If you've never been to Disney World before, I would highly recommend the trip. Aside from the times I went as a kid, my wife and I honeymooned there and we've been back twice with our kids. We're planning a return trip in 2014.
When we last visited "the Most Magical Place in the World" it was October 2010. The weather was perfect, as it didn't rain one time while we there. We also got to take part in the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. If you have young children this is definitely well worth the extra cost of the ticket. The Magic Kingdom gets transformed into a family friendly haunted house and the park stays open later than usual. There are places to trick or treat with plenty of delicious candy and other goodies.
The Little Mermaid got tired
The park encourages families to dress up for the night. Of course, the Hunsperger's were ready to do just that. Since there were eight of us going (my mom and dad, my niece, my wife, and our three kids), we decided to partner up and do Disney duos. My daughter, who was five at the time, was obsessed with the Little Mermaid. So she was Ariel and I invested in one of those fake muscle suits, a long white beard, and a can of white spray paint and became King Triton. My wife was Jessie from Toy Story, complete with a costume that my mom made for her. Her partner was our middle child, who went as Slinky Dog. Our oldest son, became Pinnochio (again in another homemade costume by my mom) and my dad was Gepetto. Finally, my mom was the evil witch and my niece was Snow White. I think we looked pretty darn good.
It was fun running around the park in costume and seeing everyone else dressed up too. Even the costumed characters are in costume. It just adds to the already magical atmosphere the folks at Disney create. But of course you don't have to be at Disney World in October to enjoy a taste of Halloween...
Inside Tower of Terror Photo by mickeytravels.com
There are several rides that can give you a nice scare. I remember the first time I rode the Haunted Mansion ride and freaking out as a five year old when I saw a ghost riding along with us toward the end of the ride. I think it spooked all the kids the first time they saw that too. Then there's the Tower of Terror. This is one of those rides that the anticipation is much worse than the actual ride. You know you're going to plunge, but it's that long wait before it actually happens. Our daughter freaked out after it was all over. And like a good father, I caught her reaction on video. Click the link below and enjoy.
Before Sid was vicious, a psycho, or serving up justice, he was a masked monster from the Valley of Death. He went by the name Lord Humongous, inspired by the Road Warrior/Mad Max movie. But in doing some research on this gimmick, I was surprised to learn that Sid wasn't the only wrestler to don the hockey mask and studded leather ring attire.
The monster appeared in the Continental Wrestling Association in 1984. Several wrestlers through the years played the character, but I'd say Sid was undoubtedly the most well known. Managers for Humongous included the likes of Jimmy Hart, Downtown Bruno (better known to WWE fans as Harvey Whippleman) and Sir Oliver Humperdink.
Jeff Van Camp was under the mask when Humongous was feuding with Jake "The Snake" Roberts in the Mid-South territory. This was right before Jake headed to the WWF, and I remember first hearing about Humongous at that time. The two were embroiled in an epic feud and it was covered by the Apter magazines. Reading those magazines is how I (and all fans) kept up with what was happening in other regions that weren't being broadcast on TV in their particular area.
Sid, Humongous, & Scott Hall
I also read about Humongous (played by Sid at this point) teaming up with a young Shane Douglas to win the CWA tag team titles. Other notables who wore the mask, include the man who eventually became Bull Buchanan and Sid's son Gunnar. In fact, a few years ago, Sid teamed with Humongous and Scott Hall at an event in my area, but I wasn't able to make it. I had no idea that the gimmick that started nearly 30 years ago is still being kept alive on the indy circuit.
Ed Leslie has played several characters through his wrestling career. No doubt, Brutus Beefcake was the most successful and recognizable of his gimmicks. When he left the WWF after nearly a decade, he continued the character, under the name Brother Bruti and teamed with Hulk Hogan. After turning on the Hulkster he went through a series of personality changes, including one of the most ridiculous of all time, The Zodiac.
The character was a member of Kevin Sullivan's Dungeon of Doom. Zodiac had oddly spiked hair and wore black and white face paint, tights, and arm guards (I'm drawing a blank on what the gear is actually called). Honestly, he looked silly, but it was that era of gimmicky wrestler. The Dungeon was supposed to be a band of monsters all hell bent on destroying Hulkamania, but they were more laughable than scary in my opinion.
The Zodiac & The Giant Photo from WWE
When he was introduced to the world, the Master said Zodiac didn't know pleasure or pain. He walked in the dark and the light. Zodiac was said to be the key of the Dungeon. It was hinted that he was Beefcake, as he was also described as the "brother of light", implying the relationship between Hogan and Beefcake through the years (or maybe I read to much into the character)
Other than a series of tag team and multi-man matches, I don't remember much of Zodiac's in ring career. He eventually left the group and turned face, becoming the Booty Man. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I don't understand why WCW pulled him away from that Barber image. He was extremely popular in WWF, but I felt like he floundered at best when he signed with WCW. I'll admit I was a big Beefcake fan back in the day, but could never get behind any of his many personas in WCW, especially the Zodiac.
I'm comfortable enough to admit that I have a Pinterest page and from time to time I actually try some of the recipes and crafts I find on the popular site. Last Halloween, one of the pins I came across lead to me create witch fingers. It's a really simple process.
Start by melting some white chocolate. Add green food coloring and mix it well. Then dip some pretzel rods in it. I used a tooth pick to mark the knuckles before the chocolate hardened. I sliced some almonds and then placed the slivers at the top of the rod to make the finger nails. My kids enjoyed the treats and it was something fun for the season.
Mummies or ghosts from Deep in the Heart of Tejas
If witch fingers don't float your boat, you can forgo the food coloring and just make ghost or mummy sticks. When I was a Cub Scout leader, one of our scouts made these for a meeting snack one night. The picture you see is from the blog Deep in the Heart of Tejas, where I got the idea for the witch fingers from too.
There are plenty of other Halloween treats to make this time of year. I've tried a few and will make more this season. I plan to do posts on those in the next few weeks too.
Through the years, vampires have been a part of professional wrestling. You'd be hard pressed to find a more popular group of vampires than the Brood. Gangrel (who wrestled at one time as the Vampire Warrior) led a young Edge and Christian through the goth gimmick in their early days in the WWE. Then there's Kevin Throne and Ariel who were part of the wave during the WWECW days. Vampiro was in on the act too as WCW's resident nightwalker.
Earlier this year, Gangrel was part of a Wrestling Is Intense show and created a new breed of vampires. Matt Cage and Alex Castle have been a big part of the independent wrestling scene, especially here in my region of southern Illinois. Collectively they were known as The Kentucky Buffet. But one bite from Gangrel and the duo became known as the Daywalkers. Alexandre Barnabus Castle and Mathias Cage made it to the second round of the Chikara Tag World Grand Prix in 2013 the night after their encounter with Gangrel.
Cage
I recently had a chance to see the Daywalkers wrestle as a tag team for the first time. Like I mentioned before, I'd seen Cage and Castle wrestle individually and with other partners, and I've always been impressed with what they do. Now as the Daywalkers, they've given their careers a new look, which in the world of wrestling, it's always important to evolve. The duo wears plastic fangs to the ring along with long black capes. Their merch table includes the teeth, and several of the fans at the WII show I attended were proudly wearing.
Castle
Inside the ring, Castle and Cage are top notch. They're two of my favorites on the indy scene. Outside of the ring, they are quality people too. I've worked with both of them in All American Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Collision. They've always treated me with respect and I've enjoyed talking with them backstage before shows. I hope that we'll be able to work together again someday, but more realistically I hope they get their break in the business and move on to bigger and better things. They truly are deserving individuals.
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents Growing up one of my favorite cereals was Count Chocula. To this day, it remains one of my favorites, but I like the old school version better with the chocolate bat-shaped marshmallows. But the Count and his band of merry cereal men are now in short supply. Since 2010, General Mills has only produced the Monster Cereals during the fall months.
The Monster Cereals today
For the first time ever this fall all FIVE monster cereals are being sold. I vividly remember the Count, as well as Franken Berry and Boo-Berry, but I have no recollection of Fruit Brute (a werewolf) and Fruity Yummy Mummy. Fruit Brute was fruit flavored with lime flavored marshmallows. It's now got a cherry taste to it (I still haven't tried it though). Fruity Yummy Mummy was also fruit flavored, but had vanilla marshmallows. It now has an orange cream flavor.
The prize inside
Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry were in the rotation of our breakfast for years. Although Boo Berry was less popular with us, we were regular fans of the chocolate and strawberry versions. Like most cereals coated in sugar and served up with a side of marshmallows, the monster creations always came with a cool prize in the box. I can still remember listening to the Monster Adventures in Outer Space record. Yes, I said record.
Nutritionally, the Monster Cereals do little good for you. Basically, it's junk food. But in recent years General Mills cut sugar from 15 grams per serving to nine, which is a good start. That being said, dietitians are still concerned about the dyes the cereals contain and the lack of fiber. While I don't regularly feast on sugary cereals, I still maintain most things in moderation are still okay. I may have to try the Fruity versions this fall.
It's October 1, and that means it's time to kick off the month with a daily "Boo Blog." Each day there will be a Halloween related blog posted, many will be wrestling related, but we're opening it up to all sorts of pop culture and entertainment this year.
The original team
Photo courtesy: WWE
I'm starting off with a wrestling one, and perhaps one of the greatest tag teams in the history of the WWE: Demolition. At least they are one of my all time favorite teams.
I didn't know it at the time, but when the team debut back in 1987, Ax was played by Bill Eadie, the man behind the Masked Superstar and Super Machine. Smash was Randy Colley, who had been Moondog Rex previously. According to Barry Darsow, who replaced Colley, fans recognized the former Moondog and wouldn't let him forget about it. So the WWF replaced him with Darsow, who I knew as Krusher Khruschev in the NWA. Got all that? Good. Let's continue.
Ax and Smash were big, burly guys, decked out in leather and spikes and had their faces painted. They were first led to the ring by "Luscious" Johnny V, but really his character didn't really fit the role with these two brutes. Soon after their debut, Mr. Fuji took over their contracts.
It didn't take long for fans to take notice of Demolition. They tore through the competition, eventually earning a shot at the tag team champions, Strike Force at Wrestlemania IV. With the help of Mr. Fuji's cane, Ax and Smash became the WWF tag team champions. I'm pretty sure the two set a record for holding the tag team titles the longest in WWF history, with their first reign lasting well over a year. Demolition ended up dumping Mr. Fuji during a double switch at the 1988 Survivor Series. The Powers of Pain were the faces that night, but by the end of the match, ended up walking away with the devious manager.
Demolishing Mr. Fuji
Wrestlemania V
It was that night that I really took a liking to Demolition. I was 15 at the time, and still tending to root for the babies over heels. One of my favorite Royal Rumble moments came in 1989, when Ax and Smash were participates one and two. They beat the hell out of each other for the first two minutes, before Andre the Giant entered, and then the champs focused their attention on him.
Ax and Smash ended up facing the Powers of Pain at Wrestlemania V. The Warlord and Barbarian not only had Mr. Fuji in their corner, but as a partner that night. The champs won the handicap match, pinning their former manager.
They beat everyone they faced until the Brain Busters used a chair and Andre the Giant to win the gold. It didn't take long for Demolition to regain the belts and eventually drop them again to Andre and Haku. But at Wrestlemania VI, they once again reigned supreme.
Smash, Ax, & Crush
Photo courtesy: WWE
The team added a third member in Crush who was brought in to presumably replace an aging and health weary Ax. This new incarnation lost its luster in my view. I think you could say it's when Demolition jumped the shark. It wasn't long before they lost the titles and quickly plunged into obscurity. Less than a year later Ax was gone, Crush became an orange spandex wearing Hawaiian strong man and Smash was stealing things that didn't belong to him as the Repo Man.
In the early years of Demolition, the team drew criticism for being Road Warriors rip offs. As a young fan back then, I never really viewed them as wanna-bes. Demolition wasn't the only team sporting war paint and leather look. I really think the long title reign and the dominance over some of the best WWF tag teams like The British Bulldogs, Hart Foundation, and Powers of Pain helped bring some legitimacy to this tandem. Eventually when Hawk and Animal arrived in the WWF, they dominated Demolition, who were already on their way out for the most part. Never the less, Ax and Smash remain one of the best as far as I'm concerned.
