Post by rayreptile on Jul 4, 2006 17:32:55 GMT -5
I posted this in my MySpace blog, but not here. Why? I wasn't sure... I decided to wait, whether or not I wanted to or not. Anyway, since this forum will most likely be turned into a large locked tribute, I wanted to put this in here, mainly so everyone else can see it....
Subject: Rest in Peace, My Friend
It has been just over 24 hours since I found out about the passing of John 'Earthquake' Tenta.
What some of you know, and what some of you don't know, is that I knew John personally. I met him on a wrestling forum known as WrestleCrap. We began talking when I sent him a message, thanking him for everything he had done in this business, and thanked him for entertaining me throughout the years. You know, I've sent a ton of wrestlers messages, and I've never heard back from any of them. So, I was seriously shocked when I got a message back from him. He was really down to earth and exactly how you hope a professional wrestler is.
Pretty soon, we started talking about the cancer, and how my dad was diagnosed with cancer. That is how we began talking. However, it wasn't limited to that. Of course, at first, I asked him a MILLION things about wrestling. However, as time went on, it moved from wrestling into "how's life?"
John knew my girlfriend's name, which means he listened to me. We spoke about family, work, and everything else. We have talked on the phone, over the internet, on webcam, everything. John became more than just one of my idols growing up... he became my friend.
One of my favorite memories of John, is one day, when we were talking on webcam.
He was telling me about his new action figure (WWE Classics). It wasn't out in stores yet, but the company had sent him a few of them to have. The funny thing was, he hated it. He complained about it being too fat. He swore that he was a big guy, but not THAT big. He grabbed his action figure and showed me it on webcam. Than, he started laughing. I asked him "what's so funny?" He than procedded to make dancing music with his lips, and than, it happened. He had his action figure strip for me on webcam. I have never laughed so hard.
That was the thing about John. He always wanted to make people smile.
I doubt anyone from John's family will read this, but I want them to know something. He cared for you more than anything in this world. His kids... were his life... hands down. The last conversation I had with John on the phone, all he could talk about, was how John Jr. dominated the shot putt record. He was, and is, so proud.
You know, it's really hard for me, as I look at WWE.com and other websites, and see the article that "Earthquake has passed away." It seems to me, my idol growing up passed away. I don't think it has hit me so hard, that my friend is gone too. I'll never get the chance to talk to him on the phone again.
You know, John asked me to make him a "Best of Earthquake" VHS, and send it to him. I was working out the plans for the VHS, and trying to figure everything out. The only thing I knew for sure, was I was going to hand delivery it to him in Novemeber. I had planned on going to visit him in November, and he knew that. He told me I should come down sooner, but I figured if I waited, that means he would've waited for me.
I guess that didn't happen.
John, I miss you, and the only thing I keep telling myself, is that the pain you felt is now gone... you are happy... and you are in a great place. I will see you in the future, my friend. You better just make sure I have front row tickets. *smiles*
Goodbye, My Friend... I will miss you.
Sincerely,
Ray 'Reptile' Mattern
Subject: Rest in Peace, My Friend
It has been just over 24 hours since I found out about the passing of John 'Earthquake' Tenta.
What some of you know, and what some of you don't know, is that I knew John personally. I met him on a wrestling forum known as WrestleCrap. We began talking when I sent him a message, thanking him for everything he had done in this business, and thanked him for entertaining me throughout the years. You know, I've sent a ton of wrestlers messages, and I've never heard back from any of them. So, I was seriously shocked when I got a message back from him. He was really down to earth and exactly how you hope a professional wrestler is.
Pretty soon, we started talking about the cancer, and how my dad was diagnosed with cancer. That is how we began talking. However, it wasn't limited to that. Of course, at first, I asked him a MILLION things about wrestling. However, as time went on, it moved from wrestling into "how's life?"
John knew my girlfriend's name, which means he listened to me. We spoke about family, work, and everything else. We have talked on the phone, over the internet, on webcam, everything. John became more than just one of my idols growing up... he became my friend.
One of my favorite memories of John, is one day, when we were talking on webcam.
He was telling me about his new action figure (WWE Classics). It wasn't out in stores yet, but the company had sent him a few of them to have. The funny thing was, he hated it. He complained about it being too fat. He swore that he was a big guy, but not THAT big. He grabbed his action figure and showed me it on webcam. Than, he started laughing. I asked him "what's so funny?" He than procedded to make dancing music with his lips, and than, it happened. He had his action figure strip for me on webcam. I have never laughed so hard.
That was the thing about John. He always wanted to make people smile.
I doubt anyone from John's family will read this, but I want them to know something. He cared for you more than anything in this world. His kids... were his life... hands down. The last conversation I had with John on the phone, all he could talk about, was how John Jr. dominated the shot putt record. He was, and is, so proud.
You know, it's really hard for me, as I look at WWE.com and other websites, and see the article that "Earthquake has passed away." It seems to me, my idol growing up passed away. I don't think it has hit me so hard, that my friend is gone too. I'll never get the chance to talk to him on the phone again.
You know, John asked me to make him a "Best of Earthquake" VHS, and send it to him. I was working out the plans for the VHS, and trying to figure everything out. The only thing I knew for sure, was I was going to hand delivery it to him in Novemeber. I had planned on going to visit him in November, and he knew that. He told me I should come down sooner, but I figured if I waited, that means he would've waited for me.
I guess that didn't happen.
John, I miss you, and the only thing I keep telling myself, is that the pain you felt is now gone... you are happy... and you are in a great place. I will see you in the future, my friend. You better just make sure I have front row tickets. *smiles*
Goodbye, My Friend... I will miss you.
Sincerely,
Ray 'Reptile' Mattern
