Pro Wrestler KJ Orso Showcases Native American Heritage

KJ Orso, a notable figure in professional wrestling with Native American heritage, will highlight his cultural background at Produce Wrestling’s Skoden event. This event coincides with Indigenous Peoples’ Day and celebrates Native American culture.

Orso will join forces with Gringo Loco in a match against Rich Swann and Tiny Giant. He emphasizes the importance of representation in wrestling, a space where Native American culture is often underrepresented.

Expressing Heritage

In an interview with OutKick Dropkick, Orso expressed his excitement about the event. “I knew when I unmasked, I wanted to represent my heritage more prominently. Facing competitors like Tiny Giant and Rich Swann is a significant opportunity to do that,” he said. Orso shared that he wears his Choctaw tribal shirt and has been involved in cultural activities such as powwows since childhood.

Historical representation in wrestling has been limited. Figures like Tatanka and Chief Jay Strongbow come to mind, although the latter was not genuinely Native American. Orso aims to change that narrative while avoiding stereotypes.

Avoiding Stereotypes

Orso noted the prevalence of stereotypes in media. “I respect Tatanka for his representation, but I think the trope has been overused in TV and movies,” Orso stated. He intends to subtly incorporate his heritage into his attire with elements like a dreamcatcher on his gear. “I want to shift the focus from being seen as an underdog to becoming a champion,” he said.

The tag team formed by Orso and Gringo Loco, known as Dos Gringos Loco, pays homage to Eddie Guerrero and Art Barr’s Los Gringos Locos. They aspire to achieve tag team gold in the future.

Spreading Cultural Awareness

Orso hopes fans attending the event at the Roulette Intermedium in New York will gain insights into Native American culture. “We are proud and resilient people with an innate fight. Our tribes and cultures are coming together to demonstrate this on a significant day,” he remarked.

Ryan Gaydos, a senior editor at Fox News Digital, contributed to this coverage.