Do the work.
That's the motto of Cody Rhodes and it applies to his training methods at the Nightmare Factory alongside QT Marshall.
Marshall, alongside Ray Lloyd (Glacier) opened the training facility in 2017 under the name One Fall Power Factory. Rhodes came aboard in 2020 and the facility was rebranded as the Nightmare Factory.
Two standouts performers from the facility are Diamond Sheik and Jameson Ryan, who are set to run Championship District Wrestling on August 14. Sheik and Ryan spoke to Jeremy Lambert and Stephen Jensen on The Spotlight and discussed what it's like learning under Marshall and Rhodes.
"It depends," said Ryan when asked if Marshall is as annoying as he comes across on AEW television. "The Factory guys that he hangs out with, he treats them really well because those are his people. If you're his people, he treats you well. If you're not his people, you're some annoying losers on Twitter that are trying to get a rise out of him, you might get it. Personally, myself, and I know a lot of guys at the Nightmare Factory, we've all seen and know what QT is capable of and he's one of the best unrecognized wrestlers on earth."
Sheik added, "He treats me really well. He invited me here to train, he was my coach and I trained under him and that's where I learned all my fundamentals and I'm very solid fundamentally because he drilled it into us. Just like I drill diamonds into jewelry. You want to make sure they don't get out, that they stay in there. I understand what quality is and that's what you get here when you train with QT and Cody at the school."
The Nightmare Factory has become one of the top facilities in wrestling thanks to the coaching of Rhodes and Marshall, the star power of Rhodes, and presence of Marshall on AEW television.
When asked if he was intimidated the first time he stepped foot in the facility, Sheik said, "In all honesty, it's a life changer. You go through the camp, you stick with it, you put your heart into it, it will change your life. The first time I walked in here, it was intimidating and I'm sure if you put yourself in the shoes of anyone that signed up for a beginners wrestling camp, you're a true beginner, you're green as grass. You're going to be intimidated. You're going to come in, you're going to be nervous, you're going to be anxious, apprehensive, all of the above. I'll say this, something happened that I did not expect to happen, and that was, this man Cody Rhodes, literally held my arm and ran the ropes with me when I thought that I couldn't do it right. I run the ropes pretty damn good now and I think it's just because he stuck there with me. He's there for the students, he actually gives a damn, he'll come in on film days, watch film with us, come and dissect stuff. Him and QT are possibly the greatest assets to any pro wrestler in training in the country. it is a little intimidating at first, it does give you butterflies. I know some guys, that had experience, that still felt that way. As long as, like Cody says, you're willing to do the work, he'll hold your hand and do it with you. I've experienced that first hand."
Ryan had a slightly different experience as he joined the gym when it was still the One Fall Power Factory.
Ryan said about joining the facility, "When I started, it was actually the One Fall Power Factory with QT and Ray (Lloyd). Cody hadn't come in yet. It was cool for me because I was at the airport one day, and I saw Trent from Best Friends walking through, right before AEW started, I went up to him, just being a mark, said 'Hi, how are you doing? I'm excited about AEW. Looking forward to it.' He asked me, 'Are you in the business? Are you a worker?' I said no. He looked at me up and down and was like, 'You look like that for no reason?' 'Alright, fair enough.' [laughs]. Shortly after, an ad popped up for the One Fall Power Factory, I sent a message, and within two minutes, QT sent me a message asking if he could call me. Called me up, we had like a five minute conversation, I went in there the next day, we talked a little bit, brought me in the ring, he had me do a couple of things and he was like, "What do you think?' I was hooked, obviously. I'm a huge, die hard fan, so getting in that ring was incredible. QT has helped me really develop what I'm able to do now. In-ring, promos, I like to fancy myself as a bit of a talker, QT really helped me out with that. The in-ring work is all psychology based, we really focus on doing things right and making sure you're telling a story and not just going in there and doing whatever you want."
The Nightmare Factory is currently accepting applications for its October 2022 class.
Ryan and Sheik will be in action for Championship District Wrestling on August 14. The event will be headlined by Marshall & Anthony Ogogo taking on The Workhorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry). Fans can learn more about the event by clicking here.
Check out the full episode of The Spotlight by clicking here.
