Clancy’s Corner: Judgment
Overcoming negativity in Germany, France, and at home
An emerging talent on the indie scene, “Fancy” Ryan Clancy has quickly evolved into one of the most intriguing prospects throughout the northeast. Yet a torn ACL led to complete reconstruction of Clancy’s left knee, which has temporarily removed him from the ring.
That doesn’t mean Clancy isn’t still fully immersed in the world of professional wrestling. Every Friday, he shares his newest story for Undisputed.
Clancy’s column is a subscriber-only feature.
JUDGMENT
When you are on the path of your own Personal Legend, you are going to be met with all kinds of praise, positive energy, and support. You’ll have plenty of friends, family, and others who are constantly rooting for you and inspired by your Greatness and Courage to chase a nonconventional path. However, with that also comes the opposite.
You will be hit with plenty of hate, judgment, negativity, and whatever other word you want to use for it. People will constantly question everything you do, and they will do their absolute best to project insecurity and fear into your heart. They may even purposely try to take you off the path and sabotage you.
“Wow Ryan!” you might be thinking. “What an incredibly positive topic you chose to discuss this week!”
Allow me to explain a little bit of my history with facing judgment in hopes you can draw a parallel to your life and experience. I am no stranger to people casting their doubts on me.
In high school, I was very academically inclined. I even had scholarship opportunities to attend prestigious universities. However, I followed my heart and went to wrestling school.
This isn’t the path many envisioned for me. I specifically remember my guidance counselor bringing me into their office upwards of three-four times a week trying to convince me otherwise.
“You’re too small,” I’d be told. “This so unrealistic. You’re so smart and you’re throwing it all away for something so silly. The only people from Lodi, New Jersey that will ever be famous are The Misfits.” Etc, etc, you catch my drift.
Clearly, none of that stopped me. Nothing could, not even this injury.
On my journey to top positions in the northeast independent scene, I remember going to help out and having a pre-show match at a specific event. The one booker said to me, “I don’t understand what makes you special. You’ll never make it, but if you film this show for us, this is probably the furthest you’ll get.”
Needless to say, I politely declined and kept my head down.
And it didn’t end there. I will not name names for the sake of good faith, but I remember specifically at Wrestling Open when I heard others say, “I don’t understand Ryan. He makes no sense. He’s so different than everyone else; it’ll never work.” Well, okay then! That is negativity that I couldn’t allow in my mind, body, or soul.
In March of 2025, I stepped into the ring with a good friend of mine and excellent wrestler, Kuro, for wXw 16 Carat weekend in Germany (side note–everyone should check out Kuro when they get the chance).
