Cassopolis man fulfills professional wrestling dream

CASSOPOLIS, Mich. (AP) - William Blount is an ordained minister, husband and father, dental assistant, former village council trustee - and professional wrestler.

As the 4-foot-11-inch tall, 143-pound "Chocolate Tic Tac," Blount is living out his childhood dream.

"I grew up watching wrestling with my grandpa. I always had a dream to be in the ring or do something involving wrestling ... I love it. I just told myself that one day, I'd get there," the 31-year-old Cassopolis man said. "And, here I am."

Sure, he is often out-sized by taller and heavier competitors, but Blount often out-maneuvers and outwits them.

True to the age-old wrestling theme of good guy vs. bad guy, Chocolate Tic Tac always plays the good guy.

He gets in the ring to give fans the best show he can.

And often, he turns his matches into benefits. It's part of what he calls "his ministry."

Though he's serious about the people and organizations that benefit from his performances, Blount has a ton of fun in the ring.

Chocolate Tic Tac isn't just a name. It's a persona. It's an attitude.

"Oh, Chocolate Tic Tac's got swagger, and he's got soul. For sure," Blount said playfully about his wrestling alter-ego. "He's not conceited. He's just cool, chill. Make no mistake: He's tough in the ring. If you come for Chocolate Tic Tac in the ring, he'll come for you. It doesn't matter how big the opponent is."

In 2015, Blount's longtime friend Roger Lanier, a wrestler, put him in touch with a promoter. Blount ultimately joined PWK Wrestling, a Lakeville, Ind.-based independent federation.

After getting some training, Chocolate Tic Tac's professional wrestling career was launched last year.

Go to one of his matches and it's easy to see how popular he is with fans. That was the case in his Aug. 28 match against 6-foot-6-inch, 300-pound Brutus Dylan in Cassopolis.

Thunderous applause and cheers filled the air when the announcer said his name. Then came Chocolate Tic Tac's walk-up music - that day, it was the soulful tune, "Hold On, I'm Coming."

With confidence, he strode into the ring, a sea of hands jutting out from the edges of the path he walked. Along the way, he high-fived each hand and flashed a winning smile.

Then, his demeanor turned serious. His eyes locked onto his large opponent, who started shouting trash talk: "You're not a wrestler, Chocolate Tic Tac! You're a wanna-be!"

From there, it was on.

The matches are somewhat scripted: The outcome is usually pre-determined, Blount said. In the case of the Aug. 28 match, Chocolate Tic Tac would win.

"I think all or most fans understand that; No one is being fooled," he said. "Plus, how we get to a match's outcome - what maneuvers we use, and all of that - is not completely scripted out ahead of time. The physical stuff you see in the ring is real. We are really putting our bodies on the line.

"That's why getting and staying in shape, and training on wrestling techniques and maneuvers, is important. Basically, you have to have the right mentality, body strength, and training. Oh, and you have to learn how to fall without hurting yourself," he said.

Ashley Sampson, of Cassopolis, has been a Chocolate Tic Tac fan since he started wrestling.

"You can tell he puts his heart and soul into it, and brings everything he has to the wrestling mat. He might be a small guy, but he's tough and mighty," said Sampson, who attended the Aug. 28 match with her family.

Long before he was Chocolate Tic Tac, Blount was a young boy who learned early not to let his height define him.

"Growing up, at first it bothered me being shorter than most people my age. But my grandpa told me to use it to my advantage. I've learned to embrace it. It's who I am," Blount said, adding that he thinks his height played a part in him becoming popular when he was in school, particularly among the girls.

"Back then, the girls used to say things like, 'He's so cute! He's so tiny!' Even in my adult life, people look at me and say 'He's so cool. He's so short,'" Blount said. "I'm not offended by any of that. Most people take the time to get to know me, and most people like who I am - and not just how tall I am. My height is a part of me, but it's not the only part of me. When people take a closer look, they realize that."

Dr. John Hayman of Cassopolis Dental has known Blount, who fills in at Hayman's dental practice, for about five years. Hayman was unaware of Blount's wrestling pursuit.

"That's pretty awesome!" he said. "It's a bit surprising because Will is a very quiet person. But then again, I knew he liked wrestling and I know that he can set his mind to something and do it."

Blount's wife of five years, Shakara, said she wasn't surprised when her husband said he wanted to try his hand at wrestling.

"He has told me that he used to watch wrestling with his grandfather, and that he had dreamed about being involved in wrestling someday," Shakara said. "His height never figured into things. I hope that the fans watching learn from Will about allowing themselves to be who they are and following their dreams, like he has."

In addition to having his own pro-wrestling career, Blount manages the wrestling team "23 Jumpstreet."

He also donates his time as a manager.

"The other guys get paid. I just like to do it for fun . wrestling, managing, all of it," Blount said.

The fun he's having is apparent, Eric King, wrestling promoter and co-owner of PWK, said of Blount

"He's great. He's got a great personality, and he goes over and above when trying to help out his community," King said. "He brings some comedy to the show. Fans love that."

Chocolate Tic Tac's comical side comes out most when he is in manager mode.

When he's overseeing 23 Jumpstreet, he usually wears a large wig, a pink crush-velvet shirt and a matching pink crush-velvet big-brimmed hat and black pants. He often completes the outfit with a tall walking stick.

"It all makes people smile and chuckle," Blount said. "If I can help bring that to someone, have a good time myself in the process, and continue my outreach ministry, why not?"

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Source: South Bend Tribune, http://bit.ly/2dqfFFq

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Information from: South Bend Tribune, http://www.southbendtribune.com