Meet the wrestler: JDT

Contributed by: Anthony Welch/YourHub.com on 4/2/2006

Working behind the TV camera comes natural for Joshua Donald Todd. But if he had his way, he would be working in front of the camera doing what he loves most - taking a bump on the wrestling mat.

Todd, 22, a 2002 Ranum High School grad, has wrestled for three years. He put together a high school video project for the now defunct Central Wrestling Organization. Hanging out with all the wrestlers quickly made Todd a huge pro wrestling fan.

"The more I hung around all the guys, the more I realized it was something I wanted to do," he said.

Todd works as a camera operator and editor for KDEN Telemundo. Prior to working there, he attended the Iowa Center for Broadcasting.

Todd wrestles as Hollywood JDT in Fusion Pro Wrestling. The Thornton resident recalls the first time he took a bump in a wrestling ring.

"It was very stiff. The ring I originally trained with was very, very solid. It just felt like boards," he said. "It definitely knocks the wind out of you. The more bumps you take, the more you get used to it."

The first time Todd performed in front of a crowd, he felt petrified.

"I was nervous as all hell," he said. "You always have the butterflies when you get ready to go out there. You can try all you want, but nothing compares to getting in the ring in front of a crowd."

Physical aspects aside, Todd said he's gained a lot of other things from wrestling.

"I have a lot more self-confidence. I'm getting just a lot more fun out of life," he said. "I was kind of a loner in high school. I'm a real quiet, laid back guy. This allows me to let all the emotions out."

Todd's goal is just to keep wrestling, whether it is locally or maybe nationally, down the road.

"Everybody's goal is to get to World Wrestling Entertainment. I know it's a one in a million shot to get there," Todd said. "I want to have fun and wrestle where I can and learn as much as I can. If can make a living off of it, then great. If not, I'm having fun doing what I love doing. I'll take it as far as I can."