Back to the Mat 🤼💪🏻

Hey there, warriors! I am back with some wrestling news for this one. Not always my favorite topic so much anymore, but I share to stay in the loop or even just to have my own point of view. We all need that, right? First off, that pic today is from one of the many ol’ WWF commercials that aired back in the day. This one was from 1990 when UW was champ. I had never used one so yet another that came to mind. Yeah, I know it’s a little blurry but super hard to capture an action shot.

So, the first HOF inductee of the WWE this year is Stephanie McMahon. I think it was kinda early to announce someone already but that news broke a month or so ago. Guess I forgot to post about it so here it comes today. I do believe she deserves it but here’s my POV. With her husband Triple H just receiving that honor last year, it seems a little too close together. Maybe that was their plan. Maybe they wanted to induct her last year but because of the scandal with Vince, they switched to him~~~ who knows? Vince should be there for his daughter so we shall see what happens. Who will induct her? I believe it should be a female opponent of hers years ago, just my thought. It shouldn’t be Triple H, she didn’t induct him. Undertaker is an idea, but he inducted his wife last year even though he does seem to be everywhere… 😯 Time will tell on it all, but she should be in. The only McMahon that might possibly ever be…

Now, we’ll move onto John Cena as I’ve been following the end of his career just a bit like I had said. So, there’s going to be a tournament to see who his final opponent will be. Wow. Has that ever happened before? He has been with the business over 20 years but not consecutively as is the case with many popular performers nowadays. He’s had a reality show and is a big movie star along with his own show “Peacemaker” on HBO. I’m so glad he will not end as a heel, at least I hope not. They might bring back a few of his past opponents from years ago which would make it interesting. It all happens mid December. Let’s just hope he doesn’t pull a Tom Brady and come back out of retirement a year or so later! 🙄 My guess is a no what with all the other WWE programming available nowadays. John can have his own podcast, cohost another show, or whatever. He did write a book and cohosts the obstacle reality show “Wipeout” so the future is bright for him. He’s still so young.

It’s my turn now, yay! I will G.L.O.W. for a minute here. Last weeks “ 80’s wrestling the podcast” was all about that big Vegas showgirl venue of highlighting those Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. Any readers remember it airing from ‘86 to ‘90? Of course I had to call in as it was pretty exciting to talk about more women for a change. The guy caller before me even was interested in what I had to say~~~ from my perspective so I had to bring my A game for sure.

I spoke for almost 10 minutes and wanted to remember much from memory instead of googling. I eventually did look up a few performers and watched one match with my favorite- Americana. 🇺🇸 I had others, but she was my girl., Ah, the memories and it was a great episode listening to all the other callers. They asked me to pick a topic for next week! What pressure. I DID before the show ended so they’ll expect a call from me again. it will be all about “ Wrestling Families.” You can say dynasties too, but not the Heenan family! My idea is several members who wrestled related by blood. OK, we do have a few parent child combos but I’m looking for at least three in a family. Here are a few I thought of : The McMahon’s, – (of course) The Hart’s, The Poffo’s , The Roberts’s, the Rhodes’s, The Funks’s, The Von Erich’s, and the Anoai family. Some are still quite active in the business, but some have hung up the boots or passed on. So many criteria to choose a favorite so I’ll be waiting to see how the guys do with that topic.

Well, I guess that makes yet another 3️⃣ count for you all today. Stephanie McMahon, John Cena, and G.L.O.W. What a combo. I hope you readers enjoyed and we’ll see what next week brings. I will let you know what the group explored on the podcast all about wrestling families so stay tuned for that! Oh, and a few guys added these comments regarding G.L.O.W. It did have similarities with “ Hee-Haw” in some country type of segments so Minnie Pearl would’ve been great guest starring in some role. What a hoot to have seen that! Also, someone suggested Sherri Martel being on G.L.O.W. I think she also could’ve pulled that off whether she was “sensational” or “scary.” I totally agreed with both.

If anyone is ever interested or are fans of wrestling, please check them out if you can. It isn’t all 80s all the time either as they have covered way back and even to today’s world of the current WWE talent. I listen with the free Podbean app live most of the time since I’m home. It airs 10 AM, Thursdays, ET or you can find replays. They have a great group and I’m usually the only girl caller. The hosts are very friendly and Tommy Fierro is pretty famous himself. He owns ISPW in New Jersey and has been in the business since he was 17! His store is called “The Wrestling Collector” in New Jersey. If in the area, check it out as I have mentioned it before. He has tons of merch and *LOTS* of things wrestling related. It’s so super cool! They do have a website also… Tommy does 80s and 90s wrestle cons every year with huge turnouts and he also has another local podcast. The other cohost is Jumpin’ Jay and he is a fun guy too who primarily runs the show. Such a great time always.

I will connect with you all next week so enjoy whatever your day brings. Plus, they might do an action figure merchandise episode soon similar to that commercial below. I’ll have to share the story of how my UW figure came to be. I only have one ya know, and that story has been shared and is in my book! 📗 I’ll meet you here back on the mat for my Wednesday writings… 🙋🏻‍♀️🫵🏻

P.S. I just thought of this to add. Tommy and Jay are always so complementary of me every time I call. It’s so heartwarming 🥹 to hear. They want me to call in more often and they say how I know more than I let on. It is true, but if I talked, I would talk forever! 😂😂😂

*** Nattie Neidhart will be signing her new book at Tommy’s store this weekend!

The Kid in Us 📚😉📽

Wake up Sleeping Beauties!”

~~~ Warrior began a video with that profound statement as I just froze thinking of my Sleeping Beauty references. 👑😴He was talking about getting physically disciplined of course but the Disney animated movie and him have something in common. They were both “born” in 1959. I have said that before but it does link them and I together in a way…

We are all just kids at heart really. Remember how you loved hearing the same bedtime story over and over again as a kid? How about playing your favorite game multiple times until you won? Maybe you have these memories also with your own children or like me when teaching little ones. They like their routines just like we do. As adults, we like many things too– including comic books and movies ( look above!)

Did you like something or come to love it as a kid and still do? You die hard wrestling fans will understand although I wasn’t super young. This is the same idea with movies, books, or anything really at all. The wrestlers have their brand of familiarity with music, gear, moves, and slogans but so do those classics we know too well. Not exactly the same but am sure you get what I mean.

Sleeping Beauty has always been my favorite Disney Princess. Both my sisters liked Cinderella but I had reasons for making Princess Aurora my fave (: First, she had an actual mom! None of the other princesses of her time could say that. Also, pink roses are another favorite and she was Briar Rose with the fairies. My sister gave me a music box years ago as that pic made an appearance in the “Creative Collections” post. I even dressed up as S.B for Halloween at work one year and surprised my niece on her birthday with wig on my head and tiara in place! In second grade, it was my go to book on the shelf for silent reading time and years later, I found it again at one of my preschool jobs. If things come back, it’s meant to be- right? I guess that applies to Warrior as well…

Thanks guys for staying with me as that was a little bit “girlie.” It is all me though!! I found this info out too. Stephanie McMahon must also love Sleeping Beauty since she and Triple H’s oldest daughter is named Aurora Rose. She’s the same age as my girl! How about that?

So, warriors what childhood items or favorites have brought the kid out in you? I still love comic books and remember reading so many of my parents when I was younger. There was Archie, Looney Tunes, Little Lulu, Fantastic Four, and many others I can recall. Archie was the best for me. So glad Warrior was able to put his ultimate mark on the comic book industry with his own stories. I mentioned comic books also with the collections post. We do have those things that stay with us forever as favorites whether in childhood or adulthood.

I bet you even watch your favorite movies over again or classic reruns of old T.V. shows. I sure do. It does bring out that kid in us with liking our stuff the way we like it and our reaction is always the same. We laugh, we cry, we still respond as if we’re seeing it for the first time. That’s how kids are. Nothing ever seems to get old or boring to them because it’s theirs. It’s comfortable and makes them feel secure and us adults do that too.

We may think those attitudes should be left in childhood but nah, they stay with us. You can probably answer that more personally for yourself . I for one NEVER get bored with my Ultimate Collection DVD as I truly thought it might be tiring a few years back. I decided to never question my kids again with watching the same episodes of certain shows while laughing in hysterics! 🤣 I do the same thing. Kids, adults, it really doesn’t matter sometimes. Sure, it may not be a big deal to others who don’t understand but we need to have fun with this life of ours.

Don’t get me started with music and all my songs. Quite another topic that ignites kid memories, teen ones, and now adult experiences. Check out my book Spirit and Belief for more on that! We may start with something so innocently as a child but then it truly does stay forever etched in our hearts.

“Once Upon a Dream” will be with me as this Sleeping Beauty is now fully awakened!! Happily Ever After is what we make it to be. Get out your movies, comic books, or anything that matters to you and be that kid again. It’s o.k. even as a grown-up…

www.spiritandbelief.com

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https://www.twitter.com/kathypickett

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Sibling Warrior Shenanigans 😜

Do any of you have a sibling that you just couldn’t be without growing up? Well, maybe not that far but one you’d laugh with, play jokes on, and just totally get along on anything! For me, that was my brother. We had similar personalities unlike my sisters and were just goof balls together. Without him, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed watching WWF (now WWE) much at all. We even had our own little banter during some of the matches. What fun days those were…

When Stephanie McMahon was interviewed back in 2014 for Warrior Week, I had another story. It’s being told today. The WWE network was showcasing many of the Ultimate Warrior’s matches and promos after his passing. She related how early in his career, he lived briefly with the McMahons. She mentioned Warrior showing her brother Shane some wrestling moves in their living room and became afraid he’d get hurt. I totally connected this to my brother. Shane and Stephanie are six years apart, my brother and I are one. He’s older~~ we are almost twins.

Right away, I remembered how it was for me. My brother had a best friend next door and his older brother wrestled in high school. So, this once scrawny kid had bulked up wanting to use his brother and mine to practice moves on in the yard. Well, my bro’s friend was very large for his age and despite the lack of muscle, could probably have taken on his older muscular brother. It was mine that I worried about. My brother was very skinny and had no idea about some “real” wrestling moves! I too was afraid he’d get hurt. Probably in a different way of course than Steph but am sure neither situation had a mat! 🤼‍♀️

That little memory led my mind to thinking the “what if…” game. This part is gonna “out me” a little where I will be making fun of myself somewhat. If we can’t do that, our skin is too thin! Consider this post a break from some of the serious ones of late 😬😉 Most might know I was a teen when U.W. appeared on my T.V. Most might also know after a bit, my physical feelings kinda– well, blasted off like a 🚀! We’ve all been there right? Who’s with me?

Anyways, I can just picture us being the McMahons with Warrior living at our house. As much as part of me would’ve LOVED that, the other part would be saying: “OMG,” while trying to hide somewhere! (Think Janice from the TV show “Friends.” ) My brother would totally have tons of fun at my expense. Picture this… We’re all having dinner together and he “arranges” for Warrior to sit next to me. Then, Warrior would only talk to me and ask all these questions while I’d blush and glare at my brother who looked so innocent… Maybe Warrior would’ve not gone along with this sneaky plan but knowing his humor, just once I bet he would!

They would possibly also practice wrestling moves in the living room as I’d watch from a distance. Warrior might’ve asked if I wanted to learn. Um, girls didn’t do that back then. Not really anyway. If my brother told him anything, he’d get punched later! How about just learning a bear hug? Another OMG moment as no way could I possibly do that!!! I thought of another idea for a three count BUT these two are enough to show our silly sibling relationship with such shenanigans. We have certainly evolved since then. My brother and I plus Warrior and I. Us sibs can still joke and laugh when we want even as adults.

I do hope Warrior enjoyed these past few weeks of me recreating my past what ifs to the McMahon Family. I can just hear him laughing even now as he knows my stories. So glad too to know how close Shane and Stephanie have always been. Can you fans just imagine all those wrestlers in and out of their home growing up? What a childhood! If you don’t have that sibling, perhaps there was someone along the way who you had or have shenanigans with. I am so grateful to have had mine. 💙 “OMG!”

P.S. Don’t worry- I played tricks on big bro too so sometimes I’d be the instigator!!

P.P.S. When my brother would be singing Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” theme, I’d do the Ultimate Warrior theme music even LOUDER! 💪🏻⚡️

www.spiritandbelief.com