It's another installment of Our 6 Cents. And since it's Valentine's Day week, we're looking at our favorite pro wrestling couples. Stride Pro Wrestling general manager Sam Hunter joined me for the conversation.
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"Macho Man" Randy Savage & Elizabeth, Goldust & Marlena, Eddie Gilbert & Missy Hyatt. They're among my favorite couples in pro wrestling. They all seemed to match together perfectly. But this is pro wrestling of course and not all matches are ones made in heaven. Since it's Valentine's Day, I thought I'd look at three of my favorite odd couples in the biz.
The delivery Courtesy: WWE
1. Mark Henry & Mae Young. This pairing was created during the Attitude Era. Mark Henry was an admitted sexaholic. And Mae Young was a sassy old timer who needed some lovin' too. The romance budded and Mae ended up pregnant and giving birth to a hand. Yes, a hand. I don't know why, but that hand showed up at Raw 1,000 years later all grown up.
Ellsworth and Carmella Courtesy: WWE
2. James Ellsworth & Carmella. There was something about this duo I really enjoyed. Ellsworth was an unexpected signee with the company after being destroyed by Braun Strowman. After spending some time with Dean Ambrose I knew Ellsworth was on borrowed time. He added to his 15 minutes of fame by joining forces with Carmella. I loved the way she treated their relationship. But let's not get too caught up in the Money in the Bank incident. Some still argue Ellsworth is the true winner of that match, I, however, am not in that camp. The relationship was fun while it lasted.
3. The Missing Link and Sunshine. Get in your way back machine for this one. The Missing Link had worked as a heel in World Class Championship Wrestling and WWF before coming back to Texas. Sunshine found herself in a tough spot and Link made the save. I don't recall him ever talking and I don't believe they were ever an actual couple, but I did enjoy the pairing of a 'Beauty and the Beast' scenario. The idea carried over into MidSouth or UWF when Link joined up with Dark Journey. If only George "The Animal" Steele could have wooed Miss Elizabeth.
These are just a few of my favorite odd couples in wrestling. Who are your favorites?
Happy Valentine's Day! I came across some funny cards created by fans much more clever than I am. Sorry I don't know the original sources for these, but the Neville one is my favorite.
It's Valentine's Day. I told my tale of despair and hope on this holiday in yesterday's offering. Click here if you missed it. Today, I'm having some fun with Valentine's I found online. I stuck with the more family friendly versions, but there are plenty of good ones out there. Most of these come from the site Tumblr. Enjoy and Happy Heart Day to you.
For some reason, my self deprecating stories from the teenage years seem to be popular. I don't write them to complain or seek pity, but instead to let young people struggling today know that they're not alone and to let adults know we were all in that same awkward and agonizing boat. There's also a feel good part at the end, wait for it... Today's tale is about Valentine's Day and middle school. What a dreadful combination. In sixth grade I got glasses, and admittedly, they didn't do me any favors. Along with the large hunk of plastic and metal I wore in my mouth to straighten my teeth before I could even get braces, I wasn't on anyone's Valentine's Day list. I still remember 30 years later a girl told me, "your looks are your parents' fault, your personality is your fault." And no, she didn't offer me any ice after that burn. Fast forward two years to eighth grade, and I was still that same nerdy dude, trying to make it through the day. I wasn't bullied or beaten up. I feel like I kinda fit in, but as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side, especially in the hallways of middle school. Kids were dating then, but I was far from that happening. My main crush that year shot me down every time I talked to her or even looked in her direction. Despite the cold shoulder, I never really got the point.
Blow Pops
That year I was in a class called Creative Writing. We put together the student newspaper each month and for Valentine's Day that year we decided to hold a fundraiser. I can't remember the exact name, but I it was something like Heart Grams, which included a hand written note and a Blow Pop. We sold the grams during lunch periods the week of the big holiday and then delivered the messages of love and admiration during the last hour of school. Each day I eagerly awaited to see if anyone had a message for me. But as each day passed, I discovered that love was not in the air for me. Cupid's arrow had hit me, as I sent several to that crush, but the thought was not mutual. I finally did get a Heart Gram on that Friday afternoon. Written in red ink a simple message of appreciation signed Mrs. W with a smiley face. Mrs. W was our beloved teacher, Mrs. Weissflug.
Mrs. Weissflug RIP
Despite receiving that one message, I was still heartbroken. I remember getting home from school that afternoon, going to my room and bawling my eyes out, thinking I was destined to be alone forever. Remember, I was just 13 years old at the time, and the teenage brain is wired very differently. Once I stopped blubbering I looked at that message again from Mrs. Weissflug. Yes, I was having a pity party that no girl was interested in me, but then I considered this... There were some people who likely didn't get ANY Heart Grams during the week, and at least someone thought enough of me to send a message. It may not have been an expression of teen love, but it did mean something to me. That was 27 years ago. I've never forgotten that day or that simple message. Mrs. Weissflug is no longer with us, so there's no way she'll know just how much I appreciated that note. It really did put things into perspective for me that afternoon. I've had many teachers who have made an impact on me through the years. It's such an important profession, and those who are dealing with those pre-teen and early teen kids have my support. That age is a turbulent one, so thanks to all educators for what you do, and remember you never know how one act of kindness might impact a young student's perspective for years to come.
