Today we’d like to introduce you to Benny Cuntapay.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was always into pro wrestling when I was young but never thought in a million years that I would be where I am now.
I started training in early 1998 and had my first match in October 1998.
My Story could be a different what others had in life. Growing up, I was into bad things and had no motivation nor direction. In a sense Pro Wrestling gave me direction, it helped me grow up. On the flip side of that though, I was ridiculed by family, friends and others that didn’t approve of my decision… I had no support emotionally either, no mentor and learned a lot on my own growing up and also in pro wrestling.
In 1998 I went to a WCW event and a man was passing out flyers for a school 45 min from where I lived. I called up the number on the flyer a couple of weeks later and I started the journey.
I started working local promotions throughout California and decided that this is what I wanted to do. When I started working these events, I knew that getting more reps and getting more matches under my belt. At the time would be the way to get better. So for the next four years, I busted my butt around southern California, Central California and Northern California. I was THE hardest worker at that time working 8-12 shows a month. My name started getting some traction and I was recognized with a lot of accolades during these times, but I felt something missing and I was already coming to a point in my career that I have done everything in California and needed to venture other places. So in 2002, I got on one of the most prestigious tournaments on the east cast called Best of the Best. Even though I did not win the tournament, I gained something more … the respect and admiration of fans that wanted me back… and that’s when my career started to jump off.
During that time of 2002 to presently 2022. I Have wrestled in 8 different countries, have wrestled in over 30 states and have won numerous awards for performing and have
I am currently co-owner of Level Up Pro Wrestling School in La Mesa, CA. I have been a trainer close to six years and the school’s head trainer running on three years. I have about 60 students right now and our business is continually growing. I absolutely love giving back to this business and help students and wrestlers the same. Because of my knowledge and experience and love of teaching, I have also hosted over 25 seminars throughout the states as well.
I also am a promoter as well and put on shows throughout San Diego and help with promotions in the California region.
During these past 23 years of being in this industry, I have had many hands in everything. I am a performer, promoter, coach, agent and producer.
For someone that was destined to not succeed and was told I wouldn’t succeed, I can happily and proudly say I proved everyone wrong.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road.
Losing family and friends caused of my decision.
Stereotypes from others towards me cause of the way I look.
Personal Demons and overcoming them.
Loss of Peers and close friends.
Sacrificing time away from home.
Financially not stable.
Living in a bag days to weeks.
The overall pressure of this business.
It’s been a very long and hard road to be where I am at… a lot of these obstacles and challenges still are to this day as well and still trying to balance everything.
That’s actually one of the biggest challenges. To balance things out,
– Physically
– Emotionally
– Mentally.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Pro Wrestler – 23 years Promoter
Head Trainer
Coach
Agent
Producer
I’m more proud of my story and overcoming and proving people wrong more than anything.
I’m proud of my students and my school as well.
I don’t think there is really nothing that sets me apart so much… but I will say I have a lot of experience in this industry.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: newagepunisher
- Facebook: newagepunisher
- Twitter: newagepunisher
Image Credits
Vitz
