Wrestling Arenas

In my first book "Do YA Wanna Be A Wrestler, Kid?" I wrote about some of the worst venues that I have wrestled in over the years. In my new book "It Takes All Kinds The People, Places, and Events That Make Pro Wrestling" I talk about some of those great magical arenas I have wrestled in.

Talking with Misty about all the places I have been it got me to thinking. I have wrestled in just about every kind of building good or bad you can think of. An old timer wrestler told me when I started if they can get a ring in it and sale tickets you will end up wrestling there one day.

The Lord has blessed me to able to do this for a long time. I have been in 11,000 seat Coliseum to 125 seat American Legion Halls. If I have not made it to your home town yet. I hope to before I'm done. I love wrestling in all kinds of places from Big Cities to some rural communities. I like meeting the people. It takes all kinds to make up wrestling.

Below is a few places I have been over the years. Don't forget both of my books are on sale top right hand side of my pages.

Here is Misty and I going to and from the ring at The World's Fair Park in Knoxville, TN

Here is me vs. Krunch The Equalizer in a warehouse that was turned in to a wrestling arena in Rutledge, TN

Back dropping Derick Billings in a restaurant 

A mall Parking lot in WV with Greg Valentine. Wrestling is a great way to get people to a business

Here I hip toss my opponent in a City Park during a 4th of July Festival in Ashland KY

City Parks and Rec in Princeton WV vs. Ricky Morton in a cage Super Mario special ref

vs. Billy Lit at a Community Center in Mt. Hope WV

vs. Dwayne Holiday at a Conference Center in Virginia

me and Malia Hosake doing a number on Mark Malibu in a Family Bluegrass Center in Virginia

Leavingthe ring after a tough match at The Memorial Field House in Huntington, WV

waiting on the bell to ring to battle Frank Parker in a Volunteer Fire Department here in East TN

Misty and I on the way to the ring at a High School out side of Atlanta, GA

vs. Tommy Hawk on the parade field at a Navy Base

I have wrestled in National Guard Armories in a dozen states or more. Here is me vs. Scotty McKeever at an Armory in Portland, OR

Volunteer Fire Department Bingo Hall in WV

WMC TV 5 Studio in Memphis, TN

Small American Legion Hall in rural West Virginia

VFW Hall in Tennessee me vs Cody Blade

A Commercial Building that has been turned into a wrestling arena in Tullahoma, TN vs. Nick Paradise

Civic Auditorium Kingsport, TN

Flea Market in Knoxville,TN vs. Jason Max

Thanks for checking out my site. Always enjoy emails at kingofkingsport@gmail.com

Pro Wrestling and County Fairs

I was sitting here today thinking about all the County and State Fairs I have been to in the last two and half decades. Pro Wrestling started with the carnival and county fairs. They go hand and hand. Fun and excitement  for the people who attend. A 90 minute to two hour program of wrestling with fans yelling and screaming having fun then they are turned looses on the midway.

Wrestling returns to the Virginia/Kentucky District Fair in Wise VA Weds. June 5th. I'm very excited about coming back to this fair. I was apart of the fair there for several years in the 90s. Wrestling is coming back with a big card of action.

Here are just a few pictures, posters, and memories I have kept over the years from wrestling at Fairs in many states.

Here is a couple pictures of a small 3 match card we did in my Home town of Fall Branch for The Labor Day Celebration. We did Labor Day Wrestling in Fall Branch for 7 years.

Here is a picture taken at the Claiborne County, TN Fair 30 minutes before belltime. 10 Minutes before belltime the clouds burst and it rained the rest of the night. I mean rained buckets.

Here is me vs. WWE Hall of Fame Member Jimmy Valiant that night in a pouring rain. We tell all the fairs as long as the people and wrestlers are not in harm and it's not lightning then we will go on with the matches. 

Flyer for Dickson, TN County Fair

Here is a couple pictures of me and "Fantastic" Bobby Fulton teaming up on Sean Casey at the Champagne County Fair in Urbanna OH. That fair always has a large, vocal and excited crowd. And its always 100 degrees when wrestling there. One of my favorite places over the years. 

Ohio Fair Posters

Tazewell County VA Fair

Here is WCW Star Disco Inferno pinning me at the Lee County, VA Fair. Another one of my all time favorite places to wrestle.

North Carolina Poster. Power Surge was Matt Hardy and Willow The Whisp his brother Jeff. This was just a summer or two before they became house hold names on WWE TV.

Here is something you don't see alot of anymore, Carnival Posters.

I spent two summers in the 90s traveling and wrestling 2 days or more a week with a carnival in the 90s.

This poster is from '06

Upcoming Events

The award winning Dynamic Wrestling James Duo will be in action at these events

Weekend of April 20th Misty will be returning to MLW for their next taping. MLW is closing in June so this may be her last matches with MLW. We want to wish the good people of MLW best wishes in their new business.

http://magnificentladieswrestling.com 

Very special event in GA to help a great lady, friend , and true wrestling legend. If you can't come please donate. 

May 4th Elkin, NC at The Armory and May 5th Boogie Wrestling Camp in Shawsville, VA

I'm now guest hosting PSP Radio check it out.

March 21 - special guest "The Beauty" Terry "Garvin" Simms as he talks about his times in Memphis, Continental, and World Class.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/psp/2013/03/22/peach-state-pandemonium

Listen to internet radio with PSP on Blog Talk Radio

March 28 - I interview my co host Bobby Simmons and Jerry Oates about their years in Pro Wrestling. We talk about many legends of the ring like Dusty Rhodes, Ronnie Garvin, Dick Murdoch, and many many more!!!


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/psp/2013/03/29/peach-state-pandemonium

Listen to internet radio with PSP on Blog Talk Radio

22nd Anniversary This Weekend

SSW 22nd Anniversary Weekend

wRESTle in Peace my Friend

Misty and I with Bill Moody (Percy/Paul Bearer) 2010 in his home town of Mobile AL

Misty and I are heart broken. Over the past five years Percy Pringle III/ Paul Bearer has become such a special part of our lives. With in minutes of sitting down with him we were like old friends. Our love for our profession and the respect for our heroes were much a like.

He grew up going to the matches dreaming one day to be apart of this crazy world of wrestling as I did. He like so many others did what ever it took to be a part from selling pictures, taken pictures, putting up the rings etc. I think that's why we hit it off so well we could identify with each other. No I never was or will be a WWE Legend but I chased my dream and caught it. He chased his dream and was the first to tell you it became more than he ever thought it would be. He was happy to be in wrestling and humble at what he became.

He was one of the first to buy my  book. Over the past two years he has helped me sell many copies just by telling people how much he liked it. He did TV segments for me, and wrote the back cover to my new book not for money ,but just simply because I asked if he would.

We would talk by phone, text, or social media at least every couple days. He would always check on us on weekends he knew we were on the road as we did him. Every Saturday during NCAA football season I would get a facebook message or text that simply said "Roll Tide". He knew the response he would get back with my blood being Tennessee Orange. Every year after the Alabama vs Tennessee game he would ask can we be friends again? He knew how to make you laugh.

In February 2012 I had a health scare with a growth in my stomach wall. Two days in the hospital and a few days at home in bed after it. He called every day to check on me and to make Misty laugh. That was the kind of guy he was.He wanted to take the stress of her.

About six months ago he sent a message and said you and Misty should bill yourselves as "The Dynamic James Wrestling Duo" since then we have. This past Saturday he presented us with an award that means more to us than anything we have ever gotten in wrestling "The Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunion, Legends Award". We were told by board of directors members that our friends Bill Bowman and Percy Pringle pushed for us to receive the award. Never did we think we would lose Percy just days later.



The award means a lot to us , but his words in the presentation mean even more. This along with a private conversation I had with him later that day will be our last memories of him. He left every wrestling fan of the last 35 years with many memories. He had many names but the one I know him as is Friend.

Tuesday night Misty talked to his son Daniel. Daniel made sure to tell us that "My Dad Loved You Guys". We knew that and we hope that he knew we loved him.

We know that he is now in Heaven with his wife and loved ones. He had a strong faith in our Lord. I don't think he realized the lives that he touched. I know I feel like a better person from just knowing him.

 Awww Percy keep a spot at the table for us. I never say good bye, only so long. Until I see you again. So Much MY FRIEND So Much

From Misty

When I heard that you had left us
I was simply blown away
How could that be possible?
We were laughing Saturday.
Your dry wit and your humor
Your ‘grin’ and devilish smile...Oooo YES...Oooo YES
No one knew what you’d do next
You had one unique style!
O How I waited with a smile
You truly had a special gift no doubt.
Always there for everyone
So dependable, sincere
Kind, gentle and caring
Felt good to have you around.
So, my dear departed friend
I’ll think of you each day
Peace and rest and comfort
I know you found Tuesday.
Your last words to me
Will help my tears to dry
You hugged me and said,
"see ya, love ya, bye!”