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It's a dream come true for the naval hero turned rising wrestling star. ``I like how I'm progressing with TNA because it's naturally progressing,'' said Neal, who teams with Shannon Moore as Ink Inc. ``I went back to see my very first match, which was seven or eight months into my training. There was like 30 people. Transitioning from that guy to who I am right now is incredible. ``I was so nervous. I mean I always get butterflies every time I go out there. Anything can happen. It's not ballet. Anything can happen out there. That's what drives me. It's like doing a 180. My Mohawk was maybe only a half an inch then. Now it's . . . I don't know how long it is.'' Neal came to the company a graduate of the Team 3D Academy under the direction of TNA wrestlers Brother Ray and Brother D-Von in Kissimmee. He was working at Blue Martini Orlando when a friend recommended he try the legendary tag team's new wrestling school. The first person he met: Brother Ray. ``He is pretty intimidating because he is huge and a tough dude,'' Neal said. ``The main thing is he wants to make the business better. That's what won me over.'' After honing his skills at the Team 3D Academy and working a number of independent shows since 2007, he found himself with a TNA contract in 2009. Becoming a TNA star was a surreal moment for the longtime wrestling fan. ``My first day I remember I was in a button down shirt, pants, sweating like crazy with a tie like I'm going to church or something,'' he said. ``Going through, seeing Booker T., Sting, Kevin Nash was crazy. It was my true dream come true. I had all these emotions, all good. There was a lot of nervousness because I know these guys only by watching them on TV, but Bubba and D-Von prepared me well.'' He debuted in full uniform, which he wore serving four years in the U.S. Navy. It was a tribute to what he had been through. Neal was on board the USS Cole on Oct. 12, 2000 during a suicide bombing. The attack took the life of his best friend, Marc Nieto. Neal has the initials of his late roommate on his right forearm, and tattoos have since become another part of his identity. ``The tattoos, that's all me,'' Neal said. ``The hair is I'm part Native American. Plus, I liked the Road Warriors back in the day. I wanted to do something crazy. I'm doing it naturally. The fans are behind me. It's good because I'm doing different things. I add nail polish here and there. I keep changing things so fans don't know what to expect. I keep everything fresh.'' Along with his appearance, Neal also has a newfound intensity and physicality in the ring. This can be seen in his series of battles with his Team 3D teachers. He has no plans of slowing down or toning down his style. ``I live life like any day could be my last. That holds true in not only the wrestling business but any profession that you're in,'' he said. ``I think everybody should live each day to their fullest because you never know; it could be your last. I mean we always try to be safe, but we lay our stuff in. Personally, I really hit people. With me and Bubba, we really fight. We attack each other.'' Earlier this year, Ink Inc. was formed with veteran performer Moore and Neal. During their time together, the duo realized they shared more than just similar looks. ``You can't just put two people together just because of Mohawks and tattoos,'' Neal said. ``I feel in the ring we jell together. We basically know what we are going to do before we do it. So we expect it and help each other out. We are always there for each other.'' Despite the short time it took him to get his big break, Neal remains humble and determined to succeed. ``I'm going straight to the top,'' Neal said. ``Baby steps first. As long as I'm taking a step forward in this business to be the best, that is all that matters. I have all the patience in the world. I live my life to the fullest so I take every opportunity and shoot to the roof with it.'' • Catch Jesse Neal and Ink Inc. on TNA iMPACT! 9 p.m. Thursdays on Spike TV.
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