Book Review

Images of Sports: Wrestling in Akron by Dale Pierce is a book printed by Arcadia Publishing covering the history of both professional and amateur wrestling in Akron, Ohio and its surrounding areas from the early 1900s up to the present day.

Arcadia is renowned for its series  on local and regional history, and although they boast more than 8500 titles, this is currently the only one featuring local wrestling. Author Dale Pierce does not disappoint with his contribution, as rarely does one see pro wrestling history preserved in such a positive manner.

Following a brief introduction, Wrestling in Akron is divided up into four easy-to-read sections:  The Early Years, The Armory Era, After the Armory, and The Amateurs.

Vintage pictures of national greats and local stars such as Farmer Burns, Red Bastien, Lou Thesz, The Sheik, Dominic Denucci, Fred Curry, Killer Brooks, “Maniac” Mike Gordon, Dr. Jerry Graham, Bruno Sammartino, Louie Spicolli, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Frank Williams, Ricky Steamboat, “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, Joe Rules, The Navajo Warrior, Brian Pillman, Ashley Nicely, Billy Gunn, and a whole host of others are highlighted.

Although the local amateur wrestling scene is touched on only briefly, it is included as an important piece of Akron history, popular to this day.

Also included are pics of various key area landmarks, as well as programs, souvenirs, and autographed index cards.

Each picture includes a short paragraph explaining its importance to the Akron, Ohio area.

If you’re a fan of wrestling, history, or wrestling history, you won’t want to pass on Images of Sports: Wrestling in Akron, as it is a quick, easy read filled by Dale Pierce with valuable information.  It is available at http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/ and other locations. More information can be found on the book’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WrestlingInAkronTheBook

Goodbye to 2013

2013 was a year of endings for me.  Wrestling, UPS, and my marriage.

Wrestling.  My final match as an active independent professional wrestler took place on April 13 at the United Wrestling Coalition in Browns Mills, New Jersey.

In the months leading up to that bout, I had been spending time in the UWC's commentary booth, and "Textbook" Philly Madison took exception to that.

I was viciously attacked by Madison and his tag team partner Dave Patera, earning me the cheers of the fans for the first time.  They attacked me once more during a match I was having against Peter Cross of The Secret Society.

I bought my close, personal friend Rick Silver out of retirement to team with me against Madison & Patera (collectively known as Mind And Muscle.)  Just when it looked like the reunited Big Unit would emerge victorious over Mind And Muscle, the devious Rick Silver turned on me, allowing Philly Madison to gain the pinfall.

I challenged Rick to one last match, and I promised that win, lose, or draw, it would be my last match.  It was time to hang up the tights once and for all.

While Rick Silver had Philly Madison & Dave Patera in his corner, I was accompanied by my longtime managers Luxurious Lynne and Patricia M. Steinman!  With their help, I was able to defeat Silver in front of a sold out, standing room only crowd at the Browns Mills Fire House, and I was honored when the dressing room emptied out and the workers gave me a round of applause.

It was time.  I was long past my prime and had been ready to hang it up for years.  But I needed to go out on my terms, and I did.  I appreciate everyone who helped make it all happen.

UPS.  While I never liked the job, the money was so good, I could never justify leaving, especially while married.  I got a second part-time job at Target which I actually enjoy.  So basically, I had one part-time job I hated with great money and one part-time job I loved with lousy money.

I was at UPS for over 14 years.  Over those years, I would sometimes have an asshole boss, but usually the other supervisors would be okay to deal with.  In 2013, unfortunately, I had three asshole supervisors.

And I probably would have sucked it up and stayed if my marriage had remained intact, and if I didn't see how much better I was being treated at Target.

It got to the point where I was almost ready to not even give two weeks notice, just call up and tell them I'm not coming back (if I even bothered to call to let them know.)

I chose to take the high road.  I asked Target if they could make me full-time, and they said yes (although ultimately, my hours haven't been consistent.)  I gave UPS my notice, and my last day was September 6.

Marriage.  Although still legally married on paper, my marriage ended in 2011 when my wife left me (because fuck wedding vows.)  I had unrealistic hopes for a reconciliation, but when it became clear that that wasn't going to happen, I was ready for divorce.  I contacted my favorite attorney early this year, but decided to postpone things till after my soon-to-be-ex-wife's upcoming back surgery, so she could remain on my insurance.  After recovering, she filed for divorce.  As of October 24, we are officially unmarried.  I don't even know what we're supposed to be anymore.  Friends?  Acquaintances?  Whatever.

2014.  If 2013 was a year of endings, hopefully 2014 will be a year of new beginnings.  2013 was a rough year for me.  2014 looks like it may be more of the same.

I underestimated how much take-home pay I'd be getting from Target, so I am hurting for money.  There's a very real possibility I could get evicted from my apartment, leaving me homeless.  There's a very real possibility my car could be repossessed.  I've been looking for another job, but so far, no luck.  I have some projects I'm working on that will hopefully make me some money, but that doesn't help in the short-term.

While I don't know what 2014 will bring, I know everything will be okay as long as I have little Jack, my cat.

Who Is This Joe Rules?

So I decided to start a new blog.  I was previously on LiveJournal, but that site has pretty much gone the way of Yahoo! Groups (everybody left for greener pastures) so I'm going to try my hand here.

My name is Joe Rules, and I'm an independent professional wrestler.

Unlike my previous blog, this one isn't going to just be all about me and what I'm up to.  That's what Facebook is for.  Instead, I plan to write articles about pro wrestling in general.  I may write about the current goings on in WWE or TNA.  I might write about events from years past.  I could tell you about an upcoming indy show.

For the benefit of those reading this who have no idea just who the hell I am (which is most likely the majority of you) here's a Reader's Digest version of my wrestling bio:

In June of 1990, I wrestled my first backyard match against Rick Silver and shortly thereafter, received professional training at the hands of ECW's J.T. Smith, with help from Dino Sendoff (now known as Cujo the Hellhound) and The Blue Meanie.  Some superstars I've had the opportunity to work with over the years include WWE Hall of Famers George "The Animal" Steele, Koko B. Ware, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, and the late Capt'n Lou Albano.

In 1997, I received the honored position of #500 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual Top 500 wrestlers list.  Halloween night that year, with new manager Luxurious Lynne in my corner, I eliminated Patch and the late Pitbull II to become the first-ever Jersey All Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.  The title reign was short lived when the Pitbull immediately challenged me to an impromptu bout where he captured the belt in all of two minutes.

I'm also a former Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Champion, the current JWA-United Wrestling World Champion, and I've held at one time or another almost every title the United Wrestling Coalition has to offer.  I have also been inducted into the Great Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame.

In 1999, my then-girlfriend Kristy Kiss brought me on the infamous Jerry Springer Show to accuse me of cheating on her with the 400+ lb. stripper named Tiny.  Her accusation sadly proved to be correct.

A few years later, I tried hanging up the tights to focus on promoting events, behind-the scenes duties, and working as a manager.  But in professional wrestling, very few can stay retired.  Once I met Taylor Nicole, I was back.

I proposed to Taylor Nicole in-ring after she won a three-way over Cindy Rogers and Allison Danger at the UWC's annual Toys For Tots toy drive.  The next year, we were married.  We have two cats (Grissom and Jack) and are working on starting a family.  And I'm currently writing my memoirs.

Want to know more?  Head on over to JoeRules.com.  You should be able to find everything you need to know over there.

Enough about me.  Next time, I'll be back to talk any and all things wrestling.