My 1-2-3 Cents : TatTuesday

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Let me start this off by saying I have no tattoos. In college, I very nearly got one with the letters from my fraternity, Sigma Nu. The plan was to do it on my calf. But in the end, it was all talk and I never followed through with it.

Before I turned 40 more than five years ago, I vowed that I would get some kind of ink. But I really had no idea what I was going to do. So 40 came and went, along with ages 41 through 45 and my body is still a blank canvass. I really would like a tattoo of some sort, but ultimately, I don't know what I'd get.

An early favorite for me, but no one else in my family would be the My 1-2-3 Cents monkey. For nearly four years he's been the face of my pro wrestling brand and would seemingly make the most sense at this point. I know some will read that and balk, but really I have put a lot of work into the development and creation of this brand. The tattoo would be a permanent reminder of that hustle. But I've got a long way to go to get to where I'm headed and I believe a tattoo of the monkey might be presumptuous now.

Another idea I've had is something to symbolize my family. Other than initials though, I'm not sure what I'd do. There are plenty of other pop culture icons I could immortalize on my body, but I don' think my wife would find a Homer Simpson, Mickey Mouse or Scooby Doo tattoo appealing. I'm envious of my friends with tattoos. I wish I would have taken the plunge 25 years ago when I was young and carefree.

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Tuesday, August 21, 2018

TatTuesday: Jason Tiller

Jason Tiller's tattoo

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The Midwest Monster Hunters burst onto the scene in Stride Pro Wrestling earlier this year. In that time, Jason Tiller and Bo Sawyer have won the tag team titles twice. Each man has some body ink. I've blogged about Bo's tattoo before, today the focus is on Jason.

He has a 'Jesus fish' on his arm. Jason admits he's not overly religious but enjoys the history of the Ichthus in the Christian community. He first learned about it when the chaplain on his college campus explained how in ancient Rome, Christians were persecuted, similar to the way they are in the east today. The Romans would punish people for worshiping Christ by impaling them on these huge poles, covering them in tar and using them as torches for the Coliseum. It was a brutal death sentence to be caught being a Christian.

So Christians were well underground at this point in history, understandably. They would generally hold worship services in the catacombs in Rome. The fish was an arrow. The point of the fish pointed Christians secretly to their secret worship service. It also served as an ID card of sorts. If you were a Christian and thought you may be talking to another Christian in public, you would draw half of the fish in the dirt. If the other person drew the other half, you knew you were talking to someone you could trust with your faith. The Roman government never caught on. Jason says his tattoo serves as a reminder to keep pushing. He tells himself in hard times "just draw the fish" as a joke.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

TatTuesday: Heath Hatton

Hatton's Star Wars tattoos

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

When I first met Stride Pro Wrestling's Heath Hatton in 2010 his tattoos were minimal. Fast forward eight years and Hatton's body is now the canvas to about 30 different tats. Most of them highlight his fandom for Star Wars. But there are others that have a deeper meaning.

Lions and cross tattoos

Artist Darren Ashbaugh from Golgotha Tattoos has done most of Hatton's art. The lion and cub represent he and his daughter Jada. One thing that stands true about Hatton is his love for his daughter. He also has a cross with Jada's name on his chest, keeping her close to his heart at all times.

Skull & snake

On his right arm, you'll find a snake and skulls. Hatton says he got those added because having your biggest phobias tattooed will keep those things away. Death and snakes are two things Hatton fears most. He tells me he's not afraid of dying, but of losing those he loves.

Two people Hatton doesn't love: Tony Flood and J. Wellington Beauregard. He and Ax Allwardt, another guy he's had ups and downs with, will team up against Flood and 'J. Wells' on Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Free Fair Face Off in Carterville. See you there.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

TatTuesday: Tony Wilson

Tony Wilson

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Tony Wilson has spent his adult life as an educator. But he grew up a fan of pro wrestling. In May, those worlds collided as Tony stepped inside the steel cage at his new place of employment, Pinckneyville High School. Tony had been principal at Murphysboro High School until making the change for this upcoming school year. Tony and his partner, fellow educator Josh Plumlee (the Stone Cold Plumster) were successful in their match against DR Party members Dexter Roswell and Brian Richards.

Tony's ink

What fans may not know, Tony sports a very impressive and personal tattoo. The cross represents Tony's faith. There are two gold bands around the cross, which are from the Livestrong wristbands. Tony is a two-time cancer survivor. The H on the cross represents his daughter Hannah. The dragon on Tony's chest is also a reminder of Hannah, who loved dragons when she was a little girl. The tattoo was done by artist Dru Thornquest.

Tony scores the pin
Courtesy: Pete Spitler

As I mentioned, Tony is a cancer survivor. That has motivated him to step back into the ring. This time he'll be teaming up with "T-Dawg" Jerry Travelstead, who is the principal and superintendent at Community Consolidated School 204 in Pinckneyville. This twosome will take on a couple of newcomers in the Kellis Brothers.

The Keltner Family

Saturday night's show is a benefit for Tony's friend, Sarah Miles-Keltner. The young mother of three is also battling cancer. He and the entire Stride roster are donating their time that night to help raise money for the Keltner family. There will be concessions and raffles of pro wrestling memorabilia that night too. Be there for the action at Eldorado High School. Bell time is 7 p.m.

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

TatTuesday: Arron Brooks

New ink for Arron Brooks

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter