Tatanka at Heroes and Legends of Pro Wrestling VI

Chris "Tatanka" Chavis has had an interesting career.  He started out as a body builder and powerlifter, but he was also a manager at Bally's Heatlth and Tennis Corporation.  During the 1987 NFL Players Association strike, he was offered a contract by the Miami Dolphins, but he turned it down.  In 1989, he left Bally's to pursue a career in accounting.  A chance encounter with Buddy Rogers led him to a wrestling career.

Tatanka wrestled in the WWE from 1989-1996.  In 2005, he retrurned to the WWE for what was supposed to be a one time appearance.  Instead, he stayed through 2007.  He returned again in 2010 and has made sporadic appearances since.

Along with his WWE spots, he has been occasionally active on the independent scene.  Somehow, I had never met him at any appearance though, until,   Jason and I met him at a Heroes and Legends of Wrestling event in Fort Wayne, IN.

Our buddy Jayson Maples does a great job running Heroes and Legends.  Every event features several big name wrestling legends and several more well-known independent wrestlers.  It's a day filled with wrestling nostalgia, friends and excellent matches to end the night.  Jayson is a good dude and I am happy to support his event, but I really do enjoy Heroes and Legends whenever I can make it.

The next Heroes and Legends event is scheduled for Saturday, April 21.  Head to HeroesandLegendsWrestling.com to get all the info and updates on this great event.

Jason Fleigel, Tatanka and me in Fort Wayne, IN-March 2016.

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.

Tracy Smothers at Heroes and Legends of Pro Wrestling V!

Tracy Smothers made his pro wrestling debut in 1982.  Although never achieving true main event status, Smothers has had success in many wrestling organizations, such as WCW, ECW, WWF, USWA and others.  Smothers is a wrestling lifer.  He's a smart and personable veteran.

I met Smothers at Heroes and Legends Fan Fest.  Smothers had some great stories and he willingly told them.  He seemed to be having as much fun as we were.  Heroes and Legends Fan Fest is a great place to meet and talk to wrestling stars from legends to independent stars of today.  The next Heroes and Legends event will be Saturday, April 21 in Fort Wayne, IN.  So far, those announced include Jim Ross, Tito Santana, Bob Orton, James Ellsworth, Marty Jannetty, One Man Gang, Jessicka Havock, "Hardcore" Heather Owens and Sami Callahan, with several more still to be named.  It is always a day full of wrestling nostalgia, fun and action.

Smothers will be appearing with Jessie Belle Smothers (his wrestling daughter) at Berwyn Championship Wrestling on Saturday, January 27.  This is a good opportunity to meet this pair together.

Tracy Smothers and me in Fort Wayne, IN-March 2016.

Too Cold Scorpio at Heroes and Legends of Pro Wrestling VI

Charles Scaggs has been wrestling since 1985.  His biggest success has come as 2 Cold Scorpio, but he also had a memorable run as Flash Funk in the WWE.

Scaggs has won many titles during his lengthy career, including the WCW tag titles with Marcus Bagwell.  He has wrestled all over the world.

His career is one of the ones that confuses me a bit.  While he didn't have a huge build, he had decent size and excellent skills.  He showed a lot of personality and charisma, especially during his days as Flash.

I often wonder why certain wrestlers don't achieve more success or even popularity.  What is the difference-maker?  To me, Scaggs has all it takes to be a solid upper midcard wrestler in the WWE.  On the other hand, maybe he just is where he wants to be.  It's hard to tell.

I do know that Scaggs was awesome when Jason and I met him at Heroes and Legends in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He was just one of the many wrestling stars at Heroes and Legends.

The next Heroes and Legends event is on November 11 and you can get info at HeroesandLegendsWrestling.com.  Scaggs (2 Cold Scorpio) is slated to challenge our old friend Sugar Dunkerton for the H&L Cruiserweight title.  That should be a great match, possibly the match of the night.

Jason Fleigel, 2 Cold Scorpio and me in Fort Wayne, IN-March 2016.

Heroes and Legends of Pro Wrestling VII

I had a blast at Heroes and Legends of Pro Wrestling VI, but unfortunately will not be able to attend Heroes and Legends VII on Saturday, October 22.  Still, I can support it, because it is a great show run by a good guy.

Jayson Maples runs Heroes and Legends out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He works very hard at putting together a great night of wrestling and wrestler appearances.  In contrast to the rough world of pro wrestling, if you are friends with Jayson on Facebook, you will see the cutest pictures of his little guy Noah.

Back to the wrestling, VII is going to be incredible.  Slated to appear are Ryback, Vicki Guerrero, Lex Luger, Nikita Koloff, The Godfather, Dutch Mantell, Raven, Swoggle, Gary Michael Cappetta and more.  That lineup alone is worth admission.  For me, Nikita by himself would have been enough to go, if I wasn't out of town.

On the wrestling card are Damien Sandow, Carlito, Ricardo Rodriguez, Tracy Smothers, Steve Lombardi and more.  A few of my friends from Resistance Pro,. including Sugar Dunkerton, Scotty Young and Jake Omen, will also be in the ring.

The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is a great place to watch, since all seats offer excellent views.  There are plenty of good dining and hotel options nearby, too.

While I will not be at Heroes and Legends VII, I will be there in spirit.  I will also look forward to an announcement about VIII, because I'm hoping my schedule permits me to make that event.  For more info, check out HeroesandLegendsWrestling.com.

Jayson Maples and me in Fort Wayne, IN-March 2016.

Colt Cabana at Heroes and Legends of Pro Wrestling VI

Colt Cabana is an interesting guy.  He's a wrestler, who has gained more success out of the ring, but because of the ring.  He's wrestled everywhere and is popular everywhere, but he has not had a long run with the WWE.  Is that his choice or theirs?  I don't know and it really doesn't matter.

Colt has a very successful podcast.  He has made several comic con appearances and is always one of the most popular guests there, too.

Even with those appearances and his podcasts and whatever else he might have going, you should not miss a chance to watch him in the ring.  In fact, you should catch him in the Resistance Pro ring this Saturday, as he faces Suge D in a long-awaited rematch.

Suge D and Colt put on one great match at RPro last year.  It had everything including humor, scientific wrestling, some brawling and other stuff crammed into the match.  This was a "Match of the Year" candidate and the fans immediately wanted to see the rematch.

The fans, including me, will be happy to see those two lock up in the ring this Saturday at Sabotage in Summit, IL.  This is one time when I know the hype and anticipation will be surpassed by the match itself.  Check out ResistancePro.com for more info.

Colt Cabana, Jason Fleigel and me in Fort Wayne, IN-March 2016.

Heroes and Legends Fanfest Is Coming In March 2016

It is only the beginning of November and there is a long winter ahead of us.  Still, it is not too early to start marking your calendars for great events in 2016.  One of the earliest fun times will be at Heroes and Legends VI.

The Heroes and Legends Fanfest will be held on Saturday March 26 in Fort Wayne, IN.  A few big name wrestling guests and wrestling matches have already been announced.

Your Olympic hero Kurt Angle is a Platinum Guest.  Other star wrestlers include Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Kevin Thorn.

The two matches signed so far are great starts to what should be a fantastic card.  Heroes and Legends World Champ Dru Skillz will be challenged by Abyss.  Heroes and Legends Cruiserweight Champ Troy Miller is being challenged by DJ Zema Ion.

This event promises to be awesome.  It is a rare opportunity to have so many legendary wrestlers available for pictures and autographs.  Plus, they are presenting a top notch night of wrestling.  This is a wrestling fan's dream day.  There aren't many chances like this in the midwest.

Wrestlers make for some of the best celebrity guests at any convention.  They genuinely appreciate their fans.  They also have interesting stories to tell.

Such is the case with Hall of Famer Valentine.  At the Motor City Comic Con, he told me a hilarious story, which you can find at On the Beat with Greg Valentine.

Valentine was one of two wrestlers there.  At Heroes and Legends, there will be many more.  I'll definitely be there, too.

I'll be providing pre-, live and post-event coverage for here and other sites.  Stay tuned here for more details.

Be sure to check out HeroesAndLegendsWrestling.com for ticket info and more updates and announcements.  Also, "Like" the Heroes and Legends Facebook page to follow them on social media.

Greg Valentine and me in Novi, MI-May 2015.