| Camerun Wolf. Dahl | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 5, 1974 Ruskin, Florida |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Da Manimal The WolfPack |
| Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Billed weight | 239 lb (108 kg) |
| Trained by | Frankie Reyes , IPW Training Center |
| Debut | September 1990 |
| Retired | July 1992 |
Camerun Wolf. Dahl (born March 5, 1974) is a former American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Da Manimal / The WolfPack.
Childhood:
Camerun Wolf Dahl was born on March 5, 1974, in Ruskin, Florida. In 1977, after his parents divorced, he moved to Germany with his father, who remarried a few months later, giving Camerun a stepmother, a stepbrother, and two stepsisters. Following an undisclosed incident in 1980, Camerun returned to the U.S. to live with his biological mother in Miami. They lived together in Miami until 1984 when and Job offer opened up in Orlando they moved into the Milk District of Orlando, Florida, where Camerun resided until 1990. That year, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, to live with alone with his new friend. Throughout his childhood between the Age of 7-15 Camerun spend his Summer Holidays and sometimes Christmas Holidays at his German Grandmas House in Germany.
Fighting seemed to be ingrained in Camerun's genes. Even before he embarked on his wrestling career, Camerun had already shown promise as a martial arts prodigy. His father, in a desperate attempt to harness his uncontrollable temperament and help him burn off excess energy, enrolled him in a martial arts dojo at the age of four. It was later discovered that Camerun's hyperactive nature, which was eventually diagnosed as severe ADHD and Asperger syndrome, played a role in his early martial arts training. Young Camerun joined his first Karate class and became obsessed with fighting. Throughout his childhood Camerun trained in various Dojo's and Martial Arts Schools in both the U.S. as well as his time he spend living in Germany. By the Age of 16 he was top of his class in Kick Boxing, Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, Kung Fu and Ninjutsu.
Becoming a Pro Wrestler:
Shortly after his 16th birthday, Camerun had a confrontation with his mother's new boyfriend who just moved in with them. Feeling the urge to forge his own path and seek freedom and adventure, he turned to a friend from Texas whom he had met at the Church Street Station Arcade during a weekend trip to Orlando and who since came visiting Camerun every other weekend for the past few months. Camerun made up his mind and the next Day he dropped out of high school and moved out of his Mothers Apartment in Orlando Florida to move in with a Friend in San Antonio, Texas, where they started living together. In an attempt to distract Camerun from the Family Drama he just fled from, his Friend drove him over 9 hours to Little Rock Arkansas to an IPW Wrestling event International Pro Wrestling Arkansas March 18th 1990 It was during this time that Camerun became fascinated and decided he wanted to pursue wrestling as his next combat discipline. Shortly afterward, Camerun and his friend devised a plan to support Camerun in pursuing his passion. His friend rented a small flat where Camerun could stay to begin his training, and his friend would visit him on weekends when he had time off from work. Camerun joined the International Pro Wrestling Promotion (IPW), Arkansas and began his wrestling training in April 1990.
His extensive background in martial arts facilitated his rapid learning of wrestling techniques. With a solid foundation in basics like safe falling, jumping from the ring corner, and rolling off, he was able to concentrate on the intricacies of wrestling. "The Dance" the art of interacting with opponents inside the ring and improvising between major moves.
In September 1990, Camerun had his public debut against Richie Rogue. Despite not emerging victorious, Camerun thoroughly relished his time in the ring, captivating the audience and making a memorable first impression.
While Camerun's in-ring performance was still developing, he possessed a natural talent for crowd control and relished the experience. His ability to engage the audience made him a fan favorite, even as he continued to refine his skills in the ring.
Camerun wrestled in the International Pro Wrestling Promotion (IPW) until March 1991 without a contract. As his in-ring performance improved, a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) talent scout noticed Camerun's natural ability to engage the crowd—a skill that many great wrestlers find challenging. Despite his character being grumpy, rude, and relatively young, the audience embraced him warmly.
In March 1991, Camerun signed a one-year road show tryout contract with the WWF, with the promise for a Multi year TV contract if he performed well enough. This was his first official contract; up until then, wrestling had been more of a hobby for him, like his other martial arts disciplines. Though he was already being paid for his performances, there was always uncertainty about whether he'd be allowed in the ring the next night again. Now with a secure contract, Camerun began to earn significantly. Performing every night whenever there was an opportunity, Camerun capitalized on his schedule, allowing him to buy a car and save money for a down payment on a house. However,the new found luck came with a cost. Camerun's friend had to give up the small apartment since Camerun wouldn't be able to use it anymore, and now Camerun would be traveling across the entire nation for his wrestling commitments. This meant that Camerun and his friend would only see each other sporadically, depending on how close Camerun performed to his friend's home on weekends.
During this tryout year, the WWF heavily invested in developing Camerun's character and brand, acknowledging his knack for crowd engagement and delivering compelling promos and his commitment. Travelling from state to state and performing nightly in various cities, Camerun consistently refined his appearance. He became known for his aggressive fighting style, earning the nickname "Da Manimal - Half Man, Half Animal." He finalized his unique look with more tattoos and by having all his teeth covered with silver metal Crown (dental restoration). Despite enduring afternoons in the dentist's chair, Camerun continued to perform every night, prompting Vince McMahon to comment, "Take note of this kid, he's one tough cookie."
In an interview years later, when asked about the idea for his silver teeth, Camerun explained: "It was my idea. I had a tooth chipped, and they put a crown over it that was half metal, half ceramic. I asked the dentist if I could get it without the ceramic, and he said sure. The next day, I had a my first silver crowned tooth. I thought, if I had more of them, I'd look like Jaws (James Bond) from the James Bond movies. When I presented the idea to Vince and showed him the silver tooth i just got and i told him i want all my teeth covered in silver, he said, 'Kiddo, you're nuts, I love it. OK you get them.' And that's how I ended up with a metal mouth," he said, laughing.
The new character DaManimal was born. His transformation complete. His attitude, combined with his new look and name, the shiniest smile in the Industry, Camerun became once again a fan favorite in almost every city he performed in. He won several titles, including the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. Everything was going well, and it became more and more clear that Camerun would get the TV contract because the WWF already invested a lot of money into building his character that it would been foolish to throw that away. The stage was set for a long and successful Pro Wrestling career.
However, everything changed in March 1992, just a few days after Cameruns 18th birthday, on a day that would alter his life forever... but not in the way he had envisioned.
The Accident:
On the biggest night of his rapidly rising career, just a few days after his 18th birthday, during the "TV Contract" match against Jack Nurren, the fight initially went smoothly. Both Nurren and Camerun performed impressive moves, and after an intense 20-minute bout, with Nurren positioned outside the ring, Camerun began his finishing sequence. However, the event took a tragic turn. While attempting "The Master Plan," a Top rope moonsault outside the ring, Camerun slipped and was unable to complete the rotation of his body in the air. He catapulted backward, slamming neck-first into the metal guardrails, resulting in fractures to his C-1 vertebrae and C-2 vertebrae and spinal cord edema. Camerun was rushed to the hospital on a gurney, his neck stabilized with a brace.
In the initial days, uncertainty loomed over whether Camerun would remain paralyzed or recover. Although doctors observed a rapid recovery, they cautioned that full recuperation was unlikely due to permanent nerve damage in his left arm and shoulder. Nonetheless, with the aid of a physical therapist, and the continues support from his friend who took him back into his Texas Home, Camerun made a remarkably swift recovery. It seemed he would lead a nearly normal life post-accident, but it became evident that his days as a professional wrestler were over.
In a brief 1993 interview on his way to the airport before embarking on a world trip, Camerun reflected on his first match, the accident during his final match, and his future plans. When asked about his feelings upon waking up in the hospital bed after the accident that nearly claimed his life, he said:
"During my first match, it was like being high, like on drugs," he added, laughing. "Not that I know what drugs feel like, but this is what I imagine it feels like. All that adrenaline when you walk down the lane to the ring, the crowd cheering or booing, reacting to every move or gesture you make—it's like conducting an orchestra. It was addictive, with all the flashing lights and the overwhelming atmosphere. I was used to performing in front of audiences from my countless martial arts tournaments, but this was different. It felt like a dream unlike anything I had experienced before, and I knew this was what I wanted to do for as long as I possibly could. I was hooked. Since leaving Orlando, everything happened so fast that I didn't have time to reflect on what was happening to me and around me. It was just one big rush!"
"In the hospital i had time to think, to really think for the first time in years. For the first time in years i was scared and i don't feel fear like other people do that's why they called me the fearless idiot when i was little. I always climbed higher on trees than my friends, jumped from greater heights, and the grownups started calling me a fearless idiot, warning that one day I'd hurt myself. But I never really got hurt before that day of the accident. I was always like this as a Kid and then as a wrestler. I always tried to one-up my colleagues, doing something crazier, more dangerous, more spectacular, just to get the crowd to cheer a little louder. My colleagues said I had an ego as big as the ring I was fighting in. I felt invincible, like nothing and nobody could stop me... but that was an illusion.
Waking up in the Hospital, i had no idea what happened, I was confused, i couldn't move, i couldn't remember anything from the day of the accident. The last thing i remembered was the feeling of being super excited all week running up to the Fight, knowing i get the TV Contract but now the day of the event; it's gone. Erased out of my brain like it never happened, but it happened any my left arm and my Neck will remind me for the rest of my life that it did happen. Maybe it's better not to remember. I thought I would be paralyzed from my neck down for the rest of my life, watching the muscles, that I worked hard for every day in the gym, seeing them slowly disappear, unable to move , forced to just watching my lifeless body in front of me look like an old orange that you left sitting in the sun all dry and wrinkly. And then that metal structure they clamped my head in, screws that are going into my skull, it was pure horror, endless Days of fear, uncertainty and then the feeling slowly returned to my limbs. 2 days after i was able to move every part of my body. Once the metal frame was removed and I realized I could still move almost like before, I started to cry like a baby, i think for hours. I never felt this happy in my life. I still had to wear the neck brace and i kept it on longer than i was supposed to because i feared if i remove it the neck maybe breaks again. The physio therapy went well but walking felt extremely strange in the beginning but after a week training i started to feel better and things started to improve and became easier every day now.
I had lots of time to reflect on my the last 2 years of my life and how it almost cost me my life, the fact that I could have been dead. I never thought about death; that was something far, far in the future. Then, boom—you look death in the eyes. Im still trying to grasp everything.'
Regarding my future, I'm uncertain how the next chapter in Cam's tumultuous life story will unfold. The doctors have been clear that I won't be able to wrestle again. I must come to terms with this reality. Repairing the severed nerves is impossible, and regaining full use of my left arm is out of the question. I'm still unsure what this means for the rest of my life. I need to figure out over time what I can still do, and regarding my neck, I'm extremely cautious still not to move it too quickly or too much. Some days it still hurts a lot, while others it feels like nothing happened. I'll need to assess my limitations and how things evolve over time, but I remain optimistic. Hey i just cheated Death! I have lots of Hobbys that i neglected when i started to wrestle, other Hobbys that don't require my left arm like Skateboarding and im quite good at it too, who knows as long it is fun im all in. I will figure it out somehow. One thing im still a little scared of finding out is if i am still able to play the Guitar with my damaged left Arm, i wasn't be able to test it yet since i left my Guitar in Orlando. but enough of that. Right now, I'm just happy to be alive and not completely paralyzed. I want to celebrate this life and see the world. During my world trip, I'll map out my future. But right now, I just want to live in the moment—it begins now! Excuse me, I have a flight to catch and a new life awaiting." With a flash of his silver smile, Camerun strode toward his gate and boarded his plane heading to a new beginning.
In wrestling
edit- Finishing moves
- Stun Gun Sitout three-quarter facelock jawbreaker
- The Master Plan Top rope moonsault outside the ring
- Figure four leglock
- Signature moves
Post-wrestling career:
After recovering from his life-changing injuries, Camerun retired from professional wrestling and confronted the task of planning his future, particularly considering potential healthcare expenses in the U.S. Drawing on his German heritage, he devised a plan to use his earnings to travel the world before settling in Germany to benefit from its free healthcare and social services.
His bond with the friend he had lived with began to wane as Camerun's national wrestling commitments kept him away. Following the accident, guilt played a significant role in keeping them together, preventing his friend from asking Camerun to leave despite his ongoing recovery. With nothing anchoring him there anymore, the difficult decision to depart the U.S. and start anew became more straightforward.
With a well-formed plan in place, Camerun embarked on a global journey to explore the world before settling in Germany for a new chapter of his life. After visiting numerous countries across the globe, he concluded his travels with a memorable stop in Tokyo, Japan, which captivated him so deeply that he decided to stay there until his one-year visa expired or until his funds ran low. He managed to remain almost a full year before finally using his last resources to secure a ticket to Germany, where his grandmother was eagerly awaiting his arrival. In 1993, Camerun relocated to Germany to reunite with his grandparents and begin anew.
In 1993/4, Camerun began working at Thomas i Punkt in Hamburg, where he joined the i Punkt Professional Skateboard Team and the UK-based Flip Skateboards Skate Team. Together, they toured Europe from contest to contest. When Flip Skateboards moved to California, US, in July 1994, Camerun stayed with the i Punkt Skate Team until August 1995, till a Fallout with his Boss caused him to loose his Job marking the end of his brief skateboarding career.
In 1995, Camerun moved to London, United Kingdom (UK), with his new partner and found a job at Alien War in the basement of the London Trocadero Centre London . After a flood in August 1996, the attraction permanently closed, and without a Job, Camerun returned to Germany where he was granted disability pension.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Camerun held various part time jobs, including video game store clerk, freelance movie prop and costume builder, and screen printer just to list a few.
In 2005, Camerun worked as a freelance costume builder for Lucasfilm, creating a new Wookiee Warrior costume for the premiere of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith on May 16, 2005. His costume became a fan favorite at the Star Wars Celebration premiere event and featured on the front pages of several British newspapers, including The Sun (United Kingdom), The Times, and Daily Star (United Kingdom).
Due to permanent nerve damage and limited mobility in his left arm, Camerun developed spinal scoliosis. Over the years, his condition worsened, leading to chronic pain and eventually a severe addiction to morphine due to heavy prescription painkiller use.
In 2007, Camerun discovered a new passion after watching the Uri Geller Show on TV, realizing he had a knack for magic. He began replicating tricks he saw on TV and performing them the very next day for his coworkers, recognizing his talent for magic. He started working on a possible future career as a close-up magician and mentalist. However, Camerun quickly found that the career prospects for magicians in Germany were limited, and performing at children's birthday parties was not his dream making this an expensive Hobby.
Leveraging his creativity and knowledge of magic tricks and illusions, Camerun began creating his own tricks and gimmicks. Within a few months, he developed several high-quality card trick routines, which he successfully sold to other magicians. One of them was a so-called "Magician Fooler" because it was so cleverly designed that most magicians couldn't figure out exactly how the trick worked from the audience perspective.
In January 2008, a long-lingering ticking time bomb went off when his doctor was on vacation, and Camerun had to temporarily switch to another doctor to get his prescription. This new doctor told Camerun he would need to undergo withdrawal or risk dying within the next 12 months, as his usual doctor had been continuously increasing his dosage, giving him a potentially lethal amount. Camerun scheduled the next available rehab slot and entered treatment in January 2008 to overcome his 10-year morphine addiction.
After completing rehab, Camerun discovered that his boss did not honor the promise to rehire him once he was fit to work again. Now jobless in a small, boring town and unable to pay rent for the House anymore, he decided to move to the big city, something more reminiscent of his upbringing in America. With an online friend in Cologne, they decided to move in together with two other friends.
As his health continued to deteriorate and his mobility got severely limited, Camerun transitioned to an online life within a popular virtual world, where he expressed his creativity by building beautiful 3D scenery, Games and starting a small company for virtual 3D models and clothes named "iCON Industries".
Camerun is also a passionate multi-instrumentalist and vocalist since his early childhood. Between 2014-2017, he streamed his annual online live concert tours, performing on a virtual stage under the pseudonym "Trever Spade", where he gave 120-minute concerts featuring popular cover songs on his acoustic guitar and piano. While he is still able to play the guitar, his ability to perform complex songs with rapid chord changes up and down the neck is significantly limited compared to his agility before the accident.
Since then, Camerun has appeared under the shorter pseudonym "Spadey" in various virtual reality worlds like VRChat where he and his Friends a group called the Goonies stream their weekly VRChat Adventures on Twitch. Highlight Reels on YouTube
- ^ http://www.starwarshelmets.com/celebrationdayLondon.htm
- ^ http://agentsheriston.fotopic.net/
- ^ https://marketplace.secondlife.com/en-US/stores/152699
- ^ https://vrchat.com/home/user/usr_61c1980a-f50e-46e8-9359-31748e075cbd
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/IPunktSkateland19902000/
- ^ http://www.i-punkt-buch.de/