Wrestlers I have Met and/or Spoken With

My first wrestler that I saw in person was Crazy Luke Graham. Anyone remember him? He always portrayed himself as being insane or at least on the edge of insanity. I actually didn't meet him, but I did see him. This is quite amusing. Crazy Luke was a big man. I don't know his actual stats but I'm sure he was over six feet and probably close to if not over 300 lbs. My parents had driven me and my brother up to a gym where there was a wrestling show that evening. Of course, we arrived early and were waiting for the doors to open. We noticed a Cadillac drive up and as it passed I saw who was driving. None other than Crazy Luke Graham! My dad said he was going to get his autograph for us. He got out of the car and walked over to Graham's vehicle and as he did, Luke rolled the window up and drove off! Of all the nerve! As I think back on that, it is quite funny that such a big man would not take the time to speak to little ole us. At the local Ford dealership Mr. Wrestling 2 made an appearance. I was able to drive down and see him and get his autograph. I had tore a black and white picture from one of the wrestling mags I had for him to sign. He is my all time favorite then and even now and that was very cool to have his autograph. I have lost it over the years, but that is still a fond memory. My next experience was after I started in the work force. I was employed at a convencience store located on I-75 between Atlanta and Knoxville Tennessee. One afternoon while working the 2nd shift in walked this blonde hair guy that I recognized immediatly as being "Wildfire" Tommy Rich. Anyone recall him? He was a Georgia Championship Wrestling mainstay for years. Had many feuds with the likes of Buzz Sawyer and others. He came in and purchased and 12 pack of Coors Light, paid his bill and left. Stupidly, I didn't get his autograph. I suppose because the store was busy and I didn't have time. It was still a thrill to see him live and in person rather than on Ted Turner's channel 17. For my next experience I had changed jobs and was now cooking on the midnight shift at a local Waffle House (some call them a greasy spoon). About 1 or 2 in the morning in walked a couple of guys that I recognized as The Rock N Roll Express; Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson. I greeted them as they sat at the counter directly in front of the cooking station. This enabled me to speak to them a little more. I didn't bother them while they ate, but upon their completion of the meal, I was able to chat with them for several minutes. Just as they appear on the TV programs Ricky does all the talking while Robert remains quiet and in the background. Some "Express" fans may not like my next statement but I found Ricky to be arrogant and obnoxious. It could have been the late hour or they had lost that evening where ever they wrestled. Finally, there was a wrestling promotion putting on an event locally. I lived less than a mile from the gym. This was also during my Waffle House days. I was off that evening and decided I would attend the matches. Obviously, being a lifetime wrestling fan I walked over to the gym well early enough to get ringside seats. Upon my arrival, sitting out front of the gym was the same fellow I had the opportunity to speak with a few weeks earlier: Ricky Morton. He was smoking a cigarette but was more cordial this time. That's why I said earlier that it could have been the late hour or the events of the evening that caused me to think of him as being arrogant. I was able to chat with him for about 15 minutes or so before he excused himself to get changed and prepare for the action. I don't recall any of the matches except the final one which was an over the top rope battle royal. I did not see Robert Gibson before the matches, but I do recall seeing him being tossed over the top and upon his landing, he offered an expletive word! Funny stuff! I guess I would have too knowing I wasn't going to get the $5000 prize! It may not sound exciting to some, but nonetheless, these were standout memories for me and I will treasure them always. As a wrestling fan to actually see and speak with folks you only seen on television is an experience of a lifetime.