STEVEN BARNES spent a day with Josh Fikret, aka JXT, a Melbourne professional wrestler with dreams of becoming a WWE superstar. For now he's with Melbourne City Wrestling, loving the mix of athleticism and entertainment his sport offers. He's also a graphic artist and designer and has his own YouTube channel, JXTV.
“Getting up at 5am and sticking to a strict diet sucks,” says Josh Fikret, AKA wrestler JXT. He stretches before he begins working out to prevent injury.
It’s usually a pretty hectic day for JXT when he wrestles, having to go to the gym fulfill promotional commitments then travel to venues all across the state.
"When you enter a locker room you shake everyone’s hand to let them know who you are, it’s a code. Then you begin prepping for your match.”
JXT calms his body down with a massage before getting mentally prepared for the match ahead.
As the referee talks to JXT, fans cheer as his theme song plays in the background. He takes in a few deep breaths as he fight is about to begin.
A grappling match begins as JXT is forced into the corner by his opponent, while he claws at his face. The referee begins a five count and then separates the men.
JXT reverses the opposition’s momentum and get his competitor in a headlock, yelling to the crowd: “I bet I can keep him in a headlock all night!”
After a three count, JXT celebrates with the crowd as his music hits.
As JXT recovers, he talks about wrestler’s depression. “You go from a high feeding off the crowd and people chanting to your name and suddenly you are alone. Your adrenaline is gone and you start to hurt, and you feel empty.”