Intrigued by Hulk Hogan and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Koy Cook dreamed to become a wrestler and follow in his idols’ footsteps.

But as Cook, an Eastern alumnus, got older, he recognized his dream was unrealistic and focused on other things like school and work. But one day last year, he was informed about a wrestling training school in Paris, Ill. and has been attending ever since.

Funded by the Chamber of Commerce, the New Championship Wrestlers are competing at 7 p.m. at 115 East Cumberland Street in Greenup.

“It’s really hard to train to be a wrestler,” Cook said. “You definitely get beat up. Every time I come home, something hurts.”

Cook said he goes to the hospital often, but luckily not for himself.

“You learn to live with a certain level of pain,” he said. “It’s like playing a sport.”

Cook said being a part of New Championship Wrestling has taught him about respect.

“You know what to do or don’t do in the business and respect the people that have been around before you,” he said. “A lot of times people come in thinking they know more than they do and get hurt.”

Besides the physical aspect, wrestlers need to be charismatic to excite the crowd.

“Being a wrestler is an extension of your self, just turned up a notch,” Cook said.

Trainers not only teach safety and techniques, they also advise wrestlers to eat healthy and stay in shape.

“You can tell someone who works hard from someone who doesn’t,” Cook said. “It shows in the ring. If someone is not taking care of his/her self, it looks bad on them.”

Some wrestlers think gaining opponents’ trust is the most difficult thing to overcome.

“It’s the hardest to get past because you don’t know what to expect,” Cook said. “No one would intentionally hurt you or get hurt.”

Cook’s mother is the most influential person in his life, and he knew she wouldn’t be happy with him becoming a wrestler.

“He’s always liked wrestling, since he was little he watched it on TV,” said Brenda Pruemer, Cook’s mother. “I wasn’t surprised when he told me he was going to training. I just wanted him to be safe and not get hurt.”

Pruemer said she had attended a show in Paris and Greenup.

“It’s kind of hard to watch,” she said. “He played football for nine years and that was easier to watch than this.”

Although she’s concerned with his safety, Pruemer thinks her son’s outgoing personality helps make his hobby successful.

“It doesn’t matter where we go; he always knows someone,” she said. “When he attended Eastern, I think he knew half the students that went there.”

Tom Perisho, NCW trainer and wrestler, is unable to compete because of a broken foot resolved during a match.

“People go because it’s fun and to get involved,” Perisho said. “They like to boo the bad guys and cheer the good guys. People go to see some stuff they don’t see in their everyday life.”

Special guest Nigel McGuinness will perform and teach a seminar on basic wrestling and European styles from 3 to 5 p.m.

“Nigel is one of my all-time favorite professional wrestlers,” Perisho said. “He can tie up the human body and untie his own.”

The NCW’s rules and regulations ensure tournaments are suitable for all ages.

For more information, visit www.ncwwrestling.net