SouthernWorldwide.com – Pro wrestler Jonathan Gresham recently opened up about his challenging journey back to the ring after suffering two strokes, emphasizing a newfound perspective on life and a deep desire to support fellow independent wrestlers.
Gresham, widely recognized as one of the top independent professional wrestlers, faced a critical juncture in his career. In August 2025, he disclosed that he had experienced two strokes, a condition potentially linked to a severe bout of COVID-19.
Despite the severity of his condition, Gresham made a resolute promise to return to wrestling, a promise he fulfilled. On January 23, 2026, he made his comeback at the Beyond Wildest Dreams event, successfully defeating Ryan Clancy.
“I am, how do you say it? I hope I’m using this term correctly, but I am an empath. I feel for people. I realized this after I came back from my strokes,” Gresham shared. He elaborated on his pre-stroke personality, describing himself as introverted, deeply caring for others, but struggling with deeper connections.
“Before my strokes, and I talk about this a lot actually, before my strokes, I was a very introverted person but I cared very deeply for people but my connections with people wasn’t as I had hoped and I would always kind of be bummed out to myself about these things.”
The turning point came during his recovery. “After my stroke, I remember sitting there on the bed and my whole left side was paralyzed and I couldn’t move and I prayed and I prayed and I prayed and the next day, God gave me the ability to walk around,” he recounted.
Gresham views this experience as a profound second chance. “So, I looked at that as a second opportunity to live life a different way.”
This near-death experience has significantly altered his outlook, fostering a greater ability to connect with others. “So, since then, I’ve grown closer to people that I’ve known for years in the business. That’s because I’ve opened up more to them.”
His newfound openness extends beyond his wrestling circle. “Random people, that I meet on the street and on planes, at malls, at the movies, I talk to people, I get to know people, I go out of my way to talk to people and get to know people,” he explained.
The result has been the cultivation of meaningful relationships he never anticipated. “And because of this, I’ve created relationships that I would have never had before.”
This shift in perspective has instilled in Gresham a deeper sense of empathy for his peers in the wrestling industry. “So, I’m looking at life a lot differently now. And that kind of makes me feel more for my comrades in the wrestling business.”
He observes many independent wrestlers struggling to find direction. “When I see them aimless wandering the independents and not knowing where to go and when they talk to me, I can feel their frustrations. I can feel how scared some of these young people are and I desperately want to create a space to explore what pro wrestling can be. I want them to explore the pro wrestling they have in their mind.”
Gresham believes that the current landscape of professional wrestling, with its increased accessibility, has emboldened fans to offer constant criticism, which can be detrimental to aspiring talent.
He is particularly concerned about young wrestlers facing relentless scrutiny during their formative years. “So, prime example: when I started wrestling, I was head over heels in love with Rey Mysterio and Bam Bam Bigelow. So, I had the time to perform and do what I loved about pro wrestling and from that, I grew into who I am today.”
He contrasted his early career with the current situation. “Today, I started around 2005, YouTube was around but it wasn’t to the point where every show that takes place was being streamed or shown on YouTube. So, I can go around and suck and enjoy myself without that.”
The digital age presents a new challenge for emerging wrestlers. “But now, all the kids growing up in pro wrestling, whatever show they do is going straight to YouTube or some streaming platform. So, the problem is now they’re gonna get critiqued, not just by their coaches, they’re gonna get critiqued by fans who don’t know their story or care about their story and they’re saying the most mean things to them or about them and in a space where they can get it instantly.”
This immediate and often harsh feedback can negatively impact a young wrestler’s journey. “So, they’re on their phones and they’re getting nothing but negative things about them online and it kinda spoils the pro wrestling journey early on.”
Gresham’s mission is clear: to foster an environment where new talent can develop without this constant pressure. “And I want to help create a space where they don’t have to worry about that or go through that anymore.”
Demonstrating his commitment to this vision, Gresham recently participated in PRODUCE by Orange Crush’s inaugural event on Monday, where he faced Fuminori Abe and also served as a co-producer.
The next event in this series is scheduled for July 16 at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey.
