He might have lost his job as a teacher, but Matthew Kaye is on his way to becoming a wrestling star. And his real-life story has become part of the melodrama in the ring.
Kaye, a former social studies teacher at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Queens, New York, lost his job after he was caught taking sick time to go on a pro-wrestling tour in Japan. Now, he says, he has signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment, which produces televised wrestling shows.
"I'm on cloud nine; I've been numb for weeks," said Kaye, a chiseled muscleman who is known as Matt Striker in the ring, where he has gained some renown for a move called "the lung blower."
He has made appearances on television before, but Kaye said he was just being introduced to audiences. His wrestling persona, which is still being developed, is based on his background as a teacher.
"Right now, I'm the good guy who lost his job because he had a passion to pursue wrestling," Kaye said. "Here's this kid living out his dream on the WWE."
Kaye resigned in April after school officials realized that he and Striker were one and the same, and that the wrestler had been in the ring while the teacher had called in sick.
City investigators said Kaye, 31, falsely called in sick in December and again in February, when he was on a wrestling tour in Japan. Faced with disciplinary action, Kaye chose to quit.
Although he has a new job, Kaye said he would like to visit Cardozo and tell his story.
"I have no animosity toward the Department of Education," he said. "I'd love nothing more than to remain a factor in kids' lives."
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