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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 26, 2007 9:05:31 GMT -5
...for the San Antonio stop on the WrestleMania Fan Axxess tour. I'm thinking of going during lunch. Should I?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2007 9:09:27 GMT -5
Go for it. I missed the opportunity to see two of my favorite current wrestlers, and I still regret it. So, if you can, you may as well go instead of saying "I really shouldda gone" the day after.
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 26, 2007 9:10:39 GMT -5
I'm gonna see if I can pose for a pic with him putting me in the bear hug, similar to when I got Sgt. Slaughter to pose w/me as he was putting me in the Cobra Clutch.
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 26, 2007 19:55:18 GMT -5
Well, I gave in and decided to go. I'm glad I did. As I walked into the mall, I was looking for the Axxess area. While walking, I practically bumped into Hillbilly Jim walking around. I was like, "Hey! Hillbilly Jim!" He immediately stuck his hand out, and we exchanged handshakes. I asked him where the Axxess area was. He directed me to it, and he said that he'd pose for a pic when he got back there (he was looking for something to eat).
I eventually got to speak with him at length, as well as get my picture taken with him. We spoke for around 10 minutes about different things, from his start in WWF to his time in Mid-South as Harley Davidson. Some key points:
I told him that I've been a fan since the angle with Hogan, in which he 'trained' Jim. He seemed appreciative of this, and thanked me. I then told him that one of my uncles used to watch him in Mid-South as Harley Davidson (which was true). He seemed surprised that I knew about that gimmick, but he talked a little about it. I then asked which gimmick he had more fun with, and without hesitation, he said, "Hillbilly Jim, without a doubt!"
I then told him that I was at the WrestleMania X-Seven show, where he participated in the Gimmick Battle Royal. I asked how it felt to get the biggest reaction of all the participants. He said that it was an awesome feeling, and that it was special. He also said that there were many guys there who didn't look like they should have been in the ring, but that he still works out, and this helped him survive the battle royal. I told him that he looked awesome in the battle royal, and he seemed gracious.
I segued from the battle royal to talking about some of the former wrestlers, and I asked what he thought about former wrestlers who never give up that lifestyle, and who work indy shows at small gyms. He said he feels really bad for them, and I could tell that he was sincere when he said this. He said that he had a great time in the ring, but he knew when to give it up. I commented that I thought it was cool how they brought him back sporadically, such as when he managed the Godwinns. He agreed that things like that are great for the nostalgia effect.
I then asked what he had been doing since retiring from active competition. He said that he's never left the WWE. He's worked with them in some capacity or another. After retiring, he worked in sales for WWF Video for a long time. He's also done a lot of PR work for them. Aside from the Fan Axxess gig, he's also working for some type of video company in New York, and hosting his own XM Satellite radio show where he plays country music and southern rock. He said that he can't do the same thing for a long period of time because he gets bored easily.
Since no one was talking to him or asking for autographs, I felt lucky to talk to him for around 10 minutes. As I was leaving, he said, "I'll be here until 8, and then again tomorrow. Try to come back." I told him I would, and that it was a pleasure meeting him. He seemed happy to hear that, and after exchanging handshakes again, I left.
Paul London and Funaki are signing autographs at the mall right now, but I doubt I'll go. I just really wanted to meet Hillbilly Jim, and that really made my day.
I'll post the pic later; I left the camera in my truck.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2007 19:56:47 GMT -5
Awesome, glad you took the opportunity when you got it. Believe me, NEVER pass up an opportunity to meet a wrestler like him if there is one.
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 26, 2007 19:58:24 GMT -5
He is definitely one of the nicest people I've ever met. He was accommodating to the few fans who wanted pics/autographs.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2007 19:59:13 GMT -5
It's too bad most people don't remember him; he was an icon of his day.
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 26, 2007 19:59:17 GMT -5
On a side note, they were having auditions for that TV show 'Who Wants to Be a Superhero?', and they were sponsored by WWE. Watching some of those people in costume was hilarious. Not because of the way they looked, but because they thought they looked cool.
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Post by blackhart on Jan 26, 2007 20:00:02 GMT -5
So what exactly did Hillbilly Jim do that was of any significance? I remember he managed the Godwinns but that's it
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 26, 2007 20:00:49 GMT -5
So what exactly did Hillbilly Jim do that was of any significance? I remember he managed the Godwinns but that's it How old are you? Just curious. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2007 20:01:34 GMT -5
So what exactly did Hillbilly Jim do that was of any significance? I remember he managed the Godwinns but that's it He wrestled in an era of cheesy gimmicks; he wasn't very good, but passing him up would be like refusing to meet Hogan, in effect. |
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Post by blackhart on Jan 26, 2007 20:01:50 GMT -5
So what exactly did Hillbilly Jim do that was of any significance? I remember he managed the Godwinns but that's it How old are you? Just curious. 20 Only watched wrestling consistently since the Invasion though |
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Post by Error on Jan 26, 2007 20:04:42 GMT -5
On a side note, they were having auditions for that TV show 'Who Wants to Be a Superhero?', and they were sponsored by WWE. Sweet, I love this show. Anyway, was he in the all black sweats? I went to Fan Axxess 2 years on back to back days and he was the same all black sweats each time and in eveery other pic I have seen of him he is in them. |
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 26, 2007 20:11:22 GMT -5
On a side note, they were having auditions for that TV show 'Who Wants to Be a Superhero?', and they were sponsored by WWE. Sweet, I love this show. Anyway, was he in the all black sweats? I went to Fan Axxess 2 years on back to back days and he was the same all black sweats each time and in eveery other pic I have seen of him he is in them. Yea, he was wearing the same thing: black track pants, black shirt, and black baseball cap. |
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 27, 2007 14:43:23 GMT -5
Here's the pic I took with him:  |
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Post by heffer111 on Jan 27, 2007 14:49:43 GMT -5
man, is that a profession picture taker or what?
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Mr. Zombie
Don Corleone
The Original Chris Farley
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Post by Mr. Zombie on Jan 27, 2007 16:27:58 GMT -5
He's huge.
(Thats what she said)
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Post by heffer111 on Jan 27, 2007 16:40:01 GMT -5
howd u know the joke i was thinking right after i read hes huge?
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Post by Tyfo on Jan 27, 2007 17:16:32 GMT -5
I went last week when they were in Hurst, Tx. and I was hoping Hillbilly would be there but I never saw him if he was. I did get to talk with Jimmy Hart a lot which was great, as well as meeting the Highlanders and Mark Henry.
I also talked a lot with Christian, who is the guy who basically runs the show on stage with either Jimmy Hart or Hillbilly Jim(whichever ones there that day) and he was great as well. Seemed to be a big wrestling fan and he also hosted while they did the Who Wants to be a Superhero auditions and he took some small jabs at them which was fun. He was a big Bears fan to, which I became as well when they got paired with the Saints last week. Plus, he said his favorite wrestler was CM Punk since hes from Chicago like he is.
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 27, 2007 20:22:40 GMT -5
I went last week when they were in Hurst, Tx. and I was hoping Hillbilly would be there but I never saw him if he was. I did get to talk with Jimmy Hart a lot which was great, as well as meeting the Highlanders and Mark Henry. I also talked a lot with Christian, who is the guy who basically runs the show on stage with either Jimmy Hart or Hillbilly Jim(whichever ones there that day) and he was great as well. Seemed to be a big wrestling fan and he also hosted while they did the Who Wants to be a Superhero auditions and he took some small jabs at them which was fun. He was a big Bears fan to, which I became as well when they got paired with the Saints last week. Plus, he said his favorite wrestler was CM Punk since hes from Chicago like he is. I saw that Christian guy there too, I think...he was hosting the Superhero auditions. Seemed like a big wrestling fan. |
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