The night I stalked WWE Superstars

Searching for Superstars (circa 1996)

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I've been a wrestling fan for more than 30 years. Twenty years ago this week I was back in my college town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri for Homecoming weekend festivities. I also had tickets for the WWF house show the next day at the Show Me Center. Back then, none of my friends were wrestling fans, so I was dragging my fiance (now wife) to the show.

But the night before we were all hanging out at the Outback Steakhouse in town having dinner before the Homecoming social was set to begin. A couple of my fraternity brothers walked into the restaurant and asked me if I knew about the WWF semi parked in the hotel parking lot next door. I had no idea but instantly became interested. We hadn't been seated yet and I looked Lisa who simply nodded and said go.

Goldust at the Show Me Center (1996)

Remember this was 1996 so there were no smartphones or social media. I did have a regular old camera loaded with film in my pocket. I quickly entered the hotel lobby and headed for the elevator. I was dressed in a shirt and tie so I figured I didn't look like a crazed wrestling fan. The hotel only had three or four floors, so I started at the top, walking down the halls hoping to run into a Superstar or two. Shawn Michaels, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Mankind, Goldust, Sid, Owen Hart and the British Bulldog were all scheduled to wrestle so I really didn't want to miss a chance to meet one of them.

Shawn Michaels wins (1996)

I walked the halls of each floor with hope fading. I never did run into any Superstars or even anyone who resembled a WWF employee. Little did I know the wrestlers were still in St. Louis for a show up there before making the two-hour drive to Cape Girardeau. I did get my picture taken in front of that semi and I thought it would be the closest I'd ever get to such a thing. But if you read this blog you know in the 20 years that have passed I've enjoyed some amazing opportunities. Here's to another 20 years of wrestling fandom and hopefully no more stalking.

MVPs of WrestleMania #5

By Kevin Hunsperger & Chad Smart

@kevinhunsperger, @chadsmart, @my123cents

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Last year I had the idea to do an MVPs of WrestleMania blog, but came up with it a day or two before the big event.  So I held my list waiting for WrestleMania 32 to roll around.  Admittedly I've made a couple of minor tweaks to the original list and debated internally over the quality of my list.  I invited Chad to play along too.  While the lists aren't perfect (he's not in our top ten), I hope you enjoy.  A new blog will be posted daily until March 31, the day I leave for Dallas.

Warrior vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Courtesy: WWE

Kevin's pick:

5) Triple H:  Love him or hate him, it's hard to deny the impact Triple H has had on WrestleMania, not just as a performer but a part of WWE management.  Triple H made his WrestleMania debut 20 years ago as Hunter Hearst Helmsley against a returning Ultimate Warrior.  Sure that outing was less than successful, but it didn't take long for HHH to become one of WWE's big players.  He has had several championship matches, including beating Chris Jericho for the Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania 18.  

He became the first heel to win a WrestleMania main event at WM 2000.  (I don't count Yokozuna's win at WM 9 because Hulk Hogan walked out that night as champion.)  My favorite Triple H WrestleMania match came a couple years ago when he lost to Daniel Bryan in the opener at WrestleMania 30.  It was a bit of a torch passing moment... kinda.  This year the 46 year old heads into the main event of WrestleMania as the defending champion.  When I watched the Blue Blood get squashed in 1996, I never imagined he'd be the champion 20 years later.

The Fink
Courtesy: WWE

Chad's pick:

5) Howard Finkel: There is only one person to appear on camera at the first 31 WrestleManias. That man is affectionately known as, “The Fink.”  Legend has it, Fink is also the one credited with coining the term, WrestleMania.  While he is now reduced to introducing the Hall of Fame inductees, it’s no denying the early WrestleManias would have sounded very different without Howard Finkel’s distinctive voice announcing the competitors.