I am over 60 years old and have been a wrestling fan since I was a kid. I went with my Dad to matches and he pointed out that the last match would be over about 10:45pm as the train they took left at 11:00pm. I know now that it is entertainment but the athletic abilities of the men and women today is simply amazing. I have been at matches where Jimmy Valiant and Dick the Bruiser battled over 10 grand and a Cadillac. Bruiser took a can opener and tore Valiant's forehead wide open.There was blood every where.I went to a match in Florida where Dusty Rhodes took on Rowdy Roddy Piper. Black Jack Mulligan came to the ring and beat Piper with a chair. Somehow Piper was DQ'd and I went down to the ring to contest the call. My wife tapped me on the back and said, "Look behind you." All these Rhodes fans were ready to beat my ass so we ran out of there. I met Gordon Solie in a pub and became friends. He told me he was doing some commentary for Japan wrestling but quit doing it here as he said, Hulk Hogan is crap and Sid Vicious was a gutless wonder and he wanted nothing to do with American Pro Wrestling.
He passed away a few years ago and I will miss our conversations. He even introduced me to QB Steve DeBerg as they were neighbors. Gordon was a fascinating guy.
Which brings me to the present. I think Corey Graves is very intelligent but he sucks as the alternative view as an announcer. Back in the attitude era Jerry Lawler was that guy and before that was Jesse the Body. I know it's a role you have to play Corey but you suck at it. Your brains and enthusiasm are very obvious but you just don't bring to the table what Lawler and Ventura brought. I know that Vince is in your ear but with all of you commentators I have heard, "You've got to be kidding me!" more than 1,000 times. I even met Lex Lugar in the days just before he got into pro wrestling while working on his pool in Tampa. Later Gordon Solie told me he had the worst attitude as I had found out first hand.
I could go on and on about the athletes I have met. There was a pub in Oldsmar Florida that I had gone to for years and the new owner had connections with Florida Wrestling and I met many more athletes. Dick Slater is one I won't forget.
Why is this post so long? I don't really know. I have just seen many of the superstars in person and feel very lucky, as a fan, that I met them on neutral ground. Only one I really missed was the man, Ric Flair. I knew where he hung out in Tampa but never made it to that bar. I am not a rabid fan but appreciate the incredible physical talent of the men and women. Thank you for your entertainment.
He passed away a few years ago and I will miss our conversations. He even introduced me to QB Steve DeBerg as they were neighbors. Gordon was a fascinating guy.
Which brings me to the present. I think Corey Graves is very intelligent but he sucks as the alternative view as an announcer. Back in the attitude era Jerry Lawler was that guy and before that was Jesse the Body. I know it's a role you have to play Corey but you suck at it. Your brains and enthusiasm are very obvious but you just don't bring to the table what Lawler and Ventura brought. I know that Vince is in your ear but with all of you commentators I have heard, "You've got to be kidding me!" more than 1,000 times. I even met Lex Lugar in the days just before he got into pro wrestling while working on his pool in Tampa. Later Gordon Solie told me he had the worst attitude as I had found out first hand.
I could go on and on about the athletes I have met. There was a pub in Oldsmar Florida that I had gone to for years and the new owner had connections with Florida Wrestling and I met many more athletes. Dick Slater is one I won't forget.
Why is this post so long? I don't really know. I have just seen many of the superstars in person and feel very lucky, as a fan, that I met them on neutral ground. Only one I really missed was the man, Ric Flair. I knew where he hung out in Tampa but never made it to that bar. I am not a rabid fan but appreciate the incredible physical talent of the men and women. Thank you for your entertainment.
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