Celebrity Jersey Cards #598 Jason Mraz & Jessie James

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue my season-long march alphabetically through all MLB teams.

It's not the greatest picture, yet it is a great picture of musician Jason Mraz and I am not just saying that because Billy Joel is prominent. A native of Virginia, Mraz is a two-time Grammy award winner, among his other accolades. A supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, Mraz has openly discussed his struggle with his sexuality and song-writing. He earned his Celebrity Jersey Card while performing with the Piano Man, presumably in San Diego.

Jessie James was born in Italy, but found success in America first as a singer. She has since added acting and other entertainment roles to her resume. She also added Decker as her last name when she married former NFL receiver Eric Decker. James got her Celebrity Jersey Card after singing the National Anthem for the Padres.

On the Beat With Trevor Mueller

I have interviewed comic creator Trevor Mueller​ several times at comic cons, but they were always short updates on his latest work. Yesterday, I had the chance to do a longer form interview with Trevor to really delve into his career.

Trevor is the writer of the multi-Harvey Award nominated webseries Albert the Alien, among many other works. Albert the Alien intrigued me when I first saw it on a banner at his comic con  booth years ago and not just because it was a cool drawing. There are a lot of alien stories and series out there. It takes something special to make one that really stands out.  Albert the Alien is unique.  It's fun, but it also contains some life lessons. It is an "all ages" book. It might seem to be aimed at youngsters, but the themes in the book can be applied throughout life.

Among his other work is the newly released Nexus Point on Webtoon. It's a few episodes in and it's free. Trevor also talked about Repossessed, his upcoming release on August 10 on Webtoon.

Trevor talked about all of this and more. He discussed his start in comics, making it his career, working with others, comic cons, meeting some of his favorites and more. It was a fun look at Trevor's career.

Over the many years of seeing Trevor at comic cons, I am proud to call him a friend. I love his work and look always forward to new projects. I'll be checking out Nexus Point and Repossessed and I encourage all to do the same.

That interview is at On the Beat With Trevor Mueller. Also check TrevorAMueller.com for more info on all of his work. Go to C2E2.com for info and updates on scheduling, guests and more.

Jenevieve Broomall at C2E2 2019

C2E2 returns August 5-7. As always, I will be "On the Beat" meeting interesting celebrities and creators. One of my favorites is Jen Broomall.

Self-taught, Jen has more than 10 years of experience. She has done cover art, character design, concept art, commissions and more. 

I have seen Jen many times at comic cons. She's a lot of un, as well as being extremely talented. I always like seeing her new creations. Jen is on my list of people I want see create a version of the Johngy character..

One of my favorites from Jen is a more recent piece she posted on social media. She commented she is trung to use less paint on water colors. She finished by saying it is Tiki time! It's just a fun sketch and I love it.

Go to JenBroomall.com for more info on Jen and her art. Also, check C2E2.com for info and scheduling.

Jenevieve Broomall and me in Chicago, IL-March 2019.

Pinfalls: WWE SummerSlam 2022

This is a big episode of Pinfalls. It now appears on Every Day Fan Sports, the Johngy Or Else podcast platform, YouTube and here.

SummerSlam 2022 airs live from Nashville, Tennessee on the Peacock Network Saturday, July 30 at 7 pm CST. There are nine matches announced, including five title bouts.

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship-Last Man Standing Match

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar

SmackDown Women's Championship

Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey

Raw Women's Championship

Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch

US Championship

Bobby Lashley vs. Theory

Unified WWE Tag Team Championship

The Usos vs. The Street Profits

No Disqualification Match

The Mysterios vs. The Judgment Day

Logan Paul vs. The Miz

Pat McAfee vs. Happy Corbin

Riddle vs. Seth Rollins

There is also a question if Theory will cash in his Money in the Bank Briefcase. That makes it an even 10 predictions. The only spoiler I will reveal is Tommy and I differed on only three of the ten predictions. 

Tommy is 18-18 this year (27-25 lifetime). I am struggling this year at 13-23 (31-21 lifetime). I did rebound to beat Tommy last month after I put my Pinfalls position on the line.

Debuting in 1988, SummerSlam is one of the original four WWE PPV's. It is still considered one of the big four PPV's.

With Vince retiring, this is the first PPV under the new regime. That could change original plans for SummerSlam and storylines going forward. Tommy and I took that into consideration.

One person not announced on the card who could play a big role is Charlotte Flair. Will the Queen interfere in either (or both) of the women's matches? Flair could be a difference maker.

Watch the Pinfalls video at Pinfalls: WWE SummerSlam 2022. Make your own predictions and see how you do against us. Check back on Every Day Fan Sports for the WWE SummerSlam recap,

Raul Trevino at C2E2 2017

Born in Mwexico and now residing in Japan, Raúl Treviño is an independent comic book author. Trevino utilizes many styles, showing his international influences.

Trevino has worked on many comic books and other projects, including Magic Soda Pop. As the title would indicate, this is a webtoon story of a magic soda pop, discovered by three young girls, who use it to help their lives become easier. Of course, things aren't always as they seem as the girls learn 

I had the pleasure of meeting Trevino at C2E2 2017. How cool is that? C2E2 isn't just for local creators (although there would be nothing wrong with that). Artists like Trevino come from all over the world to show their work. I never would have met Tervino if it wasn't for C2E2.

His booth was awesome, too. He showcased his many different styles. It was almost like looking at the work of several artists. He went from style to style without giving hints of a pattern. I was amazed at his versatility and talent.

C2W2 2022 runs August 5-7. Of course, I will be "on the Beat" as usual. I'll be meeting some local favorites and some international wonders. Go to C2E2.com for more info and check here for recurring coverage. Also, check RaulTrevino.art for more info on this talented creator.

Raul Tevino and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Billie Starkz at 2econd Wrestling

Last week, Tony and I attended 2econd Wrestling's Walk This Way in Highwood, Illinois. It was our second time at 2econd and it was even better than the first, which was great.

I wrote a full recap for Every Day Fan Sports at 2econd Wrestling's Walk This Way.

Billie Starkz is the 2econd Champ. She earned that title by winning a tournament, including winning two matches at Flood Zone, their last show in the Chicago area. Tommy Else and I interviewed Billie at On the Beat With Billie Starkz for The Johngy Or Else Podcast.

In the wrestling world full of hyperbole, Billie is a legit star on the rise. At only 17, she has been wrestling for more than four years already. It is really only a matter of time before a big company signs her shortly after she turns 18.

Billie is extremely talented in the ring and she is focused, smart and a real sweetheart outside of the ring. She is great with fans. Perhaps the best part is she looks like she is really enjoying herself. Even during matches, when she is concentrating on the action, she has a look of joy in her eyes.

Billie is something special and should go far in this business. Likewise 2econd Wrestling is off to a great start. I look forward to both continuing to get better. Be sure to follow both on social media, as well as checking back here for more coverage of both.

Billie Starkz and me in Highwood, IL-July 2022.

Friend Encounters: Jewells Malone, Madman Pondo and Jim Strong

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

I have written many times about Mad Man Pondo. There is nobody tougher, but nobody more humble and down-to-earth than Pondo. He's one of the few people who intimidated me about interviews before I met him, but he proved to be one of the coolest from our first meeting.

I can't say enough good words about Pondo. He was a leader in and out of the ring at Resistance Pro. He always had time for other wrestlers and even for me as I tried providing good coverage of RPro. I'm not worried about ruining his "Mad Man" persona, because once he steps in that ring, it is quite evident.

Pondo was a big recruiter for RPro, often bringing in new talented wrestlers from all over, onbe of which was Jewells Malone. Canada native Malone made her wrestling debut in 2011. She is a two-time PWE Flame champion. She also won the PWA Elite Women's championship.

Like Pondo, Malone's reputation preceded her. Fans were lined up to meet her at the RPro show. Some of the fans were lucky enough to get a 2fer picture of both Malone and Pondo. My pal Jim Strong was one of the lucky ones. I only wish the duo would have done more damage to Jim! 
Go to EatSleepWrestle.com for info on Pondo's book Memoirs of a Mad Man. While you are there, check out John Cosper's other books, too!

Jewells Malone, Jim Strong and Mad Man Pondo in Summit, IL-July 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #597 Jessica Long & Haley Skarupa

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. To my season long march through all MLB teams takes me to Camden Yards with a couple Olympians.

Maryland native Jessica Long is a Russian-American Paralympic swimmer. The holder of several records, she competed at five Paralympic Games winning 29 medals (16 gold). Long's lower legs were amputated when she was only 18 months due to fibular hemimelia. Long showed her pitching prowess and earned a Celebrity Jersey Card for her home state Baltimore Orioles.

Also born in Maryland, Haley Skarupa gained her success and fame on the ice. She was a forward on the US women's gold medal winning hockey team at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Skarupa proved she is equally talented with a baseball, as she fired a strike and earned a Celebrity Jersey Card. She sported a No. 11, most notably worn by former infielder Doug DeCinces in the 70s.

James Azrael at Flashback Weekend 2021

Flashback Weekend returns August 5-7 in Rosemont, IL. Of course, I will be "On the Beat" there, but a few weeks ago I got a head start by interviewing James Azrael. That interview is at On the Beat With James Azrael.

James has a lot of projects and he discusses all of them in our interview. As usual, James will have a booth at Flashback Weekend. I tried to get him to get some of his Spooky Swirls cookies there, but the logistics make it too hard. Hopefully, some day, those tasty cookies will be found in the Chicago area.

James isn't just about cookies though. He is deeply involved in the horror industry. The Horror and Sci_Fi Prop Preservation Association (HSPPA) does amazing work.

I highly encourage everyone to attend Flashback Weekend and make sure to check out James at his booth. You never know what cool stuff he will have. Also, James is just a great guy. You'll have a lot of fun and learn interesting things about horror just by talking to him.

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com for more info and updates. Also, check HSPPA.com and SpookySwirls.com for more info on James and his work.

James Azrael and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

Michelle Morris at Flashback Weekend 2018

With Flashback Weekend postponed last year due to the pandemic, I am at least comforted by all of the great memories I have had there. Of course, I am also looking forward to Flashback Weekend August 5-7, when I get to meet my convention friends again. Portia Chellelynn (Michelle Morris) is definitely one I miss.

Portia (pronounced poor-sha shell-linn) is a Chicago based actor, model, entertainer, director, producer, writer and owner of independent film company, Portia Chellelynn Films (PCFilms). I learn and share more about Michelle in On the Beat With Portia Chellelynn.

I first saw Michelle many years ago and immediately checked her work. The first thing I saw was Candie's Harem, in which she played the title role. She has been in several other movies and shorts. She has also appeared in music videos, modeled, played music and spread her wings to many other parts of the entertainment industry.

The best thing about Michelle is he is as nice as she is talented. Always ready for a big, warm hug, Portia is definitely one of the most popular guests at any convention.

While conventions were on hiatus, I missed seeing the big name headline celebrities guests, but I missed seeing stars (and friends) like Michelle even more. I look forward to catching up and making up for lost time.

Follow Michelle Morris on social media to learn more about this talented sweetheart. Also, check FlashbackWeekend.com for info and updates.

Michelle Morris and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

On the Beat With Val Malone

Yesterday, I interviewed Val Malone, the Queen of Wisconsin wrestling. A manager and wrestler, Val talked about all aspects of her career. That interview is at On the Beat With Val Malone.

Val's interest in wrestling started in her youth. With wrestler Dysfunction (Kurt Krueger) as a brother, it seemed natural for Val to enter the world of pro wrestling. Val talked about the advantages and challenges of having a pro wrestler as a brother.

Through hard work and determination, Val started carving her own place in wrestling. After 15 years of guiding many wrestlers to championship gold, Val is still going strong.

She recently added a title belt to her collection, when she beat client Rayvin Raddix for the 4th Wall Wrestling Women's Championship. Val discussed the situation, while also serving notice to any of her clients she is after gold one way or another. Val also addressed editing her Queen of Wisconsin Wrestling title to include Illinois, the midwest or even the country.

Of course, I asked Val which wrestler she would like to manage and who she would like to wrestle. Both answers were fantastic.

The next 4WW show is Friday, August 5 in Milwaukee. A women's title match hasn't been announced yet, but Val will be there with her shiny new belt. My money is on Val keeping that belt one way or another.

In addition to 4WW, Val also regularly appears fo AAW Pro and ICW. The next show for AAW Pro is Destination Chicago on Thursday, September 1 in Chicago, while ICW's next event is Insane 8 on Sunday, July 30 in Waukesha. What roles Val will have at those shows is undetermined, but she always makes her presence felt.

I will see first hand at AAW Pro's Chicago show. I'll recap that action right here.

Until then, enjoy the interview and follow Val on social media. Check back here for my recurring coverage of Chicago area wrestling. Lastly, a big thank you to Val for her time, consideration and yeras of wrestling entertainment.

Randy Couture at Flashback Weekend 2021 XX

Flashback Weekend runs August 5-7 in Rosemont. As always, I will be "On the Beat" meeting the celebrities, creators and vendors.

Last year, I was a bit surprised to see Randy Couture appearing. I knew he was an MMA legend, but I didn't realize how much acting her has done. When I looked up his career on IMDB, I saw an impressive list. He has had action, drama, superhero and comedy roles.

In the convention world, that all makes him a multi-threat. He appears at sports cons and comic cons. Within the comic con, he has fans from all of his genres. In short, Couture can make a nice living simply doing conventions.

This year, Robert Englund is the headliner, but there are many other great celebrities on the guest list. Go to FlashbackWeekend.com to check the list and get updates.

Randy Couture and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

Mike Carey and Chris Margetis at Flashback Weekend

Flashback Weekend returns August 5-7. This is one of my favorite conventions every year.

Last year, I met my friends Mike Carey and Chris Margetis, who were promoting The Manson Brothers Midnight Zombie Massacre, their interesting movie. My interview with them is at On the Beat With Mike Carey and Chris Margetis.

Chris and Mike are great guys. Besides that though, The Manson Brothers Midnight Zombie Massacre is a cool movie. The IMDB description is "After being relegated, the two fighting brothers signed up for a new game. But they didn't know that they need to stay in an arena to fight zombies."

It's got wrestling, zombies, gore, humor and more. Randy Couture is also in it, along with Mike and Chris. This is a movie I see becoming a cult classic, like Roddy Piper's They Live. I see it gaining populariy as the years pass, but I already like it!

Mike and Chris are not announced as guests for this year's Flashback Weekend, but if they aren't at a table, they will probably be roaming around the convention. Even if they aren't there, plenty of other cool folks will be there. Headlined by Robert Englund, Robert Carradine, Alex Winter, PJ Soles, Kelli Maroney, Donald Gibbs and several others are part of the lineup.

I'll be "On the Beat" at Flashback Weekend. Until then, check FlashbackWeekend.com for more info and updates.

Mike Carey, Chris Margetis and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

Friend Encounters: Svengoolie and Glen and Patrick Rylko at C2E2

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

Early in 2022, my friend Glen Rylko passed away. I always had so much fun with Glen and his family at comic cons, wrestling events and other fun places.

During the pandemic, Glen and I became closer, often texting each other our complaints of the day, fun stuff, comic con info or whatever was on our minds. It was really more about reaching out than actual content. As the pandemic lessened and it looked like life would resume to some form of normalcy, Glen became very ill and soon passed.

I miss those texts. I'll miss Glen at the events. He was a good man with a loving family. He died way too young.

Glen and his family were big fans of the legendary Svengoolie. With the long lines Sven always had, Glen and I would sometimes sneak into the line with whoever was there first. It was simple comic con fun, the kind of silliness I'll miss.

Fortunately, Glen was big on picture-taking, as am I. I have several other celebrity encounters of Glen's I'll be posting in the future. It's my way of keeping his memory alive and remembering the good times.

C2E2 and Flashback Weekend are both running August 5-7. I'll be thinking of my bud Glen and missing him even more than usual. 

Thank you for the memories, my friend. Rest in peace, Glen.

Glen, Sven and Patrick in Chicago, IL-March 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #596 Sue Palka & D.C. Washington

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue me season-long alphabetical journey through all Major League Baseball teams with two DC area legends.

Born in Pennsylvania, Sue Palka spent 36 years at Fox 5, eventually becoming Chief Meteorologist. She is a six-time Emmy winner and also had a minor role in The War of the Roses. Palka earned a Celebrity Jersey Card with a ceremonial pitch for the Nats.

With a name like Dwight Clyde "DC" Washington, it only is natural he would find a career on the DC media scene. DC started singing the National Anthem for the Washington Redskins in 2005. In 2010, he added the Nationals to his resume. Not a lot is written about DC, but he seems like a talented character. For his Celebrity Jersey Card, he wore No. 11, most notably worn by Ryan Zimmerman.

CM Punk at C2E2 2020

C2E2 2022 takes over Chicago August 5-7. I will be "On the Beat" as always. Hopefully, Chicago's own CM Punk will be there again.

A polarizing figure in wrestling, Punk did the seemingly impossible. He made a successful return after a length absence and is at the top of his game. When he retired from the WWE in 2014, it looked like his wrestling career was over. Punk remained busy, though. He continued working on comic book projects. He entered the world of MMA. It really seemed like he was done with wrestling.

As any wrestling fan knows though, wrestling retirements rarely last. Sure enough, in 2021, Punk joined All Elite Wrestling. I was there for his debut in Chicago and the United Center was crazy loud.

Since then, he has had memorable feuds and has done quite well. He is now the veteran helping elevate others, while still succeeding in his own career.

Punk gets criticized far too often for his alleged attitude, but I have never found him to be anything but great. He is one of my favorite guests at comic cons.

It was just announced Punk will be at C2E2 2022. I will see him again, but I am still hoping his wife AJ accompanies him.

Go to C2E2.com for more info and scheduling. Check AllEliteWrestling.com for info on Punk and the rest of the AEW roster.

CM Punk and me in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

Barbara Dunkelman at C2E2 2020

C2E2 2020 was the last big event I attended before the pandemic hit. Barbara Dunkelman was one of the last celebrities I met there.

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Dunkelman is an actress and voiceover talent, among other things.  She perhaps best known as the voice of Yang Xiao Long in the web series RWBY. She is also the Creative Director at Rooster Teeth, self-billed as producing premium dumb content on Roku, Xbox, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

Another talent Dunkelman has is selfie-taking. At C2E2, Dunkelman took charge and eased the pressure on fans meeting her by taking the selfies herself. 

Dunkelman suffers from Hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by abnormally increased sweating. I wonder if she has been treated since the discovery. Comic Cons must be a problem for Dunkelman, as they are usually warm. For the record, she seemed completely fine at C2E2.

C2E2 2022 runs August 5-7. I will be back "On the Beat" as always. Go to C2E2.com for info and scheduling. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Barbara Dunkelman and me in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

On the Beat At Fan Expo Chicago 2022

Last weekend, I was ensconced in pop culture fun at Fan Expo Chicago. Highly anticipated from last year's big announcement, Fan Expo delivered big time.

Although technically this is the first year for Fan Expo in Chicago, its roots date back to 1972. What started as Chicago Comic Con became Wizard World in 1998. Late last year, it became Fan Expo. It still was loaded with celebrities, creators, vendors and more.

Fan Expo was a smooth experience form start to finish. As with most such events, for me it started at the press booth. I have known PR Manager Jerry Milani for so many years, we have become friends. He is the top media person of any event. I have dealt with hundreds of PR folks and Jerry is tops.

Once the media pass is in hand, I always take a deep breath, because I get so hyped about the event my head spins. 

The celebrity guest list was amazing. I had great experiences with Carl Weathers and Ashley Eckstein, my top two targets, plus an unexpected awesome surprise in meeting David Eckstein, Ashley's husband and a former MLB player. 

As usual, I met a lot of creators, picking up cool new sketches and books. It is always fun catching up with the creator friends I made over the years and making new friends.

With the pandemic causing postponements, cancellations and personal issues for attendees, it had been a long time since I saw so many convention friends. I spent a lot of time at Fan Expo just catching up with friends. It was awesome seeing so many, especially back on the convention scene.

I had high hopes for Fan Expo, but as we learned over the last few years, things can change quickly. Once at the convention, I quickly realized Fan Expo was all that I wanted it to be and more. I expect next year and all future years to be even better.

I wrote more about Fan Expo for the Patch and for Global Traveler. I will also have recurring coverage of Fan Expo, including specific encounters with celebrities and creators, here in the future, as I recap Fan Expo Chicago 2022 and look forward to Fan Expo Chicago 2023. For more info and scheduling, go to FanExpoHQ.com.

Svengoolie at Flashback Weekend

Svengoolie (Rich Koz) is a legendary horror host. Based in Chicago, Sven's fame goes all over the country.

As famous as he is, Koz is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He does many appearances and always draws huge lines. People cannot get enough of Sven. It doesn't matter how many times you have met him, you always go back for more.

Sven is a regular feature at Flashback Weekend. This year, Flashback has such iconic guests as Robert Englund, Robert Carradine, PJ Soles, Kelli Maroney and more. Even with those big names, Sven will still have one of the longest lines. He is just that popular.

Flashback Weekend runs August 5-7 and is a fantastic place to meet great celebrities and check out interesting vendors. Run by locals Mike and Mia Kerz, it has a family feel to it, while still providing all of the fun a bigger convention does. One of the best parts of Flashback Weekend the familial feeling, while still having big time celebrities and events. 

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com for more info on that great event. Also, check Svengoolie.com for more info on this legend.

Svengoolie and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

Meatloaf at Flashback Weekend

Flashback Weekend returns August 5-7 to Rosemont, IL. Aa always, I will be "On the Beat" meeting celebrities and all sorts of interesting folks.

Last year, Meatloaf was one of the highlights. More specifically, meeting Meatloaf with show owner/promoter Mia and my pal Cuzz was the highlight.

Meatloaf could not have been any nicer. When talking to him, Mia and Cuzz recalled singing Meatloaf's songs back in the day. That led Meatloaf to ask for a sampling. With a little prodding, Mia and Cuzz had an impromptu acoustic session in tribute. They were quite good and Meatloaf seemed to genuinely appreciate it.

Moments like that become lifelong memories. While I was not part of the unplanned karaoke session, I was right there in the mix. To be part of that with the guy who had some monster hits in my youth was surreal.

That's just one example of the fun I have had at Flashback Weekend over the years. While I can't promise a similar situation for any attendee, I can guarantee you will have a great time.

This year the guest list is headlined by Robert Englund. There are plenty of other great celebrities joining the horror legend. For a complete list of celebrity guests and all other info, go to FlashbackWeekend.com. 

Cuzz, Meatloaf, Mia and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

Friend Encounters: Shawnee Smith and Mitch Ell at Flashback Weekend

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

Flashback Weekend returns August 5-7 for its special 20th anniversary event. As usual, I'll be "On the Beat" meeting the celebs, vendors and creative folks.

Actress Shawnee Smith was one of the most popular celebrity guests at Flashback Weekend 2021. Smith has a lengthy resume, but might be best-known for Becker or Anger Management.

My convention buddy Mitch met Smith last year. Mitch and I probably have been crossing paths for years, but it was only the last couple I actually got to know him a bit.

I am sure Mitch will be at Flashback Weekend 2022 and I know I will definitely be there. I'll be "On the Beat" reporting back here, on GlobalTravelerUSA.com and Patch.com.

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com for more info on this year's big event. Also, check the Flashback Weekend Facebook page for more frequent updates.

Shawnee Smith and Mitch Ell in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #595 Laurie Hernandez & Bethanie Mattek

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today my season long march through all MLB teams takes us to the New York Mets and a couple Olympians.

L:aurie Hernandez was born in New Jersey and gained fame as a gymnast. She was a member of the U.S. Gymnastics Team the "Final Fie" at the 2016 Summer Olympics. The U.S. won gold in the team event. She later appeared on Dancing With the Stars, but I won't hold that against her. She posed with a bat at CitiField to earn her Celebrity Jersey Card. Despite the bat, she did actually throw a ceremonial pitch.

Born in Minnesota, Bethanie Mattek went on to a great tennis career. Among other accomplishments, she won nine Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. At her peak, she was ranked No. 30 in the world. She is noted for her unique fashion style, which is evident on her Celebrity Jersey Card. Her lower wear has to be the funkiest ever pictured on a CJC. 

Danhausen at C2E2 2021

Last year, thanks to ReedPop I had double Danhausen. I met the talented wrestler at New York Comic Con and C2E2.

Danhausen is the son of talented artist-writer Brian Danhausen, whom I met several years ago at Motor City Comic Con. The elder Danhausen told me of his promising young son and then years later I saw him performing in wrestling rings.

Trained by Jimmy Jacobs and Truth Martini, he debuted in 2013. I'm certain his dad and his dad's career influenced the younger Danhausen's character.

Some folks question the longterm viability of Danhausen's character. Others have succeeded and lasted with much less than Danhausen. I think he is creative enough to adjust, progress and possibly even change his character.

In talking with him, he is a very interesting guy. He's extremely fan-friendly, without destroying his character. I predict all of this will allow him to have a solid role in any wrestling organization as long as he wants. I also think, other areas of entertainment might pull him away. I think his talent goes beyond the ring.

Both C2E2 and NYCC usually have strong wrestling presences and I expect the same this year. C2E2 runs August 5-7 and more info is at C2E2.com. NYCC runs October 6-10 and more info is at NewYorkComicCon.com. I will be at both, but will provide more pre-event coverage until then.

Danhausen, Joey Roth and me in Chicago, IL-December 2021.

Courtney Cusack at C2E2 2021

Courtney Cusack is a Chicago-based freelance illustrator. I finally had the pleasure of meeting Cusack at C2E2 2021. 

As colorful as her hair is, her artwork is even more colorful. Her creations have appeared on sticker sheets, enamel pins, pencil pouches and more. She has a bunch of pet portraits on her website and not just the standard dogs and cats. There are several other animals, but you'' have to go to her site to see all of them. Be ready for cute overload though.

Her site also has an "Outfit of the Day" section. Cusack explains it as a journey. After wearing a uniform in school most of her life, she began to explore other clothes options. The section shows her rendering of many outfits, each accompanied by a picture of Cusack in the outfit. To her, "they serve as a visual diary of both my artistic and fashion styles." It's really unique. I have never seen something like this on an artist's site.

There's a lot more on her site, too. Go to CVCusack.com to see for yourself. She also has a Patreon and YouTube channel which you can find from her site.

C2E2 2022 is August 5-7 and I am hoping Cusack will be there again. Check C2E2.com for all the info and check back here for my recurring coverage.

Courtney Cusack and me in Chicago, IL-December 2021.

The Steiner Brothers and The Fed at Squared Circle Expo

The Squared Circle Expo II somehow managed to do the impossible. SCX II was even better than the debut of SCX the previous year. I wrote more about it on the Patch at Squared Circle Expo II Surpasses Expectations.

One of the cool photo ops was the dual Steiner Brothers picture Tonya nd I took. Scotty and Rick Steiner were a dominant tag team, before they went on to mostly wrestle singles matches. Although big, Scotty pulled off great moves, while Rick was the powerhouse. Stars at the University of Michigan, they both had outstanding amateur backgrounds.

Then there is my buddy Tony Feddeler. On our way to the SCX, I told Tony he would get some people thinking he was a wrestler from that era. Tony is a big guy and definitely looks like he could have been a wrestler.

While it is not completely confirmed, we did see a couple people point to Tony and whisper, seemingly thinking he was a wrestler. We know the look. Tony received the look. I swear, he could have made some money if he set up his own table and promoted himself as an 80s masked wrestler or perhaps enhancement talent. Tony has the personality to make it work, too.

The Steiners and Tony could have been a great six-man tag team. I loved the old six-man tag matches and championships. While there still are six-man matches, six-man titles do not exist in the big companies anymore. Those titles were a good way to include solid wrestlers who weren't main event solo stars.

Tony and I will be back at SCX III, which was announced for April 7-8, 2023. If you see Tony, stop him for a selfie! For more info, go to SquaredCircleX.com. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Scott Steiner, Tony Feddeler, Rick Steiner and me in Indianapolis, IN-April 2022.

On the Beat With Jon Kitley

Flashback Weekend​ is just under a month away. Chicago's largest and longest running Horror Convention returns August 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago at 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont. Operated masterfully and passionately by Mike and Mia Kerz, Flashback Weekend debuted in 2002 and has grown into a Chicago and horror institution. 

Previously here, I have shared interviews with Flashback Weekend regulars Chad Savage and James Azrael. Today, I feature my interview with Jon Kitley, who has been at Flashback Weekend from the beginning. That interview is at On the Beat With Jon Kitley on my YouTube channel.

Described as a Cinematic Archeologist, Jon has a lengthy resume in the horror field, including writer, author, collector, podcaster, blogger and more. You can see more of his bio on Kitley's Krypt​, his website. You will also see reviews, events, pictures and all sorts of horror-related greatness. I have spent countless hours happily lost in his various posts.

Jon talked about his interest in horror, his work, older versus modern movies, horror books, being at Flashback Weekend and more. He also spoke about what he will have at his booth at Flashback Weekend.

This year's celebrity guest list is headlined by Robert Englund. A true legend, Englund alone would be reason enough to attend Flashback Weekend, but there is much more.

Also appearing are Alex Winter (The Lost Boys), Steve Miner (Friday the 13th: Part 2), Robert Carradine and Don Gibb (Revenge of the Nerds), P.J. Soles and John Michael Graham (Halloween), Airon Armstrong (Halloween Kills), Heather Langenkamp, Lisa Wilcox, Brooke Theiss, Toy Newkirk, Ken Sagoes, and Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise), Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart (Night of the Comet), Quinn Lord (Trick 'r Treat), Kane Hodder (aka Jason), Jeff Daniel Phillips (The Munsters), Melinda Clarke (Return of the Living Dead) and Tom Devlin (special effects master). That is an amazing lineup.

Of course, beloved horror host Svengoolie will appear on Saturday, August 6. A Chicago and horror icon, Sven (aka Rich Koz) is always one of the most popular guests.

For more info on Jon and his work, go to KitleysKrypt.com. Also, check FlashbackWeekend.com for news and updates.

Carla Wyzgala at Wizard World Chicago 2017

The Pandemic caused havoc with the Wizard World convention schedule the last two years. A lot has changed, too. Wizard World was bought by Fan Expo. Wizard World will live on through Fan Expo, which has several events this year, including Fan Expo Chicago running this weekend, Thursday through Sunday.
Carla Wyzgala is a watercolor pin-up illustrator. Her artwork is a combination of femininity and strength, but always a celebration of the female form. She is also the co-creator and illustrator of Hidden Door Comics
Currently based on the west coast, Carla had her beautiful artwork on display in her hometown Wizard World a few years ago. Despite having a booth full or her work, it was only a fraction of her portfolio. Her site features much more, some of which is grouped as Skull Masquerade, Zodiac Burlesque, Witches and Mermaids, Comic Con Collection and Disney Boudoir.
Carla uses watercolors to make soft, flowing creations. I always find it interesting when artists like Carla tackled the rough world of sports. I love the merging of such opposites. One of my favorites from Carla is Stanley Cup 2013 Ice Crew girl. While it doesn't depict an athlete, it does delve into hockey. It is in keeping with Carla's usual focus, but with the sports twist. Also, it commemorates a Stanley Cup win of my beloved Chicago Blackhawks!

Carla's work is fantastic. I don't know if he will be appearing at Fan Expo, but I hope to see her this year. Fan Expo Chicago is July 7-10 and I will be "On the Beat" to see the new incarnation of a con.
Check out Carlations.com for more info on Carla and her creations. Go to FanExpoHQ.com for news and schedules for events all year.

Carla Wyzgala and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Friend Encounters: Donny Osmond and Jean

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

This is one of my favorite Friend Encounters ever. Last month, my sister Jean met the legend Donny Osmond in Las Vegas.

See how she looks out for me? Sacrificing her time, money and energy to get a picture with Donny, she did it because she knew I would love it.

Seriously though, I do love it. I remember as kids how big the Osmonds were. Back then, we never thought we would meet these big stars. Yet there she is with the former teen idol. I have met a few of my teenage crushes and it is always surreal. I imagine Jean felt the same. Actually, I feel that way just looking at Jean standing with Donny.

Jean said this was part of a pre-show, exclusive VIP experience with about 15 people. Donny sang, talked and answered questions for almost an hour. How cool is that? Jean made sure to get that picture before leaving and I applaud her big time for that. You don't pass opportunities like that without getting the picture.

After this session, Jean and Scott settled into their seats for the full concert. At 64, Osmond looks and sounds great. He can still deliver on stage.

I'm glad Jean got to meet Donny and happy she shared it here. Once again, I encourage everyone to get those pictures when given the chance. 

Jean and Donny Osmond in Las Vegas, NV-June 2022.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #594 Pauly Shore & Danny Pino

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue my season-long alphabetical journey through all Major League Baseball teams with a couple legendary musicians.

Born to show business parents, Pauly Shore rose to fame as an actor, comedian and filmmaker. The son of Sammy and Mitzi Shore of The Comedy Store, Pauly carved out his own path in the industry. Pauly got his Celebrity Jersey Card after tossing a ceremonial pitch for the Marlins. He earned extra points for an official hat and a glove.

Miami native Danny Pino rose to fame on television on Cold Case and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He also drew praise for his portrayal of Desi Arnaz in Lucy. Pino stayed true to his roots, donning a Marlins jersey to earn his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Pinfalls: WWE Money in the Bank 2022

Pinfalls is back with a few changes. It will now be housed here, The Johngy Or Else Podcast, the Johngy's Beat YouTube channel and Patch.com. Tommy Else and I will continue analyzing and predicting WWE PPVs as always.

Tomorrow, WWE presents Money in the Bank live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It airs at 7 p.m. CST on the Peacock Network.

The six matches are:

Tag Team Championship

The Usos (C) vs. The Street Profits

United States Championship

Theory vs. Lashley

SmackDown Women's Championship

Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Natalya

Raw Women's Championship

Bianca Belair (c) vs. Carmella

Money in the Bank Men's Match

Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Omos, Sami Zayn, Riddle and TBA

Money in the Bank Women's Match

Lacey Evans, Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Shotzi, Becky Lynch

Watch the video to see how we predicted. As usual, I won't spoil the picks, but we differed on three matches.

Statistically, Tommy is 18-18 this year and 27-25 overall. I am a woeful 13-23 this year with a 31-21 lifetime record against Tommy (51-32 total against all).

I made the bold and questionable declaration of leaving the show if Tommy beats me this time. If we tie again, this promise rolls over until either of us wins cleanly. I have a suitable replacement lined up in the event of my loss. My only other condition is I can apply for reinstatement under mutually agreeable conditions.

Check the Johngy's Beat YouTube channel for Pinfalls: WWE Money in the Bank 2022. Feel free to comment with your predictions. Enjoy Money in the Bank and check back on The Johngy Or Else Podcast to see how we did.

Charlotte Flair at Wizard World Chicago 2017

Fan Expo hits Chicago next Thursday through Sunday. This is a big event, because Fan Expo acquired Wizard World last year and needs to come out strong. Fan Expo has has several events elsewhere this year and reports have been great. I will be "On the Beat" and reporting back here on all the fun.

WWE wrestlers had a big presence at Wizard World over the years and Charlotte Flair was one of my favorites. It was a little bittersweet meeting Charlotte. I grew up watching her father Ric carve out a Hall of Fame career. Meeting his grown daughter makes me feel a bit old, but I guess I am old.

Charlotte is carving out her own Hall of Fame career. She has already won 12 singles titles in the WWE, along with being named Rookie of the Year and Woman of the Year. Earlier this year, she won the Women's Royal Rumble. At 34, she still has plenty of time to add to her awards and accolades.

When I met Charlotte at Wizard World, I was a bit in awe. She has a certain charisma that comes out much better than on television. She has a definite presence and a lot of personality.

She is very proud to be carrying on the Flair legacy, but she also is intent on being her own person. Still the shadow of the Nature Boy is always there and she embraces it, even wearing a shirt adorned with Ric's face (presumably in mid "woooooo").

 Charlotte was one of the most fan-friendly WWE wrestlers I have ever met in a photo op. In fact, she was one of the most fan-friendly of any celeb in a photo op. The time is limited obviously and most fans try to extend it for a few precious seconds. Charlotte actually initiated a real conversation about my fandom and who I was there to see. I told he she was at the top of my list. It's not often I can meet a legit top star of the WWE and I wasn't going to miss her. She seemed genuinely appreciative.

Charlotte gets a bit of criticism from some of the WWE fan base because of her father and also they are simply fickle. Take away her name and any connection and Charlotte is still one of the best ever.

Check WWE.com for more info on Charlotte and the WWE. Also, be sure to check FanExpoHQ.com for updated scheduling for their events.

Charlotte Flair and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.