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Post by Jay Cal on Feb 24, 2016 10:52:53 GMT -8
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Post by Jay Cal on Feb 24, 2016 10:53:22 GMT -8
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Post by philvarlese on Feb 25, 2016 18:05:45 GMT -8
I was always a huge Candido mark. Back around '98, I saw him wrestle a similar match against Balls Mahoney. I was astonished, since I only knew Balls to be an out and out brawler.
After the show was over (I was ring announcing that night), Chris & Tammy had already left the building, but Balls was still in the locker, and I related to him how surprised I was about how he could work old school and hold his own against Candido.
He said that this was the same match they'd worked since the late 80's. Both of them used to show up at Gary Michael Capetta's shows down the Jersey shore, and trade the ring setup for ring time. Evidently they put that match together during that time, and kept using it whenever they worked each other. So good, they barely spoke to each other during the match.
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Post by Fred Richards on Feb 27, 2016 6:36:59 GMT -8
I had the pleasure of reffing the match Phil Varlese references on two occasions. It was superb from bell-to-bell.
Chris was a master showman. Under the ongoing tragedies that plagued him, he was a great "kid" whom I enjoyed talking with before/after the card. His turmoil was omnipresent. And it was difficult to try to lend a shoulder when the focal point of his conundrum was a person whom he seemed to love far, far more than this person loved him (if that person knows the definition of "love").
The match always lit the house on fire. Chris's facial expressions and Balls's intensity were a natural for the squared circle. It was main event worthy on any show in any town.
I was in Japan when I learned of Chris's death. He was cheated out of the best years of his life. Most know the irony in that he had overcome his addiction(s) and was on the straight and narrow. Hopefully, the person he left behind will wake up and overcome their's before it is too late.
Dan Severn and I remain good friends to this day. Having worked with him in Tokyo the evening we did the fast count (alleged fast count, of course!) putting him over the late Shinya Hashimoto for the title, we spent several hours getting to know one another and discovered some commonalities.
I was very happy when Danny was signed by Vince. Watching him come over from the intensity of MMA to the then-WWF proved to me what a great and competent athlete Dan Severn is.
Quick story, in 2007 I was in charge of Terminal Operations for New Jersey Transit's bus system. My office was in Atlantic City, NJ. Dan was in town to call an MMA show at Caesar's Resort/Casino. He visited my office which was located on the mezzanine of the Atlantic City Bus Terminal; a facility that saw thousands of passengers pass through on a daily basis.
The passengers spotted Dan and gave him a warm welcome, getting autographs and snapping photos. But what stands out the most is the reception he got from the Police Officers who headquartered in my facility. Once word got out that Dan Severn was in the building, it went out over the police radio and cops ranging from State Troopers to locals showed up to meet him. Dan loved it. I did, too.
You will often hear my good friend Steve Corino and I refer to Shinya Hashimoto as "The Boss" (move over Springsteen!). To us both, Hashimoto-san was a giant in more ways than his awesome size. Steve enjoyed amlost 80 tours with Zero 1 in Japan. I had close to 20 - - pretty good for a Referee considering the sizable cost of airfare, hotels and pay. Hashimoto was one helluva guy. He, Yoshiyuki Nakamura and the Zero 1 "yes man" (said with reverence and love) Mister Oki were great hosts. Add to that the friendships that were born with incredible people like Masa Horie and my official Mr. Fred protege Duke Sado. One of my greatest joys was taking my wife and son to Tokyo so they could meet the.
And while I know this id off the subject, I mention often (on my Facebook page) that Japan is in my soul and I consider it my second home. When I die, my will provisions that a part of my remains will be scattered on Mt. Fuji.
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