Meet Maximilien Monclair | Professional Wrestling Superstar

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maximilien Monclair and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maximilien, why did you pursue a creative career?
Well, when it came to professional wrestling, I was scouted for this career.

Growing up in my teenage years, I loved watching pro-wrestling. I always refer to myself as a child of the WWE “Attitude Era.” However, I never really thought I’d actually be one in real life. I’m an actor and screenwriter foremost, and I love working out. Being in top physical shape has always been a goal of mine, specifically because of pro-wrestling. I idolized Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and “The Ninth Wonder Of the World” Chyna because of their unbelievable physiques, strength and performance capabilities on a weekly basis. I saw these athletes as real life super heroes on my TV, and I wanted to be just like them when I grew up.

Fast forward many years later, through the grace of God, I had befriended two very spectacular people at my local LA Fitness on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA: Shaun Ricker (a.k.a. WWE Superstar, LA Knight) and his girlfriend Michelle. We were always on the same routine throughout the week: Push, Pull, Legs. As we rotated the same machines, we sparked a conversation about life, acting, fitness, wrestling — and we all became such quick friends. In 2019, Shaun and Michelle then invited me over their annual Halloween party in the Hollywood Hills. I accepted the invite and went. The only Halloween costume I had was some Roman toga, so that’s what I showed up in. As I entered the party, I saw a lot of faces that were very recognizable within the industry: John Morrison, Scorpio Sky, Brian Cage, just to name a few.

As I was getting a drink solo and taking in the stunning view of Hollywood by the balcony, a man approached me and asked how I knew Shaun and how long I’d been wrestling for. I was stunned and hysterically laughed as a knee-jerk reaction. I informed him that I was an actor and writer, not a pro-wrestler. “Well, you should roll around in a ring. I think you’d like it.” The man was David Marquez, owner of United Wresting Network. He insisted I should try it, and I took him on that offer. The following week I went to my first class at a warehouse the network owned with a ring inside. I was a beginner, but the class was for advanced students. Nevertheless, I went in and had a blast. I wanted more. However, every time class was supposed to occur week to week, it was always canceled because the trainers that taught the class were always booked for wrestling gigs and they didn’t have the time to teach. So then… I just forgot about it and realized… maybe this wasn’t for me. Flash forward, March 2020, a global pandemic happened and everything came to a pause. During that time I just stuck to writing a bunch of screenplays and didn’t do much else. Then in 2021, when the world was finally coming back to life, I received an email in June from my longtime acting agent that I was dropped. It was heartbreaking. I had been in LA at that point for almost 10 years, and when she dropped me I took it very hard. I didn’t know what to do. Devastation and rage consumed me. And just like that… Not even 30 minutes after that email was sent to me, I get a DM on Instagram from Dave. “Hey, you ready to get back into training?” I took it as a sign and went all in. Weeks later Dave took me to Millennium Pro-Wrestling (MPW) in Chatsworth, CA and introduced me to my trainer Ray Rosas, a veteran and SoCal pro-wrestling legend. Maximilien Monclair was born, and the rest is history. There’s so much more to this story; this is just the Cliffs notes version of it. Nevertheless, that’s how I came into this crazy world of professional wrestling. And in all honesty, it’s been a blessing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What is the most important factor behind your success?

Trusting my intuition. That little gut feeling and spark of energy that calls within you to quietly (or loudly) say… “F’it, I’m doing it.” Every single amazing decision I ever made in my entire life preceded with that moto. Always, always trust your intuition. It will never steer you wrong. Ever. Energy doesn’t lie.

Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?

Yes — it’s very powerful. Whenever I’m faced with a challenge, obstacle or “problem”, I always come back to one saying that shifts the energy into a solution and call to action from God or the Universe or whomever/whatever you believe in. I stop whatever I’m doing and say the following: “All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good. And out of this situation and experience (then state the “problem”), only good will come and I am safe.” Repeat it as many times as possible in order for your mind to connect back to your nervous system to calm itself down. It gives you that positive reinforcement that you are safe, loved and enough, always. Works like a charm.

What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want people to remember about you?

That I was fearless. That I arrived into the wrestling world with no fear and faith in myself and my capabilities. That despite every odd against me, I did it and became a success. I want to leave behind a legacy of work, inside and outside of the ring, that I can be proud of. To leave a feeling and moment of being a great core memory for a child, family and friends that come watch me perform that they talk positively about for generations to come. Fulfillment is all areas of my life, so that one day someone can say: “Damn. Maximilien did have it all,” and that obtaining it is possible for everyone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m all about Hollywood. I’ve had a fascination about the city since watching classic films with my father growing up. The only thing you have to do with me is just get in my car and buckle up. We’re going to Tower Bar, Chateau Marmont, SoHo House, Delilah, Warwick, Harvard & Stone, Dirty Laundry. When I take you out, we’re going out. Also, I like to escape to hidden gems and trails along the way to view the city from ranges of mountains and sites. You get loud and peaceful with me, there is no in-between, I give my guests the whole treatment and experience so they can feel like they’ve seen it all before they leave.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
David Marquez (United Wrestling Network); Danny Divine, Brendan Divine and Ray Rosas of Millennium Pro Wrestling (MPW); Shane Haste of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW); and LA Knight of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). And especially all of the talent and friends I made along the way in this business that encouraged and propelled me to be my absolute best: Che Cabrera, Diego Valens, Barbie Boi, Koto Hiro, Nina, Cody Prince, Miggy Rose, Dustin Daniels, Bucio, Ariane Andrew, Hunter Gallagher, Sonny Kiss, just to name a few.

Website: https://linktr.ee/maximilienmonclair

Instagram: @maximilienmonclair

Twitter: @KingMaximilien

Image Credits
Sami Drasin, John McCrary.