Ken Anderson at Blizzard Brawl 2021

One of the great guests at Blizzard Brawl was Mrrrrrrrrrr. Anderson. It doesn't translate as well in writing as it does when he announced it as he enters the ring, but you get the point.

I always thought Anderson didn't get treated properly in any of the companies where he wrestled. He was solid on the mic and in the ring. The WWE put him in a daffy storyline with Mr. McMahon and Hornswoggle. No offense to either of them, but that slot should have gone to someone lower on the card to give them exposure. Anderson shouldn't have needed that and I don't think it did him any good.

Anderson was one of many wrestling guests at Blizzard Brawl 2021. While the complete guest list for Blizzard Brawl 2023 hasn't been announced yet, I am sure it will be filled with equally awesome guests. Blizzard Brawl always has about 20 wrestling legends and current stars for a meet-and-greet, followed by a full card of wrestling. It is always a stop on my calendar of events every year.

This year, Great Lakes Championship Wrestling presents Blizzard Brawl on Saturday, December 2 at the Waukesha County Expo Center. Ptromoter and #Superfriend David Herro will be there, along with "The Fannypack Kid" Kal Herro. Others will be announced soon.

For more info, go to GLCWWrestling.com and follow GLCW on Facebook. Also, check here for my recurring coverage. 

Ken Anderson and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2021.

Talking Travel with Jessica Dunham

Travel writer and author Jessica Dunham is my latest guest in the Talking Travel interview series on Global Traveler. An expert on road trips, Jessica shared her tips and experiences.

I have always been a fan of roadtrips, either solo or with friends. Each has unique benefits, but both are special to me. I have to admit though, Jessica loves roadtrips more. Along with her freelance writing, Jessica has written two books, The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA and Route 66 Road Trip.

Jessica discussed the road to her love of travel (pun intended). Then we dug into what makes a great roadtrip and much more. I love her writing, but I was really impressed with her enthusiasm.

The full recap is on GT at Talking Travel with Jessica Dunham. All of the Talking Travel interviews are on the GT YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to the channel (it's free) for all of the travel content. Also, check Dunham-Media.com for more info on Jessica and her books.

Charisma Carpenter C2E2 2023

Earlier this year, I was joined "On the Beat" at C2E2 by my pal Tony. Along with being a big help, Tony is a lot of fun at conventions, because he enjoys them as much as I do.

At C2E2 2023, I think Charisma Carpenter was tops on Tony's list. Carpenter has been in many shows, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed and Angel. Because she is extremely popular, we were a bit worried the lines would be too long and she would be rushed. Fortunately, although the lines were long, we got there early and were near the front. Even better, she wasn't rushed. She was as engaging as could be within the confines of the situation.

In photo ops, fans get a few seconds to interact. It's easy for the celebrity to just give a quick nod and go on to the next fan. Carpenter greeted us and thanked us. It might not sound like much, but in that setting, but the interaction was as good as could be expected.

I always get an extra thrill out of seeing my friends meet their favorites. I am glad to have been a part of Tony meeting one of his.

Go to C2E2.com for more info on next year's event. We'll be back "On the Beat" and hope to see you there.

Charisma Carpenter, Tony Feddeler and me in Chicago, IL-March 2023.

Friend Encounters: Clark and Rabbi Jeremy Fine

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Rabbi Jeremy Fine certainly met a lot of celebrities when he held 2econd Wrestling events at WrestleMania earlier this year. Still, Rabbi's heart is in the Chicago area and he proved it with his picture with Clark, the lovable mascot of the Chicago Cubs.

Rabbi Fine started 2econd Wrestling a couple years ago. It quickly became my favorite local wrestling. First champ Billie Starkz was followed by Arik Cannon and now Missa Kate. These are three great wrestlers.

On December 10, I will see Rabbi Fine and the 2econd crew at 2nd in Command in Northbrook, Illinois. The main event is Missa Kate defending against Billie. This is a dream match. My pal Tony and I often stated we would love to see this match and Rabbi Fine is delivering it. I expect Missa to prevail in an amazing match. Both women can brawl and both can mat wrestle. I really look forward to this match.

As for Clark, he has kept a low profile since the season ended. He'll do some promo appearances in the offseason, but will return to Wrigley next season.

Follow 2econd Wrestling on social media to get more updates. I hope to see a bunch of friends at 2econd in Command. 

Rabbi Jeremy Fine and Clark in Deerfield, IL-December 2023.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #663 Curt Schilling & Wanya Morris

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I look at football in Pennsylvania.

A native of Arkansas, Curt Schilling went on to have an excellent 20 year career in Major League Baseball. His record of 216-146 might earn him a Hall of Fame induction. I prefer a small HOF, but based on more recent standards, he is in the conversation. Some of his statements might work against him though. Schilling never played with Pittsburgh, but he is wearing a Steelers jersey, despite playing a good chunk of his career in Philadelphia.

Singer Wanya Morris was born in Philadelphia. He rose to fame as part of Boyz II Men. Now his four sons are in a band called WanMor. For his Celebrity Jersey Card, Morris wore #52, which has been worn by many players, but none were really standouts with the Eagles.

Cards That Never Were: Randy Johnson Topps 1971 & '73

Cards That Never were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. More of my creations and a lot of great stuff from others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and it is not just baseball card creations).
After a successful collegiate career at at Texas A&I in Kingsville (now Texas A&M–Kingsville), QB Randy Johnson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1966 NFL Draft. He was the first Texas A&I player to ever be selected in the first round. Johnson Pleyd five seasons with the Falcons, followed by three seasons with the New York Giants. In 1974, Johnson joined the World Football League's Hawaiian Islanders. He jumped back to the NFL with the Washington Redskins for the 1975 season, before spending his last season in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.
Overall in his career, he threw for 8,329 yards, with 51 touchdowns and 91 interceptions. He went 10-38 as a starter, mostly for the woeful Falcons.
For his efforts, Topps (or Philadelphia) gave him cards in sets of 1967-'70, '72, '74 and '76. Since he was in the WFL in 1974, no card was issued in any 1975 sets. Therefore, his true missing cards are '71, '73 and '77. I was able to create two of those missing cards. I could not find any pictures from his stint with the Packers, so a '77 card remains a white whale. I might even make a '75 card if I find a decent picture of him with the Hawaiians.

Carrie at Squared Circle Expo

Squared Circle Expo returns to Indianapolis March 29-30. SCX IV promises to be bigger and better than the previous ones and that is a big statement.

Today, I salute one of the real stars of SCX, although one who eschews the limelight. Carrie, wife of co-promoter Adolfo, might fly under the radar, but everyone there loves her.

While Adolfo and co-promoter Ed have managed wrestlers during the matches portion of the weekend, and Heather has actually wrestled, Carrie has stayed out of the ring. Instead, she can usually be found handling the merch booth. Despite the fun chaos of any convention, Carrie always has a smile. She is definitely a welcome sight every year.

Carrie would probably hate this post, but I am sure she would forgive me, because it is meant with much appreciation. Don't get me wrong though, Ed, Heather and Adolfo certainly appreciate Carrie and each other. They are a great team and I love them all.

Guests have not been announced yet, but there are a few good guesses to start. SCX Champ Matt Cardona, SCX Women's Champ Freya the Slaya and SCX Tag Champs Rhino and Heath are good bets to defend their titles. In addition to them, there will be about 50 other great legends, current stars and future stars on the talent list.

Go to SquaredCircleX.com for more info and scheduling. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Carrie Dorta and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2018.

Chicago Auto Show Dontrelle Inman

The Chicago Auto Show runs February 10-19 at McCormick Place on Chicago's lake shore. I will be "On the Beat" as always, but for now I am recalling some fun times over the years at the Chicago Auto Show.

At the CAS 2018, I met short-time Chicago Bears wide receiver Dontrelle Inman.  A native of South Carolina, Inman starred at Virginia, but went undrafted by NFL teams. Undaunted, he took his skills to Canada and played for the Toronto Argonauts for two seasons.

His NFL career began with the San Diego Chargers in 2014.After 3.5 seasons with the Chargers, Inman joined my Chicago Bears. He only played half a season with Chicago, before moving on to the Indianapolis Colts, back to the Chargers and finally with the Washington team before retiring after the 2020 season.  All told, he played seven seasons, totaled 2,445 receiving yards with 13 touchdowns. 

Inman was very engaging at the CAS. He was happy to talk sports of all sorts. I commented on his Chicago Blackhawks jersey, of course, which led to some hockey talk. The jersey also led to his appearance in my Celebrity Jersey Cards series.

No guests have been announced for CAS 2024. While celebrity guests have been less numerous since the pandemic, there are always a few interesting celebrities every year.

Go to ChicagoAutoShow.com for all of the info. Also check Chicago Auto Show on Facebook to get more frequent updates.

Dontrelle Inman and me in Chicago, IL-February 2018.

Chicago Auto Show: Ryan Chiaverini

The Chicago Auto Show runs February 10-18 in Chicago's McCormick Place. I'm not a huge car guy, but I like seeing the various celebrities there.

In recent years, mostly due to the pandemic, the show was downsized a bit and the celebrity appearances limited. The CAS bounced back big time, but the celebs are still lagging. Hopefully this year will see the return of many.

For many years, ABC 7 had a booth at the CAS. I met many of the on air personalities there, including Ryan Chiaverini. After starting his career out west, Chiaverini came to Chicago in 2006 and has been a presence here since.

Chiaverini lost his younger brother to suicide and has worked for suicide awareness, as well as cancer research. His mother died from cancer.

I met him by accident, as we were walking in different directions. Although he was busy, he was kind enough to take a picture and chat briefly. He was a super nice guy.

Go to ChicagoAutoShow.com for more info on CAS 2024. Check here for my recurring coverage.

Ryan Chiaverini and me in Chicago, IL-February 2018.

On the Beat With Cazzey Cereghino

I recently interviewed actor Cazzey Cereghino, who plays Bruiser Brody in the upcoming biopic The Iron Claw. I wanted to learn more about the movie about the famous Von Erich wrestling family, and I did, but I came away wanting to learn a lot more about Cazzey.

In stark contrast to Brody, Cazzey is soft-spoken, eschewing praise. Of course, Cazzey only plays the larger-than-life Brody. That is just one of his jobs.

The key for Cazzey is it was just a job, which is why he feels he doesn't deserve praise. He just did his job. Maybe so, but he has done so many other fascinating jobs. I couldn't help but be intrigued.

This interview was about The Iron Claw, the biopic of perhaps the most tragic family in wrestling. Five of the six brothers died much too young. Only Kevin remains.

A new generation of Von Erichs are involve in wrestling, but the Von Erichs from my youth have been gone for more than 30 years, yet they still are fondly remembered by wrestling fans.

I can't wait to see The Iron Claw, which comes out December 22. I look forward to seeing Cazzey as Brody. I also look forward to interviewing him again about other parts of his life.

Until then, you can check our interview at On the Beat With Cazzey Cereghino. Also, check TheEveryDayFan.com for more of my wrestling coverage.

Friend Encounters: Mike Rotunda and Ty Wasilk

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today I feature Ty meeting IRS. To non-wrestling fans, this isn;t the governmental taxing agency. This is Mike Rotunda, an excellent wrestler, who used the IRS moniker for part of his career.

Actually Rotunda used many names. Michael Wallstreet, Mike Rotunda, Mike Rotundo and V.K. Wallstreet are just a few of his ring names. IRS (or Irwin R. Schyster) is probably his most famous role.

Rotunda comes from a wrestling family. Father-in-law Blackjack Mulligan, son Bray Wyatt, son Bo Dallas, brother-in-law Barry Windham and brother-in-law Kendall Windham have all been wrestlers.

Ty is a big wrestling fan. He attends many events, including StarrCast IV, where I last saw him. I will probably see him sooner, but I think I will also see him at Squared Circle Expo March 29-30. I know i will see Rotunda there, because he was one fo the first four wrestler guests announced.

I look forward to seeing Ty and talking wrestling. I hope I see a lot of friends at SCX. I encourage everyone to go to SquaredCircleX.com to get updates and news.

Ty Wasilk and Mike Rotunda in Waterloo, IA-July 2022.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #662 Josh Brolin & Velvet Sky

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I head to the nation's capitol area.

Born in California, Josh Brolin followed his father James into the entertainment industry. The younger Brolin rose to fame as a youngster in The Goonies. More recently, he gained a whole new following from his role as Thanos in the Marvel movie franchise. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for portraying Dan White in Milk.A noted fan of the Washington Redskins/Commanders, Brolin customized his #19 jersey, which is probably a good thing since that number had no really solid player attached to it.

Frequent Celebrity Jersey Card star Velvet Sky is back again. This time, she reps the Baltimore Ravens. Born Jamie Szantyr in Connecticut, she gained fame in the wrestling ring for several companies. Velvet has posed in every NFL jersey for a series of posters. This time, she reps #55, most notably worn by linebacker Terrell Suggs for 16 seasons with the Ravens. On a personal note, Velvet is one of the nicest celebrities I have ever met.

Moose at Blizzard Brawl 2021

Quinn O. Ojinnaka played football at Syracuse and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL draft. The offensive lineman spent four seasons with the Falcons, followed by one each with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams. In all, he played in 62 gams, starting 20.

When his football career ended in 2012, he embarked on a wrestling career, first training with Curtis Hughes. He made his debut for Dragon Gate USA. He then wrestled for Global Force Wrestling, Ring of Honor, New Japan and Impact Wrestling, where he currently calls home.

Wrestling as Moose, he has already racked up a few titles and awards. He was names Rookie of the Year for 2015 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He held the Impact World Championship and a few other titles in Impact.

One look at him and you immediately know why he is called Moose. The guy is massive. Even among other wrestlers, Moose stands out.

At Blizzard Brawl a couple years ago, I was looking for Moose and he was easy to find, even wearing a jacket and sitting down. He is as nice as he is big.

Moose was one of the highlights for me that year, but every year, there are plenty of great wrestlers at Blizzard Brawl. It's a great night of wrestling meet-and-greets, followed by a full card of wrestling. They have about 25 wrestlers meeting fans and/or wrestling and there is plenty of time to meet them all. It really is a fantastic time.

This year, Blizzard Brawl takes place Saturday, December 2. For more info, go to GLCWWrestling.com.

Moose and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2021.

Deena Fagiano and the Chicago Bliss

Before the year ended, I had to make my yearly post about Deena Fagiano and the Chicago Bliss. I'm running low on unused pictures though.

I started coving the Chicago Bliss of the then-Lingerie Football League in 2012. It was easy for anyone to dismiss the woman and league as models trying to pay football. Don't let the league name fool you though. While there certainly were a few women who fit that description in the earlier years of the league, nobody would call anyone on the Bliss just a model.

The Bliss certainly were full of attractive women, but they were elite athletes. Make no mistake about that. Most were college athletes at some point. Look at my many previous posts about the Bliss and you will see who they were and what they did.

Offensive line-tight end Deena was one of my favorites right from the start. Deena was not at a stats position, therefore going under the radar in the stats categories. Heather Furr was the rockstar QB. ChrisDell Harris was the dynamite running back. Alli Alberts was the world class receiver. Yashi Rice was the menacing defender. They all earned stats and headlines.

Meanwhile, Deena did her job of opening holes or blocking defenders, occasionally catching a pass. Someone has to do that type of grunt work and Deena was perfect. She was also a great interview, fun with the fans and a good representative of the team and league.

We had a lot of fun back then. I was lucky enough to be around this team for several years. I miss all of them.

The league is not the X League and the Bliss is now the Blitz. I don't cover them as much, but I still support any women athlete.

Deena Fagiano and me in Bridgeview, IL-March 2015.

Missa Kate: 2econd Wrestling Champ!

I figured it was only a matter of time. I just wish I was there to see it, but I was out of town.

Missa Kate is the new 2econd Wrestling Champ. She defeated Arik Cannon on Sunday, November 15. The reign of Missa (collector of belts) has begun.

I have seen many of Missa's matches and interviewed her a few times. I have yet to find a weakness in her game. She is a fantastic technical wrestler, who can also brawl with the best. She works well as a face or heel, although I think she is best as the bad guy. She does so many little things, which might go unnoticed. Even when the spotlight isn't on her, she is still doing things. A wink here, a smirk there, a slight hand gesture all are part of her whole persona.

I don't want to ruin her image as the baddest gal in wrestling, but she is also as sweet as could be out of the ring. She's definitely one of the top women wrestlers on the indie scene now.

Missa will defend her new title on December 10, when 2econd Wrestling returns to Northbrook. For more info, follow 2econd Wrestling on Facebook and check back here for my recurring coverage of Missa and 2econd Wrestling, two of my favorites.

Missa Kate and me in Schaumburg, IL-September 2023.

Ed Gonzales and Heather Owens and Squared Circle Expo

Ed and Heather. Mr. Zubaz and #classybroad. A Chicago Bears fan and a Cincinnati Bengals fan. They make quite a couple. They also make great convention organizers.

Ed and Heather are half of the folks behind the Squared Circle Expo, the best wrestling convention. Along with Carrie and Adolfo, they have built SCX into a powerhouse in after only three shows. SCX IV promises to be even better.

I first met Heather many years ago when she wrestled for Resistance Pro. Heather was underutilized, but never complained (even when she had to wrestle BD Smooth, a task nobody should have endured. LOL). I met her husband Ed at a different convention back shortly after. Yes, these folks have been dealing with me for about a decade.

Although it is cliche, they work hard and play hard. They are the life of any party and the backbone of any organization.

SCX runs so smoothly because of the foursome running it and the team they developed. If you have any doubts, you can see for yourself March 29-30 when SCX IV comes to Indianapolis.

The guest list has started to be announced. Sting! Kane! That's an amazing 1-2 punch. It's not as amazing as the Ed-Heather combo, but I might be biased.

Go to SquaredCircleX.com for more info. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Ed Gonzales, Heather Owens and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2018.

Burn the Jukebox Interview Plea

I have more than 1,400 interviews on YouTube. I have gotten several I never thought I could get. I have chased many and sometimes they finally agree. Right now, Burn the Jukebox is high on my want list.

BTJ is a teenage music group started a couple years back. It is comprised of Virginia on bass, Carter on drums, Luke on guitar and Ethan on keyboards. Virginia and Ethan do the main vocals.

While I am probably not in their normal; demographics for a fan, I really enjoy their music. I would guess a lot of their fans are also teenagers. I feel better seeing other older folks like me following them online.

On social media, they post a lot of short clips mostly of covers. They have done some originals and are doing more lately.

I have asked several times for a Zoom interview. I was even contacted by a rep of theirs, but ultimately that went nowhere. Not one to give up, I am still hopeful they will eventually do an interview. I think they have a great sound and interesting story and I want to share it.

This is my grasssroots effort (or my plea) to get the BTJ folks to finally do a Zoom interview. For me, it would end a long chase. I admit, sometimes it becomes the chase more than the actual accomplishment. This one would be both.

For more info on this young band, go to BurnTheJukebox.com. Also follow them on social media. Lastly, feel free to post/comment on their social media pages that they should go on Johngy's Beat.

Friend Encounters: Jim Ross and Tony F.

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

Today's feature is a long time coming and I got to witness the much-anticipated event. Actually, I also had a hand it in actually happening.

Like many wrestling fans, my pal Tony grew up listening to the legendary Jim Ross as he announced wrestling matches for the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling and the WWF/E. Tony and I have met dozens of wrestlers over the years. While I met good old JR at New York Comic Con, Tony never met the Hall of Fame announcer.

When the guest list for StarrCast VI was announced, JR was at the top of Tony's list. I applied and was granted press passes for Tony and me. Tony would have gone and would have met JR with or without the press pass, but the credential made it a tad easier. I am not glomming onto 100% credit for this, but I am glad to have a slight hand in it.

Tony was pretty excited as he approached JR. I can't blame him. JR is on the Mt. Rushmore of wrestling broadcasters. For ability and longevity, I can't think of anyone who tops him, at least in my time watching wrestling.

These are the kind of moments that happen at StarrCast. I am happy three of the six events have been in the Chicago area. Nothing has been announced for StarrCast VII, but it will probably not be here (although I am sure it will return soon).

Go to StarrCast.com for future announcements. If you're a wrestling fan, you definitely want to go to StarrCast at least once.

Jim Ross and Tony in Schaumburg, IL-September 2023.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #661 Summer Sanders & Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. It's football season and I'll start with two New York teams.

Born in California, Summer Sanders went on to win Olympic Gold in swimming events in 1992. She also took medals in other international championships. Sanders went on to hosting game shows and a broadcasting career. Not just a one-off picture, Sanders is a noted fan of the Buffalo Bills. For her Celebrity Jersey Card, Sanders wore #70, most notably worn by a few Bills, but I'll go with offensive lineman Joe Devlin, based on longevity of 14 seasons, all with the Bills.

Fittingly, Jamie-Lynn Sigler was born in New York and gained fame on tv's The Sopranos. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, although previously misdiagnosed with Lyme disease. She has been married to Cutter Dykstra, son of former MLBer Lenny, since 2016. Sigler is a big fan of the New York Jets. For her Celebrity Jersey Card, she is seen in a #10, most notably worn by Chad Pennington, but I have to mention short-time Jets QB Marty Domres, one of my childhood favorites.

Cards That Never Were: Terry Hanratty 1970, '72, '73, '75 & '77

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. More of my creations and many great creations of others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and not just baseball cards).
After starring at Notre Dame, QB Terry Hanratty was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2nd round of the 1969 NFL draft. Hanratty started 17 (appearing in 64) games over the next seven seasons with the Steelers. He finished his career in 1976 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Overall, he threw for 2,510 with 24 TDs and 35 interceptions, almost all with Pittsburgh.
For his efforts, Tops gave Hanratty cards in the 1971, '74 and '76 sets. I filled in the gaps, with a little help from Lynn (of the aforementioned FB group). The 1970 card was created by Lynn from the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group. The 1977 card isn't the best, but he only appeared in three games, throwing 14 passes, making pictures scarce.

Killa Kate Or BK Rhythm?

I first saw Killa Kate at 2econd Wrestling where she wrestled in a four-way match. Although she did not win the bout, she impressed me with her skills.

I have only seen her wrestle once since then, again at 2econd Wrestling, because she is based in the Texas area and wrestles a lot there. I have followed her online though and yes, I have asked for an interview, which she has not granted yet, but I am still hopeful.

While seeing her other matches online, I came across a familiar-looking wrestler at WOW. BK Rhythm looks, speaks and wrestles like Killa Kate. The only difference I see is BK busts out some great raps as she trash talks opponents. It's a great gimmick and would a fun layer to Killa Kate if it is Killa Kate.

Perhaps in a move similar to Dusty Rhodes and the Yellow Dog, Junkyard Dog and Stagger Lee, Hulk Hogan and Mr. America and others, Killa Kate has an alternate persona. Of course, it could be a doppelganger. Who knows what happens in the world of pro wrestler.

In either case, I highly recommend checking out a Killa Kate match or a BK Rhythm one. I wonder if they could ever wrestle each other. I highly doubt that though, unless they use trickery like with the fake Sting.

Killa Kate and me in Northbrook, IL-December 2022.

Dirk Manning at New York Comic Con 2021 (and 2022 and 2023)

New York Comic Con is one of the biggest comic cons in the country. I covered it last year and even still in the pandemic mess, it completely blew me away in size and excellence. I did not make it this year, but I will be back.

I have known Dirk Manning for many years. He was one of the first creators I interviewed and we became friends over the years, bonding over our interest in comics, horror, wrestling and ice cream.

Last year at NYCC, Dirk was celebrating and promoting "Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story,"

thr graphic bio novel he did with the famous wrestling announcer. I was ecstatic to buy a copy and have both men sign it. Dirk also gave me a mini-scoop that something else was already in the works. That something turned out to be a graphic bio novel with Arn Anderson.

Already a highly successful creator in the horror genre, Dirk is becoming a force in the wrestling world. I always thought wrestling would be a good fit for some artists, but I never applied that same logic to writes like Dirk. It's a perfect fit and nobody is a better person to handle this.

Dirk announced he will be at NYCC and I will catch up with him there. Maybe I'll even get another scoop. Nothing will surprise me with Dirk.

Go to DirkManning.com for more info on Dirk's latest projects. Check NewYorkComicCon.com for updates and scheduling on NYCC.

Dirk Manning and me in New York, NY-October 2021. 

Billie Starkz Vs. Missa Kate at 2econd Wrestling

My friend Tony and I have often stated how much we would love to see 2econd Wrestling's first champ Billie Starkz wrestle current champ Missa Kate. On December 10 in Northbrook, Illinois, 2econd Wrestling is presenting that match and we can't wait.

Billie is on the verge of making it big in wrestling. Signed to All Elite Wrestling earlier this year, she is one of the best and youngest on their roster.

Slightly older, but still young, Missa Kate is currently wrestling for the National Wrestling Alliance, where she is a former tag team champ (with Madi Wrenkowski). With the NWA getting a CW television deal, Missa will be exposed to a much larger audience. I predict she will be one of the breakout stars.

Both ladies are fantastic all-around wrestlers. Both can brawl or mat wrestle. Both engage the crowd. I haven't seen Billie as a heal, but I see a lot of possibilities with that down the line.

More important or impressive, both are fine young women. Both are great with fans. They are as sweet as can be.

I think Missa will retain her title, but it should be a fantastic match either way. The bottom line is the fans win! 

Go to NationalWrestlingAlliance.com for more info on Missa and AllEliteWrestling.com for more on Billie. Check 2econd Wrestling on social media to get the updates.

Billie Starkz and me in Northbrook, IL-February 2023.

Larry B. Scott on Baseball and Nerds

Several years ago, I met Larry B. Scott at Motor City Comic Con. Probably best known for his role in the Revenge of the Nerds film franchise, Scott caught my eye years earlier when he played Gerald LeFlore, father of Ron LeFlore in One In a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story.

Ron went from prison to playing nine seasons in Major League Baseball, including seven season with his hometown Detroit tigers and one season with my Chicago White Sox. He finished with one season with the Montreal Expos in 1982. LeFlore battled issues on and off, but seems to have been on the right track.

I might have been the only person to bring up that role to Scott when we met him. Of course, I also talked to him about his more famous role. Scott was a great guy, granting us an interview with no prior knowledge of us. Scott gave a fun interview, which has gotten one of the biggest responses of any interview I have done. For the rest of the weekend, Scott greeted us enthusiastically every time we walked near hi booth. Before we left, I made sure to thank him for his time and energy. He was really great.

My interview with Scott is at On the Beat With Larry B. Scott. If you watch it, please leave a comment and subscribe to my YouTube page.

Go to MotorCityComicCon.com for more info and follow MCCC on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Larry B. Scott, Cuzz Gekas and me in Novi, MI-May 2018.

Friend Encounters: Jason Midas and Mike Pankow

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

Most pictures of Jason Midas show him pulling shenanigans to help his wrestlers win matches. Today, we see a slightly different Midas, one hanging out and without his glitzy ring gear.

We also see sports journalist Mike Pankow somewhat off duty. While Mike was at a wrestling event, it was well before the matches started. He was just there for a bit to mingle with folks.

These are two of the best at what they do. In an era of dwindling manager roles in wrestling, Midas proves the importance of the role. As the man behind Windy City Slam, Mike delivers all the enws of local wrestling, while also covering wrestling worldwide. Both men are very busy and are seen at many places. 

I encourage all to check out Mike's work at WindyCitySlam.com. Also, follow both on social media to see where they will pop up next. Midas will always entertain and Mike will always inform.

Mike Pankow and Jason Midas in Long Grove, IL-August 2023.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #660 Laurie Hernandez & Diana Taurasi

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 by saluting the two teams in the World Series.

A native of New Jersey, Laurie Hernandez won gold in the team event in the2016 Olympics. She also won a silver medal on the balance beam. That year, she also won Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. Hernandez wrote a couple books and is currently attending New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Hernandez shares her Celebrity Jersey Card with mascot Rangers Captain.

Born in Chino, California, Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest WNBA players of all time. After starring at UConn, Taurasi Was selected by the Phoenix Mercury with the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA draft. She has played her entire career with the Mercury, while also playing for several teams overseas. Taurasi has racked up numerous awards and accolades, including WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2004. She is a 3x WNBA champ, a 2x Finals MVP, a 10x WNBA All-Star, a 5x WNBA scoring champion and a member of the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team. The list goes on and on. I have had the pleasure of nterviewing Taurasi a few times. She is well-spoken and a class act. She is a credit to the WNBA annd an excellent role model. For her Celebrity Jersey Card, Taurasi tossed a ceremonial pitch for the Diamondbacks and I bet it was a strike. 

Cards That Never Were: Tody Smith Topps 1972 & '77

Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. More of my creations and many great creations of others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and not just baseball cards).
The younger brother of Bubba. Tody Smith played college ball at Michigan State and USC. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1st round of the 1971 NFL draft. After two seasons with the Cowboys, he joined the Houston Oilers in 1973. Midway through the 1975 season, he went from the Oilers to the Buffalo Bills for the last few games of his career. For his career, Tody played 69 games and had one interception and four fumbles recovered.
For his efforts, Topps gave Tody cards in their sets from 1973-1976. That left his rookie card and a "career capper" card.
Pictures were not plentiful for Tody, but i did my best with a 1972 card. For his 1977 card, I found a cool picture of Tody with Curley Culp, Dan Pastorini and Elvin Bethea, which would have worked great on a horizontal card. I try to stay true to the set and 1977 only had vertical cards, which forced me to cut out Culp. Still, the card came out okay.

John Morrison and Melina at Motor City Comic Con 2012

Motor City Comic Con returns November 10-12. While I will not be "On the Beat" there, I still support the con as one of the best.

I used to go every year, but the scheduling as distance proved to be obstacles for me. It's not for lack of desire though.

Sometimes, celebrity pairings make for odd pictures years later. Such was the case when wrestler John Morrison (Johnny Nitro etc.) was there with his then-girlfriend wrestler Melina. Sur all was great then. They were a happy couple. Some time later, they broke up. 

Morrison is now with Taya Valkyrie. I'm not sure what Melina's relation status is. So there Jason and I are, picture with a couple that is no more. It's not a huge deal. It's not like they will call me and ask me to destroy the photo. I don't know, but I am guessing they are okay with each other, but either way, it doesn't really matter much.

The only time this would ever really come up is if I brought this picture to either to sign. Would they sign it? Again, I don't know, but I don't care. I am not trying to get their autographs, but if I was, I have since gotten solo photos with each. 

This year's MCCC does present a unique opportunity. Wrestler Danhausen will be there, as will his creator father Brian Danhausen. Getting a dual photo with them would probably be hard, but this is a rare opportunity when it might be possible.

Go to MotorCityComicCon.com for more info and follow MCCC on Facebook for more frequent updates.

Jason Fleigel, John Morrison, Melina and me in Novi, MI-May 2012.

Talking Travel with Billy Vera

I interviewed Billy Vera! The lifelong musician has been one of my favorites for a long time.

Long before Billy's "At This Moment" hit it big on television's Family Ties, I had followed his career. When the song was used for the show, many more folks became aware of the talented singer.

Since I have a lot of freedom in my Talking Travel interview series on Global Traveler, I am pursuing a lot of my favorites. Lest you think it is just my personal playground for virtually meeting my favorites, as a longtime musician, I figured Billy had traveled all over.

The funny thing is, when I contacted Billy, he graciously agreed to the interview, but quickly added he didn't have many travel stories. Either way, I wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to interview Billy.

As it turns out, he had a few interesting stories about his time in Kansas City, Cincinnati and overseas. There was plenty of legit travel talk to qualify for a travel interview. Plus there was a lot of great talk about his career.

His duet with Judy Clay is thought to be the first interracial love duet to chart in the United States. He became an author of a few books. He acts a bit and performed the theme songs for tv's Empty Nest and King of Queens. At 79, he still performs with the Beaters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. I hope you will, too. Billy was a soft-spoken, but fascinating guy. I have a whole new appreciation for him now because of Talking Travel.

The full recap is on GT at Talking Travel with Billy Vera. All of the Talking Travel interviews are on the GT YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to the channel (it's free) for all of the travel content.

Squared Circle Expo IV Is Coming

Sting! Kane! Ted DiBiase! Mike Rotunda!

So started the announcements from Squared Circle Expo. With a first four like that, I know this is going to be a wrestler list  The announcements will keep coming and I will keep updating them here and on the Indianapolis Patch.

SCX IV runs March 29-30 at Wyndham West in Indianapolis, Indiana. It starts with a meet-and-greet on Friday afternoon and ends with a full night of wrestling on Saturday.

In between are two great days of mingling with other fans and friends, meeting a bunch of great legends and current stars, checking out cool merch and a lot more.

I expect about 60 wrestlers in the celebrity lineup, but there will be countless wrestlers there as fans. I meet many indie wrestlers who come because it is a great event. Keep your eyes opne if you go, because you might see some big names from the indie scene.

For more info, go to SquaredCircleX.com. Check back here for updates and recurring coverage.

Kane and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.