On the Beat With Jason Midas of 2econd Wrestling

At 2econd Wrestling's last show, Deep Cut, Jackson Larking beat Ezio Orlandi in a hard-fought match. As good as the match was, things got really interesting post-match.

Larkin got his hand raised in victory. His manager Jason Midas congratulated him. Larkin left the ring, but Midas stayed behind, approaching Orlandi. He handed Orlandi a card. In an subsequent interview for The Every Day Fan, Orlandi admitted it was a business card and Midas was pitching his managerial services.

Unfortunately, in that interview, Orlandi only admitted they were in talks. He did not reveal any more details. I figured Midas wouldn't divulge much more, but I had to take a shot in my interview with him today. That interview is on the Johngy's Beat YouTube channel at On the Beat With Jason Midas.

We started with a little talk of his background. Midas talked about his interest in wrestling, his favorites and his derailed in-ring career due to injury. The versatile, multi-talented Midas did not sit on the sidelines though. He developed into one of the hottest managers on the Chic area wrestling scene.

He discussed his managerial idol, what he does to be special, working the crowd and more. He explained his sometimes nefarious acts in a way that made me see his side of things.

Then I made my move and tried to pry information about his plans for the upcoming 2econd Wrestling show. Much like Orlandi, Midas was tight-lipped. He seemed to enjoy toying with me about the possibilities. Maybe he was also sending a message to Orlandi.

Despite what appears to be Midas recruiting Orlandi, I must also ask whether this is part of a bigger plan of his. Perhaps this is part of his mind games. Maybe Orlandi gave his guy Larking too much of a challenge. Maybe Midas wants Orlandi to think he is recruiting him.

After interviews with the two men involved, I am really left with more questions and scenarios. Fortunately, I will be at the show to see what develops.

2econd Wrestling's next show is Dynasty on December 11 in Northbrook, Illinois. It's their anniversary show and the card is stacked. Already announced are Missa Kate versus Killa Kate and Dak Draper versus MLW champ Hammerstone. There's also an 11 Stars Battle Royal, to crown the first ever Maxwell Street Heritage Champion. Notice it features 11 stars. As we know with 2econd Wrestling, there could very well be woman in that match. Also announced is the return of Colt Cabana.

I will be “On the Beat” watching the action and reporting back here. Hopefully, I will get some clarity on the Midas-Orlandi situation.

On the Beat With Mike Curkov

Mike Kurkov, news anchor for CBS 58 in Milwaukee made his professional wrestling debut at Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's Blizzard Brawl. I thought it would be a one-off, cameo appearance for Mike, but I was wrong on both accounts.

At Blizzard Brawl, Mike teamed with The Gunn Club to do battle against The Express and Kevin Thorn. Mike was no auxiliary player in this match. He was a legit competitor, who accounted very well for himself, but his story was not over.

On Saturday, December 3, Mike will again enter the ring opposite Thorn. This time, he won't have The Gunn Club on his side. Making matters more ominous, he will be facing Mordecai (a religious, zealot-like alter ego of Thorn).

Early this morning, I interviewed Mike about all of this. Much like Mike seeks interesting stories (as he explains in the interview), I sought out Mike because he is a fascinating story.

A veteran in the news media field, Mike talked about his career and what led him to the wrestling ring. His quest for an interesting story turned into his own interesting story, one which might win an Emmy for him.

Last year, when previewing the Blizzard Brawl card, I noted Mike's inclusion. I figured The Gunn Club would do the bulk of the battle, with Mike getting a hot tag and showing off a few moves, before tagging out again. I figured he might get the pin, but only after his teammates beat down the opposition. I was wrong and happily admitted it to him, the exact reaction he wanted to get, as he tells it in our interview.

Mike talked about his dedication and effort in training and it showed. He wasn't a sideshow for publicity. He took it very seriously and the results showed it.

His debut was in a six-man tag match and his subsequent matches have been various tag team efforts, too. At Blizzard Brawl, he will be going to the ring alone though, ready to face one of the more imposing wrestlers in Mordecai.

Mike discusses his mindset heading into the match, which is billed as a “Retirement” match. He is even more serious about this match.

I am torn when predicting the outcome. I can't see Mike's wrestling career ending, but I also don't think Thorn is ready to hang up his boots. Maybe this will just be the retirement of Mordecai.

Adding to the intrigue is Mike's possible Emmy win. He explains how it all tied together. I think the one more loose end is the Emmy win, which will be announced from Chicago sometime that night. That win would bring everything full circle and be a storybook moment for Mike.

No matter which outcome, it is one I don't want to miss. I will be “On the Beat” ringside for Mike's match and recapping all here the next day.

The entire card is:

Main Event

EC3, Psycho Boy Fodder, Jacob Fatu, Shera & “Certified” Luke Kurtis vs. “The Fanny Pack Kid” Kal Herro, Al Snow, Dustin Jackson, D-Lo Brown & Doug Basham

GLCW Heavyweight Title Match

Backwoods Brown with Josh Ashcraft vs. “The Last Real Man” Silas Young

Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender Match

“Mayan Mauler” Drew Hernandez vz. “Punk Rock Prince” Jordan Kross vs. “80s Baby” TW3 vs. Cash Flo

Tag Team Match

ODB & Tiffany Nieves vs. Chelsea Green and Leila Grey

Eric Redbeard vs. Moose

Juggalo Heavyweight Championship

Vampiro vs. “Shotgun” Tony Gunn

Mordecai vs. “Iron” Mike Curkov

There will also be plenty of other wrestling legends appearing, including Dustin Runnels, Billy Gunn, The Nasty Boys, Jimmy Hart, Gangrel and more. Of course, expect to see many other wrestlers and longtime wrestling fans in the crowd. This is THE big GLCW show of the year. It's one I never miss.

Blizzard Brawl 2022 is on Saturday, December 3 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.). It's at the Waukesha County Expo Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

I really appreciate Mike taking time from his busy news schedule to discuss his career and Blizzard Brawl. On a side note, our paths crossed years ago, when Mike, Then with the Schaumburg Flyers minor league baseball team) granted me press credentials to cover the team.

Watch the interview at On the Beat With Mike Curkov. Go to GreatLakesChampionshipWrestling.com for more info and updates.

Friend Encounters: Robin Roberts and Scott and Jean

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

A couple weeks before my recent New York trip, my sister and her husband stopped in New York during a longer trip. While staying in Times Square, they met broadcaster Robin Roberts of Good Morning America. Once again, Jean and Scott beat me on this one. I have never met Roberts.

Roberts rose to fame on ESPN starting in 1990. Her resume is impressive. She was with ESPN for 15 years, was elected to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame for her contributions, was the first woman of color and the first openly LGBT woman to host Jeopardy! and celebrated 20 years on GMA in mid-2022, among other achievements. More importantly, she is a breast cancer survivor. Roberts is an inspiration to all.

It was a bit of good timing and a bit of patience that allowed Jean and Scott to get the pic with Roberts. Jean gave me all the info I needd to try to get a similar picture with Roberts when I was in New York. Although I was staying close enough, I had a meeting which prevented me from being out there.

Years ago, Jean and Scott saw Howie Schwab of ESPN. Now they got Roberts. One can only wonder who is next for them?

I appreciate Jean sharing the picture, even though I am envious I don't have one. Still, I can experience it vicariously through them.

Scott, Jean and Robin Roberts in New York, NY-September 2022.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #612 Chrissy Teigen & Ciara

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.

Model and tv personality Chrissy Teigen was a briefcase model on Deal Or No Deal, among other gigs. She married musician John Legend in 2013. Although born in Utah, Teigen sported a Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson jersey for her Celebrity Jersey Card. 

Singer, actress, model Ciara also wore a Russell Wilson Seahawks jersey, but her reason was clear. Ciara is married to the star QB. I'm waiting to get a picture of Ciara in a Denver Broncos jersey to update her support for her husband. That would be a "Traded" or a variation Celebrity Jersey Card.

Mascot Week: St. John's Johnny Thunderbird

Mascot Week celebrates the lovable costumed creatures.

St. John's University has an interesting mascot history. According to the story, a group of students stole the original Redman mascot from the front of a cigar store. After Chief Blackjack first appeared and St. John's won 22-0, the mascot became official. The students later returned to the store to pay for the mascot.

In 1994, St. John's changed their name from Redmen to Red Storm. A fan vote in 2009 picked the Thunderbird to become the new mascot. Another fan vote resulted in Johnny being the Thunderbird's name. Johnny is a throwback to the Johnnies, the team's original name.

The picture below shows Johngy and Johnny. We're even color coordinated.

Go to RedStormSports.com for more info on the Red Storm or the Johnnies (whichever you prefer). Also, check back here for recurring fun with mascots, especially Mascot Week.

Johnny Thunderbird and me in Chicago, IL-March 2019.

Mascot Week: Kane County Cougars Annie

Mascot Week is a celebration of the fun, fuzzy creatures who entertain fans at sporting events and elsewhere.

After 25 years of working solo for the Kane County Cougars, Ozzie T. Cougar was joined by his sister Annie T. Cougar. (The T theoretically stands for "the").

In June 2016, Annie was introduced to the fans. Annie's debut was greeted by other mascots including Parker T. Fox (Fox Valley Park District), Mr. Limeade (Sonic), Rusty (Chicago Steel), Sparky ( the Fire Dog (Geneva Fire Department) and the Chic-fil-a Cow.

How did I miss this mascot extravaganza? I need an assistant to keep track of these things. At least I was able to meet Annie when DePaul celebrated the birthday of DIBS. 

For more info on Annie, Ozzie and the Cougars, go to KCCougars.com. Also, check back here for recurring fun with mascots, especially Mascot Week.

Annie and me in Chicago, IL-January 2022.

Mascot Week: Marquette's Golden Eagle Iggy

Mascot Week celebrates the fun, fuzzy, furry creatures we all know and love (or at least I do).

Marquette University is another school with an interesting mascot history, which started in 1892. When the football team was established, fans would wear blue and gold in support. The first unofficial team name was The Blue and Gold (clever). During the 1920s, students began calling themselves Hilltoppers. which eventually became the official first nickname.

Another team nickname was the Golden Avalanche, although that was mostly for the football team. When the program ended in 1960, so did the Golden Avalanche name.

Marquette's next mascot became the Warrior in 1954. Originally a nod to Rev. Jacques Marquette, who had a relationship with Native Americans, it also fit in with other Milwaukee team names like the Braves and Chiefs. Chief White Buck became the first mascot.

Willie Wampum was picked a s a new name for the mascot, but it didn't last long. In 1971, it was decided to retire Willie Wampum because it was deemed inappropriate. Warriors still remained the team name.

In 1984, students voted Bleuteaux, a blue French puppet, as the newest mascot. Bleutaux retired in 1990.

In 1994, after discontinuing the Warriors name, Golden Eagles became the new team name. It was briefly shortened to The Gold, but a backlash returned the Golden Eagles name.

In 2020, the Golden Eagle finally got a name, Iggy. That means at the time of this picture, Iggy was till unnamed. It was simply the Golden Eagle. As a mascot aficionado, I was annoyed by that. Mascots need a name. I am happy to say I like the Iggy moniker. It's different/ It doesn't have any real Marquette connection, but it's cool. It was also the name of my first and most-beloved cat.

Go to GoMarquette.com for more info on the Golden Eagles. Check back here for recurring mascot fun!

The Marquette Golden Eagle and me in Milwaukee, WI-January 2019.

Mascot Week: Seton Hall's The Pirate

Mascot Week is a celebration of the furry, funny, fuzzy creatures I love so much.

I previously wrote about the Seton Hall mascot's name. It's The Prate. Not Peter Pirate or Paul the Pirate. It's just The Pirate. It's very generic.

Maybe I was a bit too critical of The Pirate. Maybe naming it The Pirate was a clever way to add mystery to the mascot.

Giving the mascot an alliterative name might have made it to friendly. The Pirate, however, could sound ominous or menacing. Maybe the goal was to make the mascot more intimidating.

If that was the case though, they misfired on the face. The face is friendly, happy even. While the eyepatch and the mustache might be staples of a true pirate, it still looks way to happy to strike fear into the hearts of anyone.

I think it's time to redo Seton Hall's mascot and I am offering my services. Seton Hall needs to pick a lane, friendly or fierce, and I will work with them on developing a whole new pirate mascot.

I am not just singling out Seton Hall. There are other mascots that need work. The Stanford Tree of Stanford, Delta State University's Fighting Okra and Xavier's Blue Blob are just some examples. I am offering my services to these and any other school with a bad mascot. I am available as a Mascot Consultant.

Go to SHUPirates.com for more info on Seton Hall athletics. Check back here for recurring mascot fun, especially Mascot Week.

Seton Hall Pirate and me in Chicago, IL-March 2019.

Mascot Week: Chicago Bandits Swiper

Mascot Week celebrates the fuzzy, fun creatures we all know and love (or at least I do).

Today I feature Swiper, a defunct (or maybe just homeless) mascot. Swiper was the mascot for the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. Unfortunately, after COVID caused the 2020 and '21 seasons to be cancelled, the league ceased operations. What does that mean for Swiper?

This makes me recall the time I was almost Swiper. I was at the ballpark early doing interviews with the Bandits, when word got out that the guy playing Swiper was running late an might not make it by game time. Never missing a possibly fun opportunity, I jumped at the chance to volunteer to be Swiper until he arrived.

I donned the costume, surprised at how heavy the head was. Unfortunately, insurance worries prevented the team from allowing me to go out into the stands. I offered to sign any waiver, but I think the concern was for any fan, too. It wouldn't have mattered though, as the guy showed up just in time to get Swiper out there pre-game to entertain all.

I am disappointed I didn't get a chance to be Swiper, if even only for a few minutes. I am even more disappointed I did not get a picture as Swiper. I suppose I could take any picture of Swiper and claim it's me. Who would really know? I would never do that, though. I think it would violate a sacred code among mascots.

With the team folding, I wonder if that mascot costume is available. I'd love to get my hands on it.

Swiper and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2018.

Friend Encounters: Mascot Week Edition: Legend and Jayson Maples

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities. Today is a special Mascot Week edition.

I first met Jayson Maples at his Heroes & Legends event in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Heroes & Legends are great events, featuring wrestling legends, a fan fest and live matches. Besides all of that, Jayson is a really good guy.

Jayson has since moved to Tennessee, but Heroes & Legends lives on. While he has held events in Tennessee, he also returned to Indiana for an event. I really want him to return to Chicago, where he held one event a while back.

The picture below is abit misleading, as Jayson has dropped a lot of weight and looks great. Better yet, he is happier and healthier than ever.

Featured with Jayson today is Legend, the event mascot. Regal (not William) and majestic, Legend is the perfect mascot for Heroes & Legends.

Go to HeroesandLegendsWrestling.com for more info on Jayson's event. Check back here all week for more mascot fun and check here for my recurring wrestling coverage.

Legend and Jayson Maples in Fort Wayne, IN-July 2019.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #611: Mascot Week Edition Bailey & Geoffrey

Mascot Week starts with a special edition of Celebrity Jersey Cards. Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. With Mascot Week featuring fun furry creatures, this edition has those beloved creatures wearing jerseys (not associated with their usual team).

Bailey was introduced as the Los Angeles Kings mascot in 2007. Wearing No. 72, because it's always 72 degrees in LA, Bailey was named after Garnet "Ace" Bailey, the team's Director of Pro Scouting who was aboard Flight 175 on 9/11. Garnet Bailey also played 10 seasons in the NHL and one final season in the WHA. Bailey appeared at an LA Lakers game to suport his home town NBA team.

Toys 'R' Us mascot Geoffrey was originally called Dr. G. Raffe, during the time the store was Bargain Town. In 1965 with a rebranding to Toys 'R' Us, Geoffrey was designed by the same artist who created Dr. G. Raffe. Geoffrey made his commercial debut in 1973.Geoffrey was joined by Toronto Blue Jays mascot Ace, for a Toys 'R' Us in-store event.

Cards That Never Were: Norm Bulaich Topps 1971, '79 & '80

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets over the years. It is a concept I borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. Many other such creations (and not just baseball cards, despite the name) can be found in the Custom Baseball Card group on Facebook.

After a successful career at Texas Christian University, Norm Bulaich was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1st round (18th overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft. Bulaich played three seasons with the Colts, followed by two with the Philadelphia Eagles and his final five with the Miami Dolphins. For his career, Bulaich played 120 games, rushing for 3,362 yards with a 4.1 yards per carry average and 30 TDs. He also caught 224 passes with 11 TDs.

For his efforts, Topps gave a card to Bulaich in sets from 1972-'78, leaving '71, '79 and '80- missing. I set out to correct those omissions, but Lynn from the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group had already made the last two. That left only the '71 card, which would be Bulaich's rookie card.

 

ODB at Blizzard Brawl

Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's Blizzard Brawl is fast approaching. GLCW's biggest annual event will be on Saturday, December 3 at the Waukesha County Expo Center.

Last year, I caught up with ODB (aka Jessica Kresa). Currently signed to Impact Wrestling, ODB is a four-time TNA Knockouts champ and one-time Knockouts Tag Team champion (with Eric Young). She is also a two-time OVW Women's Champ. Outside of wrestling, ODB owns a food business, although I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing any of her food products yet. Hopefully, she'll drive her truck into Chicago some time.

Earlier this year, she announced she was engaged. The wedding date is set for June 17, 2023. I wish Jessica a lifetime of happiness. She is a real sweetheart (and quite a character, too), who deserves the best always.

More recently, GLCW announced the first round of wrestling guests for Blizzard Brawl and ODB is returning! I look forward to hearing what's new with her.

Go to ODBsMeetNGreet.com for more info on her food endeavors. Check GLCWWrestling.com for more info and updates on Blizzard Brawl.

ODB and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2021.

Melissa Archer Shout Out to Johngy's Beat

I have followed actress Melissa Archer's career for more than 20 years. I even had the pleasure of interviewing her at a convention a few years ago. That interview is at On the Beat With Melissa Archer.

Melissa has remained active in all sorts of projects. Now in her early 40s, Melissa is as bueatiful as ever. More importantly, she is a real sweetheart.

Over the years, she has sent a few shout outs (see column on the left). Most recently, she sent another.

To return the favor and because it is a lot of fun, check out Melissa on Instagram. She posts great pictures, interesting messages, updates on her career and more.

Thank you again to Melissa. Hopefully, I will see Melissa again sometime to thank her in person.

On the Beat With Steve Ahrendt of the Chicago Knocklouts

I have interviewed Steve Ahrendt a few times in the past, but those interviews were about wrestling. Today, I feature an interview with Steve all about Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby.

Earlier this week, my podcast partner Tommy Else and I interviewed Crimson Vixen, the founder and still active skater for the Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby league. Yesterday, I talked to announcer Steve Ahrendt to get another view on the CKO. That interview is at On the Beat With Steve Ahrendt.

Ahrendt has been the subject of several of my other interviews, but those were about his various roles on the Chicago-area wrestling scene. Perhaps best known as a longtime, well-respected broadcaster, Ahrendt has been a GM, manager and more. 

Chicago Knockouts roller derby has been described as legitimate sport with a little wrestling theatrics. With that in mind, Ahrendt would be the perfect choice to broadcast bouts.

The interview started with Ahrendt discussing how he got involved and hooked on CKO. Worlds merged as CKO skater Cactus Rack and Ahrendt met at a wrestling event.

While there are similarities between wrestling and derby, obviously the action is vastly different. Ahrendt explained the differences in preparing to broadcast and the actual act of announcing during the bouts. Ever humble, he also admitted, after just a few bouts behind the mic, he is still learning. Having heard him call the action, I was very impressed with how he relayed the action, while revving up the crowd. 

Knowing everyone involved in roller derby has interesting names, I asked why he still uses his given name. I admitted, I was struggling trying to think of a good moniker to play off his name. I also revealed my name of “Beltin' John” given to me years ago from another derby league.

This Saturday, the CKO season comes down to one highly-anticipated bout for the title. The Comic Book Crushers take on the Horrific Haunters for the Golden Skate trophy and bragging rights. Ahrendt took the middle ground by not picking a winner, but he promised it would be a tremendous night of action.

Finally, we had a little fun bantering about Crimson Vixen, Marley Quinn or other skaters possibly getting Ahrendt involved in some of the physicality. Perhaps relying on his wrestling background, Ahrendt proclaimed himself ready for anything that came his way.

I will be “On the Beat” for the championship bout and report back here. Check back on TheEveryDayFan.com for my recap and other great sports coverage. Also, follow the Chicago Knockouts and Steve Ahrendt on social media to get all updates.

The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast - Ep. 44: Crimson Vixen

Crimson Vixen of the Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby league was the latest guest on The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast. My podcast partner Tommy Else and I got to talk derby with her as the CKO prepares for its season-ending championship bout Saturday, November 19. Not only a skater, Crimson Vixen is the league founder.

CKO is a Chicago area-based roller derby league. This version of roller derby combines the theatrics of old school televised roller derby, while having a legit set of rules and real competition. It really is the best of both worlds and it was set in motion by Crimson Vixen.

Falling in love with roller derby in the early 2000s and skating on other teams, she set out to create a league in her vision. Thus, CKO was born. This was not simple labor of love, nor hobby, though. Armed with her passion and bolstered with a keen business sense, Crimson Vixen built CKO into a thriving roller derby league.

Like many other businesses, the pandemic forced CKO on hiatus, but earlier this year the league came back strong. Now based in Homewood, about 30 minutes south of Chicago, CKO is packing the Homewood-Flossmor Auditorium with rabid derby fans.

Crimson Vixen discussed her start and the formation of the league. She explained developing the league, the differences between CKO and other leagues, her name and derby names in general and more. She talked about story-telling, building anticipation and excitement and drawing in the audience, within the confines of true competition.

Looking beyond this season, Crimson Vixen gave us a little info on events in 2023. She also invited us to derby lessons. Might Tommy and I don the skates and learn a little first hand? Stay tuned to see what develops.

We finished with talk of the championship bout this Saturday, November 19. The culmination of the great season will see the Comic Book Crushers facing the Horrific Hunters. This promises to be a smash-mouth, exciting finish to the season with one team hoisting the trophy at night's end.

We will be “On the Beat” to see the action unfold. I will also have more coverage later this week when I interview CKO broadcaster Steve Ahrendt to get his insight.

You can watch the podcast at The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast - Ep. 44: Crimson Vixen. You can also listen to it on Spotify.

Friend Encounters: Tammy Williams and Don Martukovich

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

Covering softball has brought me so many friends. Today I am featuring two of my favorites.

Don Martukovich is a big fan of softball. He logs in many miles attending games and take literally thousands of pictures. He has been kind enough to allow me to use some of his captures in my various coverage.

Earlier this year, his travels brought him to Columbus, Ohio for a double header between Northwestern and Ohio State. During one of the games, he sent me the picture below. I am sooooo envious.

Tammy Williams is one of my all-time favorite players. A star at Northwestern, she went on to play for my beloved National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. The shortstop was a huge fan of MLB Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and even named her dog after him. Tammy was always a fun interview. It wwas always a pleasure watching her on the field or talking with her around the ballpark.

Unfortunately, the NPF folded, so I haven't seen Tammy in Rosemont in a few years. I did see her at a Northwestern game a couple seasons ago. Tammy still looks like she could put on the spikes.

This picture is bittersweet for me. I am happy to see these friendly faces, but sad I wasn't there in person. Next season, I need to mae a road trip to meet up with Don.

Don Martukovich and Tammy Williams in Columbus, OH-April 2022.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #610 Mattress Mack & Carrot Top

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Today I salute the 2022 World Series teams. The Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4 games to 2.

James Franklin McIngvale, better known as "Mattress Mack," is a businessman who owns Gallery Furniture among other things. During hurricanes and other crises, Mack opened his business to folks affected. He also won several millions from wagers when the Astros won the 2022 World Series. Mack could pay someone to produces a whole set of cards for himself, but until then, he must settle for my Celebrity Jersey card.

Prop comic Carrot Top earned his Celebrity Jersey Card tossing a first pitch for the Phils a while back. During this year's playoff run, he actually shared my creation on social media. Thank you, Carrot Top.

Serendipity in Skokie

My friend Jim told me about a great cover band he saw. A few days later, I saw I saw Serendipity was playing in my library's courtyard about two blocks from me. I wrote about it more at Serendipity for Global Traveler.

A couple days before the concert, I messaged the band about getting a picture and got a positive response. On the night of the show, we arrived early and I approached drummer Heather when she wasn't too busy. She actually suggested we wait for the whole band. I didn't want to bother them, but if she was offering the whole band, I would gladly do it.

Nothing happened before the show. Then the band ripped through 90 minutes of great covers. A crowd of about 300, larger than I expected, danced, sang and clapped as the musicians played songs from the 60s to more recent hits. Drummer Heather ended a few with her trademark "cha cha cha," a fun interplay with the crowd.

I planned on waiting for a quiet time after the show to approach the band, but Heather took charge almost immediately and got me by the stage for a group photo. Now that is awesome fan-interaction.

I greatly appreciated Heather and the band taking time for a group pic. They were all very cool as we chatted a bit.

I highly encourage everyone to check out SerendipityBand.com. While they do great covers, they are also working on original music. I really look forward to that and hopefully seeing them again this summer.

Michele, Tom, Josie, Heather, Sam and me in Skokie, IL-July 2022.

Aubrey Edwards at Blizzard Brawl 2021

Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's Blizzard Brawl returns Saturday, December 3. This is a "can't miss" on my calendar.

Last year, All Elite Wrestling referee Aubrey Edwards was one of the biggest and best wrestling guests. Previous to her wrestling career, Edwards worked aa a producer in the video game industry. She uses that experience now contributing to AEW games. She made her ref debut in 2017 and workd for the WWE and elsewhere before joining AEW in 2019. Edwards made history in AEW by being the first woman to referee a pro wrestling world championship match on a pay-per-view.

She was a real sweetheart and a lot of fun at Blizzard Brawl. She made sure all her fans walked away with a special experience within the time constraints of such an event.

Actually, that behavior is the norm at Blizzard Brawl. All the talent is fan-friendly. Despite a large crowd and many wrestlers, I always get to meet everyone I want at these shows. Kudos to David Herro and his crew for a great job!

Go to AllEliteWrestling.com for more info on Aubrey. Also, check the GLCW Facebook page for updates and news on Blizzard Brawl 2022.

Aubrey Edwards and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2021.

On the Beat With Ezio Orlandi

Earlier this year, I was impressed with Ezio Orlandi' debut at 2econd Wrestling. After seeing him again recently at 2econd Wrestling's Deep Cut, I was able to procure an interview with him, which can be found at On the Beat With Ezio Orlandi.

Also known as “Beyond Alpha,” Orlandi is a relative newcomer to wrestling, having made his ring debut late last year. Orlandi discussed his start and training under the likes of “The Ego” Robert Anthony, Bryce Benjamin and Kylie Rae, some big names on the Chicago wrestling scene.

Orlandi described his moveset and his finisher. I loved his insight into the evolution of his finishing move. This showed a real maturity beyond his short time in the ring. It also goes back to the great trainer she had and still has. Because of getting more opportunities, Orlandi finds it harder to get more time for training, yet he still manager to keep up.

A local guy, Orlandi often wrestles in front of family and friends. He loves and feeds off the support.

Then we got into a discussion on 2econd Wrestling. At Deep Cut, Orlandi lost a hard fought match against Jackson Larkin. After the match, Larkin left the ring, but his manager Jason Midas approached Orlandi, giving him what appeared to be his business card. Orlandi admitted to me he is in discussions with Midas, but he would not reveal the details. He did confirm he will be wrestling at  Dynasty, 2econd Wrestling's next event, on December 11 in Northbrook, IL. I'm sure Midas will also be there, but will he be in Orlandi's corner.

I don't have that answer yet. I tried getting it from Orlandi on and off camera, but he was pretty tight-lipped or perhaps all isn't decided yet. I will keep trying to get to the bottom of that situation, but I might have to wait for Dynasty to get the final answer.

Dynasty is 2econd Wrestling's anniversary show. Also announced are Arik Cannon, Killa Kate and Sean Login. Of course, the champ Billie Starkz will also be there defending her title, although her opponent hasn't been announced yet.

I appreciate Orlandi's time and consideration. He seems to have a real appreciation for wrestling and his role in it. I look forward to watching his progress at 2econd Wrestling and elsewhere.

Check back on The Every Day Fan for more on 2econd Wrestling and the rest of our wrestling coverage.

Check back here and TheEveryDayFan.com for more coverage of 2econd Wrestling.

Marley Quinn and the Chicago Knockouts

Prior to the pandemic, I attended a Chicago Knockouts roller derby bout. It was a blast and I planned on returning. Then the pandemic hit and everything went on hiatus. Fortunately now, the Chicago Knockouts are back in action!

After a couple schedule conflicts prevented me from seeing CKO, I finally got to attend a bout with my buddy Tony Feddeler. My recap is at A Night With the Chicago Knockouts on The Every Day Fan.

CKO combines the best of old school theatrical roller derby with more modern legit sport roller derby. They are extremely fan-friendly and very inclusive. The crowd of a few hundred is really into the action.

The next bout is Saturday, November 19 for the CKO championship. I expect that night to be even crazier.

One of the skaters is Marley Quinn, who I interviewed earlier this year. That interview is at On the Beat With Marley Quinn. I learned how talented she is on and off the track.

Check out ChicagoKnockouts.com for more info. Also follow the Chicago Knockouts on Facebook for more frequent updates and other fun stuff.

Marley Quinn and me in Summit, IL-February 2020.

On the Beat With Chuck Swirsky

Chuck Swirsky is one of the true pioneers of sports talk radio. Before there were sports talk stations, Swirsky was THE source for Chicago sports talk.

In his four decades on the air, Swirsky has experienced thousands of awesome moments. Now, thanks to "Always A Pleasure," his newly-released autobiography, Swirsky shres many of those tales with readers. I had the pleasure of interviewing Swirsky about his career and the book at On the Beat With Chuck Swirsky.

Back in 1979, Chuck hosted a nightly sports talk radio show in Chicago. Each night, my friend Tom and I would listen to Swirsky's show, then discuss it the next day. Swirsky was positive and upbeat, but never sugar-coated things. It was real sports talk. His goal was purely to entertain fans with sports talk and entertain us he did. Through the mid-90s, on a couple different stations, in different roles, Swirsky delivered sports news and talked sports like no other.

After leaving Chicago, he eventually went to Toronto to become the play-by-play voice of the Toronto Raptors. He also hosted a radio show among other roles.

Fortunately for Chicagoans, he returned to the Windy City in 2008 to do radio for the Chicago Bulls. It's no exaggeration when I say just hearing his voice emanating from the radio was like having a long-lost friend return.

I have just given a very brief summary of Swirsky's career. Of course, his forty plus years in broadcasting encompass more than a resume would reveal. Swirsky has thousands of stories.

Now he has a book to share many of those stories. "Always My Pleasure" is more than just his career recap though. It is an inside look at the man behind the mic. This morning I had the pleasure of interviewing Swirsky to talk about his life and book.

Swirsky discussed a few bits about his career, including his parents, his faith, underrated career highlights, his bobbleheads and more, all of which is in "Always A Pleasure." Of course, for strict sports junkies, there is plenty of sports talk.

I asked him his selection process in selecting among his thousands of stories. He made a funny Beatles White Album reference, before beating me to the punch by answering my next question before I asked it. Yes, there will be a second book.

His genuine positive outlook hasn't changed in the many years since I first heard him on my transister radio. Swirsky delivers the game, sports talk and this interview, right from his heart. He truly is a Chicago treasure.

Go to ChuckSwirskyTheBook.com for more info on his book. Check here and TheEveryDayFan.com for more sports coverage.

 

Friend Encounters: Darby Allin and John Dean

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

The Squared Circle Expo in Indianapolis, IN was the first major event I attended after the pandemic shut down most everything in early 2020. The SCE 2021 was their debut event and it was fantastic, but SCX II was even better. SCX III returns April 7-8 and it promised to be even better than the others.

It featured a large lineup of wrestling legends and current stars. One of the active wrestlers was Darby Allin of All Elite Wrestling.

Debuting in 2015, Allin has wrestled for Game Changer Wrestling, World Wrestling Network, Lucha Libre and Progress Wrestling, before signing with AEW in 2019. He held the AEW TNT Championship once and was ranked No. 55 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2020.

John Dean is my friend from conventions and wrestling. He has met many wrestlers and was all over the place at the SCE 2021. Still, he found time to catch up with me. It's always good seeing John.

Getting a current star like Allin was a big deal for SCE, but it didn't end there. SCE also had AEW's Tay Conti and Britt Baker, among many others. It was an amazing debut event and SCE 2022, scheduled for 4/15-16,/2021, will be even better. 

Go to SquaredCircleX.com for all the info on SCE 2022. Also, check AllEliteWrestling.com.

 

Darby Allin and John Dean in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

On the Beat With John Crowther

I have wanted to interview author John Crowther for a while. Now was the perfect time with his recent release of The Bushwhackers: Blood, Sweat & Cheers and his announcement of his next project with Ray “Glacier” Lloyd. That interview is at On the Beat With John Crowther.

Crowther starts our interview with a brief bit on his background, how a lawyer added “author” to his resume. It's an interesting and creative tale involving conventions.

Growing up in the Florida area, Crowther was a fan of (the now defunct) Florida Championship Wrestling. He talked a bit about FCW and the wrestlers, including a story involving Kevin Sullivan, one of my all-time favorites. In Chicago, I never got to see FCW, following it from afar through wrestling magazines. 

His interest in wrestling wasn't limited to FCW though. Crowther watched it all. Little did he know at the time, he would eventually be writing about those larger-than-life characters he saw on television. His first foray was in comic book form, but he has added autobiographies to his repertoire.

From there, we segued into discussing his recently released bio of the Bushwhackers. To young fans, this team was a fun duo from the WWF of the 1980s. Older fans know them better as the New Zealand Kiwis or the Sheepherders, a successful, longtime team. The pair's talent went well beyond their comedy stint in the WWF, although, it brought them fame and lengthened their careers. Crowther speaks a bit on this, but covers it all in the book.

Earlier this week, Crowther announced his next book project will be with WCW's Glacier. Like the Bushwhackers, Glacier's talent and career goes well beyond his stint in the WCW. He hasn't started on the book yet, but Crowther will speak and possibly meet with Lloyd many times to get this book done.

Crowther talked about his writing procedure. He opts for actual conversations and meetings to get the feel, nuances and actual vernacular of the wrestlers. It's probably a bit more effort, but the results are a book with the real feel of the wrestlers.

Lastly, he gave a mini-scoop about another future project. He will do a cookbook featuring many wrestlers. There's no set start or finish date, but it will be worked into his schedule in the near future.

Some of Crowther's comics are still available through him via his social media platforms. You can also check Amazon for his books. Check back here and TheEveryDayFan.com for more from Crowther and other wrestling coverage.

Pinfalls: WWE Crown Jewel 2022

The WWE presents Crown Jewel on Saturday, November 5. My podcast partner Tommy Else and I are back with our predictions and analysis at Pinfalls: WWE Crown Jewel.

Emanating from Mrsool Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this is the fourth Crown Jewel produced by WWE. This is the second Crown Jewel at this venue, which hosted the debut event in 2018.

There are eight matches announced as of our Wednesday taping.

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

Roman Reigns (c) vs. Logan Paul

Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley

Raw Women’s Championship-Last Woman Standing

Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship 

The Usos (c) vs. The Brawling Brutes

WWE Women's Tag Team Championship 

Alexa Bliss & Asuka (c) vs. Dakota Kai & IYO SKY

Steel Cage Match

Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross

Braun Strowman vs. Omos

Six-Man Tag Team

The O.C. vs. The Judgment Day

Additionally, the recently returned Bray Wyatt is advertised as “bringing his mystical energy to WWE Crown Jewel.”

Tommy and I analyze and predict the outcomes of all the matches, as well as discuss the possible Wyatt scenarios. For the year, Tmmy holds a two win advantage over me. Tommy is 29-27, while I stand at 27-29. Although he focuses only on this year, I lead in the all-time stats (45-27 to 38-34).

Watch our video to see our picks and make your own. Then tune into the Peacock Network Saturday to enjoy a day of wrestling and see how we all do. Check back here and TheEveryDayFan.com for results and other wrestling coverage.

Linda Kay at Blizzard Brawl 2021

Blizzard Brawl returns Saturday, December 3 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. As always, I will be "On the Beat" meeting the wrestlers and watching the action.

Wrestler announcements have already started. The first round includes Dustin Runnels, ODB, Chelsea Green, Billy Gunn, Kelly Kelly, Vampiro, Gangrel, Moose and Erick Redbeard. While Linda Kay hasn't officially been announced, it's a safe bet she will be there in some role.

The popular Kay has filled many roles, including a referee and a media person. Last year, she added wrestler to the list and it wasn't just a token appearance. With no offense to the other talent, Kay stole the show with her in-ring ability.

When she switched from ref to wrestler for what became a six person tag match, I figured Kay would get an occasional tag, but be in and out quickly. I thought the others would do most of the work and Kay might get an easy pin. I was wrong. Kay had moves, several moves and she got a very well-earned pin. It's an understatement to say I was surprised at how much she actually worked in the match.

We'll see what happens this year, but Kay will be involved somehow and I'll be there to report on it. Until then, go to GLCWWrestling.com for more info and check back here for my recurring coverage.

Linda Kay and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2021.

On the Beat With Izabella Adams

After covering women's softball for nearly a decade, I experienced a first yesterday when I interviewed Izabella “The Beast” Adams. It was my first interview with a high schooler, but Izabella is not the average high school player. That interview is at On the Beat With Izabella Adams.

You don't get nicknamed “The Beast” by being average. Izabella is far above players even much older than her. Chad Greene, State Commissioner USA Softball of SC stated, “Izabella is one to never back down from a softball challenge. Has regularly played against older players and held her own. A true competitor with the heart of a lioness.”

At 5'1” and 126 pounds, 14 year old Izabella plays much larger than her size. Gilbert Girls Softball 12U Head Coach JB Hall said, “Izabella stands out from most players who are twice her size.”

Izabella started playing softball at an early age. She wasn't always a pitcher, but she has developed into a star on the mound. Her secondary position is shortstop and her third is third base. She bats and throws right, doing both equally well.

We started the interview by discussing Izabella's start in softball, when she fell in love with the sport and when she realized she was really good. By that time, she was already catching the eyes of coaches and being recruited by travel teams.

At 14, Izabella has plenty of time to figure her future plans. She is uncommitted as of now. She would like to play college ball and possibly even professionally. That might depend on what she chooses as her career. She expressed an interest in coaching youngsters down the line.

After discussing all of that, we talked a bit about her actual pitching. Izabella throws 13 different pitches, including a knuckleball. I have never heard of a high schooler utilizing a knuckleball. Once again, Izabella defies the odds.

Softball is her passion now, but it isn't her entire life. Well-rounded, Izabella is musical, playing the flute and participating in the chorus. She also squats over 300 pounds, an amazing weight for a youngster her size. One look at her website will show plenty of softball, but also  Izabella with friends, at the beach and doing other fun stuff off the field.

I came away from this experience with a lot of respect for Izabella and her father Craig. Izabella's maturity belies her young age. She still has all sorts of teenage fun, but she understands balance. She takes softball very seriously, but isn't afraid to poke at herself as witnessed in some videos on her site.

Ever the protective father, Craig asked to speak with me prior to the interview. He is supportive and encouraging, but he states Izabella is free to make her life choices. He will do everything he can to help her further her softball career, as long as it is her choice to continue on the field.

Her website has quotes from several coaches and even softball legend Jennie Finch, but perhaps the most significant come from Craig. He gives an honest assessment of Izabella. Lest anyone think it is hyperbolic praise, Craig also states she might not be the best pitcher on her team. She makes mistakes. She is human. That's all part of the package though. The bigger picture is one of a champion though.

I wanted to do this interview because I kept hearing and reading about the Beast. I enjoy following an athlete's journey from the early stages of their careers. I appreciate Izabella and her father allowing me to start following the journey at this point. She has a bright future and I plan on covering the experiences. Although a bit soft-spoken (not unusual for a 14 year old), Izabella displayed a level of maturity and focus well beyond her years.

One other thing I learned from Craig is this was Izabella's first interview. I am happy and proud to be allowed to have that honor and hope to have many more interviews with Izabella in the future.

Check out IzabellaAdams.com for more info and updates. Check back here and TheEveryDayFan.com for more sports coverage.

Catching Up With Harry Reinhart and Meeting Peter O'Brien

I became a fan of Harry Reinhart after meeting him and seeing him join his daughter Haley on stage a few years back. I am a big fan of Haley and discovering Harry was a bonus.

Harry has been performing for many years. He is part of several bands, including Skip Towne and the Greyhounds. Also in that band is Peter Quinn, who is perhaps best known for his 1984 hit "The Curly Shuffle." The two musicians performed at Northbrook Days a few weeks back.

I arrived at the fest early as usual and I happened to see Harry right away. Because he was talking with friends, I restrained myself from approaching him immediately. When they broke, I greeted Harry and asked for a picture with him and Peter.

We talked for a bit. Haley is doing well, living in Los Angeles. Like all others, the pandemic caused them to stop live performances, but they are slowly returning to the stage.

Harry and Peter cover a wide range of music, but on this night they opened with "Iko Iko," one of my favorites and they did a fantastic job with it. The duo delighted the crowd with other favorites all night.

Hopefully, I will be able to see Harry and Peter or any combination of the band again. Sometime down the line, I am sure I will see Haley again and it's a good bet Harry will be there, too.

I wrote all about the night for Global Traveler at Northbrook Days. Also, check Skiptowne.com for more info on Harry, Peter and the rest of the band.

Harry Reinhart, Peter Quinn and me in Northbrook, IL-August 2021.

Friend Encounters: Will Perdue and Kacy Standohar

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

I met Kacy Standohar when she was working media with the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. My introductory interview with her is at On the Beat With Kacy Standohar. During the pandemic, I got an update Zoom interview with her which is at On the Beat With Kacy Standohar 2020.

I have since seen Kacy while covering Loyola's Women's basketball and the Chicago Dogs. Kacy is seemingly everywhere! Most recently, she works at CHGO Sports, a fun media company.

Kacy is a perfect fit for CHGO Sports. She unquestionably knows her stuff, but she is also a lot of fun. She strikes the right balance and makes it enjoyable for the viewer.

A little while back, former Chicago Bulls champion Bill Wennington was a guest on a CHGO Sports show. Kacy got a great picture with Bill. I had to shae it here and it gave me a chance to spread the word on a fantastic media person and a great friend.

Find Kacy on social media and look for her at CHGO Sports on twitter. I follow her there, but hope to see her soon. It's been too long.

Kacy Standohar and Will Perdue in Chicago, IL-April 2022.