Kevin Woods, a rising star in the wrestling world, didn\u2019t start his athletic career on the mat. His first love was baseball, a sport he passionately pursued for a decade. \u201cI wanted to be a professional baseball player. That was my first big dream,\u201d Woods recalls, tracing his journey from the baseball diamond to the wrestling ring. After realizing his baseball career wouldn\u2019t go beyond community college, Woods felt the pull of a new challenge that would push his physical and mental limits. That challenge came in the form of professional wrestling.<\/p>\n
Woods initially fell in love with wrestling as a fan at age 12, never imagining he\u2019d one day be an active part of the sport. But an ad for the CSW Training Academy, based in Franklin Park, Illinois, changed everything. Encouraged by a close friend, he took the plunge, training under Steve Boz and Doug Simmons at CSW. \u201cThat first bump, those first times running the ropes\u2014it hurts a lot. But I went full tilt with training,\u201d he says, reminiscing on his early wrestling days. Despite the grueling pace and minor injuries that mounted over time, he developed a deep respect for the sport. However, after about a year, Woods hit a breaking point. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t fun anymore, and I thought, if it\u2019s not fun, why am I doing this?\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n
After a brief hiatus, Woods couldn\u2019t ignore the itch to return to wrestling. This time, he felt drawn to the role of a referee, a position that unexpectedly became his passion. \u201cPeople think refereeing is just counting to three, but there\u2019s so much more. The psychology, the intensity\u2014it\u2019s about making the match bigger than it can be,\u201d Woods shares. Woods transitioned full-time into refereeing during the pandemic, a shift that has since propelled him into the rings of major wrestling promotions.<\/p>\n
From working events at Chicago\u2019s Cicero Stadium with Major League Wrestling (MLW) to refereeing for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Woods has shared the ring with some of the biggest names in the business, including Minoru Suzuki, Matt Riddle, and Mustafa Ali. \u201cBeing able to ref for legends is surreal. There\u2019s always a moment where I think, how did I get here?\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Woods is deeply passionate about perfecting his craft. He constantly studies the nuances of refereeing, often rewatching his own performances and analyzing areas for improvement. \u201cI used to hate watching myself, but I forced myself to do it. Trial and error, studying the greats, it all helps make me better,\u201d Woods explains. He even trained with renowned WWE referee Mike Chioda, whose advice and mentorship have profoundly influenced him.<\/p>\n
For Woods, success isn\u2019t about fame or fortune; it\u2019s about legacy. \u201cMy goal is to be the best professional wrestling referee of all time,\u201d he says. Inspired by the movie\u00a0The Natural<\/em>, he aspires to be remembered as someone who changed the game. \u201cI want people to say, \u2018There goes Kevin Woods, the best to ever do it,\u2019\u201d he declares.<\/p>\n Outside the ring, Woods is active on social media, regularly updating fans about his latest matches and milestones. \u201cI love connecting with people who love wrestling as much as I do,\u201d he says, encouraging fans to follow his journey on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @Kevin_Woods31.<\/p>\n With upcoming matches for Chicago Style Wrestling (CSW) and future MLW events in Dallas, Texas, Woods shows no signs of slowing down. As he looks ahead, one thing is clear: Kevin Woods is ready to leave his mark on the wrestling world\u2014one three-count at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"