Today we’d like to introduce you to Clifton Taylor.
Hi Clifton, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
As a child of the 80s, two things captivated my imagination: professional wrestling and horror movies. Watching guys like Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant amazed me. Wrestling superstars were like real-life superheroes. I was struck by talents such as The Road Warriors, Powers of Pain, Demolition, and the Ultimate Warrior. They wore face paint, which added a mystique to them; I loved it. Now, horror also piqued my interest, especially the practical effects. Starting with the first time I watched Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The makeup and transformation into a character that scared me intrigued me. I was hooked. From that moment forward, wrestling and horror movies would become a staple of my life. I grew up athletic and also got into acting at a young age. Always the performer, I loved to entertain.
As the years passed, I graduated high school, met my future wife, and started a family. Priorities changed, and so did life. The birth of my first son was in 2005, and soon after, my wife and I divorced. 8 years later, the birth of my second son. I was working, paying bills, and being a Dad all this time, but I had an emptiness inside. I wasn’t doing anything to fulfill my own needs in life. In 2015, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a professional wrestler. At that time, there were no wrestling schools in Minnesota. I was willing to relocate to start my journey, but my kids begged me not to go. We agreed that if nothing popped up in the next couple of years, I would move to pursue my dreams.
In early 2017, I sat down to have dinner with my grandma, and she said, “Some former WWE stars opened a wrestling school in the Twin Cities.” That was all I needed to hear. She handed me the newspaper with the article, and I immediately got in my car and drove to The Academy: School of Professional Wrestling. There, I met Ken Anderson and Shawn Daivari. I expressed my need to become a professional wrestler and fulfill my dream. I signed up on the spot and started training with the next group of students. I loved it, I felt alive, I felt happy. I knew this was what I wanted to do. No more than a couple of months in, things happened in my life, and I was forced to step away. I was devastated then, but I knew I would be back. Not one day it was passed that I wasn’t thinking about wrestling. Fast forward to the end of 2019, and I was finally ready to return. I got signed up and will be starting in 2020. Two weeks before my return, COVID-19 swept the world and shut everything down—another dead end. So, I patiently waited, and once a little bit of normalcy returned to our lives, so did wrestling.
In March 2022, The Academy opened its doors again, and training began. It was a great group of students, all wanting to chase the dream. I was as hungry as ever, and The Academy became my second home. Nobody said this would be easy, and my journey has been nothing close to easy. Two months in, I injured my left leg. Determined to keep training, I did just that. For the next two weeks, I would train as hard as I could until I could hardly walk. The pain in my leg wouldn’t go away, so I finally decided to go to the doctor. MRI scans showed that my leg was broken. I would have to sit out 4-6 weeks. As I healed, I still went to training every night. I watched and listened, learning as much as I would’ve been in the ring. Once I healed, I began having camp matches at The Academy.
By June 2022, I was given the green light for my first professional match. It was electric, and I had the time of my life. An experience I will never forget. Through the rest of the year, I would have 14 more matches, facing many opponents whom I greatly respected. In October 2022, while facing Jason Rage, I dislocated my left arm. I was breaking the bone that holds the arm in the socket, tearing my rotator cuff, and ultimately tearing muscles and ligaments. The following weekend, after finding out the extent of my injuries, I would have my final match of 2022 before heading into surgery.
As 2023 began, I was sidelined and healing. I began physical therapy early in the year, pushing myself as hard as I could to get mobility back in my shoulder. By May, I was back in the ring and accepting bookings. I would wrestle in many promotions, and on September 23rd, 2023, I would win my first title for All Out Pro Wrestling in Wisconsin, winning the United States Heavyweight Championship. From there, I decided to pursue another dream: Acting and filmmaking. I pushed myself to audition for some roles, and lo and behold, I got the parts. I went to Dallas, TX, to start filming Neon Fear in mid-October. From Dallas, I went to New York to film Friday the 13th: Blood Loss, a fan film. Then, I was in Connecticut filming Laugh. I am beyond grateful for my experiences and the people I’ve met. Life is an absolute rollercoaster, but it is worth the ride. This is still just the beginning of my journey, and I look forward to every day to see where it takes me. Never give up!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road could have been smoother, and I would expect it to be. Sacrifices have been made not just for me but for my children as well. Professional wrestling is a very physical and demanding sport. Along with injury, there are many long days and nights on the road to get to a show. My children have endured many of these trips and have had to watch me battle through injuries and many hours of physical therapy. It’s not the easiest lifestyle. As far as acting, my career has been concise thus far. The biggest obstacle has been quitting my former job to pursue a dream and finding a job that is understanding of my schedule. Luckily, I have found suitable employment, helping make everything work.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a professional wrestler, I am APEXX and was introduced as “The Man They Call” APEXX. I am proud to win the United States Heavyweight Championship for APW (All Out Pro Wrestling). I am also very proud of starting my acting career and participating in some great projects. Things that set me apart: I never give up on fulfilling my goals. I stay humble and grateful. I am kind, loving, and supportive of those around me. I love seeing the success of others.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories are attending wrestling shows with my Grandpa and watching greats like Baron Von Raschke, Nick Bockwinkel, Verne Gagne, and others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: i.am.apexx
- Facebook: APEXX
Image Credits
@indulging_disorderly @haleyheavymetal
