Hello to all,
I am hoping that everyone out there is having a safe and memorable Holiday Season. No matter what you celebrate or even if you celebrate nothing at all, I hope everyone is doing just fine out there!
On a side note, if you are wanting to be in the wrestling business or in the wrestling business in some capacity or a wrestling fan, you should all read Bobby “The Brain” Heenan’s book “Chair Shots and Other Obstacles, Surviving Life’s Wrestling Matches”. The book is a few years old but I just finished it last week (I am always behind). What a TRUE representation of pro wrestling and the people involved in this crazy business. Besides that, it was just plain funny. They have several copies on EBAY if you would like. I am also willing to lend out my copy (To someone I know). You should have to read this book and be quizzed on it before being admitted into the wrestling business, in my opinion!
I am not a big “Holiday Person”. Holidays have always been a sore spot with me because things in my personal life have always happened from Thanksgiving through New Years Day (My Birthday is in the middle of the two Holidays), so I usually don’t celebrate them. This past week I have been around my wife and kids as well as my entire family, and I am on a 17 day vacation from work, which is real nice. Point being, I have been able to do about 15 minutes of serious reflection every day, and I have come to peace with many things in my life that I could not come to peace with in the past. I won’t get into personal details, but I reflected on my entire life and tried to remember all of the positives that I have experienced instead of focusing on the negative in life. Whenever I go home to Lakeland and see my mom it always makes me emotional, but this trip was extra emotional and really made me think about my life and what I want to do and not do with the rest of my time on this earth. If you have things in your life that bug you or cause you confusion or dismay, take a step back and look at things over again. Maybe you will get some insight that you did not have originally. Maybe your feelings can change about things and you can “Let It Be”!
Since it is 2011, I like to reflect on the past year and be thankful for the good things God has given me and my family. I am going to list some things that I am thankful for. Not only this past year, but for my entire lifetime. Some will be serious, some will be funny, some you may not understand unless you were there or personally know my stories! Some of you out there have lived the movie with me and know what I am talking about! To sum it up, God has given me alot and I am very thankful for my friends, my experiences, my family and the awesome career that I had in Pro Wrestling! Here we go~
I am thankful for:
* My family and friends. They are the glue that keeps me together. My Wife, My Kids and Vito DeNucci, first and foremost. I love them so very much and am thankful for them being in my life. Through the good and bad, they are always there for me, and that means the world to me!
* Randy Hogan and Buddy Valentine for training me and teaching me how to work. Without them i would not have the career that I did.
* Vito DeNucci for our 12 year partnership and friendship. You have been there for me 1000% and helped me out tremendously. I cherish our friendship more than you know!
* Howard Brody for believing in Vito and I and giving us the chance to tour with the National Wrestling Alliance Tag Titles. That was the highlight of my career in wrestling for sure. Thank you for getting the ball rolling for us having our back when we needed you!
* Frankie Reyes and David Sierra for taking a chance on a 17 year old kid you didn’t know from Adam. You guys booking me in Tampa opened the doors for me. I will never forget what you guys did for me and it is appreciated!
* All of the fans and workers who called me and kept my spirits up when I got hurt in 2002. I kept wrestling (Against Doctors Orders), but knowing my career was over was very depressing for me and the constant calls and emails, etc. really helped me and kept my spirits up!
* Buck Quartermaine for being my “Road Dog” since 1993. We have been through a ton of stuff together, good and bad. We have always been there for each other and I value our friendship!
* The 2 sisters from the Melbourne area. Those 2 weekends with the two of you and Me and Buck Q. were absolutely some of my favorite sex stories and great for a laugh whenever i need one! You girls were real troopers!
* I am thankful to God for not letting me die in the car accident when I went through the windshield of my car in 1999. I know that you have a purpose for me and that is why you let me live! I get it, God, and I am thankful for the 100th or so chance you have given me!
* WFC and Buck and Steve Madison for continuing to let Vito and I work on your shows and letting us do what we do. You guys have one of the best promottions in the State of Florida in my opinion. i am sure that 2011 will bring great things for you guys!
* To all of the fans that support indy Wrestling in Florida. You guys are the best fans in the World, without a doubt. You guys are great!
* To Shane and Angela for always being there for me when i needed you. Shane and i have been friends since 1989 and I value his friendship completely!
* To all of the Florida wrestlers that I have worked with in the last 20 years. Some of the older workers helped me learn how to work and the newer guys give great energy to the sport and keep me wanting to still be involved in wrestling in some aspect or another.
* To all of the women that were in my life at one time or another. You all made an impact on me, some good, some bad, but all a learning experience that I do not regret!
* Once again for my friends and family. They are so important that I needed to mention them again!
In closing, I have been blessed in this life with good friends, good family and a lifetime of memories and learning experiences that i would never trade in. Wrestling gave me the opportunity to see the World, meet great people, make lifelong friends and fufill my dream. I told myself at 7 years old that I wanted to be a Pro Wrestler. In high school I had people tell me that I would never make it. Some even laughed at me and thought my dream was ridiculous! Well, i did make it. I wrestled for the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, WWF and so many others all over the World, and I made a living at it. I wrestled full time and didn’t have another job, just wrestling. I am not Hulk Hogan (Terry Bullea) or Ric Flair but I have had a great career in wrestling and I am proud of myself and what I have accomplished.
Work Hard, Set Goals, Push Yourself, Don’t fcuk People Over, Be a Stand Up Person. If you do these things, you might be able to do good in wrestling, but most importantly in LIFE. Be good to people, be good to yourself and work your ass off! Hope you all have a great 2011. If any of you need any advise in wrestling or in life I am always willing to talk to you and give you my opinion. If you want to be a good worker you need to ask questions of the veterans in this business. That is how you improve. Ask questions and get advise. Veterans are supposed to help out the younger green boys and girls, it is our duty to wrestling. If you need my advise or want to talk, you can Email me anytime you would like.
Until next time,
CCN
