I don't often take the opportunity to look back on accomplishments. I generally don't spend time savoring achievement. The year 2001 has been very good for me with regards to wrestling. This was my "sophomore" year in the business. The year started on very uncertain terms. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue wrestling. Behind the scene politics had me on the verge of giving up. Finally, in March I realized that I and I alone control my destiny. I decided to push full speed ahead and put everything into wrestling. Below are some of the highlights from this past year:

"Handsome" Harley Race (former 8-time NWA Champion)
He signed autographs for fans at a show I worked in June. He complimented me on my match. He told me I remind him of a young Roddy Piper. He invited me to spend some time with him in Missouri. This was huge confidence boost.

"Wildfire" Tommy Rich (former NWA Champion)
He worked on an IWA show. I remember watching him work when I was a small child. His voice is all but gone. His body is scarred from years of abuse. He is still a legend.

Horace Hogan (nWo / WCW)
I worked on a couple of NWA shows with Horace Hogan in July. He was very friendly and polite. He has been in the business more than a decade. He has paid his dues in Japan and as a member of WCW.

New Jack (ECW)
We were both booked on an NWA show. We shared 'locker room' space. He was scary. I am not lying. He was very nice. Most of the stories he told, I cannot repeat. Let's just say, he seldom has a dull moment.

One of my primary goals this year has been to get my name out. I wanted to expose my name to as many fans as possible. I was fortunate enough to be mentioned on some prominent wrestling websites such as 1wrestling.com and wrestlingobserver.com. I was also mentioned in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's October 2001 issue. I was fortunate to be asked to write a weekly column on wrestlingplanet.com along side the likes of: Tom Zenk, Jim Duggan, Lodi and Big Vito. I purchased a couple of new domain names including markmattis.com. I wrestled about 50 matches this year. This was a huge jump considering I wrestled about 12 matches my first year in the business. I put together a brief (20-minute) promotional video. This is now in the hands of a few "Tape Collectors / Traders" through out the country.

I won the IWA Internet title. It was my first championship reign of any kind. I am satisfied with how I carried the belt and the matches I delivered. The title reign came to an end in a 3-way match when Al B. Damm pinned Brad Shultz and unified the cruiserwieght, US, and Internet title.

Another goal this year has been to improve every aspect of my game. I focused my efforts in the weight room. In July, I began an intense weight lighting program. I trimmed some fat and gained some muscle. In the 5-months of consistent work outs, I have gained a solid 15 pounds of muscle. I know this is passe, but I am now in the best physical condition of my wrestling career.

I sought to improve my technical prowess. So, in September I made my first tript to Eldon Missouri to begin working with World League Wrestling and Harley Race. I made the 10 hour drive twice this fall. I look forward to many more visits in the coming year. Harley is helping take my game to a higher level. He is teaching me the little things that make a big difference.

Tough Enough 2
My wife forced me to send a tape in for WWF/MTV's "Tough Enough 2". I made the cut from 5,000 to 230. I was invited to the semi-finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. I had a great time. It was an honor to be interviewed by Jim Ross, Al Snow, Bob Holly, Ivory, Kevin Dunn, John Gambrick and the various MTV people.

This year I took several important steps in the right direction. I began to separate myself from the pack. I can look back on this year with pride and satisfaction. I am proud of the things I been a part of and accomplished in the year 2001. As I stated at the onset of this column; I don't often take the opportunity to look back on accomplishments.

I plan to relax and enjoy the next few weeks. I plan to rest some nagging injuries. I intend the savor the highlights of this past year. There is a philosophy I tend to follow, "As you drive down the highway of life, it is difficult to focus on the road ahead if you are staring in the rearview mirror."

2001 was a "good year". But, plans are already in the works to make 2002 a "break out year".