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Our friend Mike Mooneyham has his new column up for the Post & Courier:

http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/28/a_new_kind_female_company_flair56149/

Several times this past Saturday I was asked: “10 years ago would you have thought you would be spending a few hours with Ric Flair?”  Regardless of ten years, one year, whatever time frame – the answer is still no. 

It is hard to maintain a professional countenance when you are within inches of a man who you religiously watched growing up, and who kept you watching wrestling many a time that you considered quitting.  I was however able to compose myself…at least until after I left the building.

Saturday I was in Jacksonville, NC for Premiere Wrestling Showcase/Highspots to shoot the first of six planned autograph sessions with Flair.  I was accompanied on the trip with my “wife” ER (or would I be the wife?) and cousin, Adam Jaxon (still recuperating from his broken leg). 

We left Spartanburg at 10.30 and it did take us a solid six hours to get there.  Drove by the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial in Wilmington. 

Flair arrived at 6.15 in great spirits and ready to go.  He was there with his reps from The Gillespie Agency (check out their great video of Ric here), Elaine Gillespie and Nola Armstrong.  Two super nice ladies.

I want to say thanks to Highspots and PWS for letting me be a part of this venture.  It is a true honor and a bonafide “moment” for me to do this.

Here are the results from the PWS show:  1. Mike Lee b. Jay Clinton…2. Ares b. Caleb Konley…3. Jake Manning b. Charlie Dreamer…4. Daffney b.Lexie Fyfe…5.Joey Silvia b. Shannon Moore.

Apologies to Mike and Jay, as I was still tied up in the autograph room and didn’t get to shoot any of their match.  Great main event, as Jacksonville’s own Silvia bested Moore.

Now to the trip back.  We left right after the show, as everyone knows I value my Sundays at home.  Stopped at Ruby Tuesday’s for a quick meal. 

Approximately 2am we stopped at South of the Border in Dillon, SC off I95.  Here they have “sometheeng for every juan” - and before you get upset, that line comes directly from their website:  http://www.pedroland.com/

I will soon have some photos up from our stop there.  It was sort of a “Carnival of Souls” experience, as there was no one around while everything was lit up in this tourist trap. 

Here is where the trip takes a turn down a windy path.  I have been having some chronic issues with my driver’s side window.  It has been going off track, and would not go up.  Saturday morning we discovered that it wasn’t working…again.  I declared the window off limits for the duration of the trip.

At “South of the Border”, the window got lowered and stayed lowered.   Yes, we (I should say Adam and ER) drove for three and a half hours on interstate highway with the driver’s side window down.  I, pouting the entire time, threw ER’s jacket over my head (which smells really good by the way), curled up in the back seat (not easy for a man of my girth) and went to sleep.

Back in Spartanburg at 6.30am Sunday morning, and back at my home at 7am, leaving Adam asleep in the back.  Mission accomplished.

Coming up next is Flair’s appearance in Columbia, SC at the Jamil Temple with Champions With Attitudes wrestling on October 3rd.   Keep up with the tour at Highspots. 

Check out exclusive photos of the Flair Shoot Interview at the Highspots.   Ric Flair Shoot Interview 4 Disc Exclusive Set!

http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/hoh/2008/2008_mitchell.htm

Check out these new DVDs from our friends at Highspots – should you buy them because some have my pictures splashed on the covers?  Possibly…no!  Whether you attended the show or not you need to own the DVD:

2008 NWA Wrestling Fanfest Wrestling Event Night 1 DVD-R

2008 NWA Wrestling Fanfest Wrestling Event Night 2 DVD-R

NWA Wrestling Legends FanFest 2008 – Q&A Roundtable DVD-R

Pick up these other Fanfest DVDs while you’re at it:

NWA Wrestling Legends FanFest 2008 – Hall of Heroes DVD-R

NWA Wrestling Legends FanFest 2008 – Q&A w/Bruno Sammartino vs Ivan Koloff DVD-R

NWA Wrestling Legends FanFest 2008 – Q&A with Magnum TA DVD-R

2007 NWA Wrestling Fanfest Wrestling Event DVD-R

I was watching TNA from 8/28 tonight and to my surprise – what did I see – why, little ol’ me – on the TV.  They were showing the newest Austin Creed “Rough Cut” and at 1:17, footage from the NWA Arena in Cornelia,GA was shown of Bill Behrens presenting the TNA contract to Austin.  If you look to the outside of the ring during this bit, you will see me.  Say what you want, I thought it was cool.

I still think it’s all cool.  One week Ricky Steamboat, the next Ric Flair.  Driving around from state to state with great folks.  When my body finally does break down and I have to hang up the camera, I know I’ll miss it.

Tomorrow – CWA Pro Wrestling in Columbia,SC.

Saturday – NWA Anarchy in Cornelia, GA.

From our first trip to Cornelia,GA…

Photos from my first trip to National Championship Wrestling in Greenville,SC are now posted: http://ringsidephotos.net/ncw_83008.htm

Thanks to Donovan for having me out to the show, it was fun seeing everybody…just please get an air conditioner…

Also:

http://saveswingtown.blogspot.com/