Post by GZG MultiMedia on May 29, 2007 17:44:35 GMT -6
It has been a month since former GZW2K1 wrestler Jason Machiavelli officially opened the Helen Machiavelli Foundation in honour of his late wife who was killed in a car accident two months ago. The foundation was set up to fund developments in education in his native New York City.
"When it happened," Machiavelli says of his wife's untimely death, "I was furious. Furious at God, furious at the kid who crashed into her... It was only as I sat with my young son Elijah that I realised how futile my rage really was. In my own son's eyes I saw those of [the youth that caused Ms. Machiavelli's death; he cannot be named for legal reasons]. Above all else I did not want my son to grow up in the same New York City that raised [said youth].
"Laying blame does little good. If it wasn't that kid it could've been one of any amount of others. Social problems stemming from poverty and poor education - alcoholism, drug abuse and crime in general - all played a major part but I believe that awareness can be raised. It is possible to clean up the streets once and for all. That is why I have set up the Foundation."
Machiavelli's wrestling career was cut short in late 2001 after an unsanctioned attack by fellow GZW2K1 wrestler Sincere led to a crippling spinal injury. Machiavelli spent 2002 and 2003 in a wheelchair and has only recently regained full health and mobility after a rigorous GZW2K1-funded physiotherapy programme. "Doctors told me that I would be lucky to ever walk again. I guess someone must've been looking down on me!" he says of his relatively miraculous comeback.
Though he has not wrestled for almost six years, Jason has remained on the GZW2K1 payroll under an "Icon" contract.
Rumours have been circulating for some months now that the company is looking to get Machiavelli back inside the squared circle. He said some years ago that he would never return, citing the trauma that his (late) wife incurred was too steep a price to pay. Will her passing on have changed the 28-year-old's mind at all? Though it is no secret that the GZW2K1 Command Suite have formally expressed their interest in having Machiavelli back on their active roster, the man himself has refused to comment one way or the other. It truly remains to be seen.
"When it happened," Machiavelli says of his wife's untimely death, "I was furious. Furious at God, furious at the kid who crashed into her... It was only as I sat with my young son Elijah that I realised how futile my rage really was. In my own son's eyes I saw those of [the youth that caused Ms. Machiavelli's death; he cannot be named for legal reasons]. Above all else I did not want my son to grow up in the same New York City that raised [said youth].
"Laying blame does little good. If it wasn't that kid it could've been one of any amount of others. Social problems stemming from poverty and poor education - alcoholism, drug abuse and crime in general - all played a major part but I believe that awareness can be raised. It is possible to clean up the streets once and for all. That is why I have set up the Foundation."
Machiavelli's wrestling career was cut short in late 2001 after an unsanctioned attack by fellow GZW2K1 wrestler Sincere led to a crippling spinal injury. Machiavelli spent 2002 and 2003 in a wheelchair and has only recently regained full health and mobility after a rigorous GZW2K1-funded physiotherapy programme. "Doctors told me that I would be lucky to ever walk again. I guess someone must've been looking down on me!" he says of his relatively miraculous comeback.
Though he has not wrestled for almost six years, Jason has remained on the GZW2K1 payroll under an "Icon" contract.
Rumours have been circulating for some months now that the company is looking to get Machiavelli back inside the squared circle. He said some years ago that he would never return, citing the trauma that his (late) wife incurred was too steep a price to pay. Will her passing on have changed the 28-year-old's mind at all? Though it is no secret that the GZW2K1 Command Suite have formally expressed their interest in having Machiavelli back on their active roster, the man himself has refused to comment one way or the other. It truly remains to be seen.
