It's been a while since a major professional wrestling star has visited Union County, but that's going to change on Friday. And that's the fishin' line, ‘cuz Shark Boy said so.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Shark Boy will be wrestling in Jonesville as part of the Action Packed Wrestling card at the old National Guard Armory. The action starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Action Packed Wrestling is an independent promotion based in Chester, but has held several events in Jonesville over the past several months. The promotion has brought TNA stars Abyss and Jay Lethal to Chester. Now it's Jonesville's turn.

Shark Boy is a rising star in wrestling and is enjoying his greatest success now. Fans can watch him and other TNA stars on Spike television's IMPACT! show at 9 p.m. each Thursday.

Shark Boy has been a professional wrestler for 11 years. His first match was in 1997.

His real name is Dean Roll. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Roll, 33, has a background in journalism with a degree in communications from the University of Cincinnati.

Roll's break into wrestling came in 1995. He started at the training center of Les Thatcher of Heartland Wrestling Association in Cincinnati.

The Shark Boy character was inspired by a 1990's song “I come from the water” by the Toadies.

“I envisioned a super hero, underwater character to fight the bad guys,” said Roll.

Roll started wrestling as the Piranha, but Ian Rotten with IWA Mid-South in Louisville, Ky., helped with the name change. Roll wrestled a lot in the early days in Cincinnati and Louisville.

In 1999, Roll signed a contract with World Championship Wrestling and trained at the Power Plant in Atlanta. Shark Boy wrestled on television for the first time in 2000.

In 2001, WCW folded. TNA rose from the ashes and Shark Boy joined the new company one month after its start in 2002.

Recently, Shark Boy's character has taken a drastic turn - for the first time he talked and he sounds a lot like wrestler “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Before talking, Shark Boy communicated through mannerisms and body movements.

“It's a new dimension for the character,” said Roll. “For years, Shark Boy didn't say a word. It was part of his mystique. It was time to freshen the character and to talk is truly great. It's a whole lot of fun playing the character.”

Shark Boy has connected with fans of all ages and the Austin impersonation has skyrocketed his popularity with TNA fans.

“It's an amazing rush to walk through the curtain and feel the excitement of the fans,” he said.

Austin even commented on a website that he was entertained by the impersonation.

“That blows my mind,” Roll said. “It started as an impersonation with friends. A buddy of mine did The Rock and I did Austin. Then it winds up on television.”

Roll said his character's super hero look wins over kids and then he can win over their parents and grandparents. He knows that's how it works first-hand, with a 7-year-old son.

So the character is a hit, but Roll is more than a gimmick - he's quite a talent in the ring, showcasing his skills in TNA's X Division.

“The X Division is a real challenge,” said Shark Boy. “Thatcher had an old school philosophy. The X Division is a new era. I enjoy the challenge. To get in the ring and work. I enjoy my job.”

Many fans on his website (sharkboy.net) have asked if a championship title is in Shark Boys' future. Roll said that question would be better answered by TNA.

“I show up and do what is asked of me,” he said. “I do my job to the best of my ability.”

Doing a good job, recently landed Shark Boy in his biggest match to date on the March 9th Destination X pay-per-view. Shark Boy got a big win with his partner Curry Man over team 3D in a fish market street fight.

“It was a big win for myself and Curry Man over one of the best ever tag teams,” he said.

The Shark Boy specialty match didn't involve a lot of technical wrestling, but wrestlers slapping each other with giant fish was a hit with fans.

Friday will be Shark Boy's first visit to Upstate South Carolina. The TNA schedule allows stars the opportunity to work on the independent circuit and it's here that they really get an opportunity to connect with fans.

“I'm looking forward to coming to Jonesville,” he said. “It's an opportunity to meet the fans, shake their hands and sign autographs.”

Expect to see more of Shark Boy in TNA for years to come, as the promotion gives fans an alternative to its competitor World Wrestling Entertainment.

“Without choice, you're stuck with what you get,” he said. “There needs to be more than one product. Wrestling needs that.”

And expect more Action Packed Wrestling excitement in Jonesville.