Whether it's on an island for a Survivor reality show or in the wild world of pro wrestling, one thing is for sure: Jonny Fairplay gets a reaction no matter where he travels.
After getting the boot earlier this year on Survivor: Micronesia, the controversial figure is making his return to the squared circle with an appearance for the acclaimed Ring of Honor promotion at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, May 10 in New York City.
His last time in ROH ended with a concussion caused by a jawbreaker clothesline from current heavyweight champion Nigel McGuinness. Fairplay is hoping for a better result.
''I've heard and seen that Nigel McGuinness has a change of heart and different philosophy of life,'' Fairplay said. ``That's a good thing. So no jawbreaker lariats coming my way.
``Honestly I'm coming to Ring of Honor to catch up with my good friend Larry Sweeney and Chris Hero, do it up in New York and help out and promote Ring of Honor. When I sit back and look at professional wrestling, I love what Ring of Honor is doing.''
Fairplay, 34, had adoration for the business stemming from his days watching Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling with the Four Horsemen and the Midnight Express with Jim Cornette. The feud involving Andy Kaufman, Jerry Lawler and Jimmy Hart inspired him to get involved.
In 1998, Fairplay's experience in pro wrestling evolved, working with the likes of the Hardy Boys, Joey Matthews and Gregory Helms in North Carolina. Veterans Axl Rotten and Manny Fernandez also helped him along the way. He says his time with Rowdy Roddy Piper is really where he learned how to transform Jon Dalton (real name) into his Fairplay persona.
When his fiancé, America's Next Top Model contestant Michelle Deighton, gave birth to his daughter earlier this year, the couple named her Piper Addison Fairplay, after the Hot Rod.
''She already has her catch phrase,'' Fairplay said. ``She has come to kick %#@ and fill diapers, and she's all out of diapers.
'Roddy called and said, `I heard you named your daughter after me.' I said, 'Absolutely, sir. Well, we were going to name her Flair Fairplay, but that sounded absolutely stupid.' He said, 'That's one of the sweetest things anybody has ever done for me in a while.' I said, `Roddy you need new friends.'''
Deighton is also no stranger to the business, training for three years in Indiana. She worked against men for the first two years because she was the only girl in the group. In 2005, she made an appearance for World Wrestling Entertainment getting into an altercation with Melina.
''I will go on record in saying that she's a better worker than I am,'' said Fairplay.
A few years ago, Fairplay had a stint with Total Nonstop Action wrestling, helping make a number of memorable moments. Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher press-slamming the reality star out of the ring was one image that made the media rounds.
Recently, talks started about a possible return to the company.
''We've been in discussions, but right now I've been doing a lot of post-publicity for Survivor: Micronesia and gearing up for pre-finale press. So that in itself is a full-time job,'' said Fairplay, who just completed shooting another reality show and filming a pilot for Bob Odenkirk's new HBO show beginning in early May.
For Fairplay pro wrestling and the other aspects of the entertainment business he's involved can go hand-in-hand.
''I think, for me, the reality TV experience helps,'' Fairplay said. ``The biggest challenge for most professional wrestlers is just creating that character and establishing that character. So reality TV is great because you have creative control over that character. I think I've done a real good job of branding the name Jonny Fairplay and knowing what to expect from that character.''
Fairplay, who most of the time is somebody people love to hate, is ready for whatever reaction he receives in ROH from the rowdy New York crowd. If he were to choose who he would wrestle, he does have an ideal opponent in mind.
''I would like to see myself versus [singer] John Mayer at the Hammerstein Ballroom,'' he said. ``My fiancé thinks he's hot. I also think me and [ROH booker] Gabe [Sapolsky] are better friends than John Mayer and Gabe so I may actually go over.''
While John Mayer isn't expected to make the squared circle his wonderland, the stars of ROH join Fairplay in making the ring their battleground 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 W 34th St., New York City.
Jay Briscoe and a mystery partner face Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black. In a battle of international bragging rights, Bryan Danielson battles NOAH's Naomichi Marufuji. Takeshi Morishima faces the Necro Butcher. Roderick Strong puts his Full Impact Pro championship on the line against Erick Stevens and Go Shiozaki.
ROH champ Nigel McGuinness, Davey Richards, Rocky Romero, SHIMMER champ Sara Del Rey, Austin Aries, Claudio Castagoli, Delirious and others to appear. Tickets are available at rohwrestling.com, tickets.com or by calling 215-781-2500.
