Friend Encounters: Jim Ross and Tony F.

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

Today's feature is a long time coming and I got to witness the much-anticipated event. Actually, I also had a hand it in actually happening.

Like many wrestling fans, my pal Tony grew up listening to the legendary Jim Ross as he announced wrestling matches for the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling and the WWF/E. Tony and I have met dozens of wrestlers over the years. While I met good old JR at New York Comic Con, Tony never met the Hall of Fame announcer.

When the guest list for StarrCast VI was announced, JR was at the top of Tony's list. I applied and was granted press passes for Tony and me. Tony would have gone and would have met JR with or without the press pass, but the credential made it a tad easier. I am not glomming onto 100% credit for this, but I am glad to have a slight hand in it.

Tony was pretty excited as he approached JR. I can't blame him. JR is on the Mt. Rushmore of wrestling broadcasters. For ability and longevity, I can't think of anyone who tops him, at least in my time watching wrestling.

These are the kind of moments that happen at StarrCast. I am happy three of the six events have been in the Chicago area. Nothing has been announced for StarrCast VII, but it will probably not be here (although I am sure it will return soon).

Go to StarrCast.com for future announcements. If you're a wrestling fan, you definitely want to go to StarrCast at least once.

Jim Ross and Tony in Schaumburg, IL-September 2023.

Jim Ross at New York Comic Con 2021

Jim Ross started working in wrestling in 1974. Starting as a ref, he moved into broadcasting a few years later and became an institution behind the mic. Good Ol' JR carved out a Hall of Fame career in the NWA, WCW, WWE and now All Elite Wrestling.

Ross had been on my list for a long time, before I finally met him at the New York Comic Con at Michael Kingston's Headlocked booth. Ross was just one of many wrestling stars Kingston brought in to his booth, but he might be the biggest. A true wrestling legend, Ross deserves to be on the Mt. Rushmore of broadcasters. 

I always say events like NYCC are great places to meet wrestlers. The lines are usually shorter than at wrestling conventions and you get a little extra time with the legends. Such was the case with Ross. I got to talk to him about his famous barbeque sauce and his time broadcasting college and pro football.

Go to AllEliteWrestling.com for more info on JR and AEW.. Check NewYorkComicCon.com for updates and scheduling on NYCC.

Jim Ross and me in New York, NY-October 2021.

Friend Encounters: Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross and Michael Kingston

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

When does a person become a celebrity? Perhaps I should ask Michael Kingston. Over the last several years, Michael Michael has become a celebrity.

Several years ago, Michael started Headlocked, a realistic comic about wrestling. Not satisfied with wrestling comics of the day, Michael set out to produce a wrestling comic which was more like the real world of wrestling. Other comics had wrestlers with super human or super natural powers. Michael felt wrestling was interesting enough on its own and wanted to expose that world to readers. Headlocked was born and Michael has been entertaining readers ever since.

Wrestlers and the wrestling community quickly started getting on the Headlocked bandwagon. Jerry "The King" Lawler did cover art and many other wrestlers contributed along the way.

When Michael goes to comic cons, the Headlocked booth always has a roster of legendary wrestlers. At New York Comic Con, Rob Van Dam, Katie Forbes, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, the Major Wrestling Figure Podcast crew, Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Ross all appeared at his booth. That lineup is a wrestling convention in itself.

Then there was Michael, right in the middle of it all, with many Headlocked issues on his resume. Michael's achievements clearly have vaulted him onto a different level. Before all of this started, Michael was a bright guy with a dream. Now he is an accomplished author surrounded by wrestling legends. At some point, Michael has joined the wrestling legend category.

You don't have to be an actual wrestler to be in that club. Referees, announcers and others are wrestling celebrities. Creators are in that group, too. Michael is creating wrestling history.

Celebrity or not, Michael is a great guy. He alsways has time for a quick chat and update and he always has a lot going on. Success and celebdom couldn't happen to a better guy. He deserves all the success he has.

Check HeadlockedComic.com for all the latest news. Check NewYorkComicCon.com for updates and scheduling on NYCC.

Jerry Lawler, Michael Kingston and Jim Ross in New York, NY-October 2021.

Friendly Encounters: Mike and Nicole Bellcaster Meet Jim Ross

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Today I am featuring Mike and Nicole Bellcaster, a couple I met through Resistance Pro Wrestling.  Mike and Nicole started out as fans, but quickly worked their way into positions as the Official Timekeeper and the Merchandise Maven, respectively.
They are a young, fun couple, who love wrestling and R Pro.  They got married in a wrestling ring, surrounded by family and friends, including many members of the extended R Pro family.
The couple went to Las Vegas in 2012 for the Cauliflower Alley Club event.  There they met many wrestling personalities.  One that really stood out to me was Jim Ross (aka JR).
Ross is a wrestling legend for his broadcasting career.  JR made every match seem interesting, without going overboard.  He is the gold standard for wrestling broadcasters.
I like the juxtaposition of the Hall of Famer Ross with the young wrestling couple.  It is the old and the new, the merging of two generations.
I am proud to know Mike and Nicole and to call them friends.  They are two of the colorful, fun characters at Resistance Pro.  They are also proof that R Pro is more than just wrestling.  It is a big family of great people.

Mike, Jim Ross and Nicole Bellcaster in Las Vegas, NV-May 2012.