Pro wrestling frankly has just never been my thing. Well, not since I was a little kid anyway. Although it's popularity reached epic proportions a few years back with wrestlemania. As is life in general, different strokes for different folks. But with that being said as I little guy growing up it did hold some allure. How could it not, watching these human cartoon characters seemingly beat the living hell out of each other and fake blood spewing all about. What red blooded american boy can pass that up. My friends and I used to sit up and wait on saturday nights to watching all star wrestling from Kansas City or wrestling at the chase from St Louis. We would watch intently as Handsome Harley Race would pummel some poor shmuck. When Harlely Race was squared off against some stiff name Bobby Whitlock or the such there was no doubt who would win, just a matter of time and how brutal it was. We watched guys like Race, Rufus R. Jones the master of the head butt, Dory Funk Sr, Dory Funk Jr, and of course Terry Funk. That family couldn't seem to get along with anybody, lol. The Sheik, (crazy bastard), The Stomper, Omar Atlas, Jack Briscoe and on and on. Well anyway one night the show came to my home town of Moberly, Mo. Wrestling at the Municipal Auditorium. Big stuff. Of course my pals and I were on hand. Wouldn't miss it. Harley Race was wrestling Danny Little Bear. Before the match my buddies and I snuck behind the stage and behind the curtains to get a sneak peek of whatever we could. It was just before the wrestlers were announced. There was Harley Race, standing about five feet from us and we peeked from behind the curtain. He was standing there getting into his role, scowling and flexing his muscles. I was frozen in fear as this mean looking SOB stood growling. Then one of my buddies, Scott Lawrence, pushed me from behind and the next thing I knew I was hurtling right square into Harley Race. I bounced off him and keep in mind, I was 12 years old, he looked at me and growled with as mean a voice as I had ever head in my damn life, get out of here. NO PROBLEM. I was up on my feet and running. And frankly I kept running. Straight out of the building. He didn't have to growl twice. My buddies laughed, I get it. Of course when I saw my friend later on that night I did my best version of the death lock on his head. But trust me, it made a helluva impression on a little boy. As luck would have it. MANY, many years later I was in Eldon Mo on some business. Harley Race had retired and lived there. He had lunch at this same little joint downtown most every day. I was eating lunch and sure enough, two tables over sat the same Harley Race that had made me piss myself so many years ago. I went over and introduced myself and told him the story. He laughed and laughed. He could not have been nicer. Totally unlike before when he gave me nightmares for a week.
ANYWAY, it was on this date back in 1987 that Hulk Hogan beat Andre the Giant for the title in wrestlemania. 93,136 fans were there at the Pontiac Silverdome watching that spectacle. I don't follow it and don't really know how popular it is right now. I am sure there are some here that can say. My friend Johnny Detroit was, and is I believe still, a fan of that stuff. He knows all the famous wrestlers from the past. Just thought it was a good story and when I scanned todays moments in history it jumped off the page at me.
Okay, a free release. Tonight I suggest a small play on the Thunder laying the 3.5 vs the Pistons. OKC has been one of the hottest teams in league play the last couple of weeks. I am certain the Pistons will be a trendy pick but I'm not buying it. Fact is Detroit has only covered the number in two of their last seven games on their home court when dealing with winning teams. With Durant and Westbrook hitting on all cylinders I will lay the small number.
On the business side I have a rabid dog in play tonight. Looking to bounce back from a ball buster last night with Morehead State. Still a very sore subject. My last rabid dog came on march 21st and it was indeed a winner with George Washington plus four over Monmouth in a game they obviously won outright as they are still alive in the post season.
That's it for today guys. Many thanks and of course best of luck tonight with your action.