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If you’ve ever visited my biography on the Free Press website, it won’t come as a surprise to learn I once had athletic aspirations of the unusual kind.
“Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer,” the profile begins.
It’s true. A lot of that passion for the so-called squared circle came from a great childhood friend named Andy Lewis, who had a similar interest.
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His parents owned a pizza joint on Henderson Highway called “Angelo’s.” We would gather there for World Wrestling Federation pay-per-views, watching them on the big screen while stuffing our faces with pepperoni pie and cheering on the larger-than-life likes of Hulk Hogan, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Winnipeg’s own “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.
Ah, to be young again. Those really were the good old days.
Andy and his family moved to Edmonton in our early teens, but we continued to stay in touch and remain close. And while we always had plenty to talk about — our shared love of hockey (we were teammates together for years), our parents and spouses and, eventually, our children — the latest happenings in the wacky world or rasslin’ were never far behind.
Only now there was an even deeper connection.
While I remained in Winnipeg and headed off to journalism school, leading to full-time employment in this city starting in 1995 at the age of 20, Andy was lacing up his boots in places like Puerto Rico and Mexico as he began his pro wrestling career in 1996 at the age of 21.
Cool, eh? I certainly think so, and it’s been fun to follow his career, which even included some appearances with Vince McMahon’s WWE, where he famously took a stunner from “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on an episode of Monday Night Raw watched by millions around the world.
I’ve never actually watched my pal wrestle in person, as the majority of his matches have been far, far away from home.
But that all changes tonight.
Andy is back in town as part of a six-match card being put together by Wrestling United at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain. Going under his ring name of Andy Anderson, he’s taking on Winnipeg’s Shane Madison.
I know pro wrestlers don’t always get respect for their athletic prowess, given that the world of “sports entertainment” is scripted, but there’s nothing fake about the condition these guys are in. It’s truly impressive, and Andy, now at the age of 49, is looking as good as ever.
I haven’t asked him whether he’s slated to win or lose — I want to be as surprised as anyone — but I’ll be cheering him on regardless. And, in a way, living vicariously through my buddy as he continues to do what we both dreamed about as little kids.
Thinking about what Andy has accomplished got my mind wandering to other longtime friends who have excelled in various sporting endeavours.
My longtime classmate (starting in elementary school) Jill Officer became an Olympic gold medallist and one of this province’s most decorated curlers.
My former minor hockey teammate, Mike Leclerc, made it to the NHL and played 341 career games, including one season with the Anaheim Ducks in which he was on a line with Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya.
My former teenage golfing buddy at Rossmere, Rob McMillan, had a heck of a pro career, including 11 PGA Tour events.
That’s some pretty good company, don’t you think? None of their talent ultimately rubbed off on me, but being able to write about the sports in which they excelled is a nice consolation.
I want to give a shout-out to my good friends over at the Canadian Animal Blood Bank, who have two big sports-related events coming up that sure could use your support.
First up is Friday, May 31, when the Winnipeg Goldeyes and the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association team up to raise funds for the CABB. For every ticket sold to that night’s ball game at Blue Cross Park, $5 will be dedicated to supporting their operations. I’ll be in attendance with board members, staff and volunteers with the CABB, and I’d love to see you there.
Then, on Thursday, July 11, the CABB will hold its second annual charity golf tournament at Wildewood Golf Course. The nine-hole scramble, which I had the pleasure of attending last year, is an absolute blast, with dogs welcome to join you on the course. (There are volunteer walkers should you need one as you hit your shots).
They’re only selling 64 tickets, which I expect to go fast, so make sure to grab your spot by going to their website, where you can also find out much more about the important, life-saving work they are doing when it comes to our four-legged furry friends.
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