Charlotte native Cedric Alexander finally getting his title shot at Wrestlemania

World Wrestling Entertainment holds its biggest event of the year on Sunday: The 34th Annual Wrestlemania at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

This year, pro-wrestling’s version of the Super Bowl boasts the in-ring debut of former UFC champ Rhonda Rousey, the in-ring return of former WWE champion Daniel Bryan after a three-year hiatus, the first ever women’s battle royal, and the possible return of the Undertaker.

Two matches feature Charlotte natives. Smackdown women’s champion Charlotte Flair – Ric Flair’s daughter – faces as-yet-undefeated Japanese wrestler Asuka, who is coming off a two-year streak; and Cedric Alexander finally gets his shot at the cruiserweight title — a match that was promised to him in January.

His original title shot was postponed because his opponent had the flu. Then his bout at Royale Rumble was canceled when then cruiserweight champion Enzo Amore was fired following sexual assault allegations.

Instead of marching to the front of the line for a shot at the vacant title, Alexander and his fellow “205 Live” costars faced off in a 16-man tournament with the promise of a title match at Wrestlemania.

“Good things come to those who wait,” says Alexander, 28, who faces his friend Mustafa Ali during the two-hour “Wrestlemania 34” pre-show, which will air on USA Network at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Alexander grew up an avid professional wrestling fan, which skewed his expectations when at Phillip O’Berry Academy of Technology he signed up for the wrestling team the year it was founded at the school.

“I was thinking it was essentially the WWE,” he recalls. “Imagine my surprise when I get there on the first day and there’s no ring, no entrance ramp. At that moment, I almost said, ‘This isn’t for me,’ but my coach Frank Smithwick convinced me to give it a go. After that first week of practice, it’s been my second love.”

Keeping a promise to his mother, he attended two years of college, studying sports medicine in Michigan before returning home to train with veteran wrestler George South in a “rinky dink gym” off of Wendover Road. Alexander worked his way up through the independent circuit, where he met Ali. He carried the PWX title for a time and eventually joined Ring of Honor, the indie promotion where fellow WWE superstars Bryan, Kevin Owens (who Alexander once headlined the card with at Neighborhood Theatre), and Seth Rollins got their start.

But returning to New Orleans — where he last watched “Wrestlemania” as a fan before signing with the WWE — is undoubtedly the biggest night of his career.

Fans may have been disappointed when Alexander was denied his match in January, but facing his close friend with millions watching makes the match even sweeter.

“I don’t think anything can prepare you for ‘Wrestlemania.’ It’s the biggest crowd I’ve ever performed for. On top of that, I’m wrestling a guy who knows everything I do inside and out,” he says. “I’ll have to figure it out on the spot just like every other time I wrestle on television. Once I walk out and see 70,000 people, I’m going to have a moment. After that, I have to snap out of it.”

This story was originally published April 6, 2018 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Charlotte native Cedric Alexander finally getting his title shot at Wrestlemania."