"He got the whole world in his hands. He got the whole wide world in his hands. He got whole world in his hands. He got the whole world in his hands."
It's been a long week for wrestling fans especially me. I still cannot believe Windham Rotunda, known as his wrestling in-ring Bray Wyatt, passed away at young age of 36. To be honest, I couldn't think of the words to say. I remember the moment he popped up on TV along side with Erick Rowan and Luke Harper (the late Brody Lee) he immediately became one of my favorite. It was his characters, the entrances, and the way he spoke drew me in. Just like his saying, "Let me in!" I accepted him in my wrestling fandom. Throughout the years I seen his character reinvented when he started out as a cult leader to a friendly host that end up evolving into a dark form known as The Fiend. I was sadden he was released for the first time then super glad he was re-hired and brought back. I still remember his return at Extreme Rules last year. Just like his one of his sayings, "Let me in!" I welcomed him back in open arms with a huge smile on my face. I couldn't wait to see what's next in store for him. Sadly it was cut short. Not even a year after his return Bray Wyatt is no longer on this earth.
I have so many memories of Bray Wyatt from his matches to his promos. My biggest one when I met him 7 years ago during Wrestlemania 32 weekend. He had a meet and greet at FYE in Irving Mall. I got in line early dressed up like him. When it came my turn he loved that I dressed up as him and signed everything I got in hands which is a card and a shirt along 8X10 he gave out. Bray Wyatt loved the fans. I got a great memory of a wonderful person at the end. It's the way he wanted it. Made sure the fans are happy and enjoy themselves.
Thank you and rest in peace Bray Wyatt/Windham Rotunda for those amazing memories. Wherever you are in afterlife you're in good company with Brody Lee up there meeting you with open arms and being surrounded with fireflies. Huge condolences to his wife and kids along friends like Erick Rowan.
This is not the news anyone wants to hear at all. Last night I was checking my social media feed around 7 PM. I noticed things blew up out of DFW indy wrestling scene with posts from the workers and the fans posting hearts while keeping it hush hush. I sensed a bad feeling out of it. I messaged a person from there asking what's going on. That person gave me the news as well not say anything til its out publicly: DFW indy wrestler Jason Silver died. Wait a minute. Jason Silver died? The Immortal who wrestled few days ago over the weekend for Metroplex Wrestling (MPX) on Saturday and Heart of Texas (HOT) on Sunday? The death defying aerial high flyer wrestler who took some of the nastiest bumps I seen live in person and getting up like nothing for almost 12 years throughout various feds is gone? I message another person who is the biggest fan and supporter of DFW indy scene only to confirm the news is true. A huge shock shot over me leaving me an emotional wreck for the rest of the night. Everyone who heard and received the news had the same feeling of disbelief and shock. His death publicly announced around 8:30 leaving ginormous wave of grief and sorrow from wrestlers and fans. It was sudden and unexpected. You never know a person will be here today and gone tomorrow. Life is brutally unfair. Memories and photographs of him poured on social media. It's hard reading a post from Sky de LaCrimosa. They been together as tag team partners under the name The Lost Boys and as well feuding rivals in the ring along being traveling friends throughout the Texas indy wrestling scene for close to 15 years.
Jason Silver is a talented high flyer with no fear. There are so many times he would do insane spots and took hard landings absorbing amounts of pain. Despite taking it he would still get up and walked like he's bulletproof. There's a clip I saw from MPX show where he went for asai moonsault on the outside, but his knees hit part of the tiles from the side ceiling and immediately dropped down head first. It's a miracle he wasn't hurt very badly out of it. Around the workers he would give out advice helping them to improve. Outside the ring, Jason Silver is superb human being taking time with fans after the show to giving out advice of wisdom on his social media page. He was truly one of a kind.
I have so many wonderful memories of Jason Silver in the ring for over a decade from matches to crazy spots and landings as well chatting with him after the show. I still remember the show stealing match in ACW against a returning "Unholy" Gregory James (now known as "The Guttersnake" Izzy James). Every time when he does Spanish Fly move I always called it Complexity because it sounded way much better. The few times I been to MPX show he would be surprise to see me in the crowd. I attended MPX show on day before 2021 WWE Money in the Bank and walked up to him after the show catching him by surprised. I seen him wrestle in singles, tag team, multi-team matches at various feds around the state such as ACW, MPX, Inspire AD, and BOW-ATX/PWX. I seen him evolve from one of the Lost Boys with Sky de LaCrimosa with them feuding with each other as he went on a single run being a Complex Killer. He formed an unholy union with Gregory James as Unholy Complex winning ACW tag team titles before splitting and feuding with each other. He went on to win multiple championships in feds such as ACW and MPX. I was there when he won Lone Star Classic 2017 tournament and few months later won ACW Heavyweight title. At MPX he reunite with Sky de LaCrimosa reforming The Lost Boys and causing chaos with manager Isaac Maser giving out instructions of in-ring destruction as well becoming The Immortal. The last time I saw him in person was in late August of last year. It was first show of ACW re-boot. I drove up to Austin for the show and happy to see me along rest of the talent who recognize me from years of shows I attended previously. Just like that it came full circle. The first time I saw him in person was at ACW in 2011. Last time I saw him it was ACW in 2022.
Jason Silver you will be forever missed by the workers and the fans around Texas independent wrestling scene. Thank you for providing in-ring and outside the ring memories! You are immortalized and your memory lives on. Remember Lost Boys don't cry. RIP.
Have some matches and highlights of the late Jason Silver
MPX - Jason Silver vs Mike Foxx (casket match)
ACW - Jason Silver vs Jay Serious vs Exodus Prime vs Gabe Wilder
MPX - Jason Silver vs Sku de LaCrimosa
Various Jason Silver vs Barrett Brown matches from various feds. Call it his best in-ring rival
MPX - Jason Silver vs Brent McKenzie MPX entrance theme
Wrestling fans are a different breed especially in the independents scene. For few hours on a certain day of a weekend we go and meet each other at a show exchanging pleasantries asking how's life and talking about what's going to happen on tonight show to WWE or AEW to wrestling rumors and news. It's like a strange family of misfits. Even though I no longer live in Austin area I still keep in contact with some down there along with San Antonio crew. Sadly yesterday I received a message that we lost one of best fans few weeks ago. His name is Stewart Buckingham or Stew as many called him. Despite wheelchair bound he got a zest for life. You felt it when you talk to him the very first time and it continues on every time when we meet. His zest was shown at the Anarchy Championship Wrestling and Inspire A.D. shows where he would up and front. He would cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys tossing in few expletives. His enthusiasm felt all over the building that wrestlers would let him be part of the show and get in the action. They would hold their opponent up in front of him so Stew can punch him. That would get cheers from the crowd. Stew would be super into it that he will be yelling, "LET ME AT HIM!" when wrestlers get close to him. At every show he's been at in Austin he's at he having exciting time of his life. I'm going to miss Stew and he's not the only one missing him. Everyone he met from fellow fans, wrestlers, UT athletes and staff were touched by his exuberant happiness on life. I offer my condolences to his family for the loss. RIP Stew. You will forever be missed.
It's been tragic filled week in wrestling with three deaths. Former WWE wrestler Shad Gaspard,
411 Wrestling writer Larry Csonka, and Stardom wrestler Hana Kimura passed under different circumstances.
- Shad Gaspard was in WWE with his tag team partner JTG known as Cryme
Tyme. After their WWE release both would continue to tag in the indies.
Behind the scenes he's a heavily well-liked man toward his co-workers
helping them out. He always put family up in front especially his kids.
Shad Gaspard was at the beach with his family. He was part of group
along with his son when he got caught underneath a tide. As lifeguards
rushed to save the group his last words was telling the guards to save
his son before being swept out to sea. His body was washed ashore few days later. Lost is a family man who puts his kids in front of him and would have your back. Support from wrestling community poured with JTG sharing final text from him as well tributes from many wrestlers such as Kofi Kingston, Byron Saxton, and Triple H. A tribute at beach where he lost his life held few nights ago. To help out his family you can donate at GoFund Me (https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-shad-gaspard-family-fund) or purchase a t-shirt (https://store.collarandelbowbrand.com/collections/mens/products/beast).
- 411 Wrestling writer Larry Csonka is one of few guys I read for show reviews. I was shocked when I heard he passed away on Monday. One of his reviews was up on the site the previous day. I didn't know he was dealing with health issues in his life. He passed away from it leaving behind a wife and two daughters who were love of his life. His writings on wrestling not only the fans but the wrestlers. Of the many wrestlers leaving outpouring of support is WWE wrestler Kevin Owens. A GoFundMe page is up to provide for his two young daughters. To contribute here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/larrymania-living-on-in-his-girls
- The shocking death of Stardom wrestler Hana Kimura turn to various forms of angry once details trickled in. Japanese woman wrestler was targeted after her appearance on reality TV show. She was cyberbullied with on social media platforms with assholes telling her to either catch covid-19 or to kill herself. The threats made her post pictures of her doing bodily harm of herself before committing suicide. Seeing few screenshots of the threats made me angry. How can these scumbags live with themselves that their cyberbullying made her commit suicide? So much being in friendly towards each other during this time. Sad Hana died but angry was lead her to it. Just horrible people...
Not been good year and five months in we are ready to be it over with. My thoughts, condolences, and prayers toward the families and friends of Shad, Larry, and Hana.
Sad news on wrestling front as former WWF Hall of Famer and ring announcer Howard Finkel passed away today at 69. His legendary WWF/E career spanned from late 70s into 2000s with his final appearance at 2011 Survivor Series being CM Punk special ring announcer.
When I got into world of wrestling as a fan I was a kid, about 10, giving this a shot after playing WWF Wrestlemania for NES. Turned on WWF Superstars which was at time on local CBS station sydnicate at 6 PM on Saturday night. The first wrestling ring announcer to greet me was Howard Finkel. He introduced all the wrestlers in the ring and the winners on the show. It was his delivery approach have fans on their feet making everything important especially every WWF title change.
He would have his moments in the ring with short-lived feuds and angles first with Harvey Wippleman around 1994 then with Lilian Garcia in 2004. He did have one off against Tony Chimel attacking him over being the best ring announcer. To wrestling fans he is the best ever in-ring announcer.
Last week my parents and I urgently got in the car driving 8 hours to Houston. By the time we got there near 7 PM it was too late. My uncle passed that morning. We spent the entire time consoling our heartbroken family and discussing funeral plans. Rough weather hit when Imelda made landfall on Thursday flooding parts of Houston. The storm came during middle of meeting with funeral home discussing plans. We end up at funeral home from Thursday to Sunday discussing type of memorial to grave site. Surprisingly they gave me a ticket to Astros game for Friday night and said go have fun. The game took my mind off family tragedy for few hours. Angels pitcher Justin Anderson signed on a stub as it was only thing I had with me along with my camera. Saw Astros blasted four homeruns in the 1st inning then Carlos Correa with a second blast. Zack Grienke lost control in the 4th giving up five straight hits and Angels scoring four runs. The bullpen held on to the lead when Grienke left after five innings for 6-4 victory. On Saturday made a trek to Houston Sports Connection on Westheimer to pick up packs and oddballs especially on 1981 Donruss. Oddballs such as pack of NFL Facts Stay in Tune cards, large portrait size Pinnacle Beehive hockey cards and Topps sticker card of Don Sutton. Some of it will be posted on A Pack to be Named Later. During that few days around Houston caught up with old family friends from my parents side as well going shopping with my relatives. Two of my relatives flew in on late Saturday from California Bay Area catching up with them especially "Mr. Happy" who will always have a laugh and smile. I don't know how he does it. My dad and I left Houston yesterday without seeing the body leaving mom with the relatives for the wake and funeral. It's just our work schedule would allow us short time off even at urgent. More relatives flew in today to pay their respects. I'm going to miss my uncle. He's the one that drove us to Sacramento for a day trip during family reunion few years back. Two years ago he invited me to join them for Christmas marking first time in six years I been with family during Christmas day as I was living in Austin at the time. It was Christmas off but work the next day making 5-6 hour drive in Midland impossible. But three hour drive to Houston is great to relax with family. RIP Uncle. Everyone will miss you.
After rough 2018 in wrestling world it starts off on a bad note. One of guys I grew up watching on WWF Superstars, PPVs, Coliseum Videos shows then on to WCW, Mean Gene Okerlund, passed away at 76. He interviewed wrestlers in professional manner, gave out updates in the control center, and involved himself in silly skits. He gave me many highlights out of it such getting his tie cut off with Berserker's sword, getting cursed by Papa Shango and got black goo oozing out from the head, had Hacksaw Jim Duggan's 2X4 dropped on his foot so Duggan can get the card of him after he refused to trade it, ate sushi with Yokozuna, and had fans chant "Leave Her Alone!" at him when he tried to interview Madusa after she lost title vs career match against Akira Hokuto. He went to WWE Hall of Fame and most recently a host to WWE Storytime on WWE Network. Mean Gene was one of a kind and I will miss him. RIP Mean Gene. The interview approach gotten more professional in wrestling heaven.
On Sunday, the baseball world lost one of young stars, Jose Fernandez, in a tragic boating crashing. In his short time he made impact of the game. He threw a no-hitter in his rookie season only to be sidelined the following year with Tommy John surgery. He came with vengeance pitching as he never lost a step on the mound earning trips to All-Star game. His infectious smile and enjoyment of the game followed him making him beloved by teammates and fans and being the face of Miami Marlins. Jose Fernandez will be missed by everyone in the baseball world.
This year brutally sucked in deaths. So many favorites and respected people leaving this world. Prince is one my favorite. His musical ability is super uncanny. Going miss him. RIP Prince.
Sad Hayabusa passed away. He's one of my all-time favorites to grace the ring. My first Japanese wrestling tape I ever got was FMW 4/30/98 and 5/19/98 shows. He stood out way more and became huge FMW fan as result. His feud with childhood friend and rival Mr. Gannosuke is one of underrated feuds in wrestling. He always brought the best out of everyone he faced such as Masato Tanaka, Tetsuhiro Kuroda, and the late Kodo Fuyuki. A freak ring accident left him paralyzed ending his in-ring career. Despite it all he continued to be in wrestling in some form. The guy loved this business. Being true fighter he worked hard through his paralysis and last year able to walk unaided. Like a phoenix he risen from re-birth from being ace of a company through serious injuries to promoting and have new career in singing. Rest in peace Hayabusa and may you be re-born and rise again.
Few weeks after music world lost Lemmy Kilmister. It mourn again with loss of David Bowie another favorite of mines. Too many memorable songs from him listen to. Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust is one of my favorite albums. He will be missed.
It was day of sadness yesterday for baseball fans. One of greatest hitters to play Mr. Padre Tony Gwynn died. He spent his entire career with San Diego Padres with long list of credentials of multi-time All-Star, gold glove winner, leading the league in hits and batting average, and a Hall of Fame selection. Never got a chance to watch him play live, but I got a chance to watch get honored.
The date was August 31, 2002. MLB and players were on verge of striking til they able struck a deal at last minute to avert the strike. I was in San Diego for a wedding. Relief they didn't strike I decide catch a game when they playing at Qualcomm Stadium. It was free hat night and starting pitchers was Clay Condrey, making his first career ML start, and Aaron Cook. Little did I know before the game the team honored Tony Gwynn into team Hall of Fame. It was great night to watch him get honored by the team.
Took few photos of it with early Sony Cybershot digital camera in digital zoom form. This was way before I knew difference between optical and digital zoom.
