Today is a double feature edition of Shiny Hardware. I feature two trophies, both of which were well-earned.
Tommy Else went from attending an open audition for the debuting Resistance Pro Wrestling to being a tag team champ (with Brady Pierce) as Body Magic. Tommy had a bit of a rough road, as sort of an "outsider" in the lockerroom, because of how he got his start. He quickly earned respect for his hard-working nature. He also happened to become one of the most popular wrestlers at RPro (if not THE most popular wrestler).
I predicted a midcard title for Tommy in 2014 or 2015. My prediction was close, as he became a tag team champ. I still maintain, if things didn't go awry at RPro, he would have eventually won the Heavyweight title and that would have been well-deserved.
My trophy is a finisher's medal from the 2014 Chicago Marathon. Having finished 23 prior Marathons, I hadn't run one in several years. When my niece Sam declared she was running in the 2014 Marathon, I had to join her. Although I didn't run with her, because she was much faster than me, it was a thrill sharing the experience with her. It remains one of my favorite Matahons.
Whatever happened to these two guys after RPro ended? We remain friends and co-host The Johngy OR Else Podcast. Tommy went on to win the Southside Occupational Academy title, a belt he has held for 2+ years. I came back and ran another Marathon in 2018, my 25th and last (probably).
I know Tommy is very proud of his titles and well he should be. I am also proud of my Marathon medals. We are two unlikely guys to win these trophies, yet there we are.
Tommy Else and me in Summit, IL-November 2014.
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