For LARRY KEMLING, JACK DODDS, BOB JACKMAN, and HONEST POLITICIAN.

George, I remember you mentioning some time ago that you wrote articles on wrestling. You are quite the versatile guy.

Posted by: @bob-jackman

George, I remember you mentioning some time ago that you wrote articles on wrestling. You are quite the versatile guy.

In addition to working in my Banking career, I worked around pro wrestling for decades.  I penned stories for several publications, hosted a TV wrestling show, both hosted and co-hosted several wrestling related radio programs, and most notably a historian on the sport.  And I was even an announcer and a manager for a few wrestlers.  I've been blessed to have many of the old school wrestlers as personal friends and they've been guests in our home.  LOL, I guess that does make me "quite the versatile guy".  

@georgeschire We spoke in the old Forum about my friendship with Lanny Poffo, aka Leapin' Lanny and The Genius. His father of course is Angelo Poffo, and his brother is the late Randy Savage, the Macho Man. I've known Lanny since high school, and Randy was a few years ahead of us. I didn't know him in school, but my wife's brother was in gym class with him, and he said Randy was very kind.

Posted by: @paul-rouffa

@georgeschire We spoke in the old Forum about my friendship with Lanny Poffo, aka Leapin' Lanny and The Genius. His father of course is Angelo Poffo, and his brother is the late Randy Savage, the Macho Man. I've known Lanny since high school, and Randy was a few years ahead of us. I didn't know him in school, but my wife's brother was in gym class with him, and he said Randy was very kind.

Now that you mention it, I remember our talking about the Poffo's.  I knew daddy Angelo, and had Lanny on my wrestling podcast "Rasslin Memories" several years ago, but I never knew Randy.  Little known fact about Randy is that he briefly played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds.  He was injured and turned to wrestling.  

Here's a nice article about Randy that ran in the Chicago Tribune in 2015. Click here

@paul-rouffa, nice article indeed.  Thank you for sharing.  

1. Thanks George that was a really fun and interesting article you wrote!👍🏻

Great article George and some old names I haven't even thought of in decades.

yes terrific article George, love the idea of a "Death Match"!

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

yes terrific article George, love the idea of a "Death Match"!

LOL, back in the day, pro wrestling would have "Death Matches" whenever it was going to be the final match between two wrestlers.  Then they would each move on to other opponents, or in some cases one of the wrestlers might be gone from the territory to wrestle somewhere else.  

@georgeschire George, have you seen the documentary 350 Days? I saw it at the movie theater with Lanny when it came out. I believe you can watch it in full on Amazon Prime, if you have that. I think you'd enjoy it.

@paul-rouffa, I have not seen it. However, I do know several of the guys who produced it and that are in it.  

When I was a young boy my uncle took me to see Gorgeous George wrestle.  We were close to ringside.  Gorgeous got slammed in the nuts and puked on the canvass.  After the match (which he won, of course) I shook his hand. 

Well, not exactly.  He had the largest hand I had ever seen.  He took my entire hand in the tips of his fingers.

A memory I'll never forget.

Posted by: @kocour

When I was a young boy my uncle took me to see Gorgeous George wrestle.  We were close to ringside.  Gorgeous got slammed in the nuts and puked on the canvass.  After the match (which he won, of course) I shook his hand. 

Well, not exactly.  He had the largest hand I had ever seen.  He took my entire hand in the tips of his fingers.

A memory I'll never forget.

GORGEOUS GEORGE Wagner was the originator of the bleached blonde feminine bad guy in the ring.  He made a lot of money in his day and sadly died broke.  He passed away on Christmas Eve day 1963.  In his ring days, he'd strut around, take time removing his colorful robes, and he'd toss Gold Bobby Pins (he called them "Georgie Pins") to the ladies at ringside.