Mr Potter this week heads to Orlando, Florida, to train at the Team 3D Academy under wrestling icons The Dudley Boyz . He will train five days a week and spend his weekends competing on the independent wrestling circuit around the United States. After years slugging it out on the Australian scene, Mr Potter and his new character "The Australian Freebird" have a shot at the big time with auditions for some of America's biggest wrestling companies.

"People talk about wrestling being fake, but these guys are the real athletes," Mr Potter said, detailing his daily regime of cardio, weights, wrestling and in-ring training.

"Not only do you have to get in and perform, but you have to be entertaining, too. It's not just physical movements, it's having showmanship and charisma."

Mr Potter spent much of his life playing rugby league, and said the commitment, skill and energy needed to be successful in the ring far outweigh any ball sport.

"Wrestling has so many aspects to it apart from just the physical side. You have to think on your feet while putting on a show," he said.

He called the Team 3D Academy "the Harvard of wrestling schools," and hoped it would give him a huge leg-up into the American scene.

But it was the weekends competing on regional circuits which would be the biggest boost to his career, he said.

"That's where you'll be seen, get to network with wrestlers and promoters," Mr Potter said.

He wanted to show "Australia has something to offer"by winning a contract with a professional American company.