WWE wrestler TJ Perkins shows off Pinoy pride
This Fil-Am cruiserweight makes sure his Pinoy pride is part of his wrestling identity.
Los Angeles-born and raised Theodore James Perkins, better known as Mega TJ Perkins, proudly wears the Philippine flag as he flashes his high flying cruiserweight moves and his signature leg bar in the WWE.
“Not a lot of people know Dave Batista was Filipino; we knew but not a lot of Filipinos knew, so I just felt like it’s a chance to give Filipinos another hero and someone else to look up to, and just to represent them. Sometimes I feel we’re a passionate demographic but we don’t have a whole lot of outlets.”
Growing up in Southern California, Perkins had one dream to become a professional wrestler, and that dream that took him around the world.
After stints overseas and with TNA wrestling, he used his big break with the WWE to show off his roots on his way to becoming the first cruiserweight champion.
TJP is now based in Las Vegas, but the life of a WWE star is usually on the road. He recently used an off day to support his friend Nonito Donaire’s restaurant opening in San Diego.
The two athletes have formed a friendship and a bond which rubs off in their respective sports.
While Perkin’s mom’s side hails from Manila, he has yet to visit the Philippines, but he doesn’t have to look far for a travel companion.
While he’s considered a cruiser-great in the world of wrestling and has performed in countless arenas, Mega TJP admits one place he wants to visit is the Araneta Colosseum, which hosted the Thrilla in Manila.
[…] Speaking to Balitang America, the Filipino wrestler shares his motivation behind the display, sharing that he ‘felt like it’s a chance to give Filipinos another hero (after Dave Batista) and someone else to look up to.’ […]