Honky Tonk Man, Jay Leno and Squared Circle Expo

Much like his career, Honky Tony Man and I have an interesting story. Another chapter unfolded in March at Squared Circle Expo IV.

HTM was a wrestler in the WWF when Intercontinental champ Ricky Steamboat wanted time off. HTM was selected to win the IC title. After he became champ, he held the title for a then record amount of time. It was a bit of a surprise to many fans, but he was a credible champ and deserved the reign.

I first met HTM at Motor City Comic Con many years ago. He called me Jay Leno at MCCC and was proud he made the connection. His spirit sank a bit when I told him he wasn't the first. Actually, he wasn't even the first at MCCC. That honor went to Terri Runnels.

Every time I see HTM he calls me Jay Leno and asks about being the first, still frustrated he wasn't the original. At SCX IV in March, he called me over and asked for a selfie. Folks around me looked surprised. Here was a Hall of Fame wrestler asking an average fan for a picture. They obviously did not know our long-running connection.

I always look forward to seeing HTM to see what will unfold next. He never disappoints either.

Go to SquaredCircleX.com for more info and scheduling on SCX V. I hope to see you there.

Honky Tonk Man and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2024.

Friendly Encounters: The Honky Tonk Man and Joey Roth

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

Despite his pro wrestling career and my coverage of wrestling, I have yet to see him in action. I have met him several times at various comic cons and wrestling events.
I knew of his affinity for Roddy Piper and the Ramones, his interest in comic cons, his IPW Chicagoland Wrestling championship, his partnership with Roxi Heart and other assorted tidbits, but I didn't have a lot of details until I interviewed him. I learned a lot about Joey in our interview at On the Beat With Joey Roth.
One of the best times I had at Wizard World was meeting Joey and us interacting with a couple wrestling legends. We met Lisa Marie Varon and The Honky Tonk Man. Everyone loves LMV, especially in Chicago, but Joey was a bit more excited to meet HTM.
It's completely understandable. HTM was a great character in the WWF back in the day. He was the longest holder of the Intercontinental title. Joey is the longest holder of the ICP Chicagoland title.While not quite as prestigious as the IC title, Joey's reign has become legendary.
It was cool seeing them interact. I think HTM originally thought Joey was a cosplayer, a regular sight at comic cons. He soon learned that Joey and the title are legit.
As wrestling shows start happening again, I plan on finally seeing Joey i action. I am quite sure I will not be disappointed, but knowing Joey, I will also probably be surprised. Much like Piper, when you know the answers, Joey changes the questions. I am looking forward to this.
Check out Joey Roth on Facebook for more info and fun. Also, go to WizardWorld.com for all info and scheduling for all of their events.

The Honky Tonk Man and Joey Roth in Rosemont, IL-August 2019.

Rhythm and Blues and Hass and Johngy

As Hass and I walked by this booth, the Honky Tonk Man called out a "Jay Leno" to me. As I have previously written, Honky Tonk is a member of the Jay Leno Club and has jokingly debated about Terri Runnels calling me "Jay" before or after him.
I wasn't surprised by the Jay Leno remark, but I was surprised to see Greg 'the Hammer' Valentine sharing the booth. I met Valentine before, but never the former tag-team known as Rhythm and Blues together.
Valentine is a WWE Hall of Famer, while HTM is the longest reigning WWE Intercontinental champ. Unfortunately, Rhythm and Blues was not exactly a high point for either of them. Valentine was a great, but dying his hair black and adopting the guitar playing gimmick went against his traditional wrestling background.
HTM and Valentine actually wrestled together (sometimes called Double Trouble) a while before they reunited as Rhythm and Blues. Although they never won tag-team gold in the WWE, they did win the titles in the Northern States Wrestling Alliance. Also, Diamond Dallas Page's first appearance in the WWE was driving them to the ring in a pink Cadillac for Wrestlemania VI.
Honky Tonk was his usual fun self and Valentine was his usual quiet self, but both were definitely willing to talk a bit about wrestling. Honky let me hold the IC title belt. In the lower left, one of Johnny Valentine's (Greg's dad) is sitting on the table.

Greg Valentine, Hass, me and Honky Tonk Man in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

Honky Tonk Man, Jay Leno and Johngy

My favorite story from the 2009 Motor City Comic Con involves the Honky Tonk Man, a pro wrestler. It shouldn't surprise anyone that a colorful character like HTM would be part of a lasting memory.
As I approached HTM, he immediately exclaimed that I look like Jay Leno (a statement I have heard many times before). He even repeated it to one of the MCCC staffers for confirmation.
I let the air out of HTM's balloon when I told him that I heard that quite often. Disappointed, he stated that he thought he would be the first. I deflated him further by stating that I had just heard it from the parking attendant, too.
I did try to soothe his feelings by stating that he was the biggest celebrity to make the comparison. I told him that he was bigger than Terri Runnels, who was the previous biggest celebrity. (I had forgotten that actor Patrick Warburton had also made the connection.)
That got a big laugh out of HTM, who took it all with good humor. He even signed my photo in a unique way.
Later in the day, I ran into HTM again and he joked that he was still upset that he wasn't the first. I reminded him that he was the biggest. Then he feigned anger at Runnels for beating him to it.
For the rest of the convention, HTM would call out 'Jay Leno' every time I walked by his table. Thanks Honky Tonk, for giving me a funny memory and story to tell.

Honky Tonk Man and me (note the personalization) in Novi, MI-May 2009.