A letter to the wrestling business
Posted: Feb 27th 2009 By: mikeiles
The following was taken from the MySpace blog of former professional wrestler Brad Michaels. The views and opinions expressed in this blog is that of Brad Michaels only and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of anyone on the staff at Oklafan.com. The blog is reprinted with permission from Brad Michaels.
First, I must admit that I have watched the VH1 show "Confessions of a Teen Idol." On one episode, one of the "Idols" wrote a letter to the entertainment industry. I was compelled to write a letter to the wrestling business. I am also interested to see if any of you who are also in the business, would be willing to or interested in writing a letter to the business as well. In fact, I dare you! Come on, do it!
Dear Wrestling Business,
How do I even begin to talk to you about the last 10 years we have spent together? You have given me so much, and yet you have also taken so much away from me.
You have given me a small level of fame & notoriety. You have given me self confidence. You have given me the respect and admiration of many of my peers.
You have given me paranoia. You have given me a bad attitude. You have given me numerous aches and pains, which plague me on a daily basis. You have given me time away from my family and a mate who doesn't always understand why I sometimes lose track of time and don't mind being away.
You have given me a purpose. You have given me a feeling of accomplishment and self worth. You have given me memories and stories to last three lifetimes.
So many things gained. So many things lost.
I can honestly say that I have the greatest friends in the world. The best friends that anyone in this world could ever hope for. I have met a ton of great people in this business. Althought I may not see many of them very often these days, if I saw them tomorrow, it would be like I never left. People like Paul Lewis, Joey Corman, Mike Paige, & Epi. If I saw them tomorrow, I would relive the glory days.
Then there are the new guys who I have taken under my wing. Guys who have looked up to me. Guys that it has been my pleasure to help along the way. Guys like Nathan Sensation, Randy Price, Jermaine Johnson, & Dustin Heritage.
Then there are the friends that I will have for a lifetime. Friends that I can share my most personal thoughts with, & look at them without fear of judgement. Friends that truly understand me. Friends like Gary Tool, Bernie D, Jim & Mary, Rob, Holly, James, George, John O'Malley, Tyler, Ruby, & Seth.
There are the friends who I really enjoy being around, and think we would be better friends if we were around each other more--Barry, Kenny, Ray Martinez, & Johnny Walker.
There are friends who I have drifted apart from, some of which I would one day like to reconnect, some of which I am done with. BB, John W, Steven Jones.
Through this business, I have traveled the country. I have wrestling in the famous ECW Arena. I have been recognized as a champion several times over. I have worked with tons of wrestling stars--Honky Tonk Man, Kamala, the Nasty Boys, Greg Valentine, Terry Gordy, Norman Smiley, Rodney Mack, Jake Roberts, Jimmy Snuka, Sabu, Blue Meanie, Sandman, CM Punk, Colt Cabana, Luna Vachon, the Hardy Boyz, Michael Hayes, Viscera, Disco Inferno, Gangrel, Konnan, Stevie Ray, Crowbar, Abdullah the Butcher, Dustin Rhodes, Zach Gowen, Insane Clown Posse, Dusty Rhodes, Vader, Jerry Lawler, Al Snow, DDP, One Man Gang, King Kong Bundy, Butch Reed, Sherri Martel, & Ricky Morton.
All of these things you have given to me.
I suppose all that you have taken from me is my health and my youth. Now, not being in the business, I have lost my creative outlet, my passion, my desire.
Ol' Rasslin Bidness, we are and will forever be, thick as thieves. Why? Because of the sickness. The sickness that will never go away. But that isn't necesarrily a bad thing. I love you, wrestling business. I don't want to imagine what my life would have been without you.
Take care,
Bad Brad
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Spotlight in History
- 1979 Mike George & Bob Sweetan became the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 1982 Mr. Olympia def. Killer Khan for the MSW Mississippi Title
- 1984 The Long Riders (Scott Irwin & Bill Irwin) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 1986 Buddy Roberts def. Terry Taylor for the UWF Television Title
- 2008 Striker def. Al Farat for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 2013 The C. I. A. (Trevor Mapleleaf & J. B.) def. The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Keebler & Diamond) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
- 2019 Brixton Barricade def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 2024 Shotgun Webber def. Zac Royal for the TIW No Pressure Title
Week of Sun 09-27 to Sat: 10-03
- 09-27 1977 Dr. X & Porkchop Cash def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-27 1982 The Rat Pack (Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne) def. Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-27 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. Eddie Gilbert & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
- 09-27 2003 Brandon Groom became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-27 2003 Tarantula & X-Cal became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 09-27 2003 Big Daddy Moore def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 09-27 2008 Outlaw def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 2008 Rage Logan def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 09-27 2008 Shank became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
- 09-27 2008 Seth Allen def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 09-27 2015 Lil Outlaw def. Little Nasty Boy for the EMWF Heavweight Title
- 09-27 2015 King Midget def. Lil Outlaw for the EMWF Heavweight Title
- 09-27 2019 Stephan Bonnar def. MVP for the WCR Imperial Title
- 09-27 2025 Mitch Onyx def. Bishop Simon for the RWE Light Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 2025 Triple Crown Tribe (Fuel & Koko) def. The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 09-27 2025 Birdman def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
- 09-27 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Faded Ghoul for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 2025 Sgt. Todd def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-27 2025 L. C. Green def. Deacon Hendrix for the RWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-27 2025 Will Chambers def. L. C. Green for the RWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-28 1979 Mike George & Bob Sweetan became the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 09-28 1982 Mr. Olympia def. Killer Khan for the MSW Mississippi Title
- 09-28 1984 The Long Riders (Scott Irwin & Bill Irwin) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-28 1986 Buddy Roberts def. Terry Taylor for the UWF Television Title
- 09-28 2008 Striker def. Al Farat for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 09-28 2013 The C. I. A. (Trevor Mapleleaf & J. B.) def. The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Keebler & Diamond) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
- 09-28 2019 Brixton Barricade def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 09-28 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-28 2024 Shotgun Webber def. Zac Royal for the TIW No Pressure Title
- 09-29 2007 Luc Lapointe & Beau Dalton became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 09-29 2007 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 09-29 2007 Beau Dalton def. Luc Lapointe for the SWCW Sooner Xtreme Title
- 09-29 2007 Kunna Keyoh def. Joe Herell for the UWF06 Violent Division Title
- 09-30 1963 Bill Miller def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-30 1965 The Daltons/The Fargos (Jim Dalton/Jim Fargo & Jack Dalton [1st]/Don Fargo) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 09-30 1974 Blackjack Lanza def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-30 1977 Ox Baker def. Captain USA for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 09-30 1981 Great Kabuki def. Bob Roop for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 09-30 1983 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer I & Super Destroyer II) def. Roddy Piper & Bulldog Brower for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 09-30 2006 The House of Strange (AWOL & Overdose) def. The Family (Beau Dalton & Luc Lapointe) for the AACW Tag Team Titles
- 09-30 2007 Outlaw became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 09-30 2017 Los Loco Moscas (Elijah Sparks & El Greengo Loco) def. Legion (Rob Cabella & Shawn Shields) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 09-30 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
- 09-30 2023 Romeo Reese def. Punk Synister for the MajCW Flawless Title
- 09-30 2023 Nibira def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 Brandon Groom def. Nibira for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 Lunchador def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 John J. Bishop def. Lunchador for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 09-30 2023 Lunchador def. John J. Bishop for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
- 10-01 2002 Pimpology (Jeffrey Parker & Kool Ade) def. The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 10-01 2002 Bitch the Clown def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2002 The Cookie Man def. Bitch the Clown for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2002 HIMM def. The Cookie Man for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2004 Beau Dalton def. Bobby Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2011 Michael Barry def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 10-01 2011 Maniac Mike def. John E. Stone for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 10-01 2011 Se7en def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2011 Kevin James Sanchez & Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 10-01 2011 Drake Gallows & Bobby Star became the SWCW All-American Champion
- 10-01 2012 Brian Lakewood def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 10-01 2016 Dean Lambert def. Kareem Sadat for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
- 10-01 2016 Running Wolf became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
- 10-01 2016 Thunder, Inc. (Rolling Thunder & Tim Bean) def. The Midnight Riders (The Unknown & The Midnight Rider) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
- 10-02 2004 Missa Sparkle def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2004 Beau Dalton def. Missa Sparkle for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2004 Codie Mullins def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2004 Beau Dalton def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2009 Aerial Assault (Montego Seeka & Ky-ote Joe) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 10-02 2010 Outlaw def. Tyson Jaymes for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 10-02 2010 Bleach, Ink (Draven Cross & Korvin Sage) def. The Hardcore Connection (Shane Sanchez & Maniac Mike) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-02 2010 Rage Logan def. Damien Morte for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 10-02 2010 David Kyzer def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW All-American Title
- 10-02 2010 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 10-02 2010 Jasper Davis def. Kevin Douglas for the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title
- 10-02 2010 La Reina de Corazones def. Tasha Simone for the NWA World Womens Title
- 10-02 2011 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 10-02 2016 The Urban Misfits (Drake Gallows & Dean Lambert) def. The Mid-South Express (Tyson Jaymes & Will Chambers) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 10-02 2020 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Niles Plonk for the TexPro Red River Title
- 10-02 2021 Step Brothas (Jermaine Johnson & Tego) def. Niles Plonk & Flex Zerba (substituting for Dexter Hardaway) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-03 1967 Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis def. The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 10-03 2008 Spoiler 2000 became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 10-03 2009 Arrogant Money (Austin Tacious & Randy Price) def. BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 10-03 2020 Classy & Sassy (Niles Plonk & Dexter Hardaway) def. The Brotherhood of Holy Hell (Terry Pantera & Dean Lambert) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-03 2020 Super Beast def. Cody Burns for the BCW Heavyweight Title
- 10-03 2025 Lola the Adventurer def. Skylar Slice for the CPW Women’s Title
- 10-03 2025 The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) def. The Sweet Life (Colt Killbane & Jake Swayze) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
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