'The Hybrid Experience' creating new wave of Professional Wrestlers
The wrestling school recently marked 5 years of showcasing talent, attracting wrestlers from across the nation
“I didn’t think I had enough experience to start a wrestling school.”
Christopher Valle -known by his wrestling name “Chris ‘Cocky’ Marval”-explained to me at the Hybrid school of wrestling on the far North West side of San Antonio, Texas. In 2015, the concept of opening a wrestling school seemed out of his league, because he didn’t think he had enough wrestling experience.
That mindset shifted once he had a phone conversation with former co-owner and Hybrid wrestling coach, Brigham “Masada” Doane.
Valle explained to me that one day, Doane - who had contacted Valle about using one of Valle’s wrestling rings for a show- pitched the idea of Valle starting a wrestling school in San Antonio. The pair had a combined 20 years worth of wrestling experience. Doane had just finished wrestling in Japan and was living out of Florida at the time. They contacted Raymond “Erik” Rowe Jr. to assist them with starting the school, and in April 2015, the trio who had a combined 30 years experience opened their doors to students for the first time. Doane explained:
“I told him I knew it (the school) would take off.”
Shortly after the school opened, Doane went back to Japan to wrestle, and Rowe went to Ring of Honor (in which he eventually signed with the WWE where he currently wrestles under the tag team The Viking Raiders). Instead of shutting down Hybrid, Valle made the decision to keep their doors open. Valle’s reason to not shut the school down was because he had eight dedicated students, and he didn’t want to let them down.
Since that time, Hybrid has grown tremendously, and now boasts 48 concurrent students training to become professional wrestlers.
Hybrid has seen a multitude of talent walk through their doors over the years. Wrestling Stars from the likes of Mercedes Mone, Bayley, Tessa Blanchard, Thunder Rosa, and countless others have stopped by to practice at Hybrid, an indication of the school’s professionalism and elite reputation.
Even though all Hybrid students come from various different ethnicities, genders, beliefs, and backgrounds, one thing that they all have in common is that they all work very hard, and have big dreams of signing contracts with major wrestling companies.
Today, the Hybrid coaches have changed from their original trio. In addition to Coach “Marval”, they now have Christopher “Don Juan” Valenzuela as their promotions coach, and both Branden “Branden Vice- The Flamingo King” Hilton and former WWE Superstar and commentator Shoichi “Sho” Funaki as their wrestling trainers.
Valenzuela, who has been friends with Valle for the past 24 years, says that Valle has been his only true friend in the wrestling business. When Valle first opened Hybrid in 2015, Valenzuela wasn’t on speaking terms with Valle.
Valenzuela took full blame for the friendship hiatus- stating his character wasn’t the best in his past. Valenzuela stated he was grateful for reconnecting with Valle after a mutual friend, Brandon Oliver of River City Wrestling, assisted them with reconnecting and mending their friendship in 2021. The friends are now closer than ever, and perform at independent wrestling shows under the tag team name “The Texas Treats”.
Valenzuela reflected on why he loves being a part of the tag team:
“The good thing about me and Marval (Valle) and why we mesh so well is because he’s very good technically inside of the ring, and I’m very good at talking and having that charisma, and getting attention from the crowd. We work very well together.”
He elaborated on how he became a Coach after his relationship with Valle was repaired:
“When I came to Hybrid, I saw Coach Funaki was here- but also- I saw that there was something that was needed. When you come into Hybrid, you see there’s something special. And with my new way of thinking after God put me through the ringer in life, I started asking myself, ‘What can I do to help the school?’ So I began to start helping students with their promo work. After 6 months of helping, I asked Marval for a job. Marval knew I had the passion for wrestling, and he didn’t even have a second thought of me becoming a coach.”
Valenzuela proceeded to explain why he enjoys being a coach at Hybrid:
“You have to build a relationship with these students, you have to build their trust. I love when the students have their lightbulb moments, and they start to get wrestling, and you begin to see their improvements. I love seeing students first start here and they are horrible at promo work, but after 6 months of consistency you see them getting much better. You also have people who are naturals, and its an honor to work with them, but they still listen and respect how I coach them and listen to my direction.”
Coach Hilton (Branden Vice) said he became a coach at the Hybrid School of Wrestling in 2021. He also explained why he loves Coaching the students at Hybrid.
“By teaching, I also get introspect on how I do my thing (in the ring). I tell the students how we do things as a school, but I also get to reflect on how I do things when I go out and perform.”
Hybrid started showcasing affordable student shows in August 2019- it was meant as a concept that allowed students to showcase their talent in the ring prior to making their way through the wrestling independent scene. Many students have benefitted from their student shows, including Casey “Casey Blackrose” Martinez.
Martinez, the title holder of Hybrid School of Wrestling’s 1st Championship in August 2024, decided to become a wrestler after having the fondest memories with his father growing up. Martinez loved watching Eddie Guerrero and attending WWE Smackdown with his Dad. He explained what training at Hybrid means to him:
“I am born and raised here in San Antonio. Personally, I think this is the best wrestling school in the World. Knowing its ten minutes from my house, I feel like being here was meant to be. I started watching wrestling in 2010. Now 14 years later, having guys like Chris Marval and Don Juan who I used to watch at shows, now being my coaches and helping me being the best wrestler I can be, it’s like a dream come true.”
Other students, like David “Devin ‘The Fashionista’ Carter” Melchor and Terrance “Zakai Living” Livingston, who represent the LGBTQ+ community, explain how training at Hybrid prepares them for the real world in wrestling. Carter, the Rising Star Champion at Hybrid, has received his fair share of online criticism simply because of his sexual orientation, elaborates on how the school helps him:
“Coach Funaki, Coach Marval, Don Juan, they have all welcomed us with open arms. No matter which direction we go, they’ve always taught us the best way to move and how the business works. I’m lucky to have them and we are lucky to have their support from the very beginning. When we receive online hate comments, we can rely on our school, our coaches, and all the students we train with as well. This is a good home.”
Livingston, who was ranked in 2023 by a WWE recruiter as the #2 wrestling talent to watch in the United States, explained what Hybrid means to him:
“It’s definitely home. This is the right home for me. I can be myself. I can be loud, I can be goofy, I can be upset, anything. I am protected here. This is my home. That protection of being able to be myself and trying new things here, and getting to know people before we go out into the indies, helps us grow. This is home.”
Jalen “Jayden Valentino” Hankins, a current wrestling student at Hybrid School of Wrestling, says that Hybrid changed his life. Hankins got his start in wrestling after he won the most recent Hybrid’s annual competition, “The Hybrid Challenge” as a shot in the dark.
“The Hybrid Challenge” was a cardio competition that spanned across the course of 5 days. The challenge was open to anyone in the country, and the winner would receive a indefinite discounted tuition.
Hankins said winning the challenge was the reassurance he needed for himself. At the time, he was going through a lot with personal challenges and his mental health. When he saw the challenge online, he looked at the opportunity as a way to prove to himself that he was “worth something” in life.
Hankins trained really hard prior to the challenge and took the challenge seriously. He ran daily, ate well, and worked out consistently to prepare for the 5-day assessment. Hankins ended up winning the last annual challenge, and considers it one of the most special moments in his life.
As someone who grew up on the North East side of San Antonio in Kirby, Texas, Hankins came from humble beginnings and his family had a moderate-to-low income growing up. He explained how winning the challenge helped changed the trajectory of his life:
“Winning the challenge helped my family out financially. Before the competition, I made a bet with my Grandmother. I told her, ‘If I win this competition, would you pay for my tuition, since its going to be a lower price?’. She had my back, and I won the challenge. And she’s been gracious enough to help me, which has like, helped me a lot personally.”
Hankins said his Grandmother and Hybrid’s support for his passion means so much to him.
He explained the best thing about Hybrid:
“This sport isn’t easy. You’re going to be working out a lot. You’re going to be hearing things that may sound like discouragement, but its actually encouragement. And I feel like the longer you stay here, the more you feel like a family member here. People are trying to push you to be better and being the best you can be. This is a legit school, I didn’t want to go somewhere where I wouldn’t have a high chance to make it to a top wrestling company. I never looked at any other schools when I was researching for wrestling schools. Hybrid was always the school I wanted to attend.”
Trish “Ridley Thorne” Fabela, another wrestling student at Hybrid, is going on her third year of training at Hybrid. Fabela, who is still at trainee, is looking forward to graduating from the school.
Fabela explains why she chose Hybrid to start her wrestling journey:
“Diego Renay (a Hybrid graduate and professional wrestler) won the 2nd Hybrid challenge back in 2020 I believe. I was unaware there were any other schools. Once I started training here, I discovered there were other schools, but Hybrid had four rings, four coaches. Everything was just kind of already set in place (for me to stay).”
She explained her wrestling journey at Hybrid:
“My Hybrid experience has been an entire spectrum of emotions. From the very beginning to where I am now… the emotional roller coaster has been absolutely insane.. from the first moment that I stepped foot onto the turf , to the whole training process has been intense. Not just physically, but mentally. I remember in the very beginning, in the (first) six weeks when I was just on the turf doing cardio, I was like ‘Is this something you really want to do?’ Once I got past that and stepped foot into the ring for the very first time, it was set in stone. This is somewhere that I want to be, this is something that I want to do.”
Fabela said when she was behind the curtain prior to her debut match, she had tons of emotions. She said the rewarding feeling of being in the ring was intoxicating, and realized all of the hard work and emotions she endured throughout the process was worth it.
“My Hybrid experience means the absolute world to me. I absolutely believe that it’s the best decision I ever made in my life to join Hybrid. And I love it. I love it, love it.”
Recently, Hybrid celebrated 5 years of doing student shows at their school. Students from all across the country have moved to San Antonio to pursue their dream at Hybrid.
For Valle, seeing his students become successful is a great feeling. One Hybrid student Madison “Wren Sinclair” Dombkowski, signed with WWE NXT in December of 2023. For his students, signing to major promotions is an attainable dream, and the student shows give them their first taste of what it’s like to wrestle in the real world.
Valenzuela elaborates on why people should attend their shows:
“I think people should come to a Hybrid show because there’s a lot of passion that everyone puts into the shows. Our students have to work hard and earn their way onto a show. It’s a great reward for them. Come to see that passion. We also bring in top talent from across the country. When it comes to Hybrid, you’re going to be impressed when you see us.”
When Valle first started the school, he didn’t think he had enough experience to start. Now with 9 years under his belt and many coaches and students, things have changed. Students now look up to Valle, Funaki, Valenzuela, and Hilton for their expertise, and their professional approach to wrestling has gotten their students to the top of the wrestling food chain.
The same fear Valle had to start the school was the same fear Fabela had as she was earning her stripes.
The same passion he had to start the school was the same passion Hankins had to win the Hybrid challenge to pursue his dreams. It was also the same passion Martinez had to honor the memory of his father.
The same comradery Valle asked for when he partnered with Doane and Rowe is the same comradery Carter and Livingston found amongst the students inside of the Hybrid family. And it was that same comradery that repaired his relationship with his best friend and tag partner, Valenzuela.
Famous Roman poet Marcus Tullius Cicero once said, “For what I lack in experience, I make up for in diligence.” Valle’s diligence and courage to open the school despite his self-proclaimed lack of experience has opened many doors for many students, providing them with opportunities they never believed were attainable. It's forced every person who has walked through the doors to dig deep within themselves to be strong, fearless, forgiving, courageous, and passionate.
I asked Livingston why people should come to a show, and his response was simple:
“Honestly, just come to a Hybrid show and see what we’re all about.”
Come see what the Hybrid experience is all about.
Hybrid’s next show “Coast to Coast Invasion” is Saturday, September 28th, 2024. Tickets are on sale at the door or at www.hybridschoolofwrestling.com 7714 Eckhart Road, San Antonio, Texas. Doors open at 6 P.M., Bell rings at 7 P.M. Follow Hybrid on Instragram @HybridSchoolOfWrestling and on Twitter (X) @HybridSow