This year is coming to a close, fast. Kinda faster than I anticipated. Had me, temporarily, doubting my decision. But I know, in my heart, that if I don't go now, on my terms, head up, with my boots on, so to speak, then I probably never will. In all honesty, I am grateful for all that wrestling has given me. I have stories and memories to last a few lifetimes. I have been privileged to perform, over these years, for so many thousands of fans, both here and across the country, in so many different venues. I remember being crammed into a small garage turned night club at 9th and Hunting Park with 300 screaming fans who barely spoke a word of English. I also remember 2000 fans packing the Legendary Blue Horizon to see George "the Animal" and to see me and my best friend annihilate one another in a Lumberjack Strap match.
I'm grateful for every rec center and high school gymnasium. Every Boys Girls Club and church basement. Every VFW and fire hall. I'm grateful for every friend I've ever made and grateful to have known every friend we've all lost. If I've gained one bit of knowledge, that I can surely pass on, it's this; Wrestling is fickle. It's moody and it's temperamental. It can hold you high in one breath. A few seconds later, you're down, so to speak, for the count. But yet, and still we love this. In all of it's political lunacy and prima donna insanity.
To quote a friend, there are those who get it, there are those who
think that they get it and there are those who just never will. I'm grateful to have seen wrestling at it's highest and at times, it's lowest. In those times, however, I was still grateful to have been a part of this crazy game.
So, if this is/was my last ride, I just want to say thanks so much for everything. Every joy, every pain. Every loss. Every lesson. Because through it all, I got to do so much more than most people ever do.
And I am truly, grateful.
"... I've been everywhere
Still I'm standin' tall
I've seen a million faces
And I've rocked them all"
R.
