DALLAS — WrestleMania taking hold of North Texas the first weekend of April, and it’s giving local professional wrestlers like Eddie “The PowerGlider” Martinez an opportunity for more exposure.
Martinez was only a fan the last time WrestleMania made its way to AT&T Stadium, attending the big event with his older brother in 2016. The experience of seeing some of the biggest wrestling stars perform in front of more than 100,000 fans was life-changing for Martinez.
“Next thing you know, it just clicked. Right then and there, that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to fulfill my passion, my dream, as a kid to become a professional wrestler," said Martinez.
A couple of years later, Martinez enrolled in the DFW All Pro Wrestling Academy and graduated in November 2019.
Fast forward to April 2022, Martinez is not only a professional wrestler himself, but he is also the current DFW All Pro Wrestling Championship, showing off the belt he’s already defended twice.
“In that moment, winning the belt on that very night, oh man, it was just like the child inside of me just wanted to explode,” Martinez said.
During the week leading up to WrestleMania 38 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Martinez and other professional wrestlers partook in a few sporting events, including one in Haltom City.
There, “The PowerGlider” and his teammate took on and won a tag-team match. Martinez describes his persona as a high-energy, lovable fighter.
“He’s the guy who’s been revving up the competition here in Texas. He’s the guy who brings the vroom, vroom speed. That’s Eddie Martinez," he said of himself.
DFW All Pro Wrestling and other companies have been busy holding events leading up to WrestleMania, looking to cater to the large fan base in Texas.
Brian “Big Plo” Griess is a former professional wrestler and current commentator. He says the wrestling scene in Texas is like no other.
“Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Amarillo. There are so many great pro-wrestling companies here in Dallas. I would say for my money, it’s the best in the country,” said Griess.
Griess says he’s known Martinez for about a year now, adding that the Pleasant Grove resident is authentic and passionate, both attributes that Griess says are crucial in this career.
“It’s not a character he plays. He is himself and just, you know, always high energy, high impact,” Griess said.
However, “The PowerGlider” isn’t stopping at one belt. Martinez’s eyes are set on the biggest stage, hoping to see his name at WrestleMania some day.
“It’s going to motivate me more. Like, yes, I want to be there; I’m going to get there,” Martinez said.
Until then, Martinez says he’ll take it one fight at a time.