2006.06.21

On Saturday night, June 17th - I returned to the squared circle. I stepped in the ring for the first time in since December of 2004. I stepped in the ring along side my friends Cyrus Poe and Tommy Chill. We wrestled as "The Black and Blue Crew" in a six-man tag match against Dewey Brown and the "ThrillKillerz" (Logan Caine and Alexander Drago).

I did not mention the booking on my website. I told family and friends not to attend the event. I told everyone to stay away. I wanted to have one match in front of complete strangers. I wanted to have one match without any buildup or pressure.

At New Era Wrestling in Cincinnati, I got my wish. We had fun riding in the car to the event. We had fun sitting backstage shooting the bull. We had fun in the ring. We wrestled in a six-man tag match.

I was wrestling with two good friends at my side. I was having fun. The match served as a big boost to my confidence. I feel really good about the match.

If I had to rate our 'work rate' from the match... (on a scale of 1 to 10) I would say it was a 5. If I had to rate the 'fun factor'... it was a 10. So, all in all the experience rated about a '7'. To see 30-seconds worth of hightlights from our match - click here.

We are only about 72 hours away from my next wrestling match. However, the situation surrounding the match is COMPLETELY different.

I have said it before and I will say it again - Heartland Wrestling Association is one of the top 5 'Indy' promotions in the United States. Not many 'Indy' titles have the lineage of the HWA Heavyweight Championship.

HWA is has a nationally syndicated TV show. HWA just hosted their second PPV. The level of competition in HWA is second to none. When I step in the ring on Saturday night, I know I will be facing extremely stiff competition.

The match on Saturday night is in my hometown - in front of my friends - in front of my family. I am representing the whole community. This fundraiser is designed to benefit my son's football program. I am an assistant coach within the football program. My photo is plastered all over every flier in every business in town. I am - for better or worse - the face of this event.

I have been approached by at least a dozen members of the community who have made it clear - I HAVE to win. There is no "if", "and", or "but" about it. So, I will face one of the best wrestlers in the country and the expectations could not be any higher.

Last week's match was all about having fun and being with friends. This week's match is all about business and is as deadly serious as they come.

One more time...

Saturday June 24, 2006
7:00 PM Bell Time
53 N. Limestone St.
Jamestown, OH 45335
TICKETS: $6.00