A Visit with The Barber (Brutus Beefcake)

I have written about Wizard World many times and I will continue writing about it.  These are unpaid endorsements.  I just love the convention.
Ed Leslie has had an interesting career in pro wrestling.  He gained fame as Brutus Beefcake, later adding "the Barber" to this name.  He wrestled in the upper-mid card  (or lower top card) for years as a tag team star and as a singles performer.
At what seemed to be the start of a major singles push, Lslie had a horrible parasailing accident which crushed his face and almost ended his life.  Miraculously, he eventually returned full-time to the ring.
Beefcake has been a lifelong friend of Hulk Hogan, a fact which has been bittersweet.  Certainly being in Hogan's inner circle has benefits, but many detractors accuse Beefcake of riding Hogan's coattails.
Like him or not, Leslie put in a lot of effort and excellent performances over the years.  Hogan's friend or not, he earnmed his spot.
When we met Beefcake at Wizard World, we commented on his legendary career.  He was relatively humble about it.  He seemed genuinely happy that people knew enough about his career.
To be a great pro wrestler, you have to be very outgoing, even self-promoting (sometimes even full of yourself).  I don't hold that against any of them.  At least Leslie also was able to relate and talk to his fans.  I have two hopes for Leslie in the future...a WWE Hall of Fame induction and an autobiography (which would be really good, as it would be published outside of the WWE realm).

Brutus Beefcake, Matt and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2011.

An Appointment with the Barber

Ed Leslie had a lengthy wrestling career, most notably with the WWE and WCW. After wrestling as Brutus Beefcake for several years, he started bringing clippers to the ring to give haircuts to his defeated opponents. At WrestleMania III, he helped Roddy Piper shave the head of Adorable Adrian Adonis after Piper had defeated him with the sleeper. Brutus 'the Barber' Beefcake was born.
The Barber shtick was his longest running gimmick, but Leslie had several others, including Brother Bruti, the Disciple, the Butcher, Zodiac and Brute Force. Perhaps his oddest name was 'the Man with No Name'.
Whatever he called himself, he is one big dude. I met him in 2006, when he was 49 years old and he was still huge.

Brutus 'the Barber' Beefcake and me in Kokomo, IN-October 2006.