Alex Marvez's weekly look at professional wrestling

Frank Trigg remembers when two of pro wrestling's biggest stars were nobodies in the same gym where he trained for mixed martial arts competition.

Now, Trigg is the one hoping to follow in the footsteps of grappling stars John Cena and "Samoa Joe" Seanoa.

A top-tier Mixed Martial Arts fighter and commentator, Trigg has started working for TNA Wrestling (Thursdays, 9 p.m. Eastern, Spike TV). He is currently providing guest analysis while training behind the scenes for a future in-ring debut. He already is getting physically involved in TNA matches by interfering on behalf of long-time friend Kurt Angle.

Before every TNA television taping in Orlando, Trigg spends three hours under the auspices of renowned trainer Scott D'Amore. The sessions are MMA flavored, as Trigg has an August 24 bout in Japan.

"They're not trying to teach me stuff that just looks good for the camera," Trigg said in a recent telephone interview. "I'm learning a legitimate-looking, strong style of pro wrestling so I can try and be a career guy in this. Whether I'm good enough and can figure out how to do this is the question."

Trigg already has proven himself in the MMA world, posting a 16-6 record that includes high-profile bouts for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Trigg has gradually segued into announcing, where he and Jay Glazer have called matches for PRIDE replays on FOX Sports Net and the recent Affliction pay-per-view show.

Trigg's gift of gab caught TNA's attention. He was hired in April when the promotion was trying to give an Angle vs. Samoa Joe pay-per-view match a more realistic, MMA-style feel.

Before one taping, Trigg and "Curry Man" Christopher Daniels horsed around in the ring. Trigg flashed so much promise that he was approached by TNA founder Jeff Jarrett about training to become a pro wrestler.

Were he asked earlier this decade, Trigg probably would have declined the offer. When the Ultimate Pro Wrestling academy moved into his gym (the R.I. Center) in El Segundo, Calif., Trigg felt that industry was declining after the "Monday Night Wars" between World Wrestling Entertainment and World Championship Wrestling had ended.

Two of UPW's students were Cena, who Trigg recalls being a "6-2, 175-pound guy called The Prototype," and Seanoa.

"I remember going to some of their shows and thinking, 'I really don't see what they're doing,'" Trigg said. "Suddenly, I watch the Prototype grow up to become John Cena and Joe make it big in TNA."

Despite his tough-guy credentials, the 36-year-old Trigg admits having apprehension about whether he can make the transition from MMA to pro wrestling. His biggest concern is physical size. Although he is significantly heavier before cutting weight for MMA fights, the 5-foot-8 Trigg has primarily competed in the 170-pound welterweight division. But with TNA placing less emphasis on behemoth performers than WWE, Trigg has a legitimate shot at success.

Even if he doesn't pan out, Trigg has prepared for life after fighting by launching multiple business ventures, including his own "Triggonomics" clothing line (www.triggonomics.com). Trigg also is cherishing his TNA experience. Besides rubbing elbows with some of his favorite performers, Trigg has gained a newfound respect for what it takes to step into the ring.

Said Trigg: "I walked into this thinking, 'This is kind of dumb. I get punched in the face for a living. Is a dropkick going to bother me?' But after doing it, this is absolutely one of the hardest things I've ever tried to learn. You have to have no selfish blood in your system or you will get destroyed. If you can't learn how to work with someone else, you're going to hurt them or hurt yourself. And that's going to hurt your career."

(Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro wrestling column for Scripps-Howard News Service. Contact him at alex1marv@aol.com.)