The Art of Sara Richard

I don't remember exactly how I found Sara Richard, but I am glad I did.  The young artist is one of my favorite interview subjects.

Sara is a talented artist and by all accounts, a fun person.  I follow her exploits on Facebook and I catch up with her whenever we are both at a comic con.

She has worked for Hasbro, DC Comics and many other companies.  She also illustrated the kid's book, "Kitty and Dino."  I am amazed at her talent.

I have interviewed her a few times.  She is always obliging and I appreciate that.  I enjoy bringing interesting people like Sara to my readers and I like exposing talented people like Sara.

Don't just take my word for it, check out her fine work at SaraRichard.com.  Many of her fine art pieces are on her site and there are a couple links where you can find (and order) more of her beautiful creations.

Sara Richard and me in Rosemont, IL-October 2011.

Aquaman Spotted at C2E2 2014

Whenever I go to a comic con, among my many goals is seeing someone dressed as Aquaman.  I alwatys see lots of Spiderman, Superman, batman etc.  Aquaman is a rarity and when I find one, I always make sure to get a picture.

This year at C2E2, we were suffering from the usual Aquaman drought when Matt spied a new school version of Aquaman posing with some fans.  I prefer old school Aquaman, but I applaud any of the versions.

This particular Aquaman did a very good job with his costume.  He even carried the trident with him.  (Of course, that could also help him push through the massive crowds...but Aquaman would never do that.)

You might ask why I never dress as Aquaman.  That is simple.  I never dress as anyone.  I did have my new Aquaman Johngy shirt (courtesy of Contributor Extraordinaire Matt Parker).

I guess people dress as their favorite characters, but how many Jokers can we possibly see?  How about being original?  Let's see someone come as Egghead or Mr. Mxyzptlk.  I applaud the brave souls who come as Aquaman.  Whether they love the man of water or whether they want to be different, I will always support them and seek them.

There are many more comic cons on my slate for 2014.  I am hoping to see many more Aquaman fans.  I will also try to pose with each one of them.

Aquaman and me in Chicago, IL-April 2014.

Roddy Piper is My Guy!

I have met Rowdy Roddy Piper several times.  Each time is a new experience.  It's always good, but it is never the same.

Roddy can talk wrestling all night long, but he can also talk about pretty much anything.  The man has done and seen it all.  It is a virtual guarantee that no matter the subject, Roddy will entertain you.

Roddy has accomplished a lot, especially for someone who had a bit of a rough upbringing and fought his own literacy problems.  I learned a lot about Roddy from his book and from my interview with him.  In that interview, I encouraged him to write another book, because his book was just too short.  For a person with as much to tell as Roddy, his book just did not tell enough.  What's in there is great.  It just needed more.

I have not seen Roddy yet this year, but I am hoping he pops up at one of the conventions.  Maybe we can even talk more about his next book!

Roddy Piper and me in Indianapolis, IN-July 2011.

Good Friends and Resistance Pro

One of the joys of Resistance Pro is sharing the fun with friends.  Several months ago, my great friend Louie brought his kids to their first RPro event.  We all had a great time.

One of our long time friends, George Frigelis, saw the pictures and asked about RPro.  Fast forward a few months and George was able to bring two of his children to an RPro show.

The kids had a great time and even got in the ring at the end of the night.  Of course, the adults had a blast, too.

This is business as usual for RPro.  Every one of my friends who has made it to a show has had a fun-filled evening.  What's not to like?  Great wrestling.  Interesting characters.  Friendly interaction with the wrestling stars.  Occasional appearances by the Chicago Bliss even.

I have previously written many times about my fun at RPro, but stories like this prove it isn't just me.  It is everyone.  I am calling out all of my friends (and anyone who reads this) to come out to an RPro show and see for yourself.  It isn't just hype.

It was great to see George and his kids and Louie and his crew.  It was even better to share a fun evening of RPro with them, especially since I had helped to get them to the Barn!

I love the picture below.  Great friends and great memories.  Thank you RPro.

George Frigelis, me and Louie Atsaves in Willowbrook, IL-April 2014.

Friendly Encounters: Robert Anthony and The Ultimate Warrior

This is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Some of these posts are more poignant than others.  Today's ranks pretty high on that scale.
"The Ego" Robert Anthony is one of the most popular and successful wrestlers on the independent scene.  I have known him for over three years as he has been a main event fixture at Resistance Pro for most of that time.  He is as entertaining as he is talented.  I'd watch an Ego match any time!
Last April, Ego got to meet The Ultimate Warrior, on of the superstars of Ego's youth.  Warrior was on the verge of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame after a long and acrimonious split from the WWE.
It was a tremendously emotional weekend, as fences were mended, scars were healed and he was fully embraced by the WWE universe.  Whether a fan of his or not, you had to see the significance of this moment for him and his fans.
Unfortunately, he died shortly after that weekend.  It was a shocking and heartbreaking loss for the wrestling world.  Still, the overwhelming feeling was of relief that he was able to be brought back into the WWE family prior to his untimely death.
For people like Ego, it was fortunate that they got to meet him before he passed.  I was lucky enough to meet Warrior about a year ago and I was still shaken at his sudden loss.
As for Ego, I hoe he knows that he has the same effect on some young fans right now.  Youngsters look up to him and us older fans appreciate him.

Robert Anthony and The Ultimate Warrior in Chicago, IL-April 2014.

Bear Down Sunday: Game 5 Carolina Panthers

The Chicago Bears are 2-2 after missing a golden opportunity last wek against the Packers.  This week, they face the Carolina Panthers, who are also 2-2 and coached by Ron Rivera, a beloved former member of the Bears.  The connection I will make today involves one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and one of the Resistance Pro wrestlers I respect the most, both of whom hail from North Carolina.

D'Arcy Dixon has worked incredibly hard at every aspect of wrestling.  She has really developed her look, her in-ring skills and her personality.  I have watched from up close as her character has grown from the leader of her own stable to the RPro Women's champ.  D'Arcy has earned everything she has achieved, including my respect and admiration.

D'Arcy was trained for a bit by Ric Flair, one of the most decorated wrestlers of all time.  You could not ask for anyone better.  I am sure D'Arcy soaked up every bit of knowledge possible.

A perfect example of D'Arcy's growth can be seen in her latest interview with us.  She gave it to our Special Correspondent Jonathan McMahon in what is one of the most interesting interviews I have ever had on the Beat.  D'Arcy was pure gold.  You can watch that interview at On the Beat with D'Arcy Dixon at Resistance Pro's "Practice What You Preach."

D'Arcy has risen up to every challenge at RPro.  She has been on the main event scene for a long time and she shows no signs of slowing down.  Her battles with Mickie Knuckles are some of the best women's wrestling I have seen anywhere.

Hopefully, the Bears will take a page from D'Arcy's book.  Hopefully, they will follow the example that this tough Carolinian has set and use it against the Carolinian NFL team.  If the Bears are anywhere near as tough, focused and dedicated as D'Arcy, they will come out of the game as winners.

D'Arcy Dixon and me in Willowbrook, IL-July 2013.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #190 Richard Daley & Bonnie Hunt

This is a regular series which attempts to combine my lifelong passion for baseball cards with my semi-professional interest in celebrities.  The Cubs and the White Sox had the same (woeful) record for the first time ever.

The Daley name is historic in Chicago politics.  Father and son ruled the city for the better part of my life.  They are also diehard White Sox fans and of course, son Richard would have to be in a Sox uni on his Celebrity Jersey Card.  He us wearing #11, probably most-famously worn by former player-manager Don Kessinger.

Actress Bonnie Hunt stayed true to her Chicago roots for her Celebrity Jersey Card.  She tossed out the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field a while ago and has now landed here.

I Miss the Chicago Bliss

About a month ago, I went to Los Angeles to watch the Chicago Bliss defeat the Atlanta Steam to capture their second consecutive Legends Football League title.  It was a fun trip and a great experience.

The euphoria continued throughout the next couple weeks, as I retold stories to various friends.  Individual moments came back to me as Bliss players and coaches posted random pictures on Facebook and elsewhere.

Now I sit here, a month later, and I still feel the excitement of the season and the championship, but I feel a bit empty already.  I miss the Bliss.

The Bliss experience was a ten month journey from the tryouts to the championship game.  Jack and I attended at least one practice a week.  There were also special events.  The Bliss even invaded Resistance Pro wrestling a couple times.  I was happily ensconced in the Bliss.

Oh sure, I still keep in touch with most of the organization through texts or Facebook.  While I am sure they are relieved and enjoying their break, I am left with an odd emptiness.

I really did enjoy the LFL experience.  The easy joke is that any man would enjoy bikini clad women playing football, but anyone, who spent real time with the team, knows it goes well beyond that.

The women work hard at honing and developing their skills.  The coaches work hard at getting them game-ready.  Nobody is doing this for the money.  Their level of commitment and dedication is impressive.  The football itself is just as good as any football you will see anyway.  If you don't believe me, check out their game films on YouTube.

Speaking of YouTube, I think I will go there now and relive some of the fun moments of the season.  That should help my Bliss blues.

Deena Fagiano and me in Los Angeles, CA-September 2014.

On the Beat with New Tag Team Champ Eric St. Vaughn

This post and this interview is over 2 years in the making.  It is all well worth it though.  (Of course, Eric St. Vaughn did all of the hard work to get to this point.)

When I heard that Eric St. Vaughn had joined Resistance Pro wrestling, I immediately contacted him about an interview.  ESV was going to be RPro's first home grown star and I wanted to get him from day one.

Despite his in-ring persona, ESV had always treated me very well.  He never turned down my many interview requests.  Win, lose or draw, he always was willing to talk to JohngysBeat.com.  Even after a particularly hard and tiring show, ESV gave time to talk to a group of teenage JohngysBeat.com interns.  ESV proved that you could be a bad guy in the ring, but not a total jerk outside.

I have witnessed how hard this man worked at his craft.  He started in D'Arcy's Dynasty and morphed into the leader of Body Magic.  His fan section at the shows is always the largest and loudest.  Clearly, ESV has been doing something right.

In truth, he is still learning in the ring, but together with Brady Pierce, Body Magic captured tag team gold at the recent RPro show.  The place went wild.  Wrestlers, fans, RPro management and a reality tv show crew all congratulated and celebrated with ESV.

After the win and the victory tour around the arena, ESV was mobbed in the lockerroom.  After a brief celebration there, he had some interviews to do with the reality show folks.  A visibly emotional and exhausted ESV emerged from the backstage area and signaled me for our interview.

This was the interview I had planned for years.  True, as is stated in the interview, "everything went off the rails," but that was okay for this night.  We got cameos by other wrestlers, plastic fruit and bread, laughs, emotions and more.  I hope I did this win justice for ESV.

I want to take this time to publicly thank ESV  for letting me ride along on his journey.  The title is yours, buddy.  You worked for this, dreamed of it and now you are living it.

It was another magical night at RPro.  Actually, it was a Body Magic-al night!

On Stage With Billy Corgan

A few weeks ago, Billy Corgan made his Ravinia debut. So did I. In fact, for a magical five minutes or so, we sang together, but more on that later.

The evening started with a performance by Corgan in a private dining room for VIPs. Corgan, accompanied by Jeff Schroeder, did a 30-minute set, followed by a Q&A. I was literally within several feet of the performers.

Before ending this session, Corgan assembled his friends from Resistance Pro and informed us we would be joining him on stage later. He proceeded to run us through a quick practice. I was going to share a stage with Billy Corgan!

We eventually settled into our seats in the Pavilion and enjoyed about two hours of beautiful acoustic music. Prior to his last song, we were escorted backstage and then introduced by Corgan. Twenty or so of us gathered around the microphones as Corgan jumped into “Of a Broken Heart.”

Then it hit me, as I looked out at the thousands of fans. I was singing chorus with Billy Corgan on stage! Plus I was experiencing this with my friends. Time flew by, yet stood still. This was about as surreal and magical as it gets.
I have always tried to soak in these moments.  I have tried to calm the excitement enough to fully experience and relish the moment.  I made sure to look at the crowd and realize just how cool this was.
Backstage after the show, we all could not believe what just happened. It became more real when hundreds of pictures and videos started floating around the Internet the next day. Other friends are still asking me how it was, and all I can say is, “Unbelievable.”
Below is a video of our time on stage.  On the far right is Eric St. Vaughn or RPro, Bridget McDonnell of the Chicago Bliss and me.  I have no rhythm whatsoever, but I still enjoyed myself to the fullest.