Friend Encounters: Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, JJ Dillon and Tony Feddeler

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

The last time I saw my friend Tony Feddeler with the Four Horsemen, he was repping the Johngy shirt. Tony returns here with some of the Horsemen, but no Johngy shirt. Still, this is a very cool moment.

Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were the tag team within the Horsemen. On their own they would have been a great team, but as part of the Horsemen, they became legends. The Horsemen were perhaps the greatest stable and assembly of talent ever. With Ric Flair as the leader, Arn and Tully as the backbone, a rotating 4th member and manager JJ Dillon, the Horsemen were so good as villains, they were cheered.

Tony is a great friend, a wrestling fan and a convention buddy. We've had a lot of fun over the years at various events. He's a good guy and I always look forward to seeing him.

I love the picture below, because Tony looks like he could have been in the Horsemen. Actually, he could have been Arn's tag team partner, moving Tully to the secondary title picture with Ric still being the main man. Arn and Tony would have been a force.I am sure Tony wouldn't disagree with me placing him in the Horsemen!

Arn Anderson, Tony Feddeler, Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon in Schaumburg, IL-September 2018.

Tully Blanchard, My 6th Horseman

Tully Blanchard played quarterback and defensive end for West Texas State University.  His father Joe was a professional wrestler and Tully followed in his footsteps after college.
Blanchard enjoyed the bulk of his success while a member of the famed Four Horsemen, lead by the legendary Ric Flair.  Blanchard was an original member and lasted about 5 years with the group.  Substance abuse and contract issues lead to Blanchard stepping away from wrestling with the Horsemen.  The Horsemen would reunite for Ric Flair's retirement ceremony in the WWE last year.
Blanchard is a born-again Christian and seems to be doing well.  When I met him at the Wrestlers Reunion, he was quiet, but looked to be enjoying the event.  We talked about his Horsemen days and also his time at WTSU with fellow future wrestlers Tito Santana and Ted DiBiase.
With Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Lex Luger, Chris Benoit, Steve McMichael, Dean Malenko and Blanchard, my Four Horsemen count stands at 7.  That leaves 6 to be met.

Tully Blanchard and me in St. Pete, FL-January 2005.