Friend Encounters: Tiffany and John

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Tiffany rose to fame as a teenage singer in the late 1980s. I jumped on the bandwagon and started following her career. By 2000, Tiffany-mania died down a bit, but I was still a fan. Her Color of Silence album is my favorite among her albums. She shed her teeny-bopper, bubble gum songs in favor of deeper songs, without losing any of her energy. I still rank that album as a great one, as I told her in my Talking Travel interview with her on Global Traveler.

My buddy John met Tiffany at a meet-and-greet at her performance at the Arcada Theater in St. Cahrles, Illinois. It is a beautiful intimate venue. Tiffany's meet-and-greet was one of the best. I know, because I was also there, otherwise I would have been quite envious.

I have met Tiffany a few times and she has been great every time, as were her shows. She is much more than an 80s nostalgia act.

John is a regular at the Arcada or its sister venues. He has met quite a few musicians I would have liked to meet. At least I matched him with Tiffany.

For more on Tiffany, go to tiffanymusic.com. John doesn't have a site, but with all of his music encounters, he would have plenty of material.

Tiffany and John in St. Charles, IL-October 2025.

Friend Encounters: One Man Gang, Slick and John

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Now there is the makings of a great wrestling faction. Akeem (formerly known as The One Man Gang), my buddy John D. and "The Doctor of Style" Slick maybe just need one more to round out the group.

At one point, Akeem was The One Man Gang, a violent big man from Chicago. This was such a great character. Unfortunately, the WWE in the 80s loved cartoony characters. OMG was said to have discovered his roots. It was neither funny nor politically correct. It wasn't even good wrestling.

Nobody wanted to see this brute as Akeem. OMG could have been so much bigger and better in a feud with Hulk Hogan. This is not a knock at all on George Gray, the man who portrayed both. He is a nice guy, capable wrestler and obviously a company man. He did his best to make it work.

While as Akeem, he was under the onscreen management of Slick. Slick himself probably wasn't the most politically correct character either. Wrestling is always behind the times on that stuff. Like Gray, Slick did his best with the gimmick and actually made it likable.

As for John, he's himself. Like the late Chris Candido, no gimmick needed. He's a nice guy who I always enjoy seeing at wrestling conventions. John gets around. He probably meets more celebs than I do. 

Back to the idea of a faction. OMG and Dean are the big tag team, like the Natural Disaters. They just need a singles champion to round out the group.

One Man Gang, John and Slick in Indianapolis, IN-April 2025.

Friend Encounters: Nickla Roberts and John

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

John D. is another friend I met through conventions. I always look forward to seeing him at a wrestling show, comic con or other such event

It was at a wrestling event earlier this year that John met Nickla Roberts, best known for her stint in pro wrestling as Baby Doll. Roberts was involved in several big storylines with Tully Blanchard, Dusty Rhodes and the Four Horsemen. Roberts was married to former wrestlers Sam Houston (half-brother of Jake Roberts). Roberts has since remarried.

Usually I am envious of the folks John meets, but this time I am okay, but only because I met her at the same eevnt. Roberts looked great and was very engaging with fans. The same could be said for John, too.

The event was a fan fest hosted by Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling. Led by Herb Simmons, SICW holds several events during the year, culminating in the big fan fest. This was the first one I attended, but it won't be the last.

For more info and scheduling, go to sicw.org. For more on John, check back here or look for him at events.

Nickla Roberts and John in St. Louis, MO-May 2025.

Friend Encounters: Layla El and John

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today, I feature my pal JD and a seldom-seen wrestling star at a great wrestling convention. JD met Layla El at Squared Circle Expo in Indianapolis.

SCX has held five great conventions in Indy. SCX VI has been announced for March 27-28, 2026. If you are a wrestling fan, this is the convention for you. Every year, it gets bigger and better. Earlier this year, it had about 75 wrestling legends and current stars.

Layla El was one of those stars. Mostly out of the limelight, Layla El was part of LayCool, a solid tagteam with Michelle McCool several years back. Also a former model, Layla El didn't stay in wrestling for a long run, but she mad her mark. McCool is in the WWE Hall of Fame, but unfortunately Layla El is not. No disrespect to McCool (aka Mrs. Undertaker), but they should have gone in together as LayCool. 

My pal JD met Layla El and reported she was very nice. JD is one of my favorite convention pals. Although we rarely connect outside of conventions, JD and I always have a good time catching up and comparing convention notes.

Go to squaredcirclex.com for more info. Check here for my recurring coverage.

Layla El and John in Indianapolis, IN-April 2025.

Friend Encounters: Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson and John

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

With the goal of keeping St. Louis wrestling memories alive, Herb Simmons is the promoter of Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling. One of the highlights of the year is the SICW FanFest.

My schedule finally alowed me to attend the FanFest earlier this year. It started with a Bill Apter Q&A on Friday night. Saturday morning and afternoon had a meet and greet with about 25 wrestling legends. A full wrestling card on Saturday night fnished the event with a bang.

My pal JD is a regular attendee at the FanFest. JD is another of my convention pals. Although our connection is usually limited to conventions, it is always fun seeing him. We catch up and compare notes about whatever convention we're attending and future ones.

At SICW, JD met the Rock and Roll Express. Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson were one of the best tagteams ever. Although they didn't wrestle much in the biggest companies, they were still one of the most well-known and popular teams. 

Go to sicw.org for more info on the company and FenFest. I hope to see you there next year.

Ricky Morton, John and Robert Gibson in St. Louis, MO-May 2025.

Friend Encounters: Konnan and JD

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

John Dean is another pal from years of crossing paths at wrestling events and comic cons. He has me beat with musicians and actors though. Today, I feature JD with one of the most famous wrestlers, especially south of the border.

Konnan is a wrestling legend in Mexico. He also enjoyed success in the U.S. in World Championship Wrestling and TNA/Impact Wrestling and had a short stint in the WWE. In addition to earning many titles, Konnan helped many other Mexican wrestlers find spots in the U.S. and helped them once here. 

Unfortunately, Konnan has experienced health issues in his recent years, including having a hip replacement.

John has me beaten with Konnan. I have never met the legend. Even though he has this one on me, I am still happy to see John doing what he loves.

Konnan and John in Waukesha, WI-December 2023.

Friend Encounters: Kris Statlander and John D. at StarrCast VI

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

I can post this picture of my pal John D. meeting All Elite Wrestling's Kris Statlander without being envious. I Recently had the pleasure of meeting Statlander at StarrCast VI.

Actually, I met Statlander a couple years back. Because it was during the pandemic, Statlander was masked. While I understand and respect her decision to wear the mask at the time, it wasn't a picture I really wanted.

When I saw Statlander would be at StarrCast VI, she went to the top of my list of wrestlers I wanted to meet. I could make up for the mask photo.

Of course, while I was there, John D. was also there to meet Stanlander and the many other great wrestlers. John is a frequent attendee of such events and we cross paths many times. John also meets a lot of singers and other celebrities. Thus, he has many opportunities to take pictures that make me envious. Fortunately, this one with Statlander is not one of them.

Go to StarrCast.com for more info on a great wrestling event. Check back here for more friends with celebrities. Feel free to send your own pics to me.

John D. and Kris Statlander in Schaumburg, IL-September 2023.

Friend Encounters: Trish Stratus and John Dean

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I have known John Dean for many years. We became convention pals through crossing paths many times at various conventions. I often am envious of the cool celebrities John meets

Today, I am featuring John with WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. This is one celeb I already met. John did not beat me to her.

Stratus recently made a surprising return to action in the wrestling ring. It isn't unusual that she made an appearance, but I don't think many people thought she would stay for a stint in the WWE, especially as a heel. Stratus versus Becky Lynch has been a fun ride though. Each s one fo the best from her era and the fans are the real winners.

I wonder if John talked to Stratus about being her manager. I could see John in that role. He'd be great, although I think he is content just meeting these celebrities. I am just happy he shares them all on social media. It is fun following him, even if I am occasionally envious of the cool celebs he meets.

Trish Straus and John Dean in Waterloo, IA-July 2022.

Friend Encounters: Darby Allin and John Dean

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

The Squared Circle Expo in Indianapolis, IN was the first major event I attended after the pandemic shut down most everything in early 2020. The SCE 2021 was their debut event and it was fantastic, but SCX II was even better. SCX III returns April 7-8 and it promised to be even better than the others.

It featured a large lineup of wrestling legends and current stars. One of the active wrestlers was Darby Allin of All Elite Wrestling.

Debuting in 2015, Allin has wrestled for Game Changer Wrestling, World Wrestling Network, Lucha Libre and Progress Wrestling, before signing with AEW in 2019. He held the AEW TNT Championship once and was ranked No. 55 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2020.

John Dean is my friend from conventions and wrestling. He has met many wrestlers and was all over the place at the SCE 2021. Still, he found time to catch up with me. It's always good seeing John.

Getting a current star like Allin was a big deal for SCE, but it didn't end there. SCE also had AEW's Tay Conti and Britt Baker, among many others. It was an amazing debut event and SCE 2022, scheduled for 4/15-16,/2021, will be even better. 

Go to SquaredCircleX.com for all the info on SCE 2022. Also, check AllEliteWrestling.com.

 

Darby Allin and John Dean in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Friend Encounters: Mark Henry and John Dean

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

Now there's a tag team! The World's Strongest Man Mark Henry and my pal John Dean look like they could do some damage in a wrestling ring. I need to think of a good team name for them.

Henry was a legit strong man before embarking on a successful pro wrestling career. He appeared at the 1996, becoming the largest athlete ever in the Olympics. He also competed in many international events and holds (or held) many weightlifting records.

He eventually moved onto pro wrestling, where he held multiple titles in the WWE. He currently works for All Elite Wrestling.

My bud John met Henry at the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame weekend at the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum. A big fan of wrestling and comic cons, I have met John at many such events. It's always great to see John there. He's one of my convention pals, who has become a good friend over the years.

I guess I could call the team "The World's Strongest Team," but that seems too easy. I'll keep thinking about it.

 Mark Henry and John Dean in Waterloo, IA-July 2021.

Friend Encounters: Tay Conti and John Dean

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

Taynara Melo de Carvalho is a Brazilian professional wrestler, better known as Tay Conti. She currently wrestles for Al Elite Wrestling.

Conti debuted with the WWE in 2016, but was ultimately a victim of budget cuts during the pandemic. AEW wisely scooped up the talented Conti. In AEW, she has had Women's title matches as well as an NWA Women's title match. At only 26, Conti has a bright future.

At the inaugural Squared Circle Expo last May, Conti was one of the most popular wrestling guests. Aside from her talent and beauty, Conti's popularity at the SCX was in part because this was one of the first appearances she has made (possibly the first major one). Everyone wanted to get a picture or autograph from the rising star.

One of those fans was my pal John Dean. A big wrestling fan and an all around great guy, Dean knows wrestling talent. Of course, he had to meet Conti.

For more information on the SCX go to SquaredCircleX.com. Their next event is April 15-16, 2022. I will be there and I am pretty sure John will, too. Also check AllEliteWrestling.com for more info on Conti. Hopefully, she will return for SCX II and bring many of her AEW mates with her.

Tay Conti and John Dean in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Friend Encounters: Kane and John Dean

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

The Squared Circle Expo's debut last April was a major success. One of the first big events post-pandemic, SCE had a guest lineup filled with legendary wrestlers. One of the biggest in size and success had to be Kane (Glenn Jacobs).

Jacobs began his pro wrestling career in 1992, eventually making it to the WWF. He survived being stuck with some bad gimmicks (like fake Diesel and Dr. Isaac Yankem) before becoming Kane, storyline brother to The Undertaker. Even then, nobody would have predicted the Kane character would lead to a Hall of Fame career for Jacobs.

His climb to the top speaks volumes to the work ethic and dedication of Jacobs. Those same qualities helped him in his political career as he is currently the Mayor of Knox County Tennessee.

I had previously met Jacobs, but I wanted to see him again. Timing was not on my side and I missed my opportunity as his line grew quickly and was cut off before I could take my place. At least my buddy John Dean made the cut.

John is a great guy. He's another bud I met through wrestling and comic conventions. The picture is a bit deceiving. Yes Jacobs is really that big. John is about an average height, but Jacobs is just huge. Although he is billed as a seven footer, he is probably around 6'7", which is still towering.

I hope Kane is at the upcoming SCE II. Next time, I will make sure to get my spot in time.

The SCE II runs April 15=16 in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more info, check SquaredCircleX.com and check nack here for updates.

Kane and John Dean in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021. 

Friend Encounters: Blue World Order and John Dean at Wizard World 2011

Friend Encounters is a weekly series about friends meeting celebrities.

With Wizard World returning to Chicago this weekend, this is a great time to feature a Friend Encounter from one of their events. I'll be there again and I hope to see today's friend John Dean there, too!

I have known John for many years. A fellow wrestling fan, John has met many great wrestlers over the years.

In 2011, before I knew John, he met the Blue World Order (Stevie Richards, Brian Heffron and Mike Bucci) at Wizard World. I might have crossed paths with John there, because I spent a lot of time at the booth talking to them about wrestling and getting individual interviews. They were all fantastic at that event. I have since seen John at many events, including Squared Circle Expo earlier this year.

Recently, John took his love of wrestling to a new level and invited anyone to join the fun. John started a Wrestling Photo Ops & Action Shots on Facebook, a fun group where folks can share all of their wrestling pictures.

The group has grown to 250 members. It is a private group, which keeps it among fans who want to see other fun pictures, while sharing their own. There is none of the usual FB drama and the wrestlers pictured cover decades of greatness, not just recdent wrestling stars.

Go to Wrestling Photo Ops & Action Shots on Facebook to join the fun. You'll see a bunch of John's pics, as well as many of mine and others. Also, check WizardWorld.com for info and scheduling.

 Stevie Richards, John Dean, Brian Heffron and Mike Bucci in Rosemont, IL-August 2011.

Friendly Encounters: Alexa Bliss and John Dean

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

I'm not even sure when or where I met John Deann.  I could guess it was a wrestling event or a comic con several years ago.  He's a good dude.

At Wizard World Chicago 2017, he met WWE superstar Alexa Bliss.  In her four year career, Bliss has already won a WWE Women's title four times.  Even though titles do not mean as much as they once did, she is still off to an impressive start.  The question is how long will she wrestle?  

Wrestles, especially women wrestlers in the WWE don't seem to stay around for long careers (or at least as full-timers).  There are just so many other opportunities out there, once they make a name for themselves.

Right now, B;iss is one of the most successful and most popular women wrestlers in the world.  Will I still think that in even 3 years?  That's not meant as a criticism.  It's just how it is.

While I have met a lot of wrestlers, I have not met Bliss yet.  Scheduling constraints prevented me from meeting her at Wizard World.  Fortunately, John did not have that problem and he met Bliss.

From John's report and from many others, Bliss was extremely nice.  Within the confines of professional photo ops, there is only so much the celeb can do.  From every report I saw, Bliss was just awesome.  That's always good to hear.  Obviously, these events are money-makers, but it's nice to see they aren't just money-grabs for the celebrities.

I usually like to wait a few years to see if the wrestler stays around.  I might have to make an exception to that policy the next time Bliss comes to a Wizard World.

Alexa Bliss and John Dean in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.