TIM Storm is a middle school history teacher, a grandfather – and a world wrestling champion.
In 2016, Storm became the oldest-ever NWA world heavyweight champion at the age of 51, after 20 years toiling through the independent ranks.
Twitter/RealTimStormTim Storm is still going strong in the NWA aged 58[/caption]
Twitter/RealTimStormStorm became world heavyweight champion aged 51 in 2016[/caption]
Twitter/RealTimStormThe middle school history teacher is also an NWA broadcaster[/caption]
He joined icons such as Ric Flair, Sting, Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race and A.J. Styles in holding professional wrestling’s most historic title.
When Storm finally reached the “mountain top” as he called it, the veteran held on to the belt for 414 days, defending against the likes of Nick Aldis and Jerry Lawler.
“While I tried to stay even-keeled, when I won it, it was incredibly emotional,” Storm recalled.
“I never thought it would happen, and I can’t tell anybody how much it means, especially if they don’t understand the passion for wrestling.
“It was definitely my high point.”
At the pinnacle of his professional wrestling career, Storm continued his day job as a history teacher at Euless Junior High in Texas under his real name Timothy Scoggins.
It was something of a challenge.
“I’ll be standing in the hall and I’ll have a group of kids walk by and yell, ‘Hey, Tim Storm!’” he told Rolling Stone.
“I do my best to not allow that to be a distraction.
“I’ll never show them any wrestling videos because the last thing I need while teaching 13- and 14-year-olds world history is them thinking of me in a pair of trunks.”
Storm is currently 58 and has moved into broadcasting but he has vowed not to retire from wrestling any time soon.
“Being in the ring, competing and being in front of the fans is an addictive, amazing thing I will never retire from,” he told the Armbars and Sidebars podcast.
“I don’t want to be the guy who comes back from retirement 38 times.”