Featured Article Billy Kidman

Making it

Credit WCW Magazine

Growing Up near Allentown, Pennsylvania, Pete Gruner Visited the local bowling alley hundreds of times before realizing a pro wrestling training center was in the basement of the building.

Afa The Wild Somoan, an accomplished tag-team wrestler with the WWF in the 1980's, trained prospective wrestlers while dealing with the racket of falling pins and screaming patrons above him. Gruner first noticed the school when he was 15 and found his calling in life.

Gruner wasn't old enough to train in the facility at the time. Upon turning 16, he returned on a regular basis. In time, Gruner befriended Afa, who allowed the aspiring pro to watch him teach. At 18, Gruner was allowed to train, and he was on the way to fulfilling a dream.

As Gruner prepares to celebrate his 26th Birthday on May 11th, his in-ring persona, Billy Kidman is an established, title-winning wrestler. But Kidman's success hasn't changed Gruner. He remains the same kid whe made silly bets with his friends while shooting hoops- one involve running around the neighborhood naked if you missed the shot- and he still plays tennis with his parkland High School Pals.

He is the Same Kid who jokes About Crazy things he did when he was young, and he claims his brother Billy is the delinquent of the family, not him!

"A lot of people change when they gain noterity, not Pete. He's the exact same person," Says Chad Klimek, who, with pals Chad Royer and Mike Sacco, visited Gruner during WCW's tour Through Pennsylvania in February.

Gruner always wanted to be a pro wrestler but realized his size worked against him. With the help of Kidman and his lovely valet, Torrie Wilson, Gruner has reached his goal. "I never knew I Could become a pro wrestler with my size because wrestling traditionally has been a big man's business," Gruner says. "Breaking in, I didn't really care if I made it or not- at least I tried and had fun doing it. To be where I am today, I'm just loving it."

Kidman has come a long way since his first WCW contract in 1996 that paid him $400 a week. He now has a six-figure salary and lives in Atlanta's trendy Buckhead section. You Wouldn't know it by his ring attire, though. He wears a white wife-beater T-shirt that can be purchased in quantities of three for $10.

"As hectic as it is, as crazy as the business is, things are great," Kidman says. "I really want to be a part of the business and I am thrilled that I am. I realize how fortunate I am, how tomorrow I Could be done in this business. That's why I'm enjoying it while I Can."

Kidman's Future is as Bright as the Hawaiian sun. He's young, energetic and determined. He has established himself among the top Cruiserweights.

Kidman can beat The Artist, Juventud Guerrera, Psychosis, Rey Mysterio, Jr. on a given night. Kidman and Mysterio- two of the smallest men in WCW- were tag-team champions for a stint in 1999. Kidman has competed well against Vampiro, Booker, Screamin' Norman Smiley, the Wall and other men that greatly outweigh him.

"I'm on my way, but haven't made it yet," Kidman says. "Not until I'm one of the top guys in the business, if I ever get to that point. I'm my own worst critic and I'm sure that's how I'll stay humble. Every time I Watch something, I see a million things wrong, a Million things I want to improve!"

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