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1998---the year the dream started
Back in August of 1998, I was commander of the Sons of the American Legion in my town, and Ron Owens came to discuss us doing a fundraiser with his wrestling group. The group voted in favor and off it went.
On the way, out the door, he stopped and said well we do need someone from the group to be in the main event!?! Of course they all looked at me since I was the largest person there and everyone knew I was a lifelong wrestling fan. It didn't take alot of coaxing, but I agreed.....it took much more convincing of the wife, who thought I was out of my head.
I took three months of basic training....enough to get me through the match. We started at the beginning...collar and elbow tie-up....side headlock....overhand wristlock.....hammerlock....arm wringer....standing switch....MY HEAD WAS SWIMMING after the first week.
Looking around the training room, I wondered what the hell I had gotten myself into.....the others were built...have my age...and athletic----and I look like a weeble....but I stuck with it.
Our training room was located in the basement of a church in Indianapolis, where Big Red the wrestling preacher did his thing. Red is a GREAT guy, and wrestled for many years through the south and with Bo BO Brazil. Me and him related well.....we both were over 400 pounds.
Training continued for a number of weeks with more and more being added. My trainers were Don Basher, Indiana Kidd Jr, Billy Bart, Johnnie Walker and TJ Powers along this three month stretch.
Finally it was decided....December 1998....Randy Klemme was going to team with Indiana Kidd Jr against "Dangerous Bull" Don Basher and "The Convict" Michal Manson......now I am worried....what if I screw up...these professionals WILL KILL ME!
Of course the boys at the legion want to keep updated and one or two even decided to some training themselves......THEN IT WAS TIME.....SHOWTIME
I had arranged for a camera guy to tape my match because this was a dream come true....
Over 500 people at the high school gym to see a night of pro wrestling....and ME in the main event...
In my next chapter, I will write about the match and all the happenings next!
On the way, out the door, he stopped and said well we do need someone from the group to be in the main event!?! Of course they all looked at me since I was the largest person there and everyone knew I was a lifelong wrestling fan. It didn't take alot of coaxing, but I agreed.....it took much more convincing of the wife, who thought I was out of my head.
I took three months of basic training....enough to get me through the match. We started at the beginning...collar and elbow tie-up....side headlock....overhand wristlock.....hammerlock....arm wringer....standing switch....MY HEAD WAS SWIMMING after the first week.
Looking around the training room, I wondered what the hell I had gotten myself into.....the others were built...have my age...and athletic----and I look like a weeble....but I stuck with it.
Our training room was located in the basement of a church in Indianapolis, where Big Red the wrestling preacher did his thing. Red is a GREAT guy, and wrestled for many years through the south and with Bo BO Brazil. Me and him related well.....we both were over 400 pounds.
Training continued for a number of weeks with more and more being added. My trainers were Don Basher, Indiana Kidd Jr, Billy Bart, Johnnie Walker and TJ Powers along this three month stretch.
Finally it was decided....December 1998....Randy Klemme was going to team with Indiana Kidd Jr against "Dangerous Bull" Don Basher and "The Convict" Michal Manson......now I am worried....what if I screw up...these professionals WILL KILL ME!
Of course the boys at the legion want to keep updated and one or two even decided to some training themselves......THEN IT WAS TIME.....SHOWTIME
I had arranged for a camera guy to tape my match because this was a dream come true....
Over 500 people at the high school gym to see a night of pro wrestling....and ME in the main event...
In my next chapter, I will write about the match and all the happenings next!
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