Today we’d like to introduce you to Clay Hirsch.
Hi Clay, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started professionally wrestling in 2020 at my local training facility. I was 24 years old and felt late to the game and honestly didn’t know if I had what it took to get it done,but I persevered and got through it and I’m much better for doing so. Being 24 years old and being married and having 2 children already and my wife was pregnant with twins at the time. I felt like I had the deck stacked against me but my wife was monumental in pushing me through and making my dreams come true. She’s the real superstar of this entire story. I couldn’t have done this without her support and my children’s. I was in quite a different league being older than the majority of my classmates,being a father,husband and having a real job,but if you mean it,you’ll make it. My trainer,Houston Carson was instrumental in teaching me the things I needed to be successful in this business and I’m forever grateful for the lessons learned along the way. I graduated the program in July of 2021,on my son’s 5th birthday. It was a really special day for me and it showed me that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. After graduating the program,I felt like I hit my stride and was on the path to success. I started hitting the road pretty hot and heavy and making towns in San Antonio,Houston,Laredo. I really learned the business and got a better understanding for all that this profession really is. I worked a lot for my home promotion Lions Pride Sports. It got to a point though to where I felt I was growing stale and needed to find another level and that’s exactly what I had done. With the help of Nick Hoban,Colby Primeaux and most importantly Devon Salinas,the Coffin King was born. We shot tons of vignettes and footage documenting the return and I started attacking superstars without showing who or what I was. It all came to a head when I returned and attacked my former tag team partner after he had just won his championship match. I staked my claim and put the roster on notice with my actions. It was full steam ahead. I was vicious and relentless with my intentions. I was apart of the promotions first ever Coffin Match and made it a staple of my career. It is still used today when the timing is right. I eventually claimed the title and was rolling. I started to get the itch to really get out more on the road and branch out so I had left my home promotion to try and better myself and I feel like that is exactly what I have done. I’ve been gone for 2 years and I’ve wrestled in places I could only dream of. Worked with colleagues I’d never thought I’d share a locker room with,yet alone a ring. Wrestled in front of audiences that continue to blow my mind. We’re just getting started and I look forward to continuing the trend of moving onto bigger and better things and making the locker rooms that I am apart of better. Truly grateful to be a part of this business. My home promotion is 360 Pro Wrestling. Aaron Presley has really been instrumental in allowing me the space to be and do the things that I have always wanted to do. I found this company as I was making my exit from where I was trained and they have given me the platform to do things and see places,I never dream of otherwise.I am the current reigning and defending 360 pro X-Treme Division Champion. Long live the Coffin King!
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?
I mentioned struggles with self identity and progression in the previous excerpt. The real struggles are trying to navigate this business with no guide. You really have to do this yourself and those that have your best interest. Not everyone does. That and I’d say the lingering injuries that pile up. You’ve just got to push on.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m most proud of my character The Coffin King,Texas Death,Hostage Hirsch. He’s really a sum of all of the parts of who I truly am but can not be in society. He’s pulled straight from my mind and there are so many really cool elements that make him unique and unlike anything or anybody else. He’s straight from a horror movie. Straight from the deepest darkest parts of the mind. He wasn’t easily created and his creation was more though torment and depression. I feel like we really captured that by working with Cory Albert Snelson from Dallas by making a video project to show how he was made. To bring this character to life,the old me had to go. By had to go,i mean he had to leave this earth. He was guided by the Witch. She told him that he could have everything he’d ever wanted,all he had to do was give his life to her. That’s exactly what he did. He laid in the coffin that she instructed him to build,closed the door and a flash happened. The coffin door swung open and he was born. Covered in face paint and blood poured from the wound in his forehead. The man known only as Hostage,was no more. The Coffin King,was born and he was fully in control.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I take a lot of what I do from my real life inspirations. Mainly being music and film. I’m a huge movie guy,specifically the horror genre which is evident when looking at my character. I’ve always been into music. Specifically the heavier stuff. That started when I was introduced to Metallica as a child and I went deeper and darker down the rabbit hole. It really helps drive the character and all that I do.
I host a podcast with my best friend Jake Rich. Together we run the show,The Bell To Coffin Podcast. It is available on all platforms.
I am a wedding officiant. I really enjoy being able to be a part of the couples big day. All of the steps from learning about them and creating their story to join them together in life. I’ve not had anybody request I be in full character for an event but I’m sure it’s coming.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: HOSTAGExHIRSCH
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/193xnDfN9b/?mibextid=wwXIfr
