History-making LGTBQ wrestler Jai Vidal returns home to South Florida with Impact Wrestling

Jim Varsallone

“Mom and dad, we’ve gotta talk.”

South Florida’s Jai Vidal made history recently, when he became the first openly gay male wrestler to sign with Impact Wrestling in the company’s 20-year history.

When he addressed his parents as a 14-year-old, a teenager in high school, the topic of conversation was not coming out but rather coming in — into the professional wrestling world.

“I told them I would finish high school, get my high school diploma, but then I wanted to become a pro wrestler,” Vidal said. “They were concerned.”

Especially his father.

It’s tough to make it in that business. Here’s a kid, born in Puerto Rico, grew up in South Florida ready to test himself in that very challenging endeavor. A fan, his favorites included “HBK” Shawn Michaels, Jeff Hardy and Eddy Guerrero, a Hispanic wrestler who won the WWE title.

After graduating high school, Vidal began working instead of wrestling.

“It just didn’t feel right. I woke up one day depressed,” he noted. “I was making decent money, but I wasn’t doing what I wanted to do.”

So Vidal took to Google.

Coastal Championship Wrestling, based in Pompano and Fort Lauderdale, created its website. That’s what Vidal found on his pro wrestling search in 2016. CCW is the longest-running independent pro wrestling company in Florida and one of the longest nationally — 18 years and counting.

That’s where CCW trainer and WWE alum Gangrel took him under his wing. They both attended Deerfield Beach High School (different eras) and shared the same math teacher.

Vidal worked hard, climbing the ladder, which led him to his recent signing with Impact Wrestling. His parents are extremely proud.

Here is my video interview with Jai Vidal, days before his South Florida return — his first as Impact Wrestling talent.

In Impact Wrestling, Vidal is the executive stylist and content creator for Gisele Shaw, also an LGBTQ wrestler. They will be an integral part of Impact Wrestling’s Winter Warfare on Friday and Saturday for Vidal’s Homecoming from the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines.

South Florida’s Jai Vidal (left) is the first out gay male wrestler to sign with Impact Wrestling in the company’s 20-year history. He is the executive stylist and content creator for fellow LGBTQ wrestler Gisele Shaw.
South Florida’s Jai Vidal (left) is the first out gay male wrestler to sign with Impact Wrestling in the company’s 20-year history. He is the executive stylist and content creator for fellow LGBTQ wrestler Gisele Shaw.

Vidal, 25, made his pro wrestling debut in 2016 in South Florida for Coastal Championship Wrestling.

Vidal as Jaden Ecstasy and Jaiden Riddim competed for CCW and Gangrel’s Wrestling Asylum in South Florida. Gangrel left CCW to start his own group (GWA) but has since returned to CCW.

Vidal, a former CCW tag team champion, competed throughout Florida on the indies and abroad nationally. His bucket list includes wrestling in his native Puerto Rico. He will make his first international appearance when Impact Wrestling visits Canada in March 2023.

Upon moving to Las Vegas, Vidal also credits WWE alum Sinn Bodhi for helping train him. Bodhi, who also wrestled for TNA (Impact) Wrestling, is an important part of Future Stars of Wrestling in Las Vegas, where Vidal not only continued training and but also competed, along with Chris Bey (Impact Wrestling), Hammerstone (MLW), Killer Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux (WWE SmackDown), Zoey Stark (WWE NXT) and more.

Video footage: Vidal as Jaiden Riddim in action in an exciting three-way match against Ricky Martinez (Maxx Stardom) and D3 for GWA in South Florida. Your referee WCW alum Randy “Red Shoes” Eller.

Vidal is a graduate of Deerfield Beach High School in South Florida. That’s where Gangrel, a WWE alum, attended high school, too. Gangrel accepted him and encouraged him to tell his story, representing the LGTBQ community and inspiring others.

Prior, Vidal was outed in high school and then bullied about it. Hope helped him through those tough times. Years later one of the bullies sent Vidal a Facebook Friend request, which Vidal accepted, and the reformed bully congratulated him on his pro wrestling success.

Vidal, Impact Wrestling

in South Florida

Impact Wrestling’s Winter Warfare is on Dec. 9 and 10 from the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, near Fort Lauderdale.

The company’s television trucks will capture all of the in-ring action for upcoming episodes of IMPACT’s flagship weekly TV show, #IMPACTonAXSTV (Thursday, 8 p.m. on AXS TV in America, Fight Network in Canada and Impact Insiders on YouTube.)

Tickets: ClickHere

Two-day ticket special: ClickHere

This marks Impact Wrestling’s second time at the Charles F. Dodge City Center. A good time with plenty of action and talent, the first occurred in January.

The standout roster includes Impact Wrestling Champ “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander, Knockouts Champ Jordynne Grace, Tag Team Champs Heath & Rhino, Knockouts Tag Champs The Death Dollz (“The Demon Assassin” Rosemary, “La Wera Loca” Taya Valkyrie, Jessicka), X-Division Champ Trey Miguel, Digital Media Champ Joe Hendry, Mickie James, Eddie Edwards, Ace Austin, Sabin & Shelley, Deonna Purrazzo, Steve Maclin, Chris Bey, Sami Callihan, Killer Kelly, Tommy Dreamer, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Rich Swann, Matt Cardona, Brian Meyers, Taylor Wilde, Moose, Johnny Swinger, Kenny King, Eric Young, Joe Doering, Deaner, Bully Ray, Savannah Evans, Tasha Steelz, South Florida’s Kon and South Florida’s Jai Vidal.

South Florida’s Jai Vidal is with Impact Wrestling.
South Florida’s Jai Vidal is with Impact Wrestling.

Speaking of January, Impact Wrestling continues with two more consecutive nights of shows in Florida in January 2023 in Kissimmee, near Orlando.

Tickets/Schedule: ClickHere

Impact Wrestling is 8 p.m. Thursdays on AXS TV.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheJaiVidal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejaividal/

Check Impact Wrestling’s web site & social media for details on upcoming shows, the latest happenings and more.

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