2004 - APW, HVW...

The last couple of weeks I have looked through the 2004 photos folder. It was over 3300 photos...and...they were not the best. I took photos from a seated position for a few months at American Pro Wrestling in Spartanburg (APW). It was the top tier of the metal bleachers you see on the left of the below photo: 

 I was learning "on the job" so to speak. I had no experience in photography, but I was a big wrestling fan and knew what a good wrestling photo looked like. I was learning my way and the photos showed that. Also, the Sony Mavica had a bit of a delay, so I missed more than I got. 

So here are some selected pics from (mostly the latter part of ) 2004. I've tried to do a mix and include different wrestlers, but as I mentioned not all of the photos were that great, so if you're looking for someone specific you may not see them-this wasn't intentional...again, in 2004...I wasn't that good. 

View the gallery here.

I'll be joining the con family again next weekend at the Mad Monster Expo in Charlotte, NC. It's a great horror convention and is where I reconnected with Tre & Mitchell from Mitchell's Mess & More. They usually have a rassler or two also. This year: The Honky Tonk Man, Killer (Karrion) Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux, and Saraya.

Further Reading: 

https://midatlanticwrestling.net/andersons/abc/2004_abc1/abc1.htm

https://witnesstheevolution.com/

https://jimmyvaliant.weebly.com/

https://madmonster.com/expo-2025/

https://scaresthatcare.org/

Post Gathering / MMM in August...

1. Summer shows continue for Mitchell's Mess & More! If you're near one of these shows, come by and check us out!

Card Haven, Swansboro,NC

Mad Monster Expo, Concord, NC (not vending, but we'll all be in attendance - especially at the Scares That Care charity auction Saturday night - WWE Ref Charles Robinson always brings some great items)

FWE Wrestling, Cary, NC 

2. The Gathering VI was a blast. A great time for all of us to catch up, eat good food, bust each other's chops and talk with wrestlers, fans and friends. I'm already looking forward to next year. If you've never been, check out: https://tmartpromotions.com/ 

Make sure you check out this promo video, where we had a special guest step in.

Looking forward to doing it again next year, July 22 -26. 

I've added a few photos to an album here. 

Queen City...here I come...

Tomorrow we head to Charlotte, NC for The Gathering VI.  Last year at this time was rough for me personally, a beloved co-worker had unexpectedly passed away as well as a member of close family friends.  I was exhausted and out of sorts. So as soon as I had a free day, I headed to a convention to see the con family. I thank them again for last year - working the Mitchell's Mess & More table with friends was what I needed to get my head on right. Like I said last year..I get it now...because of my experience in 2024, the Gathering will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Since then, I've eagerly been looking forward to this year's event (and the Boardwalk Billy's chilled peel & eat shrimp). We'll have figures, trading cards, 8x10s, etc. Check out the MMM event page here. 

It's about Hogan, brother...

This is definitely not a post I was expecting to write this early. Of course, you've heard the news by now about the passing of Hulk Hogan. Hogan looms large over Mitchell's Mess & More and those of us who are associated with them. I think something about Hogan has come up in conversation every single time we have gotten together, regardless if it's the full crew or just a couple of us. Hogan was large in life - he has to be the most recognizable face associated with professional wrestling over the last few decades. Love him or hate him, that cannot be denied. 

I was a Hulkamaniac back in the 1980s - I sat in the living room floor and watched his feuds with Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, Zeus, King Kong Bundy, etc etc. I even had the Hulk Hogan cardboard stand up: 

As time went on, my allegiance moved on to other wrestlers, but Hogan was never completely forgotten. I was happy to get to work Reid Flair's debut match in Charlotte on December 6, 2008. Reid teamed with his brother David (with Dad in their corner) vs. The Nasty Boys w/ Jimmy Hart. Hogan was the special guest referee. This was a huge match. There were four photographers at ringside, two guys running video cameras-ringside space was at a premium. There are plenty of videos of this event online, here's one - and that's my hand grabbing Hart's megaphone at 1:12.  

I've been working on a post with photos from 2004. Today's event though had me fast forward. So click here and take a look at Hulk Hogan in Charlotte, NC in 2008. 

Highway Run: Mooresville & Denver!

Hitting the road this weekend and will be with the bosses, Mitchell's Mess & More working the Sports Wax Promotions Card Show in Mooresville, NC this weekend, July 19 & 20 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center.  Saturday the 19th, after the card show, we're heading to Denver, NC to attend Wrestling Evolution's Cruel Summer! I've been attending the last few shows and really enjoying them. 

I am working on a post about 2004 that will have some selected photos from that year. Will have it up soon - thanks for the patience!

On the Road - July

July is a busy month, regardless of what you do and it's picking up for all of us at Mitchell's Mess & More. Looking forward to getting together with the gang for a big month! Come out, look at us, talk to us, buy stuff. Wilmington, Mooresville, Denver, Charlotte!

It started in 2004...

 It started in 2004...Adam Jaxon and Ken Magnum started training with Gary "Viper" Benfield and debuted in American Pro Wrestling (Spartanburg, SC) for owner, Chief Jay Eagle.  They used different names back then:  Ethan Cage & Kris Pain. These guys are family - they were a great classic tag-team (called The UnderGround) and we had a lot of fun together. This was the beginning of the journey for me and I'm forever thankful they let me tag along with them. 

Below are some photos from that year:

Just like everybody involved, we started out as fans and we happily ran into Barbarian several more times down the road.

The bear belonged to Jimmy Kindrid...Ken didn't care. 

Blond hair courtesy of "Hot Shot" Shane Austin

The "I Hate Viper" head wrap.

The fireball injury head wrap. 

July 4, 2004 - High Velocity Wrestling in Hendersonville, NC at Jackson Park - what was published...

...and what you didn't see: