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: B Brian Blair and Tony

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I witnessed and photographed today's Friend Encounter. I also helped plan it.

Since missing the SICW Fan Fest in 2024, Tony and I kept waiting for the announcement for this year. Once it came out and we saw the guest list, we knew were had to make the trip to St. Louis for it.

Herb Simmons runs a fantastic Fan Fest every year. It features about 20 wrestling legends. This year, B Brian Blair was one of our main targets.

Blair attained his biggest success with Jim Brunzell as The Killer Bees in the WWF. Blair wrestled in the WWF from 1981-88 without winning any titles. Keep in mind, titles did not change hands very quickly and the WWF had a lot of great tag teams at the time. Still, The Killer Bees made a name for themselves. Blair continued wrestling for many years after leaving the WWF.

In 2021, he released his autobiography, Truth Bee Told. Unfortunately, he also lost his son Brett to a murder.

As excited as I was to meet Blair, I think Tony was even more giddy. Blair is old school. No offense to more recent wrestlers, but Tony and I will always have a soft spot for the wrestlers from our youth.

We had a blast at the SICS Fan Fest and plan on returning next year. For more info, check sicw.org and look for updates here.

Tony and B Brian Blair in St. Louis, MO-May 2025.

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.