Winding Down the Career...

I've had a blast over the past 25 years in the indy wrestling business.  I've met legends, dined with divas, rubbed elbows with stars and got advice from a few Hall of Famers.  I got into the business before the internet tell-all age, which effectively changed the sport for the worse when many of the secrets of the business were exposed, publicized and spread with glee by anyone with an internet connection.  

Photo Credit:  Jeff Rudd  (l-r) Rich Landrum, Sandy Scott, Johnny Weaver, myself, Rocky Kernodle & Don "Pride of the USA" Kernodle

I grew up idolizing Johnny Weaver, the rugged fan favorite that run the Mid Atlantic for years.  I was fortunate enough to meet and work with him on numerous occasions as well and had the pleasure to meet and work with members of his family.  Spoiler Alert:  His wife dated Elvis before marrying Johnny!

Today there is an alphabet soup of "groups", "organizations", and "promoters" each running over the same areas that have been proliferated with pro wrestling events for decades with varying success.  I've worked for many of these groups over the years, but tend to primarily work today with CWF Mid Atlantic, Riders Championship Wrestling & Benefit Championship Wrestling.  I was once in demand, back in the day when people had the idea that "this guy can get you all over the internets" (sic) and due to television experience in the mid '90's and again in the mid '00's.  Then the invitations began to peter out and the demand went somewhere south.  I confronted one promoter whom I had worked for since he began doing shows and asked why he was no longer booking me.  His response was "people see you and think this a CWF show..."

Photo Credit:  Steve Zeban -  World Class Championship Wrestling's Bill Mercer and I

I don't really know how much longer I'm going to continue with pro wrestling, but retirement keeps eluding a date and time.  I'd actually spoke with Karen about ending it all April 30th, but a week prior Rob McBride contacts me about running Riders in August.  And yes, I've already accepted a booking with Benefit Championship Wrestling's next event in November, so it's on for while longer regardless.

People outside of the business have no clue about the way the wrestling community takes care of each other, even if it's a glad hand and a pat on the back when you're feeling down.  As I'm approaching 60, I'm beginning to realize the sheer number of young men and women I've seen begin training, learning the ropes with experience and even retiring afterwards may be astronomical.  And it's those faces, the ones just beginning the trek, ones who have yet to be disillusioned by those outrageous slings and arrows of misfortune and the ones that keep getting back to their feet after getting knocked down that make me go on.  I seriously realize those young folks and the "wrestling family" will be what I miss the most when it all comes to an end.  Oh, and the divas too.

Photo Credit:  Amber Gertner  (l-r) NWA Women's World Champion Amber O'Neal Gallows, myself, "Funtime" Shelly Martinez

Especially the divas.  

See ya at ringside kids!

Another New Beginning

Today has been a whirlwind.  Dave, one of my most trusted family friends, drove from Maryland to my home in North Carolina to deliver a new companion to our home.  A three-year old bouncing baby boy that loves to be petted on.  He was suddenly on the verge of being homeless and Dave contacted me as soon as he heard.  He discussed driving down on Sunday and a half hour later he's telling me "I'm coming tomorrow between 12:30 and 1."  

The kitty in question was originally Dave's (maybe he was Josh's), but he gave him to another family after he had problems with the older cats.  The new family informed Dave yesterday they would have to give the cat away after several months because they were relocating.

His name is Pip, which I will always call him even if I do decide to call him something totally different down the road, and he's a bright-eyed boy that loves attention and has made himself at home in under a day.  No trauma, no spitting and hissing like previous cats introduced to our house, came in found his water dish 2 minutes after arriving.  Showed him the litter box, he casually checked out the room and I walked off.  Pretty sure after a 5 and a half hour ride, he needed a little privacy.

He's already sprawled out on my bed and shown me his belly and has been more affectionate than you'd expect for a brand new friend in a new environment.  Hoping Pip doesn't decide to follow Bootsy's path into training to become a Ninja Attack Cat because Pip goes up and down the stairs here silently, where Bootsy gave you plenty of warning.