Author: Christopher Annino
“Black women in wrestling are marketable” is a powerful post made by the former test of strength champion Karen Bam Bam. This entry is bold, insightful, and powerful in so many ways. Women of color have always been marketable; however, they never got an equal shot. Jacqueline Moore, aka Miss Jacqueline, Carlene Begnaud, aka Jazz, Black Venus, and Awesome Kong were some modern-day examples of female wrestling pioneers. It’s upsetting that they didn’t get the push deserved. Her statement had me thinking about a remarkable groundbreaking documentary, “The Lady Wrestler,” directed by Chris Bournea. “The Lady Wrestler” is the Amazing,…
In 2021, the measure of strength is not what a person can handle physically; it is what a person can handle mentally. A person who is pure in heart and has a sound spiritual foundation can do fantastic things. Because of Brian’s in-ring athletic ability, heart, and kindness, he is pro wrestling’s superman. Brian Blair grew up in a kind, loving family; however, they did not have much and would be considered poor. Brian was a huge wrestling fan as a kid. Some of his favorite wrestlers were Jack Brisco, Jerry Brisco, and Eddie Graham. Brian Blair – Pro Wrestling’s…
The true definition of a champion is not what you wear around your waist, but it is what you have in your heart. Angel Orsini has the heart and talent to do extraordinary things. The Oscar Award-Winning film Rocky was released in 1976. The making of the film itself was a million to one shot, and the studio originally felt this was going to be a loss. After its release, it became not only a box office success, but it became a piece of Americana. Rocky, starring Sylvester Stallone, is about a talented underdog who defied the odds by accepting…
Jimmy Valiant inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame Class of 2025 It was founded in 2019 by international award-winning filmmaker Christopher Annino and ECW original Angel Orsini of New Jersey. The New England Music Hall of Fame (NEMHOF) is a Connecticut-based business. Its mission is to “unite, educate, heal, influence, promote and preserve the integrity of New England’s music and the people who embody it. We want to embrace, build, and heal people through music.” On February 15, 2025, at 5 p.m., the official NEMHOF induction ceremony will be at The Vault in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The…
Many people don’t realize that sometimes individuals enter into your life for a reason. WWE Hall of Famer Walter Killer Kowalski was a legendary wrestler, promoter, and trainer. He had the uncanny ability to motivate his students to excel far beyond their potential. As a result, became world renown for training some of the greatest pro wrestlers ever to step foot in the ring. Killer Kowalski was the son of Polish immigrants and is a native of Windsor, Ontario. For a time, he was going to school for engineering until he caught the pro wrestling bug in 1947. He wrestled…
With her piercing glance and tall stature, Susan Tex Green has an intimidating look similar to Clint Eastwood. Green has a cast-iron jaw with a diehard work ethic. Despite suffering numerous injuries that would make an average human whimper, she continues to train. She has not stopped wrestling during her 40 plus year career. They call her Tex because this motorcycle riding, a hard-hitting farm girl who also worked corrections. She is as tough as they come, and she continues to look ahead for that next match. The words; “I can’t” don’t exist in her vocabulary as she has expressed…
The mission of the Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame is to educate, promote, and preserve the history of Women’s wrestling. It is time African American Pro Wrestling pioneers finally get justice. There are three categories that are honored each year: Pro Wrestling and amateur wrestling, which includes Olympians, Paralympians, college-level athletes, and coaches. And non-wrestlers which are reserved for managers, announcers, valets, promotions, and referees. The Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame was created during Angel Orsini’s quest to finish the documentary Circle of Champions. African American Pro Wrestling Pioneers Finally get Justice Numerous women deserved to be inducted into many…
Indigenous American Wrestling – The Gathering Of Skill. My connection with Indigenous American culture dates back to when I was a young child. My parents took the Mohawk trail Deerfield River in Massachusetts. It’s said that we have some native blood in us. Our great uncle Ancin was the family historian and informed us we were Blackfoot. Ancin had darker skin and higher cheekbones than us and was well respected amongst the Narragansett tribe. When I became older I befriended Grammy-nominated Joseph Firecrow and his wife/ manager, Joanne Moore. I would have fond memories of talking to Joseph Firecrow about…
Pro wrestling manager and fellow Italian Chazz Moretti spoke highly of his culture and heritage as he was celebrating Italians in wrestling. On his Facebook page, he had posted the following wrestlers of Italian wrestlers, either of born Italian or of Italian-American descent. Thus far, Moretti shared that among the names that were of Italian culture are the following: Mario Mancini (WWE), Nancy Benoit, former ECW champion Taz, former ECW tag team champion Perry Saturn, former AWA tag team champion Frankie DeFalco, Randy Macho Man Savage, Former ECW tag team Champion Pitbull #2 Anthony Durante, former WWWF/ WWE United States…
Adrian Street. According to the Webster’s Dictionary the definition of a Renaissance man is “a person who has wide interests and is expert in several areas” Often times referred to as universal man the term Renaissance man dates back to the 1400s in Renaissance Italy. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) whose talents ranged from art, science, music, invention, athletics, and writing is one of the most well-known and influential renaissance men. Fashion Designer, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Author, Trainer, and wrestling legend “The Exotic “Adrian Street, embodies what a modern Renaissance man truly is. He was known for his flamboyant in-ring persona…