Rest in Peace, 'Fink'

RIP Fink: 1950 - 2020
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've wanted to get back to blogging and other content creation since this whole COVID-19 quarantine stuff started. It was supposed to be a distraction from reality. Fun posts. However, as I make my blogging re-debut it is with a somber tone. This morning as I was just getting my workday started, the news of Howard Finkel's passing hit social media.

Finkel, aka 'The Fink' was the voice of my childhood. Heck, he was even the voice of many of the wrestling matches I watched as an adult. Simply put, news of Fink's death devastated me. There's no denying that he will go down as the GOAT when it comes to ring announcers. He's in a class all his own. Howard Finkel set the standard for what all of today's ring announcers want to be.

Many fans and wrestlers have been sharing their memories of Fink. We've all heard the iconic announcements he made through the years. "And NEW..." has become a phrase I believe we all associate immediately with Fink's style. 

If there has been one person I've tried to emulate in my years on the independent scene of pro wrestling, it's no doubt the Fink. My current gig as ring announcer at Stride Pro Wrestling is the longest stint I've had (just over four years). It's a total ripoff of the legend as I attempt to announce a new champion being crowned. But as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It's an homage to the man with the golden voice. 

Years ago when Fink moved off-screen, I like many fans longed for the days of hearing him in the ring. That distinct bell ringing at Madison Square Garden and the microphone dropping down with Fink's familiar voice are imprinted in my brain. I can hear it all right now as I type this blog. 

Not the best pic, but this is from the HOF ceremony in 2009

At the risk of rambling, I'm going to wrap it up here. I am grateful for the Fink being a part of our lives. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see him get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 in Houston. And I'm grateful to have the chance to step into the ring and follow a dream of announcing the men and women making a name for themselves on the independent scene.

Rest in peace, Fink. You'll be missed.

Chasing a dream

The group

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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More than 35 years ago I became a fan of professional wrestling. I never aspired to be in the ring as I knew at an early age my lack of athleticism would keep me from having a career between the ropes. As I got older though, I put serious consideration into becoming a manager. I looked up to the likes of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Jimmy Hart and Jim Cornette. It was always a 'dream job' in the back of my head and when I started a career in TV news, I changed that goal to commentator or announcer.

I won't bore you with all the details again, but there have been opportunities since 2005 for me to pursue all of those choices (even wrestling). All the work has come the way of small, independent promotions here in Illinois. However, in August I saw an ad for a  seminar and tryout by Future Stars of Wrestling in Las Vegas. The group was holding the event for Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA). After weeks of contemplating and the encouragement of my wife and a handful of friends, I signed up to audition to be a ring announcer.

My ring cards

My wife and I flew out to Vegas on Friday morning. After a day and evening on the Strip, I got a good night's sleep and eagerly walked into the FSW building. I was ready to impress Sonjay Dutt, Scott D'Amore, D'Lo Brown and the other professional wrestlers on hand. There were dozens of athletes there for the tryout, nine referees and three announcers. The other two announcers did a great job. I feel like I did too and had some custom made ring cards with the Impact logo on them which contained my announcing notes.

There were 28 matches that afternoon as everyone who signed up for the tryout got a chance to impress. I announced nine matches and throughout the course, I chatted with friends back home about the talented guys I was up against. Even without seeing my competition they were sure I was better. Their words made me feel good about what I was doing.  

That's me...

The tryout came to an end and it was announced that a few of the men on hand would be asked to come to the tapings Sunday night. I was not asked, but I wanted to have a chance to thank the organizers for having me. I shook Sonjay's hand and he told me how much he liked the cards. I wasn't picked for this set of tapings but I feel like I made an impression and hope to work with Impact for a future taping. (By the way, none of the announcer candidates made the cut, at least I don't think so).

Scott D'Amore told everyone at the end, "Congratulations for investing in yourself. It took courage to do this." I don't remember if that's his exact quote but it's what I remember from his farewell to us. My wife was waiting for me outside and told me she was proud for putting myself out there. I don't typically step outside my comfort zone but I couldn't let this chance pass me. I would have more regret by not doing it than having tried and not making it.

Outside the Bellagio 

Plus we got to spend three days in Vegas and hang out a couple of days with my buddy Chad. We've never been to Vegas before and I don't know how soon we would have made the trip. So if there's something you're dreaming of, take a chance on yourself. The only failing involved is in not trying. Thanks again to everyone for the love and support. I got a ton of message from so many friends and family afterward. It means the world. (Tyler, Tom, Garrett, Barry, Dan and Jamie to name a few)

Buy the Centmas Vacation shirt here

My wrestling dream gig

Picturing myself with WWE...

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I have been very fortunate with the opportunities I've received in pro wrestling. Before I graduated college, I mailed a resume and cover letter to the WWF (it was 1995) basically seeking any kind of employment with the company. I got a very polite letter in response telling me there were no openings at that time but they'd keep my information on file for six months. Through the years I'd apply several more times, including the ring announcer gig that Lillian Garcia was hired for.

I was quite clueless about how to even get into the indy wrestling business. But in 1999, I made contact with a company in Muscle Shoals, Alabama called Millenium Wrestling Alliance. I literally stood on a stage across from the ring and ran a small camcorder on a tripod. After moving to Indiana I did nothing with wrestling again until 2005, when I was asked to ring announce a couple IWA: Midsouth shows. 

Managing Velvet Sky in 2011

Then in 2010, I got a chance to ref a couple matches for an indy company in McLeansboro, Illinois. That was followed by a guest managing spot with Velvet Sky at a TNA show in Marion and my commentary duties with All American Pro Wrestling. I eventually got involved in an angle and wrestled. For the last two years, I've been announcing for Stride Pro Wrestling. I'm content with that and I'm ecstatic that I've done all these things.

Sam Roberts on the Kickoff Show for PayBack
Courtesy: WWE

As you might guess, though, I want more. Yes, I would love to have been a manager or ring announcer or even commentator in WWE. I know time is not on my side in terms of age, but I believe this goal I have is somewhat realistic. I would love the opportunity to be on the panel for a WWE Kick Off Show. Other better-connected wrestling fans like Sam Roberts, (someone I have great respect for) have had this chance. Now I'd like a shot. I'd be content with doing one segment.

I know there is a chance someone from WWE or someone who is connected with WWE is reading this. Please let me know the proper route to take to make this dream became a reality. Thanks and wish me luck. 

My wrestling resume

AAPW Commentary team in 2012

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'll be up front from the start. My soul purpose for this post is to catch the eyes of Jeff Jarrett as his company Global Force Wrestling makes a stop near my home in southern Illinois. I want to be a part of the show and this post will aim to convince him of that.

Meeting Jeff Jarrett

I met Jeff Jarrett a couple weeks ago when I interviewed him for the TV station I work for, promoting the event on July 1 at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois. I've also talked to him twice on the phone for the My 1-2-3 Cents Podcast. But I'm more than just a fan with a wrestling blog, podcast and YouTube channel.

Billy Gunn & Kevin Hunsperger
April 2005

In 2005 I got my first taste of the business. Ian Rotten asked me to be the ring announcer for the IWA: Mid-South April Bloodshowers show at the Herrin Civic Center. Billy Gunn wrestled Tracy Smothers that night and prior to that faced me on News 3 This Morning in a video game contest from hell. Ian had me back a couple other times, probably because I worked for free.

In 2010 I debuted as a referee for an event in McLeansboro for USCW. It was a challenging, but fun experience. Then about six months later I was asked to be on the commentary team for All American Pro Wrestling. This was an exciting opportunity because the show aired on WSIL-TV, the ABC affiliate in southern Illinois. That summer I also "managed" Velvet Sky at the TNA Basebrawl event in Marion. I'm not saying she beat Winter because of me, but I'm not saying my presence didn't hurt.

Courtesy: Jason Wilkey Photography

A storyline in AAPW developed where I had to get in the ring and wrestle. On January 14, 2012 I wrestled and defeated Mike Masters in my one and only match. It was one of the greatest nights of my life. The AAPW commentary gig transitioned into one for Pro Wrestling Collision. I did a guest spot at the Du Quoin State Fair in 2014 for USA Championship Wrestling. Finally in 2016, I became the ring announcer for Stride Pro Wrestling.

Stride Pro Wrestling 

I'm not looking for a paying gig on Friday, July 1 at Rent One Park. I just want to be a part of the action. Mr. Jarrett, give this long time wrestling fan a chance. You won't be disappointed.

The Voice?

Your AAPW commentary team

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Many of you know that I do play-by-play for All American Pro Wrestling, a fast growing independent promotion in the southern Illinois, southeast Missouri, and western Kentucky area.  We also reach parts of Tennessee and Indiana through WSIL TV, the ABC affiliate in the region.  AAPW Collision is also seen world wide on YouTube and the company's first DVD release, "Main Event" is available for purchase still.

The reason I'm writing this post is because for as long as I can remember I wanted to be involved in the world of professional wrestling in some way.  In my younger years I wanted to be a manager.  I never really thought about the independent route back then.  I wanted to be the next Bobby Heenan or Jimmy Hart and work for the WWF.

As I got older, I knew that wouldn't be a reality.  But right after I graduated from college I decided to send a resume to the WWF.  They had no job listed at the time, but I was a naive 22 year old who thought why not?  I actually got a rejection letter from them telling me that they didn't have any positions for me at the time, but they'd keep my resume on file and should something come open, they'd contact me.  They never did.

In 1999, after I had nearly two years of anchoring the news under my belt, I had the courage to apply for a ring announcer position with the company.  But I was greener than goose poop as Bill Demott would say.  By the way, the person the WWE hired for that ring announcer post, Lillian Garcia.  Obviously they made the right choice there.  I knew I didn't really stand a chance, but it was that small glimmer of hope and that "what if" factor that was playing in the back of my mind.  I had been doing some camera work for a small Indy fed in northwest Alabama at the time.  It was fun, but because I'm terribly shy I didn't really take the opportunity to talk with the wrestlers and learn the business.

Billy Gunn before IWA

Fast forward to 2005 and I had the opportunity to be a guest ring announcer for Ian Rotten's IWA: Midsouth when the company came to town.  They were here three times total and I was the ring announcer for two of them.  The birth of my daughter kept me away the third time.  I also had a chance to be a referee for a couple of matches in 2010.  I thought that would pretty much be it for me.

But then in the spring of 2011 I was approached to do play-by-play for AAPW.  I know I'm still greener than goose poop, but I'm wanting to hone my skills and become better.  Executive producer and my broadcast colleague Chris Hagstrom has referred to me as "the Voice of AAPW."  It's an honor I don't take lightly.  So that's where you guys come in.  You're obviously a wrestling fan, or you wouldn't be reading this.

Please take the opportunity to watch the YouTube clips below and give me your 1-2-3 Cents on my skills.  If you don't want to post your opinions here, feel free to email me at kevinhunsperger@gmail.com.  I have incredibly thick skin from years as a news anchor, so you're not going to offend me.  Thanks for reading and for the input.