Papa Shango at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2017

Days of the Dead takes over Indianapolis tomorrow through Sunday. As I head to what promises to be another great weekend, I look back at some of the fun moments from previous years.

Jayson Maples is the man behind Heroes and Legends of Wrestling Fan Fest, a great wrestling event held several times a year in Indiana. Jayson has become one of the staples at DotD, bringing in a series of awesome wrestling legends.

At the Days event in Indy 2017, he brought in Charles Wright. Perhaps Wright is better known by one of in-ring names, including Papa Shango, Kama, Kama Mustafa, The Godfather and The Goodfather. I met Wright at a previous event, when he was in his Godfather gear. He "choked" me there and also made reference to me looking like Jay Leno, thus joining my Jay Leno Club.

At Days Indy 2017, it was a rare opportunity to meet Wright as his Papa Shango character. I could not pass up that chance. Yes, he also made the Jay Leno reference there, too.

During his WWE career, Wright won the Intercontinental title and the tag tiles (with Bull Buchanan)  He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.

Wright is a great example of hard work and perseverance. He mad several characters work to varying degrees of success, but each had their moments. Wright seemed to be the ultimate team player in a universe which is often self-centered. More importantly, he always seemed to be having fun, just like he did at Days.

At Days Indy 2019, wrestling guests scheduled include Kurt Angle and Sgt. Slaughter. I am sure Jayson will be there, as will a few indy wrestlers from the area.

Go to DaysoftheDead.com for more info and scheduling. Also check out HeroesandLegendsWrestling for info on those fun events. 

Papa Shango and me in Indianapolis, IN-July 2017.

Friendly Encounters: The Godfather and Hardcore Heather Owens

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Hardcore Heather Owens doesn't look all that "hardcore" in this picture.  In fact, she looks rather giddy.  Then again, she is with the Godfather.  I'll let that sit there.

Heather is one of my favorite wrestlers at Resistance and one of my favorite people at Days of the Dead.  She looks small, but she is a ball of energy and fun.  She works hard and is well-loved at both places.

I have long-predicted a run as Women's champ at RPro and I still think it could happen in The Resistance.  She's been a loyal and popular worker for several years there/  Similarly at DotD, Heather (along with her her Zubaz-wearing husband Ed Gonzales) has been a tireless worked from the debut of the great con.

None of that stops her from having a fun time everywhere she goes.  That brings us back to the picture with The Godfather (aka Charles Wright).  When you're talking The Godfather, you are talking fun.

I love this picture.  It just screams fun.  This is the type of fun that is always happening at Days of the Dead.

Despite Heather having a great time with The Godfather, she did not join the infamous Hooooo train.  She remained a #ClassyBroad.  (She might kick my butt if I said anything different!)

Go to DaysoftheDead.com to get all of the info on this great horror con.  They have yearly events in five cities and you would definitely see Heather, although she might be a blur.

Hardcore Heather Owens and The Godfather in Indianapolis, IN-June 2017.

The Godfather at C2E2 2016

Charles Wright is possibly best known for his stint in the WWE as the Godfather.  This was during the Attitude Era, when limits were pushed and ratings soared.  Wright became a solid midcard talent.

Previous to becoming the Godfather, Wright went through a few other gimmicks, none nearly as successful.  It really wa a combination of timing and talent.  Wright played his role well.  Even today, some twenty years later, he can still rev up a crowd with one of his Godfather taglines.

Such was the case when Wright appeared at C2E2 last March.  Wright arrived at his booth and saw a nice line waiting for him.  He immediately encouraged everyone to step aboard the "hooooooooooo train."  The crowd went wild, acknowledging the boisterous Wright and paying homage to his Godfather persona.

I got to talk a bit to Wright about appearing at comic cons.  He fits right in and he gets it.  After taking our regular picture, Wright told me to choke him, which I gladly did.  He sold it like the true pro that he is.  I love these pictures.

Wright is a winner in and out of the ring.  He's not one of the greatest ever, but he will always have a place in the hearts, minds and memories of wrestling fans.  Plus, if he continues to do comic cons like this, he will be picking up new fans.  You never know where things might lead, especially in the world of pro wrestling.

The Godfather and me in Chicago, IL-March 2016.