Friend Encounters: B Brian Blair, Jim Brunzell and Ty

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I was just in Indianapolis at the Squared Circle Expo VI. My convention pal Ty should have been here. Sadly, Ty passed away a couple years ago, but his spirit was there.

Ty was a big wrestling fan. He traveled to the Wrestling Hall of Fame for its ceremonies. That is where he met the Killer Bees, B Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell. Those two wrestling legends were at SCX VI. I couldn't help but think of Ty and figured it was the perfect time to celebrate my deceased friend again.

The Killer Bees did not stay in the WWF for a really long period, yet they remain favorites to fans. Brunzell had a successful time in the AWA as half of the High Flyers tag team with Greg Gagne before he jumped to the WWF. In total, the Bees were active toegher for about ten years.

SCX is a huge wrestling convention. In its sixth year, it featured 85+ wrestling legends and stars and a lot of events during the two days. Ty loved it.

As convention season heats up, I think of my fallen friends like Ty and Glenn. I miss seeing them, but I always think of them at ever convention.

B Brian Blair, Jim Brunzell and Ty in Waterloo, Iowa-July 2024.

Friend Encounters: Goofy and Ty

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today, I am getting goofy, but only because my late friend Ty got goofy first. Actually, he got Goofy for real.

I love this picture. It shows Ty happy meeting a character. Ty met all sorts of celebrities, but mainly wrestlers. He loved wrestling. I would see him at many wrestling events and comic cons. He would always stop me for a selfie. I looked forward to those moments of catching up with my pal.

Goofy has an interesting history. He debuted in 1932 as Dippy Dawg, who is older than Goofy would come to be. Later that year, he was re-introduced as the younger Goofy. Since then, he has become a beloved part of the Disney Universe.

Ty beats me on this one. I have never met Goofy, nor any Disney characters, other than Mickey Mouse.

Fortunately, I did meet Ty many years ago and became friends. Tragically, he died too young last year. I plan to keep his memory alive here with his other celebrity encounters. RIP Ty.

Goofy and Ty in Orlando, Florida-January 2024.

Friend Encounters: Tony Schiavone and Ty

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today is another bittersweet picture. It features a departed friend meeting one of his favorites.

Ty was a buddy I met through conventions. Always smiling, he was a pleasure to see. I always enjoyed our short catchups. Ty died earlier this year. I am choosing to continue featuring him as my way of keeping his memory alive. I know he was a big fan at conventions and approved of my earlier posts whie he was alive. I think he would approve of these as well.

Last year, Ty traveled to Iowa for a Hall of Fame event. He went All Elite Wrestling announcer Tony Schiavone. A longtime broadcaster, Schiavone is a true legend in the sport. Like him or not, nobody can deny his impressive resume. Like Ty, I am a fan of Schiavone's work.

Ty has a lot more celebrity encounters and I will feature him here on occasion to remind myself of my old pal. RIP Ty.

Ty and Tony Schiavone in Waterloo, IA-June 2024.

Friend Encounters: Jim Brunzell, B Brian Blair and Ty Wasilk

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

This is a sad one. Today, I feature my recently deceased convention pal Ty Wasilk.

I met Ty many years ago at some comic con or wrestling event. Over the years, we ran into each other many times at such events. It was always great to see Ty. He always seemed to be in a good mood. I could always count on a smile or laugh from Ty.

Last week, I received news Ty had passed. Way too young at 50, Ty suffered from pancreatic cancer, ultimately succumbing to a stroke. The only bright spot is he didn't suffer too long with the cancer. Even with it, he battled like a true warrior and remained positive. It's a small relief in a tragic tale.

Below is a picture from Ty meeting the legendary Killer Bees (aka B Brian Blair and Jumping Jim Brunzell. It's fitting this picture shows Ty with legends. I know how excited Ty was to meet them or any wrestler. He was just as excited to meet independent wrestlers at VFW Halls. That was just who Ty was.

I don't claim to have known Ty too well. We only chatted when we crossed paths at events. Still, he was part of my convention circle.

RIP Ty. You are missed, but won't be forgotten.

B Brain Blair, Ty and Jim Brunzell in Waterloo, IA-June 2024.

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.

Friend Encounters: Sasha Banks and Ty Wasilk

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

Ty Wasilk is a big wrestling fan. He's met a lot of wrestlers, many of whom I have also met. Today though, I feature one I haven't met and I am very envious of Ty for this one.

When I started to write this, I looked up Sasha Banks to check on her title reigns in the WWE. She has seven singles titles and two tag titles. I was surprised though at how long she has been wrestling in the WWE. She first joined the company back in 2012. Still only 29, Banks has a lot of great years ahead of her.

Somehow I have not met Banks, despite her being on my list. Scheduling conflicts always seem to get in my way, but someday I shall match Ty and meet Banks.

When that day happens, I will mention to her that we share a birthday. Despite her accomplishments, Banks isn't the biggest name wrestler with my birthday. That honor would go to Road Warrior Hawk. Taylor Wilde and the Maestro also share my birthday. Although he isn't a wrestler, the legendary announcer Gordon Solie also celebrates on that day.

Anyway, back to Ty and Banks. Ty met her at a WrestleMania event in New Orleans, LA. I told you he was a big wrestling fan. He travels all over. He's got me beat there, too. While I want to meet Banks, I won't be making a cross country trip to do it. Hopefully, Banks will come to the Windy City and our birthday chat can finally happen. Until then, I remain envious of my pal Ty. 

Sasha Banks and Ty Wasilk in New Orleans, LA-April 2015.

Friend Encounters: Becky Lynch and Ty Wasilk

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

Ty Wasilk is another friend I met through the world of pro wrestling. He is a devoted and passionate fan and has met hundreds of wrestlers.

He seems to have a special knack for meeting the beautiful women of wrestling. I think his favorite is Charlotte Flair, daughter of the legendary Ric Flair and a multi-time champ in the WWE. He also likes Bayley and Sasha Banks and Trish Stratus and pretty much every other woman wrestler.

Ty met Becky Lynch about a year after she made her WWE main roster debut. She has since gone on to win a women's title four times and was the 2018 and 2019 Female Superstar or the Year.

I wonder if Ty takes credit for her ascension to greatness? He actually should. That could pave the way for better meetings with other female supestars, not that Ty needs the help. He is doing quite well on his own.

Becky Lynch and Ty Wasilk in Chicago, IL-August 2016.

Friendly Encounters: Charlotte Flair and Ty Wasilk

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

I met Ty Wasilk a few years back at a wrestling show. Ty is a hug wrestling fan and has met many wrestlers. I don't know how he does it, but he meets them everywhere.
At a recent WWE show in Moline, IL, Ty met Charlotte Flair, WWE SmackDown Women's Champion and daughter of "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. It wasn't part of the usual photo ops. Ty met her outside somewhere and managed to get a nice picture with the champ.
Charlotte is doing quite well in wrestling. Obviously, being Ric's daughter helped her start her career, but she has worked hard to improve and become an excellent wrestler.
Ty is a great guy. I'm sure I'll see him many times this year at wrestling shows and comic cons. Anywhere you see a bunch of wrestlers in this area, odds are you'll see Ty. Maybe I should take some tips from my friend.

Charlotte Flair and Ty Wasilk in Moline, IL-March 2018.