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My Name is On a Documentary!!
Hi everyone.I have something very cool to post, so here it goes:On Friday, I received a very cool and inspiring documentary DVD called The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake.A couple of years ago, one of my favorite professional wrestlers growing up, Jake “The Snake” Roberts (real name Aurelian Smith), reached out for help to another famous wrestler turned fitness expert, Diamond Dallas Page.Jake has had major drug and alcohol problems over the years and really did need help.However, with DDP’s help, Jake was able to make a major and phenomenal turn around in his life.He got clean and got back in shape.And most importantly, he got his life and his family back.This entire process was filmed and was later edited down into a documentary, which has received major buzz and is now starting to finally be seen on home video, ITunes, Google Play, etc.Anyway, to make a long story short, albeit an inspirational one, during this period, Jake needed to undergo shoulder surgery, but did not have insurance or enough money to pay for the surgery, which cost about $8,000.So, DDP came up with this campaign through an organization called Indiegogo, in which people could pitch in money to help pay for Jake’s surgery.And in return, they would get some perks, or prizes, if you will.Depending on how much you paid, you would get anything from a call from Jake, to an autographed picture, DVD with his matches, a shirt, a trip to see and hang out with Jake, and a mention in the documentary credits if it would ever come out.Well, I was one of the people who pitched in, and within the first 24 hours of the Indiegogo campaign being launched, almost all the amount of money it would cost to pay for Jake’s surgery had been raised.For the fee that I paid ($100), I got a personal phone call from Jake (four calls, actually, but more on that shortly), an autographed picture of him, a shirt of him, a DVD with several of his wrestling matches, and my name is on the end credits of the documentary.Pretty cool, I think.Most importantly, though, Jake got the help he needed, and for the most part, has been great ever since.Again, I grew up a fan of his and actually saw him when I was 8 years old at a wrestling show in Huntington, WV.As a fan, I was interested in the perks, of course, but most importantly, I just felt like helping him, even in a small way.I wanted him to get better.Thank goodness, he finally did.Like I said earlier, Jake actually called me not once, but four times, and unfortunately, had to leave a voice mail for three of those calls.This was because I had a bad phone at the time, and I didn’t hear or feel it when it rang.When I did finally pick up the third time, I first apologized to him for my bad phone.He was very nice to me and told me he appreciated my pitching in to help him.I told him I was a lifelong fan and that I was happy for him and proud of him.I actually later met him, too, and told him again how happy and proud I was for him.He thanked me again and complimented me on my shirt (I was wearing the one he sent me).Anyway, even if you are not a wrestling fan, I strongly urge you to seek out this documentary.Once again, it’s called The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake.Trust me, it will inspire you and may even bring a tear to your eye.It certainly did me.Love & Peace,P.S. Here is a picture of the DVD cover of the documentary, a screen shot I took of my name in the list of “thank you” credits at the end of the documentary, and a picture of me with one of my heroes, the man himself, Jake “The Snake” Roberts.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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I Met Arnold!! Arnold Sports Festival 2016
- Date of Event: March 6, 2016
- Location of Event: Hilton Grand Ballroom in Columbus, OH
Best day ever!!!I went to see one of my biggest heroes, Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger, speak at his annual seminar at the Arnold Sports Festival, in Columbus, Ohio.For those of you that don’t know, the Arnold Sports Festival encompasses many different types of competitions.Particularly bodybuilding, but also gymnastics, boxing, MMA, wrestling, and so many more.It’s a 4 day event, in which Arnold started with Ohio businessman Jim Lorimer, back in the mid 70s after Arnold retired the first time as a professional body builder (he competed one more time in 1980 in which he won the Mr. Olympia for a then record 7th time).On the last day of the event, Arnold speaks for roughly an hour or more with a crowd of about 300-400 people about his career, bodybuilding, nutrition, and just motivation in general.He usually takes questions from the audience, but he had to leave after about 50 minutes.He did talk about his upcoming movie 478, The Celebrity Apprentice, which he’s hosting this upcoming season, and he interviewed this year’s winner of The Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition, Kai Greene.But here is the best thing that happened, from my perspective, at least.I was sitting in the front row on an isle seat, and I swear he entered from a doorway right beside my seat!!And before he took the stage, he said “hi how are you?” to me!!! Yes to me.And at the end when he was leaving, I told him, as a fan, that I loved him, and he shook my hand, and said “good to see you”!!!I did not get a selfie, but hey, I’m not complaining.I got to speak to and shake the hand of one of my biggest heroes ever.Maybe next time I will get a selfie, though. Oh yeah!Even though I did not get a selfie, I did take pictures of him, though.I will post them below.I hope you enjoyed reading this almost as much as I did experiencing it.Love and Peace.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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I Saw a Hero of Mine in Person: Arnold Sports Festival Arnold Sunday Showcase Review
- Date of Event: March 8, 2015
- Location of Event: Hilton Grand Ballroom in Columbus, OH
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of my biggest heroes.
I’ve been a fan since was a little kid.
I’ve always loved his movies and basically everything about him.
I never thought I would ever be able to see him in person.
Well, that finally happened.
He and a local Columbus businessman, Jim Lorimer, started the Arnold Sports Festival in the 1970s, to showcase all kinds of sports and athletes, particularly bodybuilding, which Arnold first made his name doing.
It has gotten bigger each year (it’s a 4 day event and it encompasses A LOT), and Arnold is always there to give out awards and to speak.
Well, I decided to finally go to his seminar that he does on the last day of the festival.
He speaks for roughly 45 minutes to an hour, or more depending on what he’s talking about, which is usually about how the event has gone, the main bodybuilding tournament from the previous night (The Arnold Classic), and current or upcoming projects, if any.
He takes questions from the audience sometimes too.
I was not able to ask him a question, but just seeing him was a huge honor for me.
I’m very glad I went and I will go again.
I love you Arnold!!
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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I Met Mr. Eric Braeden (Victor Newman)
- Date of Event: January 16, 2015
- Location of Event: WOWK-TV 13 News in Charleston, WV
I met a very gracious guy last night at work.
Actor Eric Braeden, star of Young & The Restless, visited WOWK-TV’s studio to be interviewed on 13 News at 7. He was there to promote his meet and greet at the Charleston Town Center, which is today from 2:30-4:30.
Before he was interviewed, I was able to meet and talk with him briefly.
He autographed a Y&R DVD for me and I had my picture taken with him.
For anyone who does not know, Eric Braeden has been on Young & The Restless since 1980, playing the role of businessman Victor Newman.
He has appeared in several other TV shows, including The Rat Patrol, The Six Million Dollar Man, the original Hawaii Five-O, and Gunsmoke.
He has also starred in several movies, including Colussus: The Forbin Project, Escape From The Planet Of The Apes, and Titanic.
Mr. Braeden is also active on Twitter. His hashtag is @EBraeden. He actually tweeted me last week, which was cool.
It was an honor meeting him.Update in 2023: Mr. Braeden I can say has been very gracious to me since this meeting, occasionally giving me life advice. Great man.
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I Met Jake “The Snake” Roberts
- Date of Event: December 14, 2014
- Location of Event: The Inner Geek at Ashland Town Center Mall in Ashland, KY
Moments like this do not suck.
I met one of my biggest heroes, wrestling legend and WWE Hall Of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Saturday at an autograph signing in Ashland, KY.
I have been a fan of his for 25 years and will continue to be a fan for life.
Jake has gone through a lot, especially in the past few years, and I am happy for him, and proud of him for coming out the other side.
It was a pleasure to meet you Jake.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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My Last WWE House Show to Date
- Date of Event: September 16, 2011
- Location of Event: Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, WV
While going through my archives preparing to type my reviews for this web site, I had forgotten about this WWE house show (non-televised event).
I was thinking my last WWE house show was in March of 2011 (I’m typing this in 2023.).
But I was wrong.
Then I did remember some of the matches.
I remember Dolph Ziggler wrestling.
I remember seeing Sin Cara wrestle.
I also remember seeing Alberto Del Rio wrestle.
I’m sorry I don’t remember much else, but I did find the results and have posted them below, courtesy of the great website thehistoryofwwe.com, along with my ticket stub.
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I Went to a Wrestling PPV!!
- Date of Event: April 17, 2011
- Location of Event: U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati,OH
My cousin Zachary and I went to a TNA Wrestling PPV event in Cincinnati, OH.
It was called Lockdown.
This was a lot of fun.
We both had ringside seats.
We got to see Kurt Angle wrestle Jeff Jarrett in a steel cage (in fact all of the matches at this PPV were in a steel cage, hence the title Lockdown). Kurt actually did a moonsault right off the top of the cage, which was AWESOME to behold.
We got to see one of our favorite wrestlers Scott Steiner wrestle in a tag team match, which was cool.
We got to see Sting vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Mr. Anderson, which was really cool. Especially when my favorite wrestler ever, Hulk Hogan, came out to ringside to interfere.
We got to see two feuding factions (Fortune and Immortal) face off.
That’s just some of the highlights.
I took lots of pictures, but as I type this in 2023, I cannot find them, but I know they are somewhere I can find them at. Once I do, I’ll post them to this review.
Until then, I’ll just post my ticket stub, as well as the front and back cover of my DVD I bought of the PPV later on that year.
This was a great event to see in person.
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I Saw Edge and Christian Wrestle!!
- Date of Event: March 20, 2011
- Location of Event: Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, WV
I went to a WWE house show (non-televised event) a few days before their huge PPV Wrestlemania.
I got to see The Big Show and Kane tag together and what was billed as a singles bout (Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio) turned into a tag team match of Edge and Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay. Edge and Christian won, making the fans happy, myself included.
That’s about all I remember of it, but I have found the results and posted them below, courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com web site, as well as my ticket stub.
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My 3rd TNA Wrestling House Show
- Date of Event: February 18, 2011
- Location of Event: Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, WV
I went to my 3rd TNA Wrestling house show (non-televised event) in Huntington, WV.
At this point, TNA Wrestling was coming to my area a lot, which was great to see.
I’m sure I have pictures of this event, but until I can find them, here are my memories (I’m typing this in 2023.).
I remember Kurt Angle and Beer Money (Robert Roode and James Storm) wrestling Jeff Jarrett, Jesse Neal, and Shannon Moore in the main event and that Kurt and his team won.
Mick Foley was there too and managed Crimson earlier in the show.
I was also able to get Mick’s and Beer Money’s autographs that night (they were doing signings in an intermission).
Sorry I don’t have a ton of memories but again, it was fun. Wrestling shows are always fun to go to.
However, I did find the results and am posting them here, courtesy of thehistoryofwwe.com web site, as well as my ticket stub.
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I Met Mick Foley!!
- Date of Event: October 7, 2010
- Location of Event: Marshall University in Huntington, WV
I got to meet wrestler/writer Mick Foley at Marshall University.
He was there to promote and read some of his new book Countdown to Lockdown at the time.
He also took pictures and signed his new book and other things for fans.
I got him to sign that book and a DVD.
Super nice and funny guy.
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