The Fabulous Tony Flood

The Fabulous Tony Flood 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Fans, wrestlers and management of Stride Pro Wrestling have been fooled for the last few months. At the show in January, general manager Sam Hunter fired Tony Flood for attacking and injuring Legacy champion Jerry Travelstead prior to a title defense. Flood was physically removed from the building by security but somehow ended up backstage later in the night, dressed as a luchador named Alejandro Fabuloso. 

El Magnifico & El Fabuloso
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

El Fabuloso debuted that night as the tag team partner for El Magnifico. I'd never given it much thought as both luchadors showed up to Stride shows already with their masks on. They spoke broken English and I haven't really used my Spanish minor from 20+ years ago much so I never had much interaction with either man. 

Ref bump

At the No Love Lost show in February, Fabuloso won a fatal four-way to become the number one contender to the Legacy Championship. Then at the One Year Anniversary Show in March, Fabuloso got his shot. Late in the match, referee Lane Austin got knocked down and that's when Alexxa Flood emerged with a chair. She hit the champ a couple times with it. Fabuloso stopped that attack, only to blast T-Dawg several more times, rendering the champ unconscious and pinning him for the belt. 

Attacked!

GM Hunter was understandably upset with the actions and demanded Fabuloso unmask immediately. He did and Tony Flood then explained his actions and how he'd even fooled Hunter. When Alejandro Fabuloso signed the contract he actually did it as Anthony Flood, making the deal to return ironclad. But Hunter has promised Flood isn't going to catch a break. So the next few months should be interesting, to say the least.

The happy couple

Congratulations to Flood for fooling all of us and finally capturing gold in Stride. However, I don't envy you at all as your actions (along with Alexxa's) may end up costing you in the long run. Good luck.

Dear Shinesty & Opposuits: Please make this suit...

Tom in the middle with the PacMan suit

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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A few years ago my friend, Tom Harness, introduced me (and everyone in southern Illinois) to the Ugly Christmas suits made by Shinesty. He wrote this blog about it in 2014. Since then he's amassed a collection of suits made by Shinesty and/or Opposuits. He's covered for Christmas, Halloween and even an 80s themed party with the Pac-Man suit (which is my favorite).

Chad's Hall of Fame suit

I've always wanted to get one of these suits, but I don't want to be "that guy" copying something my friend has turned into a successful fundraiser each year at Christmas. He's literally known as "the suit guy" by some folks here. I have mad respect for what he's done with the project. When Chad and I attended the WWE Hall of Fame this year he busted out his own Shinesty suit, which he told me was inspired by Tom.

What I currently wear to wrestling shows

So to not commit gimmick infringement, I've started a campaign to have Shinesty and/or Opposuits to come up with a design for wrestling fans. If anyone from either company is reading this please create a luchador wrestling mask suit. There are millions of wrestling fans out there. They'd be popular attire at the WWE Hall of Fame. And as a ring announcer for an independent wrestling company, I would wear it at our monthly shows. I know others in companies around the country would do the same thing. Test the market with the luchador mask suit and other wrestling themes could follow. I have ideas for other wrestling related apparel, but I'll save that for another blog. 

LuchaDad needs a lucha mask suit

Tom's Ugly suit made the news (several times)

When wearing a Shinesty or Opposuits suit you get noticed. I want to help share the awesomeness of these suits with the professional wrestling crowd. Let's make it happen!

Opening up about my new obsession

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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If you've been here before, you likely know about the YouTube show I co-host, The Craftbeericans.  If you're new here or didn't know, please check it out and subscribe.  I'll wait...

This has become a fun new hobby for me.  I'm trying to learn more about the industry and what I like in a craft beer.  With the new endeavor, I've started collecting bottle openers.  It's funny because some of my new ones combine my love for wrestling with my craft beer obsession. My friends have been keeping an eye out for me and adding to the collection.  

Here's what I have so far...  

Warrior Dash medal doubles as an open

My first Luchador from Sean & Grace Mocaby

Caught this in the crowd at WrestleMania 32

Not a ninja, another luchador, from my friend Josue

Life's a beach
From our friends Tiffany & Bill 

HerrinFesta gift.
Cut pizza AND open beer

Chasing Amy Into the Hall of Fame

Amy "Lita" Dumas as Women's Champion
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The WWE has announced the third inductee for the Class of 2014 Hall of Fame ceremony this year.  It's none other than Amy Dumas.  Fans know her better as Lita.  I think the announcement of Lita is a solid choice, with the exception of Trish Stratus, she's the most accomplished women's wrestler of the 21st century in the WWE.

Lita held the WWE Women's title four times in her six year run with the company.  She had some great matches with Stratus.  The two had a great rivalry and friendship during their time in WWE, as they both pretty much came up through the system together and left around the same time.

Lita vs. Trish
Courtesy: WWE

I don't know that there has been a Diva quite like Lita in terms of wrestling ability.  She trained in Mexico and the luchador influence has taken her to new heights (yes I went there).  Lita and Trish dominated the women's division either as friends or opponents.  It was a true resurgence of women's wrestling with some truly gifted athletes leading the way. Molly Holly, Victoria, and Jazz were also great talents during that era.

Lita & Edge
Courtesy: WWE

Besides being a talented wrestler, Lita also served as a valet for many Superstars through the years.  Her debut was with Essa Rios, but it didn't take long for her to throw support behind the likes of Matt and Jeff Hardy, Kane, and Edge.  Those angles turned into some really compelling storylines and real life drama added some flare to the product.  

We all know the shelf life for a Diva is much shorter than a Superstar, and Lita definitely made the most of her years in WWE.  It was nice seeing her come back and defeat Heath Slater in 2012, although I'm sure he'd disagree.  It's weird to me seeing the stars of the Attitude Era, many who are my age and even a few years younger get inducted into the Hall of Fame.  I need to stop thinking it's an honor reserved for the "old timers" or I need to accept that I'm (we're) getting old too.  None-the-less, congrats to Lita.  I'll be in New Orleans eager to see the ceremony on April 5. 

Boo: Something Fishy

Shark Boy wins the Brian Pillman Memorial 1999
Photo from sharkboy.net

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

I did a very brief blog years ago on Shark Boy when I wrote something about Shark Week and of course tied in the wrestling connection.  I just listened to Shark Boy on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling Podcast, and felt compelled to update my thoughts on him.

I love listening to Colt's show and learning more about guys I don't know a whole lot about.  I vaguely remember Shark Boy during his stint in WCW.  I remember him well in TNA in the early days of the Wednesday night pay per views.  And it's no secret here, my tag team partner here at My 1-2-3 Cents, Chad is a "mark for the shark", sporting a Shark Boy mask at one of those Nashville shows.  He even got to meet Shark Boy.

Chad meets Shark Boy
Photo from My 1-2-3 Cents

Interesting facts I learned on Shark Boy's podcast:  He trademarked the name years ago when he signed with WCW.  It was a smart move as all his hard work "swimming" through the indies wasn't gobbled up by Vince McMahon in 2001.  He started off as El Piranha, a luchador fish gimmick, but it was Ian Rotten who helped change his name.  I never noticed Mick Foley was wearing a Shark Boy shirt in match with The Rock at the 1999 Royal Rumble.  I also gained more respect for Shark Boy after learning he fought for his name after the release of the movie "The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl."

Another tidbit, on a personal note, we both have sons who are the same age and both run cross country.  I'm the only one who probably cares about that, but I thought it was interesting.

Oh Shell Yeah!
Photo from TNA

I always liked Shark Boy in TNA.  I thought the "Stone Cold" Steve Austin tribute was creative, but as a WWE mark, I thought it was TNA's attempt to cash in on yet another WWE guy.  I wish Shark Boy could have gotten more over without the help of imitating someone else, but it worked for him at the time, and like I said, it was entertaining.

One of his shining moments (in my view) was winning the Brian Pillman Memorial Show in 1999.   While it took him to WCW and TNA as well as other independent companies, Shark Boy never rode the wave of success to the WWE.  He says in the podcast Stephanie McMahon once complimented him, but joked that while he had the talent he didn't have the size to compete in the WWE.  I think had he gotten in the business 10 years later than he did, he'd have a place on the roster right now.

He still wrestles occasionally, but if you'd like to learn more about Shark Boy, search for him on YouTube or click here for his website.

A Thousand Faces

Mil Mascaras 

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

The WWE has already announced one inductee for the 2012 Hall of Fame, so I figured I would go ahead and write up a quick reaction piece.  Legendary luchador Mil Mascaras is the first to be announced for the honor.  Although it seems early to be talking about the Hall of Fame, at least by WWE's timetable, this announcement makes sense as the WWE just toured Mexico.

I remember reading more about Mil Mascaras than I do actually watching him wrestle.  Obviously most of his work was done in Mexico, and back in the 80's when I was watching wrestling there was no access to those promotions.  I do remember him competing in the 1997 (I think) Royal Rumble match.  But in that particular type of match, it's hard to show off any real luchador skills.

In doing some research, I know that Mascaras wrestled for the WWF back in the 1970's.  Apparently he was the first wrestler allowed to perform in a mask at Madison Square Garden.  I find that interesting.  He also had some matches against Cactus Jack in WCW back in 1990.  However, Jack (aka Mick Foley) wasn't too complimentary of Mascaras style in the ring.  Others have complained about his lack of selling skills.  Because I haven't seen much of his work, I'm not going to judge him, just making an observation.

Mascaras at a PWG show recently

Something else I discovered, Mascaras is the uncle of current WWE champion Alberto Del Rio.  So one would assume that he'll be doing the induction on March 31 in Miami.  Should be a fun night, I believe Mil Mascaras has earned a spot in the Hall of Fame, based on all his years in the business.  He's got quite the staying power, at age 69 Mascaras recently competed in Japan.

Now that one name has been announced, fans are surely going to be chomping at the bit wanting to know who else is joining Mascaras in the 2012 class.

It's a Sin

From WWE.com

Late last week, the WWE unveiled it's newest signee, the high flying luchador Mistico.  He'll wrestle here in the United States as Sin Cara.  My longtime friend the Old School Warrior, a masked man himself, reacted to the news on My 1-2-3 Cents over on YouTube.  He's a little excited to say the least.

I tend to agree with many of the points OSW makes in his video rant.  Sin Cara has some truly amazing moves and will only add more depth to the WWE talent pool.  It seems to me that over the last year, the WWE has finally started to look at more "wrestler" types and not so much the muscled up meat head. 

Daniel Bryan is kinda leading that charge in my opinion.  His work really speaks for itself.  I think that Kaval could have offered more,  but unfortunately creative couldn't come up with anything for him. 

With guys like Bryan, Chavo Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Evan Bourne, Justin Gabriel, and others I think it's time to start the Cruiserweight division again.  And please, keep Hornswoggle out of it.  This could also open the door for the return of Kaval. 

I'm not 100% optimistic that the E will restart this division, but I think signing a 175 pounder in the former "land of giants" is a step in the right direction.  Let's just hope this trend continues and we get some more sport and a little less entertainment.