Checking in....finally!

" The character of a man is not defined when he is on top. It is defined on how he picks himself up every time he's been knocked down."

-Eddie Guerrero-


I'm not going to sit here and claim I know Eddie or even shook hands with Eddie because I didn't. I never spoke a word to him. Is that not weird? How someone you have never met, can touch your life in some way? Eddie Guerrero had a way of interacting with the crowd that was just phenomenal. There are only a hand full of guys in this business that can say that. People mimic the poses, the phrases, his walk, ect, ect. I'm not going to say anymore bc I did not know him, but I know I enjoyed his matches and that he will be missed to all of us.

That quote above that he made has had me thinking since I read across that. It's so true. Every bit of it. I started thinking, out of my friends, who does this apply to? I'm sure I will probably leave someone out and I'm sorry, but these are the three that came to mind: Tank, David Young, and Ray Gordy. I've had the opportunity to hang around David the past couple of years through Wildside and just other opportunities. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that David and I are best friends or that we hang out all of the time, bc we don't...but he has always gone out of his way to be nice to me and a good friend. David has talent, plain and simple. For someone like him to be held back all of these years was pretty shitty. He's an example of hard work and dedication to his craft. He never gave up or quit. While he has been known to throw a nasty spinebuster, the son of a bitch can work his ass off and can make just about anyone look good. A lot of people use that example with AJ, Daniels, or Joe these days, but I really think when given the opportunity, he steps up to the plate. He has an intensity about him that draws you in to his matches. He stuck with his craft when it might have felt like he wasn't going anywhere and now look where he is at: TNA. He doesn't think the world of himself....he goes about his business just like he always has. I still talk to him some and he still gives me advice and hangs out whenever he's around at GCW or here in Chatt-town.
Ray gordy is a very good friend of mine. He has been for a long time. Before he went to Wildside. I've been friends with Ray for about 4 years. When he was training at a place in Chattanooga to go to Japan, I was there training just work on the shitty outlaw scene in Chattanooga. Here was a guy that was the son of a legend not only in pro-wrestling, but in the Chattanooga area. He didn't have to say shit to anyone. But he made sure of going around and shaking hands with everyone. Sure, some people shit on him bc he's the son of Terry Gordy and people just passed judgement on him because of that, but he's always been a cool person. Just goes to show you how people are or were in the Chattanooga outlaw scene. Shitty. Not all of them, but most. Ray began helping me out whenever he was training there and even after that. We hung out quite a bit after that. He'd pull strings and get me in to clubs downtown and we'd drink and drink until someone would drive us back to his house. We did this about 2 or three times a week for a little while until i just had to get some sleep. Son of a pro wrestler. We'd workout at the gym and travel to together whenever i made it to NAWA in Rome, GA and Wildside. He was just waiting his turn and didn't know when it would come. He didn't know if Japan wanted him back or if the Fed was going to be interested him. He had some tryouts with the Fed and thats all that ever came. He talked to me a couple of times about quitting and just going to work. I told him to hold off. He was an ass sometimes to deal with because thats all he ate and slept. He wanted to be in Fed so badly. He was always nice to me no matter what. He was knocked down often. Told to train harder. Told to be better. He wasn't ready. Well finally, Deep South opened and they gave him an opportunity. It's not Raw or Smackdown, but it's a step closer. He hasn't changed. Still a stand up guy.
The last guy is Tank. I've known Tank since I was 11 years old. Yes, he's an old son of a bitch. Starting to grumpy to. Nah, I'm just kidding. Tank was an umpire for the baseball league I used to play in. Everyone was scared of him, even the dads who coached. No one wanted to mess with him. He could call a strike above the head(he did once time just to prove this) and no one would say one damn word. Well, I got older, and began training. I met Tank again. I was cocky and arrogant. He changed that real quick. He beat my ass and we became friends. He's looked out for me since then. He's gave me a million opportunites every where. NAWA, helped with Wildside, GCW, PWE, IWA, ect...if we wrestled there, he probably had a little to do with it. Tank could care less about TNA or the Fed to be honest. He watches it just like anyone else, but he just wants respect. The guy has been booked like gang busters lately. He is killing people from Chicago all the way down to Alabama. He's a big dude that can flat out go. People are starting to notice it now also. He cares about how his stuff looks and how his matches go. He started out rough also. Working in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas. It's just a tough place to get better bc you are surrounded by people who think they are somebody and have done this and that. But of course, these are the same people who work at.....oh ya, they don't work...they work Saturday's and a place that draws 20 people and think they are making it. Hey, you get a shitty match and a hot-dog....anyways, we all wanted more than this, including Tank. Tank worked hard. He worked Wildside for a litte time and I'm sure he thought that was pretty much it...but then he began getting booked at IWA, GCW, and traveled other places like South Dakota and such. He's worked hard to get where he is at and deserves it. I'm sure the biggest accomplishment he has made is marrying Kim(I was there in August 2004 and it was cold in Ohio) and having their first child: Ronnie. Tank is a great father already and now has another kid to be a dad to. Congrats big man.
What have I been up to? Working, working out, running, traveling a little, getting ready for the holidays, and just having some fun. I was stressed for a while about a whole bunch of shit, but I just said screw it. If I can't control what happens in some situations, I'm just going to go with the flow. It's great being back at Anarchy. People are starting to accept myself and Shaun and it's def a cool thing. We appreciate it. Speaking of Shaun, I haven't talked to him honestly since the last show at Anarchy so I guess I'll talk to him on Saturday when we meet up to ride down together. He's been a little weird lately but maybe he's just kind of stressing like i was a few months ago. We haven't been too hot lately, but that'll change. We are going through our losing streak and so has every other team in sports history. Look at the Red Sox...lost for a LONG ass time and they won the world championship.
Last Friday I worked the benefit show at Anarchy. It was a great show for an even better cause. Being able to help someone in the time need is a great feeling. It's not how much you can give, it's the thought behind it. Thoughtfulness goes such a long way for people. Just letting people know that you care is an awesome thing for someone to hear. Not only during the christmas season, but all of the time.Thanks to all of whom came out to the show and showed their support someone they may not have even known. Heck, I didn't knwo him and still don't. I know of him and I know his family and friends. I know we didn't do a ton, but for 2 or 3 hours, we tried to entertain them and put smiles on their face and raise a little money at the same time.
With all of this said, I'm going to go to bed now. I have to work in the morning, but I just wanted to say to all of you that read this thing. If any of you have any questions or even comments, please feel free to leave them and I'll be checking this thing a lot more often. Thanks for your support, God bless, and happy hoidays.

-Ace-

P.S. I realize there may be mis-spelling, but who cares. Get well soon B.P.!!