Hug Your Cat Day pro wrestling style

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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It seems like there's a holiday for everything. June 4 is 'Hug Your Cat Day'. There are plenty of famous cats in pop culture and even wrestling. "The Big Cat" Ernie Ladd, Ernest "The Cat" Miller, The Kat aka Miss Kitty, Battle Kat and Mr. Hughes' early WCW gimmick Big Cat immediately come to mind. However, I wanted to find out if some of the wrestlers on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster are cat lovers. While I didn't get definitive answers, I'd like to think these are a few of the cat owners in the company. (Please ignore the photo editing job.)

Ax Allwardt & Battle Cat

Ax Allwardt and Battle Cat. I could see Ax beating up He-Man, piledriving him and then fading off into the sunset with the Master of the Universe's prized pet. Not only would Ax take Battle Cat, he'd also leave the castle with He-Man's sister She-Ra to leave happily ever after. That's just how Ax is. As Jim Ross would say, he's tougher than a two dollar steak.

Look out Gargamel, Roger Matheus has taken Azarel

Someone else who is tough on the Stride roster is Roger Matheus. You've likely read the blogs and listened to the podcast about our match. Since there is that rivalry between us, I imagine his feline of choice is Azarel. You know, he's the pet of Gargamel and the mortal enemy of the beloved Smurfs. The Smurfs were my favorite cartoon growing up in the 80s, so it would only seem fitting the Mad Viking would make Azarel his own. However, if Matheus wants to destroy something he will, unlike Gargamel. It would take more than the magic of Papa Smurf to keep that duo at bay.

Yes, Dexter Roswell wants to rule Stride Pro Wrestling and the world

Yes, Dexter Roswell wants to 'Make Stride great again.' He's also got the backing of the mutli-millionaire J. Wellington Beauregard in his quest. Therefore, I see Roswell withMr. Bigglesworth. I'm not saying Roswell or Beauregard are evil like Mr. Bigglesworth's owner, Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers franchise. But I do think both men will do whatever it takes to rule not only Stride Pro Wrestling but all of wrestling. It only seems fitting that Mr. Bigglesworth would be purrrfect for Roswell.

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So who do you have? Which cats would you pair with members of the Stride roster? Let us know here or on the Facebook page.

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Saturday Morning Memories: The Smurfs

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I still remember the summer before going into the third grade (it was 1981).  I was looking at the comics section in the Sunday newspaper and found a full page color ad for the upcoming Saturday morning cartoon lineup on NBC.  One of the new shows was called The Smurfs.  I don't know what it was, but at that moment I connected with the little blue people staring back at me from the paper.

I couldn't wait for September to roll around and learn more about the Smurfs.  It didn't take long for eight year old Kevin to become addicted.  Six months later when I turned nine I had a Smurf themed birthday party which included an ice cream cake with a Smurf artistically added to the top.  Gifts included Smurf t-shirts, ColorForms and stuffed animals. I had dozens of the little rubber figures by then too.  Hardee's had released a series of Smurf glasses a couple years later and I had them all. Again I was addicted.

I watched their many adventures week after week and even forced down several bowls of Smurf Berry Crunch cereal (I wasn't crazy about the cereal).  Clumsy was without a doubt my favorite. But I also loved Papa Smurf, Brainy and Smurfette.  I cheered when they overcame the underhanded tactics of Gargamel, Azrael and Hogatha.  Somehow they escaped danger in both episodes that aired each Saturday morning.

The one episode that stands out to me the most aired on Halloween 1981.  The Purple Smurfs told the story of a how the happy blue Smurfs turned angry and purple after a bug bite spread like wildfire.  It was a zombie apocalypse of Smurfy proportions.  Just as it seemed as if the end was in sight for the Smurfs, the day was saved and everyone returned to the happy Smurfy selves. 

Even into adulthood I held onto those Smurfy memories.  I kept my collection of toys and even added to them after graduating college, scoping out yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores.  Then in 2011, the tiny characters overtook the big screen.  New merchandise was released and I added to my already out of control collection.

Way Back WhensDay: The Smurfs

Smurfy

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I can still remember the first time I saw a Smurf.  It was the summer before third grade (1981) and I was looking at the comics section in the Sunday edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  The section that week featured a half page ad with all the upcoming cartoons on the Saturday morning lineup on NBC.  Back then, Saturday mornings were filled with hours of cartoons and it was glorious.  Anyway, there was a picture of the Smurfs, promoting its September debut in the United States.  I was instantly obsessed.

Later that summer we went back to school shopping and I insisted on getting a Smurf lunch box.  The blue plastic box featured many of the Smurfs staring in awe of the only female (at the time) Smurfette.  It came with a yellow and white thermos with a Smurf and Smurfette featured on the front.

Gargamel & Azrael

I tuned in each Saturday and watched with interest as Papa Smurf lead his pack of little Smurfs.  They talked funny, substituting the word "Smurf" for other common words.  They sang and danced.  They got along pretty perfectly for the most part.  The Smurfs seemed to love everything and were loved by all, except the evil wizard Gargamel and his cranky cat Azrael.  The evil duo created Smurfette as a way to destroy the Smurfs, but his attempt backfired and Smurfette became a part of the Smurf family.  Through the years new additions arrived, including Grandpa Smurf, a batch of Smurflings, and a little Baby Smurf.  They joined my favorites like Brainy, Clumsy, and Grouchy.

Of course with any successful show there are plenty of things to market along with it.  My favorite was of course the little rubber toys.  I had (and still do have) dozens of these little Smurfs.  There was a bowling Smurf, a clown Smurf, a doctor Smurf, even a Santa Smurf.  I also had a collection of plush Smurfs, tshirts, games, and even ate the Smurf cereal (which for the record I hated)  When Hardee's introduced a line of Smurf soda glasses, you can bet my family was there each week to get another one.  They're still packed away ever so safely in my attic.  I ate breakfast in bed on my birthdays on with my metal Smurf TV tray.

Just a few of my Smurfs

Even after I graduated from college,  a full six years after the Smurfs went off the air, I went back into a collection phase.  I scoured flea markets and picked up a handful of toys to add to my collection.  I bought a record player, alarm clock, and kitchen ware.  I even found the Smurf toy box.  I was obsessed all over again.  Of course, as I was preparing to get married my wife pulled the plug on most of the Smurfiness.  I ended up selling almost everything, except the glasses, toys, and lunchbox.

4th grade & now

Now, with the movies out, my kids have gained an interest in the Smurfs.  My daughter still plays with the figures.  And I've picked up three or four Smurf t-shirts over the last couple of years.  A couple years ago I even wore my Smurf pajamas on the air on National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day.  In 2005, I dressed like Papa Smurf at an 80's New Year's Eve party too.  It's like what's old is new again, and when it comes to most things from the 80's, I'm on board, especially for my beloved Smurfs!