For Australia's No.1 independent wrestler, the last 18 months have been a challenge personally and professionally.
Adam Brooks (Wilmot) is the star of one of the hotbeds of independent wrestling territories around the globe, holding three Australian titles, but 2021 was supposed to be his ticket to worldwide success.
In late 2019, Melbourne native Brooks signed with Ring of Honour - the breeding ground US-based promotion for some of the current greats of sports entertainment.
CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles and Seth Rollins are just a few of the names to have graced the ROH canvas.
And for Brooks, his signing was the next step in his journey to the bright lights of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) or All Elite Wrestling (AEW) - which has exploded onto the global pro wrestling landscape in the last three years.
But the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Brooks from travelling abroad during 2020 and when the world started opening up again midway through 2021, ROH closed its doors and released an entire roster of talent, including the Aussie star.
The company plans on a reset, but what that looks like is murky at best and for Brooks, he's in "wait and see" mode.
"I grew up watching ROH and was super honored - no pun intended - to be signed to that company," Brooks tells Newshub.
"And then yeah - the world went to shit and I sat around here for 18 months and a few weeks ago we were told ROH was pretty much gone with a relaunch and restructure without guys on contract.
"We will see what happens because financially the company that owns them is in a bit of shit.
"It's unfortunate and the timing sucks, but it hasn't just affected me - it affected a whole company of talent - a whole industry - ROH is the breeding ground for so many guys and girls."
But Brooks has remained committed to the profession he fell in love with as a kid, idolising future WWE Hall of Famer, Jeff Hardy.
'Brooksey' is the dominant force of the local scene in Australia - a scene that in the last decade has produced several mainstream stars including Jonah Rock, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay and Brooks' mentor Buddy Matthews.
Currently holder of the Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW) heavyweight title, the Riot City Wrestling (RCW) Emerald Crown and the Southern Territory Heavyweight strap, Brooks is regarded as Australia's top independent performer.
And with a global pandemic comes opportunity close to home and Brooks ensured his star shines brightest in a time when he could have tossed it all in for full-time work on a construction site.
"The pandemic is out of my control. There is nothing I can or could do about that.
"I've just tried to make the most of the last 18 months. I packed up my wagon and drove from Melbourne to Adelaide and I've been here since.
"Adelaide didn't really shut down, so for me, it was the only place I could be at the gym and be in the ring.
"I've made the best of the current situation I am in and as things slowly opened up in Australia - I was able to go to Perth and win a belt there.
"I've been on the road to Brisbane and Sydney in the last week - it's been great to be busy again."
And the journey for Brooks continues through December with two of the biggest Australian cards of 2021 - MCW Fusion and Worlds Collide: MCW v PWA on December 19.
"I'm super excited to head back to Melbourne on the 11th for Fusion.
"[Melbourne fans] haven't had MCW since June so they will be rabid, but I also can't wait to see my family.
"I have a little nephew and I was only able to hold him for about 15 minutes the day after he was born and then I had to head off to wrestle.
"But getting in there with two guys I have never worked with is pretty cool.
"I have Emman The Kid at Fusion and he is a fast little fella who has climbed the ranks here in Australia. Super talented kid.
"Then the PWA champion Ricky South on December 19 and he's been killing it the last few years, so that'll be a good test and a chance for me to finish the year strong."
Following that, Brooks is keen to relaunch his overseas ambition and put Australia behind him.
He tells Newshub he's pretty positive he can get an opportunity with a big company and has several potential suitors for his talents.
One of those could be AEW. The company owned by the Khan family - owners of English football's Fulham FC and the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars - is challenging WWE for pro wrestling supremacy, recruiting some of the biggest names in the industry including Cody Rhodes, CM Punk and Chris Jericho.
As a fan, Brooks has been impressed and says the product reminds him of what made him a fan in the late 1990s.
"I enjoy that product. It reminds me of the rowdy crowds I grew up with during the Attitude Era.
"The fan signs are everywhere and the crowds are mental and play a part in the show. "It's really good there is another major option for guys and girls to go to.
"The goal for me is to still be overseas. I love it here, but when the opportunity comes it's time to get out of here and leave it to the younger guys to take over and for me to do my thing overseas.
"There is stuff in the works that will hopefully pay off. We will just see what happens."
