Pro wrestler Dono Hefner talks to OutKick about his efforts to run his own show early next year.
Pro wrestler taking his shot at running his own independent show: 'Let's just take it up a notch'
by Ryan Gaydos · Fox NewsPro wrestling is one of the toughest sports to compete in. There are thousands of wrestlers across the globe hoping to make a name for themselves and transform themselves from a no-name jobber into a star that is recognized by everyone.
Running a professional wrestling promotion and getting a show together is a totally different beast. Rising independent wrestler Dono Hefner is looking to tame that beast.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE
Hefner, 20, bills himself as the "most OverAF independent professional wrestler" on the scene right now. He will present Too Over To Care in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 27, 2027. In a recent interview with OutKick Dropkick, Hefner was already poking the bear in hopes of getting eyes on his event. His first target? Former WWE star JTG, (now known as Jay Tha Gawd) who he called "soft" and that he could "prove it anytime anywhere."
Name calling aside, Hefner said he’s looking forward to the challenge that running his own show brings.
"What made me want to start is that I like to challenge myself most of the time. I like to be under pressure," he said. "So, I figured like I'm already good at this wrestling stuff, right? Let's be honest here. So, I was like, ‘All right, you know what? Let's just take it up a notch.’ I'm going to run my own show and give everybody an opportunity that they don't get most of the time in the wrestling world because there's a lot of politics. I'm sure you know that. A lot of politics.
"People don't get the opportunities they believe they get. So, I'm really not just for me, but I'm really doing everyone a favor."
Hefner said one of the more difficult challenges he’s faced in trying to book the show was telling people, "no."
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
"Telling certain people no because you can't put you know everyone on a card," he explained. "That's really it because once a new show comes around everybody wants to be on it. Everybody wants to be a part of it. Other than that, everything's been pretty smooth so far at least because we still have a lot of time to go."
Jay Lucas and Terry Yaki, the tag duo known as Top Team, and Chulo Montana and Ykies, known as Sexy & Blessed, are among those who are being billed for Too Over To Care.
In a perfect world, Hefner hoped one independent legend would take his call.
"My dream match on the indies would be against Joey Janela," he said. "I feel like me and Joey could really do something and he could really put me over. You know what I mean? Like I'd get a lot of people talking about me after that match."
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY OUTKICK NEWSLETTER
For now, Hefner will continue to get himself even more over with pro wrestling fans going into Too Over To Care.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.