Matt Hyson (aka "Spike Dudley", "LSD" & "Brother Runt")
I’ll give you some basics and then, if you feel like reading, a brief history of how I got into pro wrestling.DOB ---8/13/70 Height ---5’7" Weight ---I don’t know, about 135lbs. It depends what I had for breakfast
Trained by Ric Thompson at APW. Debuted as Matt Hyson vs. Frank Dalton in San Jose, CA 1994 Introduced and wrestled as Spike Dudley in ECW from 1996-close Wrestled WWE 2001-2005 Championships Held:
- ECW Tag Title (2 occasions) with Balls Mahoney
- Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Title with Kyle Storm
- WWF European Title
- WWF Hardcore Title
- WWF Tag Team Title with Tazz
- WWE Cruiserwieght Title
- NYWC Heavyweight Title
Here’s a little explanation of this bio. I lived in California in the early, mid-90’s. One morning I was watching Saturday morning ‘rasslin when a commercial came on, “So YOU want to be a pro wrestler!” That was it. I’d always been a huge fan and my only dream was to wrestle. Well, this was before computers gave everyone access to everything, I had never read a “dirt sheet” and had no idea how to go about breaking into wrestling. This was the first time I had seen any semblance of an open door and it was just a commercial. So I called. I explained how I was way too small to wrestle, but I would love to be a manager or ref or anything. So a few months later I was enrolled and in the ring. I was told to train with the wrestlers as managers and refs must know how to fall as well. Great by me! I was learning to wrestle. A class of about 10 guys showed up, all well over 200lbs. So what? I was learning to wrestle. A couple of months later and I was the only man standing. All the big guys quit or got hurt. So I waited until a few more guys signed up and started the class again. Ric Thompson, who’s a great worker and the heart of APW, pulled me aside and said, “To hell with managing, you’re fun to watch, I’m going to make a wrestler out of you.” Cool, I was going to be a wrestler! After about a year of training I had my first match. Cool, I was a wrestler!
I wrestled the indies of California for the next few years. I worked day jobs to support my wrestling habit as there was no money at that level. Paying dues is a part of wrestling and no one was too proud to put the ring up before a show and break it down after while getting no pay. But we were wrestling, doing what we love to do and learning and having fun. What a great time. Anyways, after a few years of seasoning I started sending tapes and resumes to every promotion with an address. The only one who didn’t reject me, ECW.
I got a call from Taz one day and it was pretty wild. I never thought I’d be a pro wrestler, never mind being a wrestler on TV. So he liked the way I composed myself after his thorough interrogation. A few calls later and he offered me a job if I could move to the East Coast. Three weeks later I transferred my job from San Francisco to NYC, packed whatever I could carry in a Toyota Tercel and drove to Long Island. It took me about 2 ½ days. I showed up at the House of Hardcore, where I was to continue my training and was met by Bubba. Bubba told me of the Spike gimmick and how I was under his scrutiny as well, he’s very intimidating. I met Paul for the first time at a show in Jim Thorpe, PA. He enthusiastically welcomed me and went about working the show. I debuted the next Saturday at the Philly Arena and was booked for every ECW show from that night on.
From there you guys know the rest. ECW folded, WWF picked me up, and then fired me. And here we are. There are many more stories but you’ll have to come back for them.
(from matthyson.com)
Guest Seminars
This year, The Lock-Up will be hosting several guest seminars. All of the seminars for current students will be available at the absolute lowest rate possible. Seminars will be available for outside students, but at a full price rate.
Currently Scheduled Guest Seminars
March 8th - TNA Seminar # 2 Featuring: Jerry Lynn
April 5th - TNA Seminar # 2 Featuring: Simon Diamond