CM Punk at C2E2 2016

Chicagoan CM Punk is one of the recently most popular wrestlers I have met.  Punk achieved a lot o success in a relatively short time in the WWE and his departure caused a lot of sadness (and rumors of his return).

I can't say Punk is one of the all-time greats.  I think his overall body of work is just too short.  I think he was on his way.  I think during his time, he was a top performer.  Unfortunately for wrestling fans, he went on to other stuff.

He has his detractors, too.  Punk has been said to be a bit prickly.  This was not the case when Scottie Steiner and I met him at C2E2.  It was also not the case in the media session there.  In fact, Punk seemed to be in an extra good mood.

Some might still criticize him for this, as he was getting paid to be nice.  I rebuff that by acknowleding his payment, but pointing to oters in the same situation who have been far less friendly.  I must be fair and say he was a great celebrity guest at C2E2.

I am happy to hear that Punk and his wife AJ Lee will once again be appearing at C2E2.  Of course, I'll be there and reporting back here.  For more info, head to C2E2.com.

Scottie Steiner, CM Punk and me in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

Gene Okerlund at C2E2 2016

Meeting Mean Gene Okerlund was like meeting a piece of wrestling history.  The legendary broadcaster has interviewed all of the biggest names in pro wrestling.

Scottie "The WonderBoy" Steiner and I had a lot of fun at C2E2, hanging with Wisconsin promoter David Herro and Okerlund.  Scottie's colorful shirt was the topic of a few of Okerlund's jokes (and rightly so).

Okerlund looks great, too.  My first memories of Mean Gene go back to the early 80's.  Now 35 years later, I can't believe I am conversing with this legend.  (Maybe 35 years from now, I will say the same about Scottie).

In a sport where huge, ciseld bodies rule and the fans are constantly looking for the next best thing, Mean Gene is timeless.  He transcends the product.  Do not miss any chance to meet this legend.

For that matter, do not miss a chance to go to C2E2, where you can meet such legends.  Go to C2E2.com to learn about the upcoming event.

Scott Steiner, Gene Okerlund and me in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

John Cusack at C2E2 2016

Sometimes, the picture needs no real introduction.  John Cusack is a legend.  I don't need to discuss his lengthy resume.  He's also a Chicagoan.

Scottie Steiner and I met Cusack at C2E2 earlier this year.  It was awesome meeting the legend, but I must admit he wasn't overly fan-friendly.

This falls into that nebulous category, where the celebrity wasn't a jerk and really did nothing offensive, but didn't make it special.  This is the fine line.  An extra smile, a quick greeting, any sort of that stuff goes a long way.

Perhaps Cusack was tired.  Maybe we were among the few who didn't get much out of Cusack.  It would take another time or several others from this time to really help me formulate my opinion.

I don't disparage Cusack.  I have had similar "disappointments" with Dean Stockwell, who I was really excited to meet.  These in no way rank with the very few bad experiences I have had with celebrities.

I just wanted more.  Cusack is a Chicago icon and seems like a good guy.  I blame him for being likeable.

Scottie Steiner, John Cusack and me in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

Friendly Encounters: Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Scottie Steiner

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

Scottie "The Wonder Boy" Steiner is the official timekeeper at Resistance Pro.  As such, he has met quite a few wrestlers over the years.  He doesn't really get too excited about meeting even the bigger name wrestlers.  Scottie is one cool customer.

He did get a bit jacked though when we met WWE Hall of Famer Hacksaw Jim Duggan at C2E2.  We both got our pictures with Hacksaw, but when he was done with mine, he instructed us to take another, as he choked me.  This is classic Hacksaw.  He gives more than expected every time.  After seeing Hacksaw do this to me, Scottie asked him for the same treatment.  Of course Hacksaw complied.

Scottie was a big help to Johngy's Beat at C2E2 and I am glad he got to have some fun in pictures like the one with Hacksaw.  Someday, Scottie should be a lock for the RPro Hall of Fame.

Scott Steiner and Jim Duggan in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

Sting at Wizard World

Sting (Steve Borden) was probably the biggest star who had the chance and never wrestled in the WWE.  Stated reasons were his Christian beliefs, his disdain for the product, his lack of a need of cash, his desire to have a light workload and other factors.  Whatever the real reason, everything was changed when he joined the WWE last year.
Sting has had an interesting career.  He spent most of his 25+ years as a good guy.  His rivalry with Ric Flair is one of the greatest and they were the faces of WCW for years.  Incredibly, Sting gained even more popularity during a lengthy span when he barely wrestled or spoke.  As the main force opposing the invading NWO, Sting reached another level of stardom.
Sting was also one of the few big name wrestlers I have not met.  That all changed this year at Wizard World.  Johngy's Beat Correspondent Scott "The Wonder Boy" Steiner and I met the Icon briefly.  While it was just a short photo op, Sting did the best he could to make it a special moment for the fans and press.
As a side note for my fellow convention attendees, get your photo op tickets asap.  The tickets have ben selling out and unfortunately many times they are sold to ticket resellers in hopes of profits.  This isn't the fault of Wizard World.  It's just people trying to profit from the system.  The lesson is not to delay and get your tickets right away or be prepared to pay a lot more.

Sting, Scott Steiner and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

I Pulled A Plane Again

The first year that Resistance Pro participated in the Special Olympics Plane Pull at O'Hare Airport, I was out of town.  In 2014, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it and a couple months ago, I was part of this special event again!

Pulling a plane is cool in itself.  That big bird is 90 tons, yet the 20 of us were able to get it rolling in about 9 seconds.  I'm not sure how that ranked or how it translates, but it felt really good.

It felt even better to see the looks on the Special Olympians' faces as they met Sean Mulligan, Paloma Starr and Scotty Steiner of RPro.  Barring the appearance of the WWE's John Cena, these three could not have made the special athletes any happier.  It was awesome being a part of this.

I thank RPro for including me and for Mulligan, Starr and Steiner allowing this old guy to join their effort.  It was totally a feel good day which brings back feel good memories every time I think of it.

Sean Mulligan, Paloma Starr, Scotty Steiner, our pane-pulling teammates and me at O'Hare Airport, IL-August 2015.

On the Beat with Resistance Pro at "Rust in Peace"

Resistance Pro's Halloween themed "Rust in Peace" was another night of great wresting action, along with spooky, funny and odd costumes worn by wrestlers and fans.  It made for another memorable night at RPro.
JohngysBeat.com scored our first interview with RPro Security member Scottie Steiner.  The namesake of Big Poppa Pump and the son of RPro staffer Heidi discussed his future goal of wrestling, along with other fun stuff.  Scottie, aka Big Scott Vader, won last year's costume contest as ScottDust and should have won this year.
Special Correspondent Jonathan McMahon got an interview with Sugar Dunkerton.  Special D is always a treat and is always entertaining.
JMac also talked to Mad Man Pondo.  Pondo discussed his role in video games, his role at RPro and more.
Lastly, I talked to Professor Kliq who was back at RPro.  The talented musician and wrestling fan talked about his latest projects.  It is always a pleasure seeing and talking to Professor Kliq.

The next RPro show is "...And Justice For All" on Friday in Lockport.  Check out ResistancePro.com for all of the details.