Books and body slams: A pro wrestler's journey through WVU

Michael Paris, a relatively humble advertising major at West Virginia University, flips a switch and morphs into Zema Ion, a trash-talking villain who obsessively sprays his hair and calls himself "pretty," in front of thousands of live wrestling fans and millions watching on national television.

Except for maybe his curly, poofy mane, Michael Paris does not stand out in a classroom of college students.

The Chester, W.Va. native doesn’t talk much. Nor does he draw any attention to himself.

But a transformation takes place each time Paris slithers into a pair of wrestling trunks.

Yes. Wrestling trunks.

Paris, a relatively humble advertising major at West Virginia University, flips a switch and morphs into Zema Ion, a trash-talking villain who obsessively sprays his hair and calls himself “pretty,” in front of thousands of live wrestling fans and millions watching on national television.

Paris wrestles for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, the nation’s second largest wrestling promotion – while attending WVU. He’s on track to graduate in December.

And believe it or not, the two worlds – the field of journalism and the macho, melodramatic spectacle that is professional wrestling – collide.

Step into our ring and see how.


Watch out for that dropkick…and a more extensive written piece on Michael in the next WVU Magazine, online in December.

-WVU-

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