Mat Matters: When Tyson Kidd met the lizards

Wrestlers are larger than life personalities that shine from our TV screens and in the ring. Seeing your favourites in front of 80,000 people in a stadium is awe-inspiring.

With the shut-down of so much through the COVID-19 pandemic, interaction between people has changed. In January, few knew what a Zoom call was, and now, it’s seems everyone has been on a few.

As a reptile educator, I had to pivot my business too. I wasn’t allowed in schools or at Scout meetings, so I went virtual.

The internet and YouTube have allowed me to engage with all kinds of people in ways that was unthinkable even 10 years ago.

Including celebrities, some of whom are friends too.

Like TJ Wilson, a.k.a. retired WWE star Tyson Kidd.

I have used my YouTube channel to feature different experiences and educational segments on these misunderstood reptile and other critters.

After featuring segments with singer-songwriter Jann Arden, and a video with Krysten Ritter from Jessica Jones and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, I reached out to TJ for a segment, which is shared below.

I’ve known TJ for almost 25 years, and he hasn’t changed. After growing up in Calgary, it was a big difference for TJ when he moved to Tampa and had frogs hopping around his backyard and alligators in nearby canals.

I like to be creative with guests, so I introduced him to three reptiles that reminded me of wrestlers.

There really is a plethora of riches out there to spend time doing online, and wrestlers have found new ways to connect with their fans.

Personally, I’ve enjoyed Chris Jericho’s Saturday Night Special, Xavier Woods’ Up-Up-Down. and MWF with Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins. The Dead Meat Podcast, which features wrestlers talking about their favourite scary movie, is another favourite.

But besides the informational aspect, it’s an entertaining look at the real people beyond the ring.

So give my little segment with TJ a watch, a share and subscribe if you like!