Former violent thug Michael Hyslop, who infamously left a footprint on the face of his unconscious victim, is now dedicated to steering youngsters away from the streets. At just sixteen years old, Hyslop’s life took a drastic turn after he brutally attacked another teenager in Rutherglen. This incident, which left his victim permanently scarred, led him to plead guilty to assault causing injury and disfigurement. Despite narrowly avoiding jail time and being ordered to pay £500 in compensation, Hyslop acknowledged the severity of his actions, stating, “The boy that I attacked was someone I had a longstanding rivalry with ever since I left school.”
Reflecting on the attack, Hyslop admitted that he was drunk and took the altercation too far. However, instead of dwelling on his past, the now 23-year-old points to this event as a pivotal moment that prompted a positive change in his life. Hyslop remarked, “Although I’m disgusted that it happened, I know that it opened my eyes and changed me. It gave me a chance to become a better person. That Michael Hyslop is not the Michael Hyslop now.”
Engaging with a childhood passion, Hyslop is currently involved as a wrestling coach at the Glasgow School of Wrestling. He finds it gratifying to contribute to keeping children away from negative influences and activities, drawing from his own experiences to guide them towards a brighter future. Speaking on his coaching role, Hyslop shared, “I help with the kids’ classes. It’s really rewarding to be able to keep these kids off the street and away from the things that I got involved in.”
Moreover, Hyslop has pledged his support to the Daily Record’s Our Kids… Our Future campaign, which advocates for more safe spaces for children across Scotland. Recalling his own upbringing in Rutherglen, he highlighted the lack of opportunities for young people and stressed the importance of initiatives like wrestling classes in offering a positive outlet for children. Hyslop emphasised, “Campaigns like this are massively important… More safe spaces like that are needed, because if there was stuff like what we offer, then I don’t think I would have been involved in what I did and that incident may never have happened.”
Beyond his coaching endeavours, Hyslop founded Attitude Pro Wrestling (APW) alongside his friend Lewis Fielding. The venture has seen remarkable success, with every show selling out since its establishment. Hyslop expressed his astonishment at the journey APW has taken, from initially planning a single event to now hosting multiple successful shows featuring notable wrestling personalities. Hyslop’s dedication to wrestling has not only transformed his own life but has also positively impacted the community around him.
In an unexpected turn, Hyslop has even managed to bring WWE stars to perform at his shows, a feat that continues to leave him in awe. With his passion for wrestling driving his success and commitment to supporting the youth, Hyslop’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and dedication in overcoming past mistakes.