Remembering Damien Steele

[coach]

Bobby Simmons told me once that he explained to a fellow church member me that the love and bond in our dressing room is something the church can learn from. It is a place where we are all the same despite our upbringing, education, religion, etc. From 2004-05 I was part of a special bond at Georgia Championship Wrestling (now Great Championship Wrestling) in Columbus where I was the booker. Damien Steele came into our dressing room accidentally but became such an integral part of our short lived success.

When we first began, AJ Steele and Greg Brown were to be paired up as a team. Greg got hurt and we had to find a replacement for him for our tag team tournament. I called Erik Watts and asked him if he had anybody in mind. Erik said "I go this kid up here that worked for Dusty. He works as "Damien Dynamite." That was on a Monday. Tuesday was the card. Damien walked in. I took one look at him and said "Damien Steele." And the Steele Brothers were born!

AJ and Damien complimented each other so well right from the start. They were just a natural tag team. Their road to their first tag team title reign culminated in a memorable match versus Bad Company - David Young & Sonny Siaki, Thanksgiving Weekend 2004. That was probably the match that solidified them as a team.
In one of our most memorable programs they were in a feud with The New York Connection - The Disco Inferno & Johnny Swinger. The two teams never met but once. But the buildup was just sensational as the Disco and Swinger put obstacle after obstacle in front of AJ and Damien in order to receive a title shot. One of those obstacles was to beat the Midnight Express - Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey. This in my opinion was the match that made the Steele Brothers with the fans!

There were so many other memories such as the first War Games that Damien was an integral part of. My favorite thing with Damien though was right before I left GCW; Damien was involved in a program with Disco and Jason Cross. It was really getting over with the fans. On June 4, Damien and Disco wrestled to a time limit draw in a match for the GCW Television Championship. Due to a contract loophole however that stipulated Damien just had to go through, he won the title. This was the start of a slow turn to heel. In truth, it made him the most popular he had been witt the fans as they called him a "paper champion. Two weeks later he beat "Prime Time" Elix Skipper to unify the GCW Television and US Junior Heavyweight titles. That is when things heated up with Cross and Disco. It was around this time that I left GCW and we never finished what I thought would be the program of the year in the company.

I only saw Damien one time after I left GCW but he greeted me with a big hug like he always with his captivating smile and we talked about all the fun times we had shared. I wish I'd had the opportunity to spend more time with him. But I am thankful to have been a small part of his life and thankful he was part of mine. God speed Damien! You will be missed my friend!

Bo Oates

[nigelsherrod]

I first met Damien at WWE Deep South Wrestling, we were both trying our best to get to the next level. He was the first "indy" guy to get signed here locally for a developmental contract, I believe as far as wrestlers go only one other made that list.

There was so much excitement for his signing, Damien and I had become pretty good friends and I always tried my best to make sure I called all his matches getting all the move names in and whatever was supposed to get over. We would always talk about what he wanted to get in and he always showed me a great amount of respect and friendship. He treated the announcers,wrestlers, production crew and fans with class and respect.He was one of the guys that "got it" when it came to using all aspects and players to help his character and career but was also genuine in his approach.

Damien was a quality guy, the last time I saw him I was out for dinner and caught up with him for a little while. He said he was ready to get back into wrestling but I never saw his name pop up on a card again. I would like to wish his family the best and they will be in my prayers, God Bless you Brother Damien-

Nigel Sherrod

[amaraharris15]

I will state first off I"m not a wrestler or an Announcer i'm a photographer and sound girl for SECW/WGCW but i met Damian back during Dusty's TCW here in Carrollton, Damian was a great guy Always had a nice word for anybody.

One night my car had a flat tire and i couldn't get the lug nuts off. Out comes Damian just having wrestled the Main event and he was tired and hot and hungry, most guys would have left me stranded but not Damian. He helped me with the Bolts and even changed the tire for me.

I've seen him a couple of times since then, Down in DSW when wwe was running things and around the local area. He will Be missed

Laurel Register

[Rich Tate]

I had the opportunity to know Damien to some degree. He was one of the most pleasant guys to be around. Outside the ring, he was a class act and a gentleman, and will be missed.

[mrcharlesneal]

This is one tough grappler that will be missed I had the opportunity to do some announcing of one of his matches while he was working in the GCW I asked him to "rough me up" when I was getting out of the ring and he made it look so real you see I was in the voice of GCW contest and may I say it was a pleasure to work with him he will be missed

[Jimmy Rave]

Damien was always a pleasure to be around. I first wrestled him at TCW for Dusty Rhodes and I remember thinking he had a bright future. We ran across eachother several times over the years and he was a great human being. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prays go out to him and his family.

- Jimmy

[Phoenix Computer Productions]

Damien Will be missed by all the workers and fans alike who knew him; he will be missed by all who knew him in high School

[coach]

Let me add here too that I recall sitting down with Damine at Chattahoochee valley Community College (Phenix City, AL) and we talked about our kids, about being dads. To echo what many of you said, he was just always so "pleasant." Always a smile and always a real professional.

[nwaexcellence]

All of us here at Anarchy offer our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of Damien Steele.

Longtime NWA Wildside fans will remember Steele as the protege of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, who wrestled as Damien Dynamite in the much heralded NWA Wildside Jr Heavyweight Division during the later years of Wildside. He went onto to WWE's Deep South Wrestling territory, where he learned under NWA legend "The Assassin" Jody Hamilton, and formed a tag team with former Wildside Heavyweight Champion, now WWE star, Ray "Jesse" Gordy.

Steele was always professional through and through and a pleasure to be around in the locker-room. Our hearts go out to all those that were close to him.

[ronniemi]

I was lucky enough to have worked with Damien at Deep South Wrestling for a few momths and he was a hard worker, great guy and all around class act. I remember how exciting it was when Damien EARNED his WWE Developmental deal the hard way and proving that it could be done. I am sure Damien will be missed by his family and friends as he was the real deal in every way.

Ron Niemi

[durhambull]

In sixteen years in this business, I have been fortunate to make alot of friends. However, I only have a few who I consider my "boys" . Damien was one of my boys. See, with "the boys" there is a bond that is special, no matter how many miles, or how much time has passed. I don't quite have the words, other than Damien was much more than a gifted performer. He was a genuinely good person. I am greatful to have been able to know him, and perform with him. The business and the world has lost a good one.

RIP

[Phoenix Computer Productions]

At the First Central High School Football Game was a Presentation that the New Wing of the School would be dedicated to Damien for all he did for the School