Elix Skipper: Where Is He Now?

Elix Skipper’s career within the professional wrestling industry lasted a full decade but seemingly went by in a flash. He’s been cited by peers as one of the most naturally athletic individuals to grace a ring in the 2000s.

While first gaining some semblance of notoriety during his tenure with WCW and specifically the Team Canada faction alongside Lance Storm and Mike Awesome, Skipper is best remembered for his time in TNA Wrestling.

Life After WCW

Upon the World Wrestling Federation purchasing World Championship Wrestling in March of 2001, Elix Skipper was signed to a developmental contract. He was assigned to Heartland Wrestling Association, which served as WWF’s developmental territory from 2001–2002. Sadly, his duration with the company only lasted 8 months after being suddenly released.

Joining TNA

After a short stint in All Japan, Elix was one of the handfuls who joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling during its formation in June of 2002.

The original roster included the likes of Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Chris Harris, James Storm among many others.

Within his first 6 months in the company, Skipper would join Triple X alongside Low Ki and Christopher Daniels.

As a trio, Skipper would capture the NWA World Tag-Team Championship on three separate occasions, while implementing the “Freebird Rule” which would allow any two members of the trio to defend the titles.

A pay dispute forced Skipper to briefly leave the company in 2003, but he would eventually return where he would perform off and on until 2008.

The Infamous Cage Walk

The most defining moment of Elix Skipper’s entire career transpired at TNA Turning Point on December 5, 2004. Elix Skipper was always a remarkably gifted athlete and the greatest example of this was featured in a Tag Team Steel Cage match against America’s Most Wanted.

Displaying incredible balance, Elix walked the top of the steel cage and hit a hurricanrana on Chris Harris sending him down to the mat.

Given the small margin for error due to the dimensions of the cage beam, this remains one of the most insane spots that I've ever witnessed.

His Final TNA Years

Skipper would spend his final years in TNA as part of The Diamonds in the Rough along with David Young and led by Simon Diamond.

Skipper requested and was granted his release in October of 2006.

Here’s what Elix Skipper shared with Alan Wojcik back in March of 2007:

I asked for my release in October and they didn’t give it to me. Everyone has different deals with the office. Some guys have guaranteed deals. Mine basically required me to wrestle or I wasn’t paid by TNA. If I am not working in Orlando I am only bringing in money from my independent dates. With that being said I was home and they said they weren’t bringing me back. I am not allowed to work else where but I have a wife and family who I needed to provided for. So I called Terry Taylor (TNA’s Director of Talent Relations) and he said he would try to do something for me. Then Vince Russo called me and he said give it some time he was working on stuff. Even without the two hour show happening they were kicking around ideas. One was putting XXX together or the group with Ron and Monty that we talked about but supposedly Jeff didn’t like those ideas. Meanwhile I am still at home. When 2007 rolled around I called again. Many people can call this griping, well get in my shoes. Hermie wanted to use David and me on the UWF shows. He loved what we brought to his shows. He said since we aren’t being used on TV he wanted us on all of his shows, he would even work around our schedules. That sounded great but something happened and TNA didn’t want any of their talent working for Hermie. Then it changed to six people were allowed to work for him. We were told this and worked for him anyways. We did the show and they told us to stop. Remember Elix Skipper only gets paid by TNA when he works in a TNA ring. So this was a lose-lose situation for me. Either wait for TNA to find something for me to do or sit at home losing money.

Regarding his future in professional wrestling, Elix noted that being compensated properly while enjoying himself were the top two priorities:

Everyone knows wrestling is a business and if someone like WWE thinks you can make money they will use you. I love wrestling and if WWE is the place or All-Japan is where I can make money while they’re making money from having me on their ring. I want to be in the ring making money and having fun. When it’s not fun it’s time to stop. I love my wife and she was with me before wrestling and she will be with me if I was to walk away from wrestling tomorrow. Not many wrestlers can say that despite our ups and downs. If I can’t take care of my family by using wrestling then wrestling has to go.

Elix would ultimately return to TNA in July 2007 at Victory Road to reunite with Triple X consisting of Christopher Daniels and Senshi (formerly Low Ki).

Unfortunately, Elix would only be used sporadically throughout the next 9 months and after his tag-team partner Senshi left the company, there was little else for him to do.

TNA would release Skipper from his contract in May of 2008.

His final professional wrestling match transpired against Tyler Black (now known as Seth Rollins) on September 1, 2009, at an NWA No Limits event at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City, Iowa.

Life After Wrestling

Tragically, Elix would lose his 21-year-old son after he was shot and killed in his home in Columbus, Ohio.

According to Elix Skipper’s public LinkedIn profile, he has spent the past 12 years in the hospitality industry where he has managed five different restaurants.

Since October of 2018, Elix has been the Manager of Cracker Barrel in Douglasville, Georgia.

The following is from his About section:

The world is constantly changing, so you can't be afraid of change. In all my years of working and all the experiences that I have had, I have established some strategies and beliefs that are constants. I pride myself as setting myself as the example which means I set the bar high. It’s okay to make mistakes, but never make the same mistakes. Your accountability is based on you making your team accountable, and how you act and what you do, is more important than what you say. Make sure you treat your team the way you want to be treated. When running a business, make sure everyone understands the vision. Last but not least, systems and checklists will help you be consistent on a daily basis.

While many performers struggle with finding their identity outside of professional wrestling, it’s refreshing to observe that Elix Skipper continues to strive for excellence while leading and mentoring teams.