Celebrity Jersey Cards #379 Andy Romano & Chelcie Ross

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue making our fun alphabetical trek through all Major League Baseball teams.

Actor Andy Romano first gained success as outlaw motorcyclist JD in the 1950's Beach Party movies. It was his role in Major League that landed him on a Celebrity Jersey Card though. Romano had a solid 35+ year career before retiring in the late 1990's.

Chelcie Ross was born in Oklahoma and earned a Bronze Star while serving with the United States Air Force in Vietnam before embarking on an acting career. Still active, Ross also earned his Celebrity Jersey Card from his role in Major League.

Yom Kapow and the Windy City Rollers

Yom Kapow is a legend in Windy City Rollers history. It's a great name and she is a tough skater and a fan-favorite. Yom was a longtime skater with the Double Crossers, one of the 4 main WCR teams.

The Windy City Rollers are a Chicago flat track derby team. As I have written many times, I went to my first WCR event several years ago as something different to do and I quickly fell in love with the sport. Make no mistake, this version of roller derby is real sport.

There are real rules, scoring, referees and all else that goes with competitive sports. The amazing lady athletes practice several nights a week for most for the year (probably all year in most cases).

The WCR (and their opponents when they play outside for their league) are so fan-friendly. They can often be seen taking pictures with fans between bouts and a long time after their bouts end.

The Windy City Rollers are in action again tomorrow at 5:30 pm against the Vindicated Vixens at the Lombard Roller Rink. Go to WindyCityRollers.com or the Windy City Rollers Facebook page for more information and updates.

Yom Kapow and me in Chicago, IL-February 2017.

Madusa Loves Johngy's Beat

I was very excited when I saw that wrestling legend Madusa was appearing at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018. I had been a fan of hers since she first appeared with the old AWA.

Madusa went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the WWE and the WCW. She won several titles and had many memorable matches during her great career. She also got into monster trucks.

I have met a ton of wrestlers, but Madusa had escaped me. Actually, she escaped most, since she didn't do many appearances.

Thanks to Jayson Maples of HeroesLegendsWrestling.com, Madusa appeared at Days of the Dead and I finally met her and she was awesome. We talked about her great career and other fun topics, like her music interests. Someone mentioned a rock and roll cruise and Madusa was very excited.

It was great to finally meet Madusa and take her off my "want" list. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't want to see her again. In fact, I have been enlisting Chicago fans to be vocal in their desire to see Madusa here. Hopefully, Jayson will make this happen.

Before I left DotD, Madusa was kind enough to have a little fun in a promo for this site. That promo is below and is also permanently in the left hand promo column.

Thank you Days of the Dead, Jayson Maples, Heroes and Legends Wrestling and Madusa! Let's do it all again in November at Days of the Dead!

On the Beat With Portia Chellelynn at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018

After seeing Portia Chellelynn at Days of the Dead a few previous times, we finally got a quick interview with the lovely actress. Like all of the celebrity guests at DotD, Portia is very busy there and it is often difficult getting a few minutes of free time for an interview.

Portia is a Chicago-based model and actress. I first saw her when she had the lead role as Candie, in Candie's Harem by Faux Pas Films. Her most recent project is Second Chances: New Beginnings, which she co-wrote, produced and directed. She has more in the works and I look forward to seeing more of Portia's work.
At DotD, Portia's booth is always one of the liveliest. She is as sweet as can be and is always a popular guest at DotD. She is a huge fan favorite every time she is at DotD.

Check out PortiaChellelynn.com for more info, including her schedule and her store. You can also follow Portia Chellelenn on Facebook and PortiaChelle213 on twitter.
You can also check out DaysoftheDead.com for their show info. The next Days event will be in Schaumburg (Chicago) from Friday, November 16 through Sunday, November 18.
Thank you to Portia for her time and consideration. Thanks to Days of the Dead for allowing us the access to do what we love doing.

Adam Burish at the Chicago Auto Show 2018

A  native of Madison, WI, Adam Burish starred at the University of Wisconsin before being drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2002 NHL Draft. Burish would go on to play four seasons with the Hawks, including their Stanley Cup season of 2009-10.

Burish left the Hawks as a free agent and signed with the Dallas Stars, where he played for two seasons. He finished his NHL career with three seasons with the San Jose Sharks. He played one season in Sweden before retiring. Currently, he currently is an analyst covering Blackhawks games on NBC Sports Chicago.

I had the pleasure of meeting Burish at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show. I was able to talk to him a bit about the Stanley Cup  Burish lists that as the highlight of his career.

Winning a championship in Chicago, basically guarantees that you will be remembered forever. Burish had a huge line, which they actually had to cutoff due to time limits. Burish did his best to meet everyone though.

Adam Burish and me in Chicago, IL-February 2018.

Friendly Encounters: Keith Hac and Tommy Else

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

Today I am featuring the face of Resistance Pro and the face of the Chicago Bliss. This picture represents a great time as the worlds of RPro and the Chicago Bliss collided and the result was a lot of fun.

RPro was on the rise and the Bliss were coming off their 2013 LFL championship and headed towards their 2014 LFL championship. I thought their fanbases were similar and that there would be a great synergy with some cross promotion.

The lovely and tough athletes of the Bliss came to an RPro event and were a hit. RPro returned the favor by appearing at the 2014 Bliss season kickoff party at Gnarly J's.

Wrestler Tommy Else and Coach Keith Hac are two of the most dedicated people I know. Tommy did so many things behind the scenes at RPro. Tommy never seeks praise for his efforts and usually downplays his work.

Coach Hac also does a ton for the Bliss besides coaching the team. The Bliss aren't a huge organization with a big staff. Coach Hac and his small coaching staff do far more than just thei usual coaching duties.

They are both great guys and have been part of some wonderful times and memories. Unfortunately, RPro ended and I am no longer covering the Bliss on a regular basis. On teh positive side, The Resistance rose from the ashes of RPro. Also, while I am not on the Bliss Beat, I still follow and support the team.

The Resistance is still young, but their shows keep getting better and drawing more support. The Bliss are 2-0 and heading for another undefeated season. Bright things are ahead for both companies and I look forward to a lot more fun with Tommy, Coach Hac and all others involved.

The Resistance is back on Saturday, June 30 with "Death Becomes Her," an 8 women death match tournament. Go to LiveDieResist.com for more info on this event and lots of other fun stuff.

The Bliss are back in action on Saturday, July 12 in Atlanta against the Steam. Go to LFLUS.com for all of the info on the Bliss and the LFL.

Tommy Else and Keith Hac in Woodridge, IL-Spring 2014.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #378 Metallica

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, we continue making our fun alphabetical trek through all Major League Baseball teams.

Metallica was formed in 1981 by vocalist-guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. Lead guitarist Hammett joined Metallica in 1983. Bassist Trujillo became part of the band in 2003.
Hetfield has already appeared on a San Francisco Giants Celebrity Jersey Card, but today, Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo get their SF Celebrity Jersey Cards.

Lance Storm Is Serious

Canadian-born Lance Evers great to fame in the wrestling ring as Lance Storm. While never winning the Heavyweight belt in a major federation, Storm won many other titles in the WWE, WCW and smaller feds. He is regarded as one of the best technical wrestlers.

Several years ago, Storm was a special guest at Resistance Pro. He did not wrestle, but he was a guest referee. He also had conducted a clinic, where he answered questions, taught technique and generally helped out attendees, one of whom was my friend Tommy Else.

Tommy had nothing but praise for his experience with Storm. His only regret was that he was a bit too green at the time to fully benefit from Storm's knowledge. Still, it was a tremendous opportunity and I am sure it helped Tommy in ways he didn't even realize at the time.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Storm at RPro and that can be found at On the Beat With Lance Storm. He put over the RPro talent and he mentioned one of his favorite wrestling moments.

Meeting quality wrestling stars like Storm was just another example of the cool things I got from my RPro experience. While lot of people have met Storm, few have spent several hours watching and listening as he lent insight to eager wrestlers. I am grateful to Storm for his time and to RPro for making that moment and so many others happen.

RPro is no more, but The Resistance is going strong. Check out LiveDieResist.com for more info.

Lance Storm and me in Willowbrook, IL-April 2013.

Adolfo at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2017

Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018 starts today and runs through Sunday. Over the last couple weeks, I have been highlighting some of the many awesome celebrities I have met at DotD. Today, I am featuring Adolfo Dorta, the man behind this great event!

Back in early 2011, I heard about a convention debuting in Indianapolis in July. I reached out to Adolfo about covering the event. That was the beginning of a relationship that has continued to grow and many great memories.

At last year's DotD in Chicago, PL Myers and I had a 30 minute interview with Adolfo, covering his start, his passions, his thoughts on the future and more. It was fun probing into his mind and getting his insight into so many topics. That interview can be found at Hero TV 2018 Episode 3: Days of the Dead With Adolfo Dorta. We even have a short cameo by Carrie Gedeon, his partner in crime, DotD and life.

The interview was unusual in that Adolfo was still for 30 minutes. Seriously, this guy is one hard-working man, as is the entire DotD crew. They are constantly doing things to keep all running smoothly and all does run smoothly at DotD! It's an incredible event every time.

The Days crew is like one big family, because that's how Adolfo makes it. That family extends to people like me and all other fans, too. Days is always like a big friend reunion. Sometimes that part is more important to me than meeting celebrities. It is that combination which makes Days so special and it all goes right back to Adolfo.

I applaud all he has done and he has earned every bit of it. He's a good guy, who surrounded himself with good people. I am proud to be his friend and to be involved in DotD.

Check out DaysoftheDead.com for all of the info on Indy and the other cities where DotD will be. Take a good look at the picture below, because there is a great chance you will not see Adolfo standing still at the events!

Adolfo and me in Indianapolis, IN-July 2017.

Rock N Roll Express at Days of the Dead Chicago 2017

With Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018 starting tomorrow and running through Sunday, I am featuring some of the great memories I have from the many years I have attended DotD in several cities. I am certain I will make more fantastic memories this year.

The Rock 'n' Roll Express is one of the most successful and popular tag teams in wrestling history. Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson comprise this Hall of Fame duo.

They have been together since 1983, when Jerry Lawler put them together to wrestle when the Fantastic Ones (a popular team at the time) couldn't make a show. The Rock 'n' Roll Express soon became hugely popular. A great rivalry was born when the Rock 'n' Roll Express battled the Midnight Express.

I have met Morton and Gibson several times, but none was as fun as when I met them at DotD last year. DotD is a little less "tightly structured" than other similar conventions. This allows for more and better fan interaction and the RnR Express was definitely up for fan interaction. These guys were great.

We talked about the Hall of Fame and their career in general. They seemed genuinely happy to be at DotD and extremely proud of what they have accomplished together.

This is just another example of the quality and variety of guests the folks at DotD has on their celebrity roster. I have often written about the small backlash about wrestlers from hardcore horror fans, but the long lines and hundreds of satisfied fans prove the demand is there. Kudos to Adolfo and his crew for pushing forward and going with what they know.

For more information on all of the DotD events, check out DaysoftheDead.com. I'll be "On the Beat" as usual and I hope to see many of my friends there!

Ricky Morton, me and Robert Gibson in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Shannon Elizabeth at Days of the Dead Chicago 2016

Shannon Elizabeth is probably best known for her role in American Pie.  That alone earned her a permanent spot on the convention circuit.  It also helps that she is very fan friendly at these events.  I'm sure twenty years from now, she will still be in demand on the con scene because of that role.

Early in life, she considered a career as a tennis player.  She has also done modeling, in addition to playing on the Professional Poker circuit for a while.

She has remained active since her big role, although not matching the success of that movie.  Still, careers have been built on a lot less than that.

Now in her mid 40's, she is still as beautiful as ever.  It will be interesting to see if she starts getting more "mother" roles and if her career develops that way.  She's nowhere near the "grandma shawl" stage, but she might be in a transition stage to more mature roles soon.

Shannon Elizabeth and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2016.

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits 2018

The Chicago Bandits are a perfect 13-0, ending last weekend with a 3 pitcher combined perfect game against the Aussie Spirit. My early season recap is on the Patch at Chicago Bandits Remain Perfect!

During the course fo the weekend, I had the pleasure of interviewing outfielder Brenna Moss, pitcher Lacey Waldrop, newcomer catcher Kristyn Sandberg, pitcher Haylie Wagner and newcomer pitcher Coley Ries. We talked to the women about the great start and various other fun topics.

Most of the interviews featured questions submitted by superfan and future Bandit Kenzie Parker. I love having Kenzie involved. I constantly hear about growing the game and giving back to the future players and fans. Kenzie is both a big fan and (I have no doubt) a future NPF player). Including Kenzie is my small contribution to growing the game and giving to young fans. My real hope is that Kenzie will actually come back to a game and conduct the interviews herself. Kenzie has an pen invitation.

I really appreciate the hospitality of the Chicago Bandits for allowing me access to do what I love. I appreciate the efforts of Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal and the time and consideration of all of the players. It is a pleasure and an honor to cover this team.

Check back here all season for coverage of the Bandits. Also, check ChicagoBandits.com for more info and updates on the team.

Friendly Encounters: Riki Rachtman and Heather Owens at Days of the Dead

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities. With Days of the Dead coming to Indianapolis Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24, this is a special DotD edition.

Hardcore Heather Owens is a crossover from people I know through Days of the Dead and wrestling. Oddly, I usually have more time to catch up when she is wrestling. At Days of the Dead, she is usually a blur of activity as she helps keep things running smoothly.

It's a bit of a thankless job (although promoter Adolfo does thank her and all else publicly, because he is just that kind of guy). Heather does manage to squeeze in some fun (okay, a lot of fun) at the DotD events, but that's because she is "hardcore" and she is fun.

At the recent DotD in Charlotte, she met Riki Rachtman and captioned the picture as "it's not 1993, but that s Riki Rachtman." Rachtman first gained fame as a guest VJ on MTV and later as the host on Headbangers Ball. He has also done radio, as well as handling interview duties for wrestling and other things.

He has met a lot of rock stars and wrestlers, but I would love to get his thoughts on meeting the Hardcore One. I'm sure it would be all positive, but certainly entertaining.

Head to DaysOfTheDead.com to get all of the info, including the guest list, at the next Show in Indy and all other DotD shows. Also follow Days of the Dead on Facebook for frequent and quick updates.

Heather Owens and Riki Rachtman in Charlotte, NC-May 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #377 Mike Love, Brian Wilson & Al Jardine

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.  Today, we continue our fun alphabetical trek through Major League Baseball teams.

California boys (naturally) Mike Love, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine co-founded the Beach Boys, who have been entertaining fans since the early 1960's.  The Beach Boys have appeared several times at Dodger Stadium.  It only seemed natural that they would get Celebrity Jersey Cards as Dodgers.

Daphne Zuniga at Days of the Dead Chicago 2017

Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018 starts Friday, June 22 and runs through Sunday, June 24. As usual, they will have a fantastic celebrity lineup. Today, I am featuring one of the many wonderful celebrities I have met at DotD over the many years in several cities.

Daphne Zuniga made her film debut in The Dorm That Dripped Blood, but started really gaining fame from her roles in Vision Quest and The Sure Thing. She later starred on tv's Melrose Place.

At DotD, Zuniga happily discussed all of her roles, including her current projects (Heartbeats). She looked great and sounded like she was doing well.

Check DaysoftheDead.com for more info on the Indy event and the other cities, too. Indy is going to be a blast and I hope to see many friends there.

Daphne Zuniga and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Marla McKenna at Days of the Dead Chicago 2017

Days of the Dead Indianapolis starts Friday, June 20 and runs through Sunday, June 22. With that in mind, I am featuring some of my many great memories from past DotD events.

Last year at DotD Chicago, I ran into new friend Marla McKenna. I had only recently met Marla, when I interviewed her in Milwaukee, which can be found at On the Beat With Marla McKenna.

Marla is the author of Mom’s Big Catch, Sadie’s Big Steal and I’m a Secret Superhero and I know she has other books coming. Her books are cute and funny, but also contain life lessons woven into the stories. Soft and not preachy, the books deliver important messages for the youth. Her daughters Julia and Ashley, as well as dog Sadie, make appearances in the books, too.

Entertaining and educational, her books also do good work, as partial proceeds from Mom’s Big Catch and Sadie’s Big Steal go to the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation. It must also be noted that music legend Rick Springfield and his family match all of Marla's donations.

This is a total feelgood story and Marla is truly a special person. It is always delightful seeing her anywhere, even at a horror con. That's another part of the uniqueness of Days of the Dead. Where else can you see a children's book author and a horror queen (and all around acting great) share a table and it somehow made perfect sense? The secret really is that both women care about the world and are trying to make it a better place, while entertaining us.

Go to MomsBigCatch.net to get all of the info on Marla and her books and projects. Also, follow Mom's Big Catch on Facebook to get timely updates. I know Marla has a lot of exciting things happening and I will get an update interview from her!

Also, check DaysoftheDead.com for the info and schedules for all of the DotD events. Then, come out to a DotD, because you never know what and who you might see!

Marla McKenna and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Undead Johnny at Days of the Dead Chicago 2016

Undead Johnny appears on The World of the Weird Monster Show, a sketch comedy/horror host TV program airing in Chicago since since 2004.  It is described as a sort of morph of Son of Svengoolie and SCTV.  Written and directed by Chad Byers, it is a highly entertaining program, although I admit to being biased towards horror hosts and their shows.

I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the WOW crew several years back.  That can be found at On the Beat With Undead Johnny.  In the interview video, you'll meet Undead Johnny and the WOW crew, as well as seeing the Undead Johnny figurine (courtesy of Barry the Clay Guy).

Check out WOWMonsterShow.com for more info on Undead Johnny and the WOW Monster Show.  You can also follow WOWMonsterShow on Facebook and Undead Johnny @WOWMonsterShow on twitter.  You can also see a lot of entertaining videos WOW Monster Show YouTube channel.

Undead Johnny and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2016.

Joe Knetter and Sarah French at Days of the Dead Chicago 2012

With Days of the Dead quickly approaching, I am recalling some of the greatest memories I have had over my many years of attending DotD events. Author-actor Joe Knetter and Sarah French are two of the first celebrities I met at DotD and two of my favorites.

I have interviewed them together and separate several times. They are always very generous with their time and they are quite entertaining. My first interview with Sarah can be found at On the Beat with Sarah French.  My next interview was with both of them at On the Beat with Sarah French and Joe Knetter.

The couple met on a movie set. Sarah's character was beheaded by Joe's character. They have been together ever since.

Joe recently has undergone a tremendous transformation. He had a back procedure and has lost a lot of weight. He hasn't lost his twisted sense of humor though. That will never change.

In addition to acting, Joe has authored several books of short stories. Joe is a master at spinninbg a tale of horror (with some humor tossed into the mix). His books proudly sit on my bookshelf.

Sarah has remained active, appearing in five movies released in 2017 and three more scheduled for release this year.

Follow Sarah on twitter and Joe on twitter, to get all of their updates and other fun stuff. They are a great couple and a lot of fun in person and on social media.

Also, head to DaysoftheDead.com to get all of the info on all of the DotD events. After the Indy DotD, the next one is in Louisville at the end of August

Joe Knetter, Sarah French and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2012.

John Borowski at Days of the Dead Chicago 2014

With Days of the Dead coming soon, I am recalling some of my many great memories from Days of the Dead over the years. I have seen filmmaker John Borowski many times at Days events.

John is an independent filmmaker and author. Much of his work has focused on serial killers. It's not necessarily the easiest choice, but John has a passion for what he does and he does it all well.

The subject matter sometimes comes under attack, but John delivers his material from a historic perspective. It's not about sensationalism. John does a lot of in depth interviewing of people involved. His work can easily be textbooks for a class on the subject.

I am proud to consider John my friend, but that's not why I enjoy or promote his work. I do both because his work is fascinating.

It would be easy and probably more commercially acceptable to produce movies that are gory and graphic for the sake of marketability. John cuts through that stuff and gets to the heart of the matter. He gets to the interesting facts and thoughts involved.

I have learned a lot from John. I have also been highly entertained by John. When a creator can educate and entertain, he has far exceeded his goal!

For more info on John, check out JohnBorowski.com and like the John Borowski Filmmaker Facebook page to get all of John's info and updates. John is always working on something interesting.

Days Indy 2018 runs from Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24.Check out DaysoftheDead.com for all of the important info on the upcoming show and all other shows. 

John Borowski and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Gene Steratore and Anthony Pinello

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

The origin of my friendship with Anthony Pinella started with Coca-Cola. The Pinella family owns Rex Italian Foods in Norridge, IL.and they had fantastic fountain Coke! While working or just in the area, I would always stop at Rex and get a Coke (and usually a cannoli, too).
I liked their Coke so much, it prompted me to write a story in the (now defunct) Lerner Newspapers, about my search for the best fountain Coke in the area. I went into the story knowing I loved the Coke at Rex, but I was willing to try fountain Coke at other places (all for the sake of the story, of course).
In the end, I honestly felt Rex had the best of what I tried (and I tried a lot). The White Hen near my house came in second and the Shell Station at Harlem and Higgins in Chicago came in third. Ironically, within a few months, all three stopped serving Coke. Fortunately, since then, Kostner Korner (previously the White Hen) and the Shell Station have brought back Coke.
Oh Rex, how could you turn your back on Coke? In all fairness, I still stop at Rex for my cannoli (and other food) needs. They do have many great dishes there.
Recently, NFL referee Gene Steratore paid a visit to Rex. Steratore was the Head Official for Super Bowl 52 earlier this year. Although he lives near Pittsburgh, apparently he heard about the delicious offerings at Rex Italian Foods and visited it on a trip to Chicago.
I usually still poke at Anthony about bringing back Coke. Even without Coke, it is still worth a visit (and that is a strong statement, considering my love for Coke). If you're in the Norridge area, check out Rex Italian Foods and tell them Johngy sent you (and to bring back Coke).

Gene Steratore and Anthony Pinella in Norridge, IL-February 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #376 Kristen Keogh & Christian Stoinev

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.  Today, we continual our alphabetical romp through the Major League Baseball teams.

Kristen Keogh was born in Phoenix, AZ and stayed true to her roots by donning the Diamondbacks jersey.  She also has the Captain America shield and an eye mask, which creates an interesting and colorful Celebrity Jersey Card.  A graduate of Arizona State University, Keogh has worked as a sports journalist, sports broadcaster, tv host, Arizona Coyotes cheerleader, weatherperson and more.  She also has worked with NGO 1Mission, which helps build houses for people in need, among other social causes.

Christian Stoinev is a circus performer.  Born in Florida, Stoinev got an early start as a performer at the age of six.  I would bet he did something acrobatic when he threw out a pitch for the Diamondbacks.  That would have made an interesting Celebrity Jersey Card.

Kane Hodder at Days of the Dead Chicago 2016

Actor and stuntman Kane Hodder is best known for portraying Jason Voorhees in four films from the Friday the 13th film series.  He also has done stunt work as Leatherface and appeared as Freddy Kruger's gloved hand.

He is a frequent and very popular celebrity guest at the Days of the Dead conventions.  I would never believe that he remains this popular after doing so many of the events, yet there is always a lengthy line waiting to meet him.  I'm not knocking hin at all.  It's just that usually there is a point of saturation, but Hodder defies that rule.  Even the other celebrities want to meet him.

For his part, Hodder is a great guest.  He never tires of putting people in choke holds or posing naturally.  I'd say he knows how to work the crowd, but I think it is just natural for him.  He seems to be a genuinely nice guy.

Hodder appeared at the recent DotD in Chicago and his line was long again throughout the event.  The next DotD is in Atlanta on February 2-4 and Hodder will probably be there and he'll probably have a long line again.

You can get more info on DotD at DaysoftheDead.com.  You should also go to KaneHodderKills.com to learn more about Hodder and to check out his book Unmasked: The True Life Story of The World's Most Prolific Cinematic Killer.  It is an interesting book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Kane Hodder and me in Chicago, IL-November 2016.

Dawn Marie Was Number One

Dawn Marie Psaltis (better known as Dawn Marie) made her pro wrestling debut in January 1995.  She was a manager, valet and wrestler during her years in the WWE and ECW.  She no longer is active in wrestling, but she does make occasional appearances at conventions.

She was one of the first wrestlers I ever met.  Jason Fleigel and I met her at a comic book store at the local mall.  I don't even remember when it was, but I am guessing it was around 1997, which would be near the height of her popularity.

Since then, Dawn Marie has done a little acting, as well as forming a charity to help wrestlers (it has since closed).  She is still on the east coast and appears to be living a happy life.

I met her again a few years back at a big convention near Philadelphia.  She was accompanied by Michele "Fuchsia" Mupo, another east coast friend who I don't see enough.  The two friends have worked on several projects together.

Dawn Marie might not have been the biggest name in wrestling, but I will always have a special place because she was the first one I met and she was so sweet.  I am hoping to see her at a convention this year (or at least sometime soon).

Dawn Marie and me in Oaks, PA-October 2011.

Cards That Never Were: Bart Johnson 1978 & '79 Topps

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players who were missed in the original sets.  It is a concept I have borrowed from too many others to list, but I appreciate them all.

I usually only feature cards I have created, but today I make an exception.  The cards today come courtesy of Lynn from Giovanni of When Topps Had Balls and Lynn of Custom Baseball Cards on Facebook 

Bart Johnson was drafted by my beloved Chicago White Sox in the 1968 MLB draft.  He made his MLB debut in 1970 and pitched for the Sox through the 1977 season.  He showed signs of great potential at times, like when he went 12-10 in 1971, but injuries derailed his career, especially in 1975, when he missed the entire season.  He retired with a career record of 43-51 and an ERA of 3.94.

Johnson appeared on Topps cards from 1970 through 1977, which would cover his career.  Johnson was my first favorite player and I intended to give him a "career capper" for the 1978 set.  Giovanni beat me to it.  While I like creating these cards, I also felt no need to duplicate the fine effort and product he had already made.

I planned on ending this CTNW right there, but then I saw a creation by Lynn.  Although Johnson never actually pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the season, he was with them in Spring Training as he attempted to continue his career.  I never knew this (or at least had long forgotten it).  Fortunately, Lynn knew about Johnson's attempt and he made a beautiful 1979 card for him.

I appreciate the efforts of both of these men.  I highly encourage everyone to check out their work on those aforementioned sites.  Both do excellent work and both produce lots of cards.  I am fascinated by their work and I even occasionally learn things (like Johnson's connection to the Pirates) from them.

Liverpool Live in Florida

I have been a fan of The Beatles since my teen years. I m not easily impressed by cover bands attempting to do their music. Liverpool Live passed that test though.

Earlier this year, I was visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Florida on my birthday weekend. Ever the great hosts, they took me to see Liverpool Live. None of us knew what to expect, but we certainly got more than we hoped.

The boys ripped through a couple hours of the Fab Four's greatest songs.They performed the ballads and the rockers equally well. The singing was excellent and their sound was tight. When a cover band is that good, I always wonder about them playing other music. I'd bet that Liverpool Live would be great either way.

It was a fun night and a wonderful weekend. I really appreciate Scott and Jean treating me so well. It took a bit of the sting off of another birthday passing.

Members of Liverpool Live include past cast members from Disney Orlando. They have played together for a long time. For more info on Liverpool Live, check out TheBandGuys.com.

Liverpool Live and me in Bonita Springs, FL-January 2018.

Chicago Bandits Sweep Cleveland Comets

The Chicago Bandits are 4-0 after sweeping the Cleveland Comets last weekend. It was interesting to see the newly configured Comets, including familiar face Shellie Robinson.

The Comets were formerly the Akron Racers. During the last offseason, they became the Comets and now play in several cities in Ohio.

Shellie is in her fourth year in the NPF. After a great career at the University of South Carolina-Upstate, Shellie was drafted by the Racers with the 23rd pick in the NPF draft. She has a career NPF batting average of .289 with 17 home runs in her three seasons. She's the type of player I love to watch, even though she is on the opponent.

In her official biography on the Comets' website, Shellie states that she can juggle and she is really good at sleeping. I'm a little jealous of the juggling part, as it is a skill I could never learn, but I loved the answer.

Shellie and the Comets might be in for a rough season. The team is a mix of former Racers and some Chinese players. As much as I enjoyed the sweep, I hope the Comets can be competitive this season. That would be for the league.

I'll be covering the Bandits and the NPF on a regular basis here. You can also go to ChicagoBandits.com for more info on this exciting team. You can also follow Shellie on twitter.

Shellie Robinson and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

Friendly Encounters: AJ Styles and Dirk Manning

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

Today's Friendly Encounters features two of my favorites. The Man of Mr. Rhee meets the Phenomenal One.

Dirk Manning is the Man of Mr. Rhee and so much more. Mr. Rhee and is just one of Manning's creations. Originally Tales of Mr. Rhee, the book spawned sequels, too. These graphic novels are beautifully illustrated and fantastically written. They are edgy, fascinating and mysterious, of course.

Continuing through Manning's library of books, you'll find Write or Wrong: A Writer's Guide to Creating Comics, Nightmare World and other interesting books. His bibliography is extensive.

AJ Styles brings an impressive resume, too. Long thought of as the face of Impact Wrestling, Styles finally joined the WWE and has continued his penchant for capturing titles. Definitely one of the best and most entertaining wrestlers of his era, Styles is popular worldwide.

Through my many interviews and casual talks with Manning, I learned he is a bit of a wrestling fan. It was great to see him get a picture with Styles. My only criticism is that Styles should have used his title belt to mimic Manning's trademark face covering technique. Then again, when you are meeting stars, you really don't want their faces covered.

This is the kind of stuff you will see at Wizard World. Check WizardWorld.com for info and their show schedule. Also, be sure to check DirkManning.com to learn more about my talented friend!

Dirk Manning and AJ tyles in Columbus, OH-August 2017.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #375 Val Capone & Patti Vasquez

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.  Today, we continual our alphabetical omp through the Major League Baseball teams.

Knowing Val Capone is one of the best things to come out of my experience with the Windy City Rollers. Val is just a wonderful person. She is a diehard Cubs fan, a roller derby legend, a master of the splits and more. She also recently added wrestling broadcaster for Freelance Wrestling to her resume. She has done all this and more while battling Crohn's disease. I"I hate Val Capone's Guts" has become a rally cry for her friends and fans as we all support her in her battle. We might hate her guts, but we love her. She gets extra points for a cap and Cubs jacket on her Celebrity Jersey Card. She is also the first person doing the splits on a CJC.

Patti Vasquez has made a name for herself on WGN radio, television, comedy clubs and other spots all across Chicago and elsewhere. The multi-talented Vasquez has provided Chicagoans with plenty of entertainment over the years. Patti is taking a selfie for her Celebrity Jersey Card and she gets extra points for the Cubs hat.

Bradford Anderson at REWind Con 2016

Since 2006, Bradford Anderson has played Damian Millhouse Spinelli on television's General Hospital.  The quirky Spinelli quickly became one of the most popular characters on the show.

At REWind Con, as expected, Anderson was also one of the most popular guests.  I was fortunate enough to have a few calm moments with him and I found him hilarious and very friendly.  He seems to take his profession seriously, without taking himself or the "stardom" too seriously.

When not with fans or the media, Anderson was hanging around and goofing with fellow GH actors like Steve Burton.  It was fun and weird seeing them interact like that.  On the show, their characters together are usually in tense situations.  REWind Con was definitely not a tense situation.  It was three days of complete fun.

Anderson also plays in the rock group "Port Chuck" along with General Hospital co-stars Burton, Scott Reeves, and Brandon Barash.  I did my research and found a bunch of videos on YouTube.  They are actually pretty good.  They also seem to be having a lot of fun on stage, which always makes the show that much better.

Whether you see Anderson and his colleagues on General Hospital, at conventions, on stage or anywhere else, you'll definitely be entertained.  Fortunately for me, REWind Con provided a chance to meet them together.

Bradford Anderson and me in Bloomingdale, IL-November 2016.

Jessie Belle Smothers and Her Father (?) Tracy

Shhhhh don't tell anyone.  Jessie Belle Smothers isn't really the daughter of Tracy Smothers.  She isn't even a Smothers at all.  None of that really matters though.

Jessie Belle started wrestling in 2010, but she morphed into Jessie Belle Smothers in 2012.  The connection to ring veteran Tracy actually helped both of their careers.  Jessie got the "rub" from her famous "dad," while Tracy was introduced to a new audience of wrestling fans.  It didn't hurt that he was now associated with a beautiful young wrestler.

I had the pleasure of watching Jessie wrestle a few times at Resistance Pro.  She always was solid in the ring and very nice when mingling with the fans and wrestling crew.

Wrestling has a long history of non-related "relatives" and ring names.  Arn Anderson's name isn;t really Arn Anderson and he isn't really related to Gene, Ole or any other Anderson.  It worked for storyline purposes though.

Sometimes the fictionalized relations don't work though.  Such was the case with Lance Von Erich, a supposed cousin.  Lance never really got over with the fans and when he left the area, Von Erich patriarch Fritz announced that he was never actually a Von Erich.  I remember being shocked at that announcement, not the fact, just that it wa actually acknowledged.

Who knows how long the Jessie Belle-Tracy pairing will last or how it will end.  For now, it is working for both and that is all that matters.  Wrestling is ever-changing and fans are taught to have short memories.

Jessie Belle and me in Chicago, IL-July 2012.