3 Heenan Family members you forgot about

Forgotten Heenan Family members
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Bobby "The Brain" Heenan is revered by most fans as the greatest manager in the history of wrestling. We all remember his Family members like Andre the Giant, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Paul Orndorff, Mr. Perfect and The Brain Busters. But there are a handful of guys Heenan managed in the WWE that some fans probably didn't realize. 

Toward the end of his career (and life) Adrian Adonis had donned a new look and attitude. He was flamboyant and came to the ring dressed in pink tights, bows and a dress. But before he was "Adorable" Adonis was a street tough New Yorker, who wore a black leather hat and jacket. After he and Dick Murdoch lost the WWF tag team championships to Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo, Adonis signed on with Heenan to manage his singles run. The relationship didn't last long as Heenan "traded" Adonis and The Missing Link to Jimmy Hart for King Kong Bundy's contract.

Missing Link and Bobby Heenan
Courtesy: WWE

The Missing Link was a mainstay in World Class Championship Wrestling. But the green-faced, bizarre one showed up in the World Wrestling Federation in May 1985. The Brain took him under his wing in what I thought at the time was a strange pairing. Link had worked with General Skandar Akbar in WCCW, who was nothing like Heenan. The partnership lasted a few months until that abovementioned trade went down. Under Heenan's tutelage, Link wrestled the likes of SD Jones, Bruno Sammartino and Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana.

While the first two Superstars I remembered being managed by Heenan, I had forgotten about the Brain and Buddy Rose working together. Their time together was limited too. Other than this appearance on Piper's Pit, I can't find any other evidence of the partnership. 

Rest in Peace Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

Meeting the Brain in 1998

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've just read from several sources that Bobby "The Brain" Heenan" has died. When I list my all-time favorites in professional wrestling, Ric Flair tops the list. But Heenan is not far behind the "Nature Boy." His work as a commentator and a manager was untouchable. 

Heenan, Studd & Patera
Courtesy: WWE

My first memories of Heenan were in his early days of the WWF. He was managing Big John Studd and Ken Patera as the trio feuded with Andre the Giant. Hulk Hogan and Hillbilly Jim eventually got involved and would throw the Brain around like a rag doll. His wit was quick and his ability to absorb punishment made him must-see TV for me. 

Bobby Heenan & Rick Rude
Courtesy: WWE

From Andre the Giant to the Red Rooster, Heenan gave all his family members a shine that some managers never had the ability to do. He made the Brooklyn Brawler a Superstar, took The Brain Busters to the WWF tag team titles and helped Rick Rude become Intercontinental Champion. Of course, there's Andre and Haku's title run too, his time with Mr. Perfect and his pair of IC title reigns and Heenan's role in bringing Ric Flair into the WWF and eventually winning the WWF Championship.

Heenan with Andre at WrestleMania III
Courtesy: WWE

Heenan convinced Andre the Giant to turn against Hulk Hogan and set up one of the biggest WrestleMania main events of all-time. Even though Andre came up short, it started a new chapter in the career of the Giant. Heenan played a big role in that story.

The Weasel!
Courtesy: WWE

He took years of bumps and abuse from the company's top good guys including Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Roddy Piper and The Ultimate Warrior. In fact, it was the Warrior who wrestled Heenan in a series of matches in which the loser would get stuffed into a weasel costume. Guess who won those encounters?  

I was heartbroken when Heenan left the WWF and signed with WCW. I enjoyed both promotions but was a WWF loyalist. However, it was Heenan's time in WCW that I got a chance to meet the legend. I was working in Florence, Alabama as a TV anchor and there was a Thursday Night Thunder happening an hour away in Huntsville. I talked with someone at WCW and was granted media access and the chance to interview several stars. One of them was Bobby Heenan. I was completely starstruck and nearly 20 years later wonder how I made it through the interview. I was a young journalist at the time and tried hard not to fanboy right there. That moment remains one of my favorite in my career.

WrestleMania 27
The Heenan Family

In 2011, I joined my friends Chad and Travis as members of the Heenan family at WrestleMania 27. I was the Brain, Chad was Rooster and Travis was Brawler. I still wear the jacket my mom made as a ring announcer in Stride Pro Wrestling. Fans call it the Bobby Heenan coat. Now it means even more to me.

This barely scratches the surface on my admiration for Bobby Heenan. I will have more in the coming days. Be sure to check out My 1-2-3 Cents on Facebook for updates. Rest in peace, Brain.

Fun Fact Friday: Heath Hatton

Heath Hatton
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I'm proud to say Heath Hatton has been a friend of mine for years, despite a rocky start in 2010. You can refresh in the Heath Hatton meets Kevin Cheeseburger blog. In 2016, Hatton asked me to be the ring announcer for the first Stride Pro Wrestling show. Now, 18 months later, we're still running strong. 

Not only has this move allowed me to live a dream, but Hatton has also helped me on a personal level get into shape. Although I've dropped the ball after we started working out together last year, Heath was a great source of motivation. His shirtless Snapchats showcasing his abs from time to time has inspired me (again) to start the workout routine again, but I digress...

Neil Diamond
Courtesy: Heath Hatton

Now for some fun facts about the former Stride Pro Wrestling champion.

1.  Heath Hatton is a diehard Neil Diamond fan. He's been to five Neil Diamond concerts so far, including one recently with referee Lane Austin. Hatton is also a lover of boy bands and at one time aspired to be in one.
    
2.  That fits nicely in with this one. Hatton wrote poetry when he was younger. He even won several awards for his works. After he revealed this information to me, I tried convincing him to be a modern-day "Leaping" Lanny Poffo, but he didn't seem interested.
3.  As brave and tough as he seems in the ring, he's actually afraid of scary movies and haunted houses. He's actually been banned from a haunted house because he punched one of the workers. He also sleeps with a nightlight so he can see any potential ghosts. He assures me he's not making up that part. Maybe he needs to hire the Ghostbusters to come in and keep him safe.

Bonus fact: He's a fast eater. He's won two pizza eating contests, one in 2005 and another in 2008.

Courtesy: Sam Hunter

There you have it. Enjoy Hatton while you can in the ring. His career in Stride Pro Wrestling is on the line as he faces Legacy Champion Tony Flood on Friday, Oct. 6 at Community Consolidated School 204 in Pinckneyville. 

Push comes to shove with "Farmer" Billy Hills

The shove was caught on Facebook Live
Courtesy: Dylan Hesterly 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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September Fallout lived up to its name. That was the latest Stride Pro Wrestling show. I'll run down everything that happened on Monday's My 1-2-3 Cents podcast. But I want to focus on an incident that happened at the start of the show for today's blog.

At the start of the night, I had an interview segment planned with Farmer Billy Hills. Regular Stride fans will remember at last month's show, Farmer viciously attacked JD Wilk after the two lost their match against the tag team champions, Maximum Overdrive. Since that happened, I'd been reaching out to Farmer to get his side of the story. JD explained his view of what happened on last week's podcast. But Farmer never responded.

Before we went out for the show Saturday night, Farmer finally acknowledged my questions and said he'd be willing to talk in front of the live crowd. I detected a bit of agitation in his tone but was happy he was going to explain his actions and why he'd decided to take on former rival Roger Matheus as a partner. 

After asking the first question, I knew this was not going to be an easy interview to conduct. Instead of the fun loving Farmer I came to know and trust from our days in All American Pro Wrestling, he was loud and quite honestly started to scare me with his answers. That should have been my cue to end the interview and move on, but I had to push my luck and mention that Famer has failed to capture any gold in Stride and has come up short in other opportunities around the region. 

Courtesy: Dylan Hesterly

That's when Farmer snapped and pushed me to the mat. He pushed so hard not only did I fall, I dropped the microphone. He clearly was moving in closer as I struggled to regain my footing, but luckily JD ran out and Farmer bailed. Later in the main event, he intimidated me enough that I cleared the ring for the announcements and then made me repeat the fact that he and Matheus won. He has gone from Billy to Bully in a month's time.  

JD Wilk makes the save
Courtesy: Dylan Hesterly 

My body is a little sore from the impact. That will recover in a day or two. I'm sad and disappointed my friend would snap like this and take out his anger on me. I get his frustration, but still... Hopefully, this is just a rough patch for Farmer and we get the old Billy back sooner rather than later. And thank you JD for making the save. I fear what might have happened otherwise.

Unanswered questions heading into Stride's Sept. show

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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All week I've been promoting the fact that Stride Pro Wrestling will be returning to the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion in just a few hours. (Bell time is 6:30). A handful of matches have been confirmed, but there are still a few unanswered questions that should be answered once the action gets underway this evening.

Cash Borden and Joey O'Riley are joining forces to get into the hunt for the Stride Pro Wrestling tag team championships. Who will they face off against in their first match as a team?

Legacy Champion Tony Flood has just over three months until the end of the year. Remember if he retains the championship that long, he becomes the new General Manager. But GM Sam Hunter has a hand picked opponent for the champ tonight. Who will it be? 

I've heard J. Wellington Beauregard is growing his stable. He will be announcing a new member of the DR Party tonight.

After a recent slump in Stride Pro Wrestling, where will Heath Hatton land next?

Farmer attacks JD Wilk
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

And hopefully, Farmer Billy Hills will do some explaining after his vicious attack on JD Wilk last month.

All that plus the already announced matches on Stride's Facebook page. Tickets are $10 each. We'll see you tonight.

Fun Fact Friday: Roger Matheus

Roger Matheus
Courtesy: Jonathan Barnhart

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Stride Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion "Big" Roger Matheus has been on roll for most of his career with the company. He battled Chris Hargas in his first major feud and took the upper hand in those matches and then quickly became the number one contender to the Stride championship. In May he beat Heath Hatton in the company's first TLC match to win the belt.

Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Since becoming champ, Matheus has beaten Hatton, Jay Spade and Red Daniels in a fatal four-way match, along with Farmer Billy Hills and Cash Borden in separate title defenses. This Saturday night, Matheus teams with his former rival Farmer and they battle number one Spade and JD Wilk. They'll have Sarah Summers in their corner for that contest too.

Now for some fun facts about this incredibly gifted brawler, who even after interviewing for the My 1-2-3 Cents podcast, intimidates the hell out of me.

1. Roger Matheus has competed in Primo's Slave to the Death Match tournament in Denver, Colorado. This doesn't surprise me, as Matheus is one of the toughest men I've ever met in this business and beyond.

MMA Days

2. His experience goes beyond the wrestling ring. Matheus has an extensive history as a mixed martial artist. He actually trained in those ranks with current Global Force Wrestling star and former WWE Superstar Bobby Lashley. 

3. Matheus is belted in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Alvin Robinson under Royce Gracie, who of course is a three-time MMA champion.

So there you have it. Between his military experience (that I've written about before) and his time in MMA, you can see why Matheus is nearly unbeatable in the wrestling ring. He and Farmer will no doubt take Spade and Wilk to the limit Saturday night. Be sure to join us.

No rules, no worries

Courtesy: Dan Turnquist

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Bad blood is a part of wrestling. Sure, sometimes friends step through the ropes and compete against one another, but for the most part, heated rivalries are what makes the business thrive. One of the most heated rivalries in Stride Pro Wrestling right now is Red Daniels and Chris Hargas. Things come to a head this Saturday night as the two battle in a no disqualification match.

Red and his chair
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

The problem as I see it is with Red Daniels. Simply put, and pardon me for picking a side, but Daniels is a bully. He's got a short fuse and is set off very easily. He was basically trying to break the neck of a Stride Pro Wrestling school trainee in July when Hargas came to the rescue. It's especially disturbing when you consider Red was in this trainee's boots just over a year ago and was never treated like that. But that's Red's mantra these days. He used a chair in his matches against Jay Spade earlier this year. He's assaulted an unsuspecting Heath Hatton in the past. Daniels is loud and obnoxious and has no regard when it comes to his opponents. 

Hargas wins
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Hargas, on the other hand, is a stand-up guy. He's calm, cool and collected most until provoked. Hargas is the strong silent type, which makes him just as dangerous as Daniels. You don't know what he's thinking or how he plans to pick an opponent apart, while Daniels is spouting off and basically throwing a tantrum in the ring.  

Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Last month the two battled for the first time one on one. Hargas won the match by disqualification after Red whacked "the Icon" across the back with a metal chair. That brings us to the no-disqualification match this weekend. I may do the announcements for this one outside the ring where it's safe. Because as the late, great Gordon Solie would say, "Katy bar the door it's a Pier 6 brawl." We'll see you Saturday night.