Holliday says that New York Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo was an indirect inspiration to him, as while neither athlete knew the other personally, Rizzo also had Stage IV Lymphoma, and Holliday held on to Rizzo’s story for the hope that he too could beat his cancer and return to competing at a high level.

“If I can do that for one person,” Holliday said, “whether it’s in wrestling, out of wrestling … that’s your purpose right?”

Holliday says that he’s ok with it not being an immediate inspiration, but just knows that it is a story anyone going through the same thing could stumble on someday, much like he did with Rizzo. He also says he still hasn’t watched his first match post-recovery, as he wants to keep the pure memory of the 25-minute encounter with Brad Hollister, instead of nitpicking what he’s sure could be a frustrating tape study. 

“I’m just gonna let that match remain as pure as possible,” he said.

Holliday wrestled his return match for Paradise Alley Pro Wrestling in Connecticut, the promotion that trained him, so he could make sure that friends and family could attend the emotional night. Holliday says the importance didn’t sink in for him until the match was over.

“Once I announced that I was taking booking again, it began to fill up,” Holliday said, noting that his focus on his first match back nearly made him forget all of his other bookings for the Summer of Holliday. Holliday says he is no longer with MLW but is grateful for the promotion taking a chance on him and giving him a national platform.