Original Green Ranger actor to make pro wrestling debut in Laredo
By Garrett Kroeger, Laredo Morning Times Updated 4:15 am CST, Monday, December 31, 2018
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Actor Jason David Frank — known for his role as the Green Ranger and White Ranger in the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers — made a special guest appearance at Laredo Wrestling Alliance’s “Let’s Say Goodbye” event. David Frank announced he will step inside the squared circle for the promotion in 2019. Photo: Danny Zaragoza /Laredo Morning Times / Laredo Morning Times
Photo: Danny Zaragoza /Laredo Morning Times
Actor Jason David Frank — known for his role as the Green Ranger and White Ranger in the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers — made a special guest appearance at Laredo Wrestling Alliance’s “Let’s Say Goodbye” event. David Frank announced he will step inside the squared circle for the promotion in 2019.
The Laredo Wrestling Alliance’s 2018 was one of its best years yet. The local independent wrestling company, which has been around since 2010, saw stars such as ACH, Laredo Kid and Shane Strickland come down and challenge LWA Champion Daga for the top crown. Yet at Let’s Say Goodbye on Saturday, LWA ended the year on a high note and is ready to morph into 2019.
Weeks before its last event of the year, LWA announced that actor Jason David Frank — who played the famed Green and White Rangers on the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television show — was set to make a special guest appearance. David Frank sat ringside for the last two matches of the event, but it was the main event when the actor got involved.
LWA United Pure Champion and Laredoan Ricky Swayze took on Brysin Scott. But the challenger wasn’t too pleased about the former TV star being at the event. He got on the microphone and claimed he was the top attraction, not David Frank. And toward the end of the match, the two got into an altercation as David Frank punched Scott out before he was held back by LWA security.
Once Scott was in the back, David Frank got on the mic. He said a few words and announced that he will be returning to LWA, but not for another guest appearance. Next time, he will step in the squared circle for the first time in his career to take on Scott.
"I’ve always been interested in stepping into a wrestling ring," David Frank told LMT. "I don’t do this stuff. I do MMA. Just to learn this stuff is cool. I went to WWE, but just to see this passion in these fighters, everyone is hungry and everyone wants to be the best they can. I like that."
David Frank credits Ronda Rousey and CM Punk for his interest in crossing over to the wrestling industry. He’s watched Rousey succeed in less than a year in WWE and Punk’s transition from one of wrestling’s top stars to fighting twice in UFC.
With David Frank making an appearance, LWA owner Rey Chavarria and promoter Dan Martinez ordered 300 seats — the most they have ever needed for one show.
LWA originally set out all 300 chairs. But by the time of the second match, the promotion set out another 100 that became filled while a handful of additional fans stood in every corner.
"This was the largest crowd we have ever had," Chavarria said.
With the addition of David Frank, Chavarria expects huge numbers for LWA in 2019.
While every fan in attendance chanted “JDF! JDF!” when the original Power Ranger theme song played and the 45-year-old actor made his entrance, they also cheered for the local wrestlers competing. They cheered when Khiry became the new No. 1 contender for the RISE Division title after defeating Israel, and they booed when What-A-Team was cheated out of victory against the Hybrid Brusiers — who are from San Antonio.
But it was all about David Frank Saturday. After the event, hundreds of Laredoans waited in line to get a picture with the famed Power Ranger. With all the support he experienced, David Frank couldn’t be happier to make LWA his wrestling home.
"I love going to South Texas Comic Con," David Frank said. "I’ve wanted to do a Power Morphicon down here. We are doing one in Texas, and I have been wanting to do one in Laredo. So, when (LWA) called me, they soon asked what my price was, and I had told them I would come down for free.
"I feel like for me and my fan base, you are never too big to attend events like this or come to towns that most people don’t go to. I’m happy to be here."
While Saturday’s event was a success in the promotion’s minds, all they can think about is what 2019 is going to be like. Especially with David Frank now in the fold.
"If that’s not a big deal, what else is there to say about wrestling in Laredo?," Chavarria said. "This is the place to be.
"The Green Ranger is wrestling for the first time in LWA. Just listen to that over again. Laredo isn’t known for that. Now it’s going to be known for the home of LWA and where Jason David Frank made his wrestling debut."
gkroeger@lmtonline.com
Twitter: @gkroegs
