At Noon (ish)...we RIDE! ...to Gastonia...

 Tomorrow we head to Gastonia to meet up with Mitchell's Mess & More for 4th & Goal Promotions' Collector's Vault show - 10am - 4pm at the Gastonian Halls, 181 W Main Avenue!  Very ready to get back at the tables and we always have a good time at the Collector's Vaults. Great group of folks. 

Depending on how things go Saturday night, we may try to get over the Lincolnton National Guard Armory for Wresting Evolution's Bound By Honor!  Even if we don't make it, you should still go!

August 21-23 - it's time again for Mad Monster Expo in Concord. No tables to work, but as I've said before, Mad Monster is the "reunion" show for this little gang I run with - once again looking forward to Saturday night and the SCARES THAT CARE charity auction. If you are not familiar with this group - please check them out and consider supporting them - I love the work they do. 

Thank you all for reading this short little post - more old rassling photos coming soon. And remember: Take the Picture!

The Gathering VII - 2026

Another spectacular Gathering in Charlotte this past week. I have more fun every year. I'm not going to go into the family reunion discussion, I've done that in the past. Just know, if you're not coming to this show and you are even remotely interested in professional wrestling...you are missing out. 

We checked in on Wednesday afternoon and got loaded in. This year Mitchell's Mess & More had the most tables they've ever had here - 6! We were along the wall as soon as you entered the vendor's room.

Up every night past midnight...on my feet all day (well, a lot of the day) - but I would've stayed if the show had went on. 

In our little circle of the vendor's room we were joined by friends: Brad Stutts, Court Montgomery, and Graham Cawthon - Vinay Mehta of Vinitude Art - the legendary "Mr. #1" George South and our new friends at Lucha Libre Superstore , where I picked up some cool mini Luchador figure packs!

Of course, I acknowledge my con family: Tre & Mitchell, Adam, and Burke. I love you guys - while we weren't able to be all together this weekend - we were all in each other's minds. 

Shout-out to Marty Damato, the organizer and promoter of this event. Marty and his family put so much work into making a great convention. Thank you all.

Great to see and talk with old friends and new: Clay, Franklin, Kylan, Kyle, Thomas, Danny from Kayfabe Cardboard, Bob Keller, Trey C., Karen, Keisha, J&J Figures.  I know I'm forgetting people and I apologize - my brain is still a little scattered. 

Finally took some signed photos to JSA to get certified. All passed...except for my "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert, sadly...it was "inconclusive"...I was told it may have been signed by Missy Hyatt. 😀  So, if you're interested in buying a great photo of Eddie Gilbert that may have been signed by Missy - let me know. 

Sunday morning it began to set in...last day. A little sad as we broke everything down and loaded out. But...already announced: 

And we'll be there!

_____________________________________________________________________

I'm back with MMM in a couple of weeks for Fourth & Goal's Collector's Jam, August 15th at the Gastonian Hall in Gastonia. 

Before that though, if you happen to be in Myrtle Beach, stop in and see Mitchell & Tre at the Sports Wax Collector's Expo on August 7 & 8. 

Thanks for reading and remember: Take the Picture!

September 2005...and it ended in an auction...and Gathering Time!

Well, it's finally here. Gathering week!  Looking forward to getting out to Charlotte and seeing everybody.  If you get a chance, absolutely come and check out the show - I'll be working the Mitchell's Mess & More tables, so come and buy something!

Today, we jump back to 2005!

September 3 - APW, Spartanburg.  This was the day I first met Thomas Simpson and the Mack Bros (TJ & Kirby).  They came into my life at the right time. I was starting to get a little burned out at APW.  I was still having a lot of fun, but I was wanting to see what else I could shoot out there. I know a lot of people have strong feelings about Thomas and the Macks. I will say that I still speak to all of them to this day. They are among the major figures in my wrestling time and I still count them among my friends. 

The original Dexter Poindexter!

Just threw this in here, because I think it's funny that "Honest" Doug Hawkins beaned Eddie with the bell...as Danny Parris looked on. 

____

Thomas invited Eddie Rich and I to attend Brodie Ray Chase's shows in Greenville. So, on Tuesday, Sept. 6, ER and I drove down to Easley and watched our first Extreme Wrestling Council (EWC) show. Within days we were back for more as Brodie ran shows on Friday, Saturday, as well as Tuesdays.

Behold the wild-eyed Shadow Jackson (one of the first wrestlers we saw there):

__________

Speaking of Honest Doug, here's a couple of shots - both from this month - of Doug telling me I'm number one: 

___________________________________________________

In August, Hurricane Katrina ripped her way through the Southeast, killing over 1300 people. This prompted "Hot Shot" Shane Austin to organize a benefit show that included multiple promotions in the area. Running under the banner of United Wrestling Federation on Sept. 25, it had representatives from: American Pro Wrestling, High Velocity Wrestling, Southern Wrestling Association (Forest City), NWA Anarchy, SWA Extreme, IWA Flash Fire, Mid Atlantic Xtreme Wrestling, Universal Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Council (Greenville SC).  Shannon Moore also appeared to help raise money. 

Click here for some photos from the event!

__________________________________

September also saw the first break up of The UnderGround - Adam Jaxon & Ken Magnum: 

And we went to "Hawg Heaven"to watch New Blood Championship Wrestling at the Mooresboro Fair: 

I believe that is Derrick Driver on the left vs. Kid Chaos.

I know it's a short post this time - summer is just a busy time for everybody. I appreciate everyone reading and giving me feedback. Future posts are most likely going to be larger as in 2005 we starting hitting the road.  

Thanks to you all and remember: Take the Picture!

August 2005...I snuck into that show...

Hello again, - I quickly want to say a thank you to all who have reached out about the site, it warms my little black heart that so many are enjoying it. 

Last weekend I joined Mitchell's Mess & More at the Sports Wax Promotions - Collector's Jam at the Concord, NC Arena & Event Center:

 

This weekend, I'll be joining the table at the 4th & Goal Collector's Vault show in Shelby, NC at the LeGrande Center.  

I've posted a few photos from August 2005 here. Other than the routine HVW and APW shows this month, I did venture out to Asheville, NC with Nick Fury to attend the Universal Championship Wrestling show at the Civic Center. Very cool for me as the Civic Center is where I used to watch the NWA whenever they came through town. I wasn't booked to shoot this show, but I was at the right place at the right time and got to go to ringside.  Even though the attendance was very low, it still had a big show feel to me, plus I got to shoot the Steiner Bros. for the first time. 

That's it, thanks for reading and don't forget: Take the Picture.

See me in the flesh...

Heading to Spartanburg, SC this coming Saturday (May 23) for Community Championship Wrestling's "Night of Honor." This will take place at the VFW building at 326 Carolina Dr, Roebuck, SC.  Proceeds from the show go towards a great organization: Veteran's Last Patrol. They match veteran volunteers up with other veterans who are in Hospice care. I'm happy to support any group that supports veterans - so come out!  You can see me and I may even talk to you!

July 2005...Big Bill, low ceilings, tv tapings, Kingsport

Short post today - things have been busy here at the home office!  

I've been off the road for a few weeks, but I'll be back at the Mitchell's Mess & More table for the following: 

June 5-7:  Sports Wax Collector's Jam in Concord, NC

June 20: Fourth & Goal Collector's Vault in Shelby, NC

July 22-26: The Gathering VII in Charlotte, NC

Just because I'm not in attendance shouldn't keep you from visiting the MMM table - they are on the road much more than me - click here for their upcoming events in Lumberton, Goldsboro, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, and more!

I plan to attend Wrestling Evolution tonight in Shelby, NC at Weathers Arena/Cleveland Co. Fairgrounds for "Adrenaline Overload" - come on out, really enjoy their shows. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's photos come from July 2005. Other than a road trip to Kingsport, TN I only shot at APW in Spartanburg, SC and HVW in Hendersonville,NC. Below are a few highlights:

July 2, 2005 - "Big" Bill White. Bill and "Honest" Doug Hawkins held the APW tag titles at this time. Bill was a great locker room presence at APW. Smart, funny, generous with his knowledge and criticism. Bill passed away in 2021 and I knew he'd been a journeyman wrestler but I had no clue 
how well traveled he was. Read this. Read this too. 

The photo below (also July 2) has Bill talking with Eddie "The Great ER" Rich at the APW announce table - Eddie is in his "I don't want no trouble" position, hands up (which is this instance, I find very funny) and is joined by Danny Parris and Rowdy James. 

July 9 - Nick Fury. One of my all time favorite photos of Nick. The ceiling at the APW Arena was very low, so high flyers were limited in what they could do - it never stopped Nick. I wish him the best in his recovery from a recent injury, he has a strong will and I know he can do it. 

July 16 - "Hot Shot' Shane Austin and APW had gotten a spot on local television to showcase the show every week - so "TV tapings" were started at the Saturday night shows. This night we were visited by Ricky Morton (have you heard of him?) - he teamed with "Big Country" Billy Rucker later in the show. Below are two shots of them doing an interview segment with Bill Hazelwood. 

July 16 - Another shot of Nick Fury. This time versus Ostgard at APW. One of my favorite shots - Fury is in position, ready to lunge. 

July 29 - Road trip for myself, Ken Magnum, Adam Jaxon and Viper. This was for All Pro Wrestling in Kingsport, TN at the National Guard Armory. I recall it was a great trip and we had a lot of fun. It was also the first time I ever heard a crowd BOO Ricky Morton! He was smacking Brad Thomas around and the folks there didn't like that. You'll see below that Adam got to do a move that was impossible to do at APW (the aforementioned low ceiling). 

That's it! Thanks for reading and don't forget: Take the Picture.

June 2005 & it's Con Season!

In June 2005, I shot 8 shows - including my first APW hardcore event: "Blood, Guts & Hardcore" at Ground Zero in Spartanburg, SC; and a trip to the National Guard Armory in Sylva, NC. 

Click Here For the June 2005 Album!

In Mitchell's Mess & More news - it's warming up, which means it's convention/show season!  MMM has lots of shows - see them here!  

The gang will be getting together again this year at SC Comic Con in Greenville,SC and Mad Monster Expo in Charlotte,NC.  We've recently set up at a couple of 4th & Goal Promotions' Collector's Vault shows (see below) and are booked for upcoming shows in Shelby, Gastonia, and Salisbury.  Check out their website or Facebook - Brandon and his family run great shows that won't break your bank. I'm glad to support them and I am a big fan of their affordable show model. Many of the bigger cons have forgotten that if a family can't afford to bring all the members in, then none of them are coming in. 

We got to set up at Wrestling Evolution's "No Rest for the Wicked" show in Lincolnton, NC on March 14th - thanks to the W.E. Crew!

Thanks for reading and don't forget: Take the Picture.