Jackal Stevens has seen it all in Coastal Championship Wrestling. He’s been involved with CCW for more than six years and has been a huge part of the growth of The Last Territory.
Stevens is a three-time Coastal Championship Wrestling Southeastern Heavyweight Champion, with a combined total of 618 days holding that belt. Nobody has held that title more times than Jackal and his combined reign ranks No. 2 in CCW history.
However, these days, Stevens has his sights set on an even bigger prize.
Earlier this month, Stevens returned from injury at Bash At The Brew 30 and challenged CCW World Heavyweight Champion Ariel Levy. Stevens will face Levy for the top title in CCW August 5 at Unbranded Brewing Company in Hialeah, Fla. Click here for tickets to that huge event.
In this installment of CCW Spotlight, Jackal Stevens discusses his relatively late entry into the world of professional wrestling. He also opens up about being a recovering addict and how he uses that experience to help others.
Below, in his own words, we give CCW fans a glimpse into the life of Jackal Stevens.
CCW Spotlight: What was your “why” for getting into professional wrestling?
Jackal Stevens: I fell in love with pro wrestling immediately when I saw it as a child. I fell in love with guys like Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Bam Bam Bigelow … all those guys. So, of course, I loved wrestling and fell in love with it as a child. But as I grew up and I told people I wanted to be a wrestler, I wanted to get into the pro wrestling business after high school, there was a lot of negative feedback, a lot of doubt, even from people close to me. The why behind why I do it now, it’s a testament to a lot of people who said I couldn’t or I shouldn’t. I solely believe that if you have a dream, if you want to do something with your life … you only get one, so you should be able to do whatever you want to do, whatever that is. Mine was pro wrestling.”
CCW Spotlight: How did you get started in professional wrestling?
Jackal Stevens: “In 2017, at 30 years old, I got brought to the CCW Training Facility. I came down to Florida to get (my head) right and I ran into somebody that was a wrestler. Danny Dubstep, I owe you my whole wrestling career. He brought me to the CCW Training Facility, because he was an active pro wrestler on the roster. I felt like I was always meant to do this, not at the time when I wanted to do it, but at the time I started when I was 30 years old. That’s when I was supposed to enter the business, the world of professional wrestling. As soon as I took my first bump, let me tell you this, I felt at home. The pain, the dedication, the passion … everything all in one, it made me feel so fucking comfortable. And I could never feel comfortable with myself until I entered pro wrestling. I found my comfort zone. I found what I’ve been searching for this whole time. I used to think it was alcohol, drugs or women … but I found that pro wrestling is my peace, my peace of mind. It’s everything I ever needed and really never knew or thought I did.
CCW Spotlight: What’s your favorite thing about being part of CCW?
Jackal Stevens: “When I started here, we had one show every three months. Those were some fun times. But damn it man, it’s been really cool to see this company grow. We went from one show every three months. We run five, six … eight, nine shows every month now. I’ve watched this company grow. Me and a couple other guys have been here from the beginning of it all. There’s a lot of leg work that’s been put in to build the company to where it’s at today.
The people as well. The people I’ve met in CCW, that I’ve been alongside with to help grow this company to where it is now. We’re going to keep elevating it and raise the bar. That’s my favorite part, I love the growth of Coastal Championship Wrestling and I love doing it alongside the people I’ve done it with for many years and even the new guys that are coming in too. I like to share that experience, guide them and show them how I was taught.”
CCW Spotlight: Who has really influenced your career?
Jackal Stevens: “When you have a guy like Gangrel as your head trainer at the school. I think the world of that guy. I think the world of David Heath, as a man, as a worker in the business. Since he’s come into CCW, it’s been a breath of fresh air. He is the leader and the man that we needed to run the school, to help pave the way, to build CCW to where it’s going. I couldn’t be more honored to work under him, with his tutelage.
Also, the owners of CCW, Nelio Cuomo Costa and Dan Evans, have been tremendous influences. Two really hard-working men who really built this company to where it is today. They really put their heart and soul into it, so that makes me want to just give my whole life, my whole body. Here you go.
As far as workers or wrestlers who I grew up with … Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, obviously Steve Austin, Curt Hennig, the list just goes on. I love them all. Mick Foley is my favorite wrestler of all time. He’s the one that when I watched, it was like ‘This is what I want to do. I want to be Mick Foley.’”
CCW Spotlight: What are your interests outside of wrestling?
Jackal Stevens: “My sanctuary is the gym. I love to work out. I am also a personal trainer, fitness coach. So, I also love to help other people fall in love and maintain their physical fitness and reach their physical fitness goals. I really love to help people.
Myself, I am in active recovery from addiction, which I used to be ashamed of, but I don’t care anymore. I am a recovering drug addict. Basically, I help other guys get clean and help other guys get sober. A lot of my time is spent going into rehabs and institutions, talking to other guys. Part of my job is to go there and work them out a little bit, get them moving and detoxes and stuff like that. I love to do it. But I also need to do it, because it reminds me of where I came from.
But I also like to hang out with friends. I love movies. We’re in Florida, I love the beach. I’m a really laid-back guy, so I’m usually down to do anything.
In my real life, I’m working out, I’m working, I’m training, eating, prepping my food. I’m fully dedicated to being the best wrestler I can be, the best personal trainer I can be, the best guy to help other people with their personal life, their personal demons. Just trying to be the best me.”