible and I’m so happy that I have the courage now to pursue that when I didn’t before—I’m in a really good place.”

The two end up at another turnbuckle; Jux is standing on top of it as Gowen throws punches from outside of the ropes.

Although his career in WWE was short-lived, lasting less than a year, Gowen still wrestles on the independent circuit for various promotions. He still keeps in touch with former WWE coworker Rhyno who he feels is one of the most genuine people he’s ever met in his life. Gowen considers him a great friend and travels to wrestling shows with him a lot. He also travels with the man who trained him, Truth Martini, and independent wrestler Jimmy Jacobs, who he has developed a strong friendship with over the past 10-12 years.

“It’s a privilege to do what I love for a living and travel around the world with some of my best friends,” he said. “What more could I ask for?”

Jux falls of the turnbuckle into the ring as Gowen climbs the turnbuckle. Gowen faces away from his opponent and executes a backflip landing on Jux, which is his signature move the moonsault.

The fans scream the loudest they have the entire night.

“One! Two! Three!”

Gowen wins the match.

His music plays as he climbs the turnbuckle and raises his arms in victory.

Gowen grabs a microphone and praises his fans.

“Without you guys, I wouldn’t exist as a performer and I wanna keep existing and I wanna keep living out my dream,” he said. “Thank you very much and God bless you guys.”

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