Animal at C2E2 2020

Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo is about three months away. C2E2 is one of the biggest comic cons I attend yearly.

C2E2 is loaded with awesome celebrity guests. They usually have a few wrestlers in their celebrity lineup. Such was the case a few years back with Road Warrior Animal (aka Joe Laurinaitis).

Younger wrestling fans have no idea how popular the Road Warriors were back in their day. They were so good they were cheered even as bad guys. Obviously, they were booked to be dominant, but no matter how you are booked, you still need to have the talent and charisma to get over with the fans. The Road Warriors had it all.

They were most successful in the NWA, WCW and in Japan. They had a few runs in the WWE as a tag team and Animal as a solo, but it just wasn't a good fit. The WWE even made them a joke with a stupid ventriloquist dummy (for marketing purposes) and a drunk Hawk storyline. 

The Road Warriors were a great team when there were a lot of excellent tag teams. Now most teams are mongrels, put together strictly for storylines. The Road Warriors had a long run together and were a legit team.

When I met Animal atC2E2, I talked to him mostly about his son James, a former NFL player. After a solid NFL career, the younger Laurinaitis went into coaching. Animal also had two brothers in pro wrestling.

Once again, I'll be at C2E2. The guest lineup has not been announced, but I am sure it will be stellar as usual.

Go to C2E2.com for more news and updates. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Animal and me in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

Road Warrior Animal at Heroes and Legends of Pro Wrestling VI

Joe Laurinaitis rose to fame (along with Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand) as "Animal" of the Road Warriors tag team.  The Road Warriors were one of the most successful and popular teams in wrestling.  Unfortunately, Hawk passed away in 2003, but Animal still carries on the legacy of this great team.

I've met Laurinaitis several times.  The first time, he was promoting his book, The Road Warriors: Danger, Death and the Rush of Wrestling.  I think it was one of the better wrestling biographies.

A couple years ago, Jason and I traveled to Fort Wayne, IN to Heroes and Legends Fan Fest with Laurinaitis as one of the biggest draws.  Face-painted as usual, Animal did not disappoint.  He had his trademark shoulder pads available for photo ops.  We talked a bit about his son James, who had just signed with the New Orleans Saints.  We all agreed that we were hoping he would join the Chicago Bears.

Laurinaitis is just one of many great wrestling guests brought in by Jayson Maples for Heroes and Legends.  Some are simply there to pose and sign autographs, but some step in the squared circle, too.  It all adds up to a great day of wrestling nostalgia and action.

Scheduling and distance have prevented me from attending more Heroes and Legends events, but my desire is there.  I hope to make it out there more often in 2018.  Jayson is a great guy and he puts on excellent events.

The next Heroes and Legends event is scheduled for Saturday, April 21.  Check out HeroesandLegendsWrestling.com for all of the info.

Jason Fleigel, me and Road Warrior Animal in Fort Wayne, IN-March 2016.

Road Warrior Animal At Days of the Dead Louisville 2016

Days of the Dead Week continues with a unique picture with Road Warrior Animal.  I have met Animal several times, but this time it was special.  The picture below makes me crack up every time I see it.

This time at Days of the Dead, I met the legendary wrestler with Liza, who is not realy a wrestling fan.  She's more neutral and she certainly had not heard of the Road Warriors.

I knew that Animal offered his trademark shoulder pads for pictures, but I had no idea if Liza would go for it.  Not only was she up for it, she actually asked him about the pads.  I think the pads look great with her tiara.  Animal commented about the tiara, saying he believes this is the first time someone with a tiara wore the pads.  Of course, it had to be Liza.

I always like having friends with me for these moments.  Few will ever stand out the way that this one does though.

I do really appreciate Liza for humoring me.  She was a real trooper on the trip and I think she also enjoyed herself more than she thought she would.  Of course, the shoulder pads helped!

Liza will be with me again this weekend at Days of the Dead in Schaumburg.  We're meeting Ric Flair, among others.  This could get even more interesting!

Liza Nolan, Road Warrior Animal and me in Louisville, KY-September 2016.