Friend Encounters: Svengoolie and Glen and Patrick Rylko at C2E2

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

Early in 2022, my friend Glen Rylko passed away. I always had so much fun with Glen and his family at comic cons, wrestling events and other fun places.

During the pandemic, Glen and I became closer, often texting each other our complaints of the day, fun stuff, comic con info or whatever was on our minds. It was really more about reaching out than actual content. As the pandemic lessened and it looked like life would resume to some form of normalcy, Glen became very ill and soon passed.

I miss those texts. I'll miss Glen at the events. He was a good man with a loving family. He died way too young.

Glen and his family were big fans of the legendary Svengoolie. With the long lines Sven always had, Glen and I would sometimes sneak into the line with whoever was there first. It was simple comic con fun, the kind of silliness I'll miss.

Fortunately, Glen was big on picture-taking, as am I. I have several other celebrity encounters of Glen's I'll be posting in the future. It's my way of keeping his memory alive and remembering the good times.

C2E2 and Flashback Weekend are both running August 5-7. I'll be thinking of my bud Glen and missing him even more than usual. 

Thank you for the memories, my friend. Rest in peace, Glen.

Glen, Sven and Patrick in Chicago, IL-March 2019.

CM Punk at C2E2 2019

After a seven year absence< CM Punk returned to wrestling at All Elite Wrestling's Rampage in Chicago in September. Punk received a huge ovation. It was one of the loudest and longest crowd reactions I have witnessed in wrestling and he deserved it. Love him or not, Punk has made his mark and looks to add to his legacy.

I have met him many times at comic cons, wrestling shows and charity events. I have enjoyed each encounter.

One such time was at C2E2 2019, when I my friend Glen and Patrick Rylko and I met him. Granted, you don't have much time at these such events, but the key is to make the most of those precious few minutes. Punk made it a fun time and that is all I can ask of any celeb.

C2E2 2021 runs December 10-12. I don't know if Punk will be there, but I have a feeling he will. I know I will be there "On the Beat" as usual. I also think Glen will be there, maybe with his wife Alicia. I hope all are there, because it is going to be a blast.

Go to C2E2.com for all the info and scheduling. Also, check out AllEliteWrestling.com for more info on Punk and his squared circle mates at AEW.

Patrick Rylko, Glen Rylko, CM Punk and me in Chicago, IL-March 2019.