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. 

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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.

May 2005

What better time to make a new post than a completely snow covered day? So here we go. 

I started branching out in May 2005 - AWC (promoter: "Stray Cat" Brodie Ray Chase) in Easley, SC; Carolina Championship Wrestling in Gaffney,SC and UCW in Greenwood, SC.  Looking back on all the photos I took away from APW and HVW I can tell I was having to adjust how I shot matches to adapt to the variety of talent I saw while on the road. Seeing these different faces and venues sparked the desire to broaden my horizons with wrestling photography.  

This album includes photos from: 
May 7 - CCW, Gaffney SC Middle School 
May 8 - American Pro Wrestling, Spartanburg (Mother's Day show)
May 20 - UCW, Greenwood, SC. 

It also includes a photo of a young man that I had the pleasure of knowing for his whole life: Trevor Arrowood - he came down to the APW Mother's Day show and was interviewed by Jay Eagle. I encouraged Trevor's interest in 'rassling and he later joined me on the road to Charlotte,NC for a memorable show and Waffle House visit (he got to eat with Kevin Owens aka Kevin Steen). I have worked with his father for many years and Trevor followed his father into law enforcement, working at Rock Hill,SC Police Department. The Trevor's Gift Scholarship Program was established to honor Trevor's memory by providing students the means to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice at Western Carolina University. If you have a moment, check out their website. 

Click here for the May 2005 Album

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In Mitchell's Mess & More news -coming up in February, the bosses will be at the American Legion in Wilmington for the Carolina Sports Promotions card show on the 7th and then at the Segra Stadium for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers Spring Fling on the 28th. 

This time of year means Mad Monster Party time in Charlotte, NC! This is the anniversary of my reconnection with the Smiths and has become an annual meet up for us all.