No Criticism of Kevin Nash Here

Kevin Nash has had an interesting wrestling career.  He has been involved in some of the greatest angles.  He has been a multiple time champion.  Unfortunately, he has also been criticized for various reasons (such as backstage politics and laziness).
I don't know the inside scoop, but I can tell you he seems like a straight up guy to me.  He is always really cool in person and I have met him several times under many different circumstances.  He goes out of his way to give his fans what they want.
For some odd reason, JayHawk and I decided we wanted the big man to put us in headlocks.  He obliged.  Be careful what you ask for, but hindsight is 20/20.  It seemed like a good idea.  Fortunately, Big Kev kept it a loose lock and didn't snap our necks.  Seriously, I do think Kev could have put a hurtin' on us if he wanted.
Kev also is patient and willing to talk about himself, wrestling and his friends in wrestling.
He has enough detractors out there (really too many), but I am not one of them.  Kev is okay in my opinion!

JayHawk Evans, Kevin Nash and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

At the Motor City Comic Con

This is a special series about my friends meeting celebs at the Motor City Comic Con.

One of the great things about the Motor City Comic Con is the attendees are often as entertaining as the celebrity guests.  I have met several "Superheroes", characters from Star Wars and other creatures.  Usually the costumed attendees are very willing to pose for pictures.

Leave it to JayHawk Evans to run into some angry Storm Troopers (are there any pleasant Storm Troopers?).  I don't know what Evans did to incur their wrath on this day, but having known him for years, I can certainly understand their response.

Fortunately it all ended well as the Storm Troopers let Evans go and he was free to spread his unique cheer elsewhere.

JayHawk Evans surrendering to Storm Troopers in Novi, MI-May 2010.

The Legend of YMJ

A couple months ago, I featured JayHawk Evans with Steven (William) Regal in Friendly Encounters.  Today, I am revealing one of my favorite JayHawk stories, which occurred later in that same night.
JayHawk and I trekked out to Cincinnat (OH) for the Brian Pillman Memorial Show.  Before the night of wrestling, we met several of the wrestlers during the meet-and-greet session.  Then we settled in for a great night of up close action in the small gym.
Near the end of the night, Diamond Dallas Page entered the ring and started to thank everyone and talk about the late Brian Pillman.  In his opening statement, he pointed to JayHawk and proclaimed him to be wearing the best shirt there.  He motioned for JayHawk to stand up, which he did, soaking up a bit of applause.
As evident in the Friendly Encounter post, JayHawk was wearing a Cactus Jack shirt.  (For those unfamiliar with pro wrestling, Cactus Jack was an earlier days in-ring persona of Mick Foley).
I never saw the dvd of that Pillman event.  I don't even know if one exists.  I do know that if there is one, JayHawk is certainly on it!

Diamond Dallas Page in Cincinnati, OH-May 2000.

Happy Birthday JayHawk

Jason Fleigel (aka JayHawk Evans) started at Lerner Newspapers when he was a young pup.  He was a smart kid, with a smart mouth.  He also turned into a good friend along the way.
Whether he was tinkering with Lerner's dinosaur of a computer system or performing yeoman duty on the audits, Jason was always on the top of his game.  He never really got the credit he deserved at Lerner. His post-Lerner career has been much more lucrative.
Over the years, I have probably been hard on him a bit much, but hopefully he knows what I think of him.  JayHawk is a good guy and I am better for knowing him and I am not just talking about his pc expertise (although that certainly sweetens the pot).
Happy birthday JayHawk.  May your mayo jar be overflowing!

Jason Fleigel and me at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI-May 2009.

WWE's Decade Diva, Lilian Garcia

In 1999, Lilian Garcia started her career in the WWE as a ring announcer. In early 2000, she made her singing debut in the WWE. She left the WWE in 2009 to pursue her music career, although she made a one night return in April 2010.
JayHawks Evans and I met Garcia at the Motor City Comic Con last month. Garcia is excited about moving to Los Angeles and really concentrating on her music career. She talked about how much fun she had on her one night return to the WWE (filling in for the new ring announcer who was stranded in Europe), but she doesn't regret leaving the WWE. She has started doing conventions, which she views as a way to keep in contact with some other wrestlers and her fans. It's kind of the best of both worlds.

JayHawk Evans, Lilian Garcia and me in Novi, MI-May 2010.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

I have known Jason Fleigel (aka JayHawk Evans) for about 14 years. Fleigel came to Lerner Newspapers as a raw bundle of energy (hence the moniker 'The Angry One') and talent (hence the moniker 'Young Master Jason'...hence the acronym 'YMJ').
YMJ made a name for himself with his technological acumen, which was especially in demand at the technologically challenged company (hence the moniker 'NegaTek'). YMJ came to Lerner as a part-time telemarketer, but quickly developed into a vital asset to the Circulation Department. YMJ even took the lead position in a few circulation audits.

Fleigel is also a fan of wrestling. Actually, he is quite a student of the game, a virtual historian. His overall knowledge and recall is quite impressive.

Recently, he met one of his current favorites in the wrestling business, Dixie Carter, President of TNA. Carter had been successful in the business world for several years before joining TNA in 2002. Since then, Carter has played a major role in the success of TNA, although without being a major tv character.

Fleigel got the chance to chat with Carter while TNA was in Chicago for a Pay-Per-View event. Fleigel kept his composure and reigned in his excitement, but I am quite sure this photo is hung in a prominent place at Das Fleigelhausen.

Dixie Carter and Jason Fleigel in Chicago, IL-October 2008.