Friend Encounters: Nattie Neidhart and Jonathan C.

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I met Jonathan Cimaglio many years ago at a Chicago Bandits game. A softball fan and sports fan in general, Cimags is also a grapher (aka autograph collector). At Bandits games, he aimed for signed cards and balls from the Bandits and opposing teams. I don't know for sure, but I bet he has more than a thousand autographs from athletes and celebrities.

One of his recent successes was WWE star Nattie Neidhart. Cimags met her at a signing for her recently-released autobiography Last Hart Beating. Neidhart is a third generation wrestler, following in the footsteps of grandfather Stu Hart and father Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Many of her uncles were also wrestlers, including WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart and the late Owen Hart.

Neidhart has won many titles during her long career in the WWE. She's a great worker and is a big help as a trainer. I have been a fan of her work from the beginning. Despite her success, I still think she has been underutilized by the WWE. Perhaps she doesn't have the Barbie doll looks they want, but she's got a great look and her ring skills are excellent.

As for Cimags, I miss seeing him around the ballpark since he moved to Minnesota. He's an interesting guy. For more on him, check the Cimags YouTube channel. He's got videos about Pokemon, graphing an other pop culture fun.

Nattie Neidhart and Jonathan in Minneapolis, MN-October 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #771 Alex Cooper & Al Roker

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys.

Born in Newtown, PA, Alex Cooper made a name for herself in the podcast world. Rolling Stone labeled her "the new generation's Barbara Walters." That's high praise, but Cooper has earned it. Cooper showed her fandom for the Philadelphia Eagles while wearing a #1 Jalen Hurts jersey at a game. She also earned her Celebrity Jersey Card.

New York native Al Roker has enjoyed a 40 year career in the media, most notably his long stint on NBCs Today. Roker is also known for his dramatic weight loss in recent years. He is cousins with Roxie Roker and Lenny Kravitz. Roker earned his Celebrity Jersey Card while at a New England Patriots celebration. He gets extra pointss for the Patriots hat and for getting Pat Patriot to join him.

Finally Meeting Chef Jeff Mauro

I have been a fan and admirer of Chef Mauro for many years. I recently was able to meet him and pitch my interview.

After a few failed attempts, Mauro made the cut for Food Network Star and won it in 2011. He went on to host Sandwich King (he is famous for making sandwiches.) Currently, he co-hosts The Kitchen.

When I heard he was appearing at the College of DuPage about an hour from me, I made plans to make it. My main goal was to meet him and request an interview with him for Global Traveler. I got to do both, but I was also highly entertained as he discussed his career for about an hour, before making a 6-foor sub that he cut and shared with some audience members.

Just as he ended the presentation, I quickly went to the hall and lined up for the meet-and-greet. I was second in line, but by the time he came out about 10 minutes later, the line looked to be well over 500 deep.

With so many people, I knew I wouldn't be able to make much of a pitch. I settled on handing him my business card and telling him I'd love to do a zoom interview with him. He nodded and said he'd be in touch. Within two days, he did contact me and I emailed a formal pitch for the interview. As of right now, we are trying to schedule it. If it happens (and I think it will), it will be on Global Traveler and here, too.

For more info on Chef Mauro, go to MauroProvisions.com. Also, look for him on The Food Network.

Jeff Mauro and me in Glen Ellyn, IL-October 2025.

Regan Lydale on the Rise

I have written many times about young wrestler Regan Lydale. Turning professional a couple years back, Regan is far more advanced than her experience and age would indicate. 

At Elk Grove Rotary Fest, I had the privilege of watching Regan face Melanie Cruise in a mixed tag match. Mel was tagging with her brother Stonewall for the first time, while Regan's partner was Hardcore Craig.

There was lots of intrigue in this match, but for me it came down to seeing Mel versus Regan. Years ago, as Resistance Pro started, Melanie was the first champ and Regan was a teenage fan who wanted to be a wrestler. Now, 10+ years later, here they were in the same ring for the first time.

My message here is if you are a wrestling fan, go out and see Regan when you can. Regan is fast on the rise. She is winning titles and gaining exposure. I see her signing with one of the bigger companies within a couple years. She is that good!

Regan Lydale and me in Elk Grove Village, IL-July 2025.

Josh Bodwell at Wizard World (Fan Expo)

Josh Bodwell is a trivia wiz and a well-known tattooist, who has been seen on Epic Ink on A&E. I met him at Wizard World several years back. I did not get a tattoo from his, but I did get a Johngy's Beat promo which is in the far left column. Bodwell is also a talented artist, creating beautiful pieces for events, trading cards and more.

All of that is why he was a hugely popular guest at Wizard World. Celebrities with that big and varied of a resume make fantastic guests because they appeal to several groups. 

Bodwell was extremely engaging when I met him. Although very busy with his tattoo work and meeting fans, he took several minutes to chat with me about comic cons.

This is one of the many reasons I love FanExpo (who took over for Wizard World). I wanted to meet Bodwell because of all he does, but once I met him I had even more respect for him. All an attendee wants is for the celebrity encounter to be pleasant. Bodwell exceeded that expectation by a wide margin.

Go to joshbodwell.com for more info on him. For more info on FanExpo go to fanexpohq.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage.

Josh Bodwell and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2016.

Ya Boi Mason Percs

I heard about Mason Percs for a while before I finally saw him in action. The reality matched the hype.

Mason is a 26-year-old wrestler at POWW Entertainment. He is also the champ at POWW. a title he's held for about two years.

Wrestling fans kept telling me I needed to see him in action. When I finally saw him, I was impressed. I saw talent and charisma. Recently though, my respect has grown. I know he is a very good wrestler. He's got a nice moveset and his execution is solid. What I have seen of late is his ablity to take an absolute beatdown and still keep fighting.

I'm not talking about light bulbs and other nonsense. I'm saying have seen him take a physical beating from Maurice. I have also seen him deliver a beatdown. If you weren't into those matches, you are not a wrestling fan. They had moves, psychology, timing and emotion. This was like old school wrestling with a little modern style mixed into the match.

Since then, I have talked to Mason a few time and he is a nice, respectful young man. I have seen him interact with fans after the show, even when he is in obvious pain (and on a crutch).

Mason has worn the POWW title with pride and he has given the title respect. He is everything you'd want in a champ to be the face of your company.

For more info on Mason and POWW, go to the POWW social media page. Remember to cheer for "ya boi" if you go to a POWW show..

Mason Percs and me in Fox Lake, IL-October 2025.

Statues: Bucky Badger

On a trip to watch the Wisconsin Badgers softball team earlier this year, I combined two of my interests, in addition to the softball. Madison had a public art exhibition featuring Bucky Badger, the mascot of the University of Wisconsin.

Buckingham Ulysses Badger has been the school's mascot since 1889. His first known appearance was in a cartoon in 1940. The Bucky on Parade exhibition featured 55 Bucky sculptures around the campus area. I did not bother my pal Tony to find all of them, but I did manage to get him to seek a few for fun. Most were outside, although a few were indoors, like one at a hotel.

This was a rare occasion where I combined my fascination with mascots and my interest in public art sculptures. I'd love to see this in Chicago, but the city just doesn't get as excited about college sports as a college town like Madison does.

Bucky Badger and me in Madison, WI-April 2025.

Friend Encounters: Kal and David Herro

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

This is a fun Friend Encounters. Ten or so years ago, it would be celebrity David Herro and his son Kal. Now, it is celebrity Kal and his dad David. Ever humble and proud, David would have it no other way.

While David was making a name for himself as a wrestling promoter, among other business ventures, young Kal was absorbing all in the wrestling world. When he was old enough, Kal joined Ohio Valley Wrestling, run by WWE legend Al Snow. With a lot of hard work, including overcoming injuries, Kal became the OVW champ. Nobody was more proud than papa David, even if David now got second billing. LOL

Never was their dynamic more visible than the premiere of The Herro's Journey, a documentary on David's life. In the film and at the showing, the mutual love, respect and bond was evident.

It is a pleasure knowing both of these men and to call them friends. Saturday at the 20th Blizzard Brawl, I will see these men again!

On a related note, I encourage everyone to check The Herro's Journey. It's the story of a great man and a wonderful relationship with his son, with wrestling as a backdrop. It's heartwarming and uplifting and be prepared to shed a tear or two. I know I did.

David and Kal in Bend, WI-May 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #770 Lil John & Percy Miller

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. I'll "rap" up November with these two (sorry).

Born in Atlanta, Johnathan H. Smith went on to fame as rapper Lil John. His son started following in his footsteps as a dj when he was only 11. Lil John is an avid sports fan and actually received a championship ring from the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Truly showing his fandom, Lil John wears #6 of the Sacramento Kings, a number retired to represent fans, on his Celebrity Jersey Card. Mascot Slamson joins him on the card. 

New Orleans native Percy Miller is better know by his stage name of Master P. An inheritance from his grandfather helped Miller found No Limit Records and Tapes  That was the foundation for his future success. An outsanding basketball player, Miller played for a few minor league teams and was in a couple NBA training camps, including the Charlotte Hornets. His Celebrity Jersey Card comes from an exhibition game. Miller sported #15, most notably worn by Kemba Walker.

Appreciating "The Ego" Robert Anthony

It had been way too long since I saw "The Ego" Robert Anthony wrestle. I got spoiled from working with him in Resistance Pro Wrestling many years ago.

Back then, I was new to the Chicago independent wrestling scene. I quickly learned Ego was among the best. In our few years together at RPro, I never saw anything less than an excellent match from Ego. I have often said he has no weakness. He's great on the mic and in the ring, either as  agood guy or a baddie.

I also learned he is a quality person. He helped my young cousin through a difficult time. Ego did this for other youngsters, too. Ego is a teacher by trade, but he impacts folks outside of the classroom, too.

My pal Tony had never seen Ego wrestle. When I saw he was appearing at AAW Pro in Berwyn and our schedules allowed it, I knew we had to go.

Ego was the first person we saw when entering and he greeted us warmly. Later we saw him in a tag team match. While I would have preferred a singles match to see more of Ego, he had several moments in the match that reminded me of classic Ego.

Ego was also running a Toys for Tots toy drive. He filled one big box before the nght had barely started.

Ego started his own wrestling company based out of the Joliet area. Some day I hope to make one of his shows.

I am grateful for my RPro experience because of people like Ego. It has been great watching him wrestle, but even better knowing him and calling him friend..

Robert Anthony and me in Berwyn, IL-November 2025.