Gotta Love the Kish

Samoans have a rich history in pro wrestling. The Anoa'i family is probably the biggest, most successful and best-known Samoan family. Previously, I have written about Matt Anoa'i (who hoisted me on his shoulders at an event). Today, I am featuring his cousin Solofa Fatu Jr (aka Rikishi).
Solofa has had a long and successful career. Most notably, in the WWE he has been a tag team champ three times and the Intercontinental champ once. His two oldest sons currently wrestle as Jimmy and Jey Uso for the WWE.
He was in a great mood when JayHawk and I met him at Wizard World. We talked about his career and his sons.
I'm feeling pretty old seeing sons of wrestlers I grew up watching. I didn't mention this to Solofa, because I didn't want to incur his wrath and be the recipient of a stinkface (his signature move...and no, I am not going to describe it).

Me, Solofa Fatu and JayHawk Evans in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

The Power of the Green Lantern

The Green Lantern is an interesting Superhero in that there are a number of Green Lanterns.  I don't profess to understand the entire concept, but I now there have been several different incarnations and there are several Green Lanterns existing together.

I usually meet Superheros at the Motor City Comic Con, but this time, I met Green Lantern at Wizard World.  It seems Superheroes like to hang out at conventions.  That makes sense, since there are so many Superhero fans in attendance.

This Green Lantern was especially fan friendly, as he always made sure to pose on the right side of each fan.  This way, his power ring would be visible in the picture.  If only all celebrities were that crowd-pleasing!

The Green Lantern and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

Ted DiBiase Did Not Put Me to Sleep

Ted DiBiase is the adopted son of Iron Mike DiBiase, a professional wrestler who died in the ring while Ted was a youngster.  His mother suffered from depression and Ted lived with his grandparents.  He earned a football scholarship to West Texas State University, but dropped out to become a professional wrestler.
DiBiase had a long and successful career, winning many tiles, including the Million Dollar Belt, a "title" made just for his character, the Million Dollar Man.  He never quite made it to the top, but he came pretty close for a number of years.  The WWE did recognize his achievements by putting him in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.
When I met DiBiase at Wizard World, he was sharing a booth with Virgil, who was partnered with DiBiase for lengthy stretches during their careers.  I asked DiBiase to put me in the Million Dollar Dream, his version of the sleeper hold.  He asked me how tight I wanted it.  He slapped it on pretty good and Virgil kept yelling to pull it tighter.  (I think Virgil was just upset that I really didn't include him in the picture.)
This is one of those holds that can be legit.  Of course, in the ring, I know it isn't really putting the opponent into dreamland, but it could.  DiBiase didn't even give me his best and I felt how deadly it could be.
This  opportunity allowed me tio make up for one of the few misses from my time at the Wrestle Reunion in 2005.  I took a picture with DiBiase, but it didn't come out.  I mentioned this to DiBiase and he commented on how much for that event was.
DiBiase was a fun guy.  I think he is a guy who deserved more than he got in wrestling.  Hopefully his son Ted Jr. will climb to even higher heights.

Ted DiBiase and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

The Iron Sheik Finds a New Friend

Hossein Vaziri was born in Tehran, Iran.  He competed in Greco-Roman wrestling for Iran in the 1968 Olympic games and was a bodyguard for the Shah.  He came to the United States and twice was an assistant coach for the US Olympic wrestling team.
Vaziri gained fame when he entered the world of pro wrestling adopting the ring name of The Iron Sheik.  As the Iron Sheik, he won the WWF World Heavyweight title and the WWF tag team tile once each.
I have met the Iron Sheik several times and he is part of the Jay Leno Club.  He always has something fun to say, but at Wizard World last year, I saw a whole new side o him.
I went with my buddy Hassan, who is Iranian.  Hass mentioned this fact to the Iron Sheik and talked to him a bit in his native tongue.  The Sheik's face lit up and enjoyed a several minute conversation with Hass.  It was a lot of fun to witness.
The next day when I saw the Sheik again, he asked about Hass and seemed disappointed that his new friend would not be there that day.  I told him that I would bring Hass to the next show when the Sheik was back in town.  Then I called Hass and told him he had to come the next time.  Maybe if the Sheik is at the Motor City Comic Con, I can persuade Hass to take that trek with me.

Hass, the Iron Sheik and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

Hanging With Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Knight

The last time I met Christopher Knight, he was with two of his Brady siblings and cousin Oliver.  This time, he was with his wife, Adrianne Curry.  The couple met on tv's The Surreal Life and later starred together on My Fair Brady.

Curry donned a new costume for each day of the convention, almost blending in with the convention attendees.  Curry also seemed just as interested in the rest of the events as she did in their booth.  I'm not knocking her, because she was completely friendly and funny when she was meeting fans (even when they were more specifically Knight's fans).  I'm just saying she seemed like she was having a great time at the convention.

For the wrestling fans, Knight lost his only pro wrestling match to Danny Bonaduce in a dark match (non-televised) for WCW in 1994.

Chris Knight, me and Adrianne Curry in Rosemont, IL-August 2010

Angie...A-a-a-ngie

Angie Everhart is a former fashion model. I am not sure if Fred Norris would call her a Super Model, but she was billed as one at Wizard World 2010 in Rosemont (IL). I really wouldn't argue either way. Everhart has also done some acting, although she hasn't had any memorable parts really.
Over the last few years, Everhart has appeared on various reality tv shows. I really can't argue against that either. As much as I hate reality tv, I'd probably be on a show in a heartbeat if I had the chance. Actually, a handful of people know my idea for a reality show (and are probably sick of hearing about it).
I talked to Everhart about her riding accident which broke her back at age 19. Coming back from that is the most impressive thing she has done, in my opinion.

Angie Everhart and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

On the Beat with Christy Hemme

Wizard World is one of my favorite conventions.  I have attended and covered several of the events in Chicago and elsewhere and have always had a great time.  The vendors, artists and celebrity guests are all very people (and reporter) friendly.
At the last WW con in Chicago, I caught up with Christy Hemme.  I have interviewed Hemme a couple times in the past and she is always ready to talk about her music, travel or wrestling.  She is an excellent spokesperson for TNA Wrestling.

Fans can knock TNA Wrestling for a lot of reasons, but one thing nobody can deny is that they are extremely fan-oriented.  They have a lot of fan events and much of the talent is accessible.  At WW, fellow TNA star Mick Foley also talked to us and Kevin Nash posed with us, but we missed the interview times.

Thanks to Wizard World, TNA Wrestling and Christy Hemme for the time and consideration.They never tell me to write nice things, but this is what they deserve.

Ian Ziering in Rosemont 60018

You might be reluctant to admit it, but didn't most of us watch Beverly Hills, 90210 at some point? It ran for 10 seasons and helped launch many careers. One of the co-stars was Ian Ziering, who played Steve, friend of the Walsh family.
The show ended ten years ago, but Ziering looks the same. It isn't a bad-plastic, frozen-in-time look either. Ziering looks great.
He is also a nice guy. I ran out of time one day at the show and I asked him if we could talk the next day. He readily agreed. The next day as I walked by his booth, he recognized me and waved me over.
He has just started to do a few of these conventions and says that he really enjoys them. He likes meeting the fans, meeting other celebrities and seeing different cities. He also said how much he likes Chicago.
Okay, yes, he could have just been saying the right thing, but I don't think so. His explanations, look and inflection gave me the impression that he was being completely honest. He was just fun to meet. Plus, I kept expecting Brandon or Brenda Walsh to come arond the corner and invite us both to the Peach Pit.

Ian Ziering and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

Big Kev, Big Hass and Johngy

I have met Kevin Nash several times, but my friend Hass had never met the big man. When we were at the Wizard World Con, I brought the big man (Hass) to the big man (Kevin).
Hass is younger than me, so Nash probably fits his era of watching wrestling more than mine. I really enjoyed watching Hass interact with the wrestlers, including Nash. I have attended so many of these shows, but it is always fun to watch friends have fun at them, too.
Nash said all was good and that Scott Hall had just gone into rehab. Hall and Nash are tight outside of the ring. Hall has had a lot of problems and Nash has always stuck by his friend. We hope and pray that one day, Hall will be appearing alongside Nash at these shows and that his problems will be behind him.

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

Diamond Dallas Page Update

Diamond Dallas Page is a fan of Johngy's Beat and we certainly reciprocate that feeling.  Page and us have had a few interactions, including the promo DDP did for us which can be viewed on the right side of this page.
Page recently responded to a message I sent him, updating me on all things DDP and YRG (Yoga for Regular Guys).  DDP's site includes the DDP video blog.  Wednesday is "Wrasslin' Wednesday" and DDP shares rare, behind-the-scenes footage of his career.
You should also check out his blog radio talk show called YRG Radio RoundTable, which airs every Tuesday night at 9 p.m. est.  It is also available on podcast, if you miss the first broadcast.  It's a show about achieving goals, facing fears and overcoming adversity.
Diamond Dallas Page isn't just a retired wrestler.  He gave a lot to the world of wrestling and now he is giving a lot to the rest of the world.  His site is jam-packed with information and entertainment.
In his promo video, DDP tells you to check out Johngy's Beat and here, I am telling you to check out DDP's site!

Dallas Page and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

All Choked Up

Lisa Marie Varon is a body builder and a pro wrestler. In 1997, she won ESPN2's Fitness America Series. Varon has won the Woman's Championship 5 times (3 in TNA Wrestling and 2 in the WWE).
I met Varon for the first time at Wizard World in Rosemont (IL), right when she was ready to leave. She very politely gave me a few minutes of her time. I got two scoops from Varon. She is planning on moving to Chicago and she is planning on opening a restaurant. She said how much she loves Chicago, but will have to get used to the harsh winters (good luck on that part).
Varon previously owned a pizza place called Fat Tony's in Louisville (KY). She then opened a custom car shop called Black Widow Customs.
Despite achieving a fair amount of success in wrestling, I think the organizations still haven't fully realized her potential. Varon has skills in and out of the ring and should be the top woman in the organization.
I already had respect for her abilities, but after talking to her at Wizard World, I was impressed with her personally. This is why it was so strange when she lunged for my throat (see below). Then again, I have that effect on people.

Lisa Marie Varon and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

What's Happening!!

The tv sitcom What's Happening!! (yes, two exclamation marks are in the official title) was a light-hearted comedy in the 70's. Sometimes it was criticized for being too light and not attempting any serious shows about social issues. I applaud them for just trying to entertain people.
When I met Ernest Thomas (Raj) and Danielle Spencer (Dee), I told them I liked What's Happening!! for the entertainment and was glad they never went serious. They laughed a bit and said it was just a show and not meant to be a life-changer. If anything, it provided comic relief during tough times.
I like that attitude. It is always great seeing former young stars doing well now. Hey hey hey (sorry, I couldn't resist).

Ernest Thomas, me and Danielle Spencer in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

Rhythm and Blues and Hass and Johngy

As Hass and I walked by this booth, the Honky Tonk Man called out a "Jay Leno" to me. As I have previously written, Honky Tonk is a member of the Jay Leno Club and has jokingly debated about Terri Runnels calling me "Jay" before or after him.
I wasn't surprised by the Jay Leno remark, but I was surprised to see Greg 'the Hammer' Valentine sharing the booth. I met Valentine before, but never the former tag-team known as Rhythm and Blues together.
Valentine is a WWE Hall of Famer, while HTM is the longest reigning WWE Intercontinental champ. Unfortunately, Rhythm and Blues was not exactly a high point for either of them. Valentine was a great, but dying his hair black and adopting the guitar playing gimmick went against his traditional wrestling background.
HTM and Valentine actually wrestled together (sometimes called Double Trouble) a while before they reunited as Rhythm and Blues. Although they never won tag-team gold in the WWE, they did win the titles in the Northern States Wrestling Alliance. Also, Diamond Dallas Page's first appearance in the WWE was driving them to the ring in a pink Cadillac for Wrestlemania VI.
Honky Tonk was his usual fun self and Valentine was his usual quiet self, but both were definitely willing to talk a bit about wrestling. Honky let me hold the IC title belt. In the lower left, one of Johnny Valentine's (Greg's dad) is sitting on the table.

Greg Valentine, Hass, me and Honky Tonk Man in Rosemont, IL-August 2010.

On the Beat with Beth Horn

I interviewed Beth Horn (actress, fitness model, American Gladiator) a couple years ago at Wizard World in Chicago (IL). That was one of my first unplanned interviews and I did it without any video or photographic coverage. Horn was very nice as I bumbled through it. I have met Horn a couple times since and she always remembers and cheerfully greets me.
Recently at Wizard World 2010, I asked Horn if she would do a short video interview to update us on what she has been doing. This time I was set with a videographer.
We talked about doing a convention in her home town. She also told us that her movie Fancy Pants (which also features Roddy Piper) will be out later this year. The big news is a Johngy's Beat scoop! There will be an American Gladiators movie filming next year and Horn is hopeful for a role in it. She has her fingers crossed and we wish her good luck.

On the Beat with DDP

I have met Diamond Dallas Page a few times over the last ten years. Page is a unique guy. He broke into pro wrestling at the age of 32. Just a few days after turning 43, Page won his first heavyweight championship. He went on to win the WCW Heavyweight title twice more. He also won several lesser titles and a few tag-team titles.
Page worked very hard to attain his success, especially considering how late he started. His story is a real success story.
Now retired, Page is concentrating on his acting career and YRG Fitness System. YRG stands for Yoga for Regular Guys.
When I recently met him at Wizard World, he showed me a few videos about YRG, which were amazing. Page did a short, but effective demonstration of YRG and how it raises your heart rate through concentrated stretching and yoga.
This isn't low-impact. It's no impact. It is great for the body with no ill effects. This isn't a fad diet, nor a quick weight loss scheme. This is a real body transformation plan.
Don't just take my word for it. Listen to Page and then go to DDP's website to find out more about DDP and YRG.

Phoenix in Chicago

Jennifer Widerstrom was a track and field star at the University of Kansas. She excelled in the hammer throw. Phoenix is a star on American Gladiators. She excels in hammering contestants.
Everyone knows my fascination with the American Gladiators goes back to the days of Zap, Nitro and Gemini. Sure some of the events were a bit hokey and the announcers a bit over the top (remember Todd Christensen?), but I still watched it every week. Even now, when I come across it on ESPN Classic, I end up watching the rest of the show.
I met Phoenix at the Wizard World convention. Fortunately, she did not have any pugil sticks, so I was safe. Even without any weapons, she still looked like she could put a hurtin' on most people. Wisely, I did not annoy her.
I didn't get much time to talk to Phoenix, because she was quite busy. Apparently I am not the only fan of American Gladiators. I also did not get the chance to compare biceps (I probably would have lost anyway).

Jennifer Widerstom and me in Rosemont, IL-Summer 2008.

The Iron Sheik

Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri is better known as the Iron Sheik, a retired professional wrestler. As Khosrow, he was the 1971 AAU Greco-Roman wrestling champion at 180.5 pounds. As the Iron Sheik, he played a vital role in the onset of the hugely successful era of the 80's in pro wrestling.
After wrestling in several organizations, the Iron Sheik resurfaced in the WWF (now the WWE) in early 1983. He won the WWF title from Bob Backlund, who had held the title for nearly 6 years. Four weeks later, he lost the belt to Hulk Hogan.
The story behind the story is that WWF owner Vince McMahon wanted to take the WWF national and he needed a big star to lead the way. Backlund was a 'good' guy and (back then) good guys didn't wrestle other good guys very often. Hogan was going to be the big star, and he was the perfect good guy. So, a transitional champ was needed.
The Iron Sheik was the perfect wrestler for the transition. Backlund was beaten and 'injured' by the ultimate un-American Iron Sheik. Four weeks later, Hogan avenged that defeat by winning the title from the Iron Sheik. An owner of a rival wrestling organization was rumored to have offered $100,000 to the Iron Sheik to break Hogan's leg in that title match.
This is the origin of Hulkamania. Of course, anyone who knows me knows I will now interject Roddy Piper's name into the equation. Piper was the charismatic 'bad' guy equivalent of Hogan. Hogan and Piper started the great successful run of the WWF in the 80's.
The Iron Sheik quickly was relegated to tagteams, mostly with Nikolai Volkoff. He stayed in the WWF for a few years, before bouncing around in a few organizations before he retired.
The Iron Sheik has seen a recent resurgence in his popularity due to his outspoken nature at conventions and his appearances on Howard Stern's radio show.
I met the Iron Sheik at Wizard World in Chicago. One-on-one, he was a quiet, pleasant man. When the crowds appeared, his more vocal, outgoing self started to appear.

The Iron Sheik and me at Wizard World in Rosemont, IL-June 2008.