Pro wrestling star KJ Orso belongs to a small group of athletes in the sport with Native American roots. He plans to highlight his heritage at Produce Wrestling’s Skoden event on Monday. Orso will partner with Gringo Loco to face Rich Swann and Tiny Giant. Skoden will honor Native American culture, aligning with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
KJ Orso expressed his excitement to showcase Native American culture in an interview with OutKick Dropkick. “It’s significant. Wrestling lacks representation in various ways. It often gets overlooked, and it doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” Orso explained. When he decided to unmask, he wanted to emphasize his heritage. Facing Tiny Giant and Rich Swann is a major opportunity for him. Orso shared that he wears a Choctaw shirt often and grew up attending powwows and traveling. Notable figures like Tatanka and Chief Jay Strongbow offer limited representation, so Orso feels proud of this opportunity.
Orso dislikes relying on stereotypes. He plans to subtly incorporate elements of his heritage into his wrestling gear. For instance, he may include a dreamcatcher on his knee pad or back of his trunk as small nods to his heritage. Orso believes it’s important to avoid being stereotypical, which was common in movies and TV. While he respects figures like Tatanka, Orso aims to become a champion, not an underdog. He focuses on excelling first, planning to reveal more cultural aspects when appropriate.
He and Gringo Loco’s team name, Dos Gringos Loco, pays tribute to Eddie Guerrero and Art Barr, “Los Gringos Locos” in Mexico. Orso hopes to eventually win tag team championships.
Orso shared his desire for fans attending the event in New York at the Roulette Intermedium to learn about Native American culture. “We are proud and resilient people with an inherent fight that shows clearly in whatever we pursue. You’ll witness what fight native people possess,” Orso stated. The event will bring diverse tribes and cultures together to make a strong impression.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.