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.

I.R.S.

For most people, especially today, the I.R.S. conjures bad images. For Mike Rotunda, it equated to success. Representing Tax Day today, is former professional wrestler Rotunda, also known as I.R.S. (although it stands for Irwin R. Schyster).
Rotunda (sometimes Rotundo) graduated from Syracuse University and enjoyed a lengthy and successful wrestling career. Rotunda flip-flopped between good and evil, assuming several identities before settling into his biggest character, Irwin R. Schyster (aka I.R.S.).

It was during his second stint in the WWF (now WWE) that Rotunda adopted the I.R.S. gimmick. Teaming with the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, Rotunda would win the Tag Team Championship 3 times.
Rotunda is the son-in-law of Blackjack Mulligan and the brother-in-law of Barry Windham (Mulligan's son). Currently an agent for the WWE, Rotunda has made a handful of guest appearances on WWE television shows over the last few years. It is expected that he will gain enshrinement in the WWE Hall of Fame in the future.

Mike Rotunda and me (with Ted DiBiase looking down) in Tampa, FL-January 2005.