My 1-2-3 Cents : Tattoos

@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 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 17, 2018

Stride stars show off ink

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

July 17 is National Tattoo Day. Tattoos and wrestling go hand in hand. The Undertaker, The Rock and Randy Orton immediately come to mind when thinking about inked Superstars. Several on the Stride Pro Wrestling roster have spent time with the tattoo artist through the years. I reached out to them to get the story behind the body art.

Arron Brooks has five tattoos. Starting from the top left; the sparrow on his neck is flying over the ocean. It's Jack Sparrow's tattoo from Pirates of the Caribbean. That film is one of Brooks' all-time favorite film franchises. He says it's a symbol of freedom and taking your own path, which he tries to do all the time.

The dove on his left hand is a memorial to his brother, Ricky, who died of cancer right before his birthday. The green arrow on the forearm symbolizes Green Arrow, who is one of Brooks' favorite comic book characters. The Cantonese symbol on his chest stands for 'survive'. Brooks says he had difficulties growing up as his parents divorced. It's also the same tattoo Green Arrow has on the TV series Arrow.

The phrase 'It can't rain all the time' is from one of Brooks' other favorite films, The Crow. It means no matter how bad times are, it'll be okay.

Cash Borden has a few tats, he told me about 'Made in China' on his neck. The story is pretty simple. His mother's name is China and he always told her before she passed away that that would be his first tattoo.

There are a couple of stories behind Midwest Monster Hunter member Bo Sawyer's tattoo. He's a huge Incredible Hulk fan. Secondly, the brick going around the Hulk will eventually go down the rest of his arm. It will be a tribute to Jesse Meredith who wrestled as Drake Graven. Jesse had a full brick sleeve down his left arm. He died in 2014 and was one of Sawyer's best friends. He says when he sees his tattoo it reminds him no matter what comes his way, nothing will get through the brick.

Bo's current tag team partner and fellow Monster Hunter

Jason Tiller got his ink shortly after his wife left. He says he wouldn't have gotten it otherwise. He has the 10 Count Blog and it (along with wrestling) has served as a coping mechanism. The tattoo celebrates that.

Farmer Billy Hills has several tattoos as well. I've often wondered about his, so I'm glad he answered the question. The 'Jesus' tattoo has an interesting story. One summer Farmer's car broke down and as he walked for miles in the triple-digit heat he stumbled upon one of those Jesus fish you see on cars. It was just lying on the road. He picked it up, put it in his pocket and was able to continue the eight-mile walk. He later took it to a tattoo artist who added the design.

"Only God can judge me" is a quote Farmer says he's lived by for years. He admits he was a big, weir kid and stood out amongst others. It took time, but he realized that other people's opinions didn't matter. He's also a big Tupac fan. The praying hands are an homage to the man who raised Farmer, his great-grandfather. He says he was the greatest man who ever lived.

The skull you see was Farmer's first tattoo. He says he was young and stupid when he got it and after he had his daughter he wanted to find a way to commemorate her and always have her with him while on the road. That's where the bow and the name Kaylin came in.

The wrestling turnbuckle logo with PMA means a lot to Farmer too. He explains why a positive mental attitude is important. "I am very hot-headed. I can anger quickly. This tattoo helps to try and bring me center in the world when I am angered."

The turnbuckle helps to hold the wrestling ring together. So putting the letters PMA together helps keep anything together that comes up in Farmer's life.

Roger Matheus has Jormungandr tattoo. He is one of Loki's children and was thrown into the great ocean in Midgard. He grew up so large he could wrap around Earth and grip his tail. He is also known as the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent. When he releases the tail, Ragnarok will begin. Roger's wife, Jenn is the artist.

Do you have any ink? What about something that pays tribute to pro wrestling? I eventually want to get a tattoo. If I went to get one today, it would be the My 1-2-3 Cents monkey (who still needs a name).

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Wrestling fans and their ink

New Day rocks

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter