Pro wrestling still has its code.

Young talent must pay their dues, be respectful, listen and not make any waves, and after some time -- maybe -- a few get a chance to shine on the big stage.

Granted, a select few have elevated to the show faster than most -- whether it be through family heritage, hyped contest or other sports success.

Jesse Neal is not one of those.

Neal, TNA's newest young talent, took another course as a United States naval hero.

This is not some fictional tale, devised under the guise of TNA creative Vince Russo. The Jesse Neal story is emotional, factual, inspirational and true.

Neal was stationed on the Navy destroyer USS Cole, attacked on Oct. 12, 2000 by an Al Qaeda terrorist group. Neal lost his best friend and roommate Marc Nieto during the attack.

If that's not paying your dues in any genre, then I don't know what is.

Neal and Nieto were wrestling fans and planned to train together after serving in the military. In May 2007, Neal, a Central Florida resident, followed through with their career choice by training at the Team 3D Academy of Professional Wrestling and Sports Entertainment in Kissimmee, Fla.

Neal, 29, has respect for others -- especially authoritative figures -- something he learned in basic training through the military and at the Team 3D Academy.

With that respect in his system, the 6-0 Neal joined TNA in March, dedicating his wrestling career to his friend.

``It was very overwhelming at first. It was a shock. It was so fast,'' Neal said. ``I think that's why some people -- they really don't think bad about me -- but because I've only been in the wrestling business 2 ½ years... but it's not personal.

``I'm the first person to say I'm very lucky to be here in such a short time, and I'm taking full advantage of my time in TNA. I am doing anything and everything TNA wants me to do. The wrestling business doesn't owe me a thing. I owe everything to the wrestling business.''

TNA star Mick Foley said: ``I think it's great that he is paying tribute to his fallen friend by pursuing this dream.

``There has always been a bond. It may be inexplicable, but service members have always seemed to be especially big fans of ours. At one point there were people in high places in the media who really did not care for what we did but were very strong in their support for the troops. I felt you can't give complete credit to the guys in uniform, yet dismiss what they enjoy watching as being garbage. That's kind of hypocritical.''

When employed by WWE, Foley traveled overseas with the company to visit U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq during the holidays.

``We always understood it,'' Foley said. ``We visited bases and hospitals. In the troops' eyes, we're up there with the top actors and top athletes. That's an incredible accolade.''

In the troops' eyes, Rhino is up there, too, as one of the top stars, and the TNA standout took the young Neal under his wing in a storyline incorporating Neal's real-life naval experiences.

``Everything everybody has seen on TV about me is completely 100 percent true,'' Neal said. ``I hear some people saying it's not true, but you can easily go on the Internet to check it. Plus, with the military, I have plenty documentation that I've been there.

``I served four years in the U.S. Navy from 1998 until we got bombed. They sent me right back home after we got bombed; I got transferred to recruiting duty in Kissimmee. It was really nice to do that. So I still served and finished up my four years.''

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