It's been a wild few weeks to say the least. I'm not even sure how to start or what's what...so forgive me in advance.

BANK SHUTS DOWN WRESTLER4HIRE

I think we gotta start at the most important thing. The bank merchant (or whatever they're called) recently shut down the account for payment processing on the site. It was immediate. 

While I was driving through the panhandle in Florida down to Tampa, I received an email saying the account was TERMINATED due to Unacceptable Level of Risk. I was unaware of the email for a whole 24 hours due to heading straight to bed once I got to Tampa and being on the road driving.

😟😱🤕

To make things (slightly) worse, it was a Saturday when I found out and the banks wouldn't be around to assist for 2 days. I ran through some ideas for a temporary solution but none of them seem great, so I sit here waiting and hoping that the approval process happens quickly and we are back up and running sooner than later.

*NOTE: WE ARE BACK UP & RUNNING AT OF APRIL 2nd, 2025

CALIFORNIA

What an adventure my trip to California was. 

It started with a little detour to catch a sunset in the Palm Springs area desert in a place called Bombay Beach. This place used to be a huge vacation spot back in the 50's or so. It's now an eclectic spot for artists. I visited it last year and the place was quiet, empty and interesting, so I stopped in again. This time it was busy and thankfully so.

I had pulled the RV out onto the hard-packed sand before I felt too courageous turning around in some softer sand. Well, immediately the RV sank into the ground and seemingly sank a foot in mere seconds. I tried forcing it out but just kept digging myself a deeper hole. Isn't that a common theme in my life haha.

Luckily, my Gram keeps AAA up-to-date and makes sure I'm on the policy, so an easy tow should drag me out. Well, I was quickly informed that they only go 50 feet from pavement and I wasn't going to be getting any help from them. Shiiiiiiiit!

Thankfully there was an event going on and some of the locals love helping stranded tourists that find themselves in this position....for a hefty sum of course. I got the whole pitch on how the task was going to take hours, multiple trucks, and, even then, it may not work. Simply give half up front whether they get me towed out or not then if it works give them the other half. 

The folks seemed friendly enough and I understand - my options are limited and I'm at the mercy of the locals. I was also warned about some "Renegades" in trucks that should be showing up soon, so we better make the deal.

Sure enough, in come flying a bunch of loud 4x4s and without even asking they began getting out their tow straps. One of the guys came up to me and we started talking. The locals seem to fight over who has the right to do these types of jobs...and who gets to be paid for them. It's a local scene that I'm sure would make a good YouTube documentary.

Anyway, these guys assured me they'd do it for less money and implied that if I couldn't pay they'd still tow me out for free as they weren't going to leave me stranded. They reminded me of some country boys from back home. I was warned by the original tow person that these guys were a bit reckless and wild - somebody could get hurt. The wild boys told me if anyone was gonna get hurt it was them and they made sure to move everyone back from the tow scene.

HOLY SHIT! These boys pulled me out in less than 2 minutes after hooking up their straps. However, one tow strap broke and shatter the back window of the SUV. 

RON SEXTON ART

I made it to Ron's house in the Palm Springs area and the next morning he came out to join me. He's been into painting again recently so he brought a bunch of paints and supplies so we could goof around making some pour paint type art and chat about some upcoming shoots in Los Angeles.

I've enjoyed talking to Ron for decades at this point - he seems honest, he's kind and he's been a good friend. I want to help bring his site back to its' glory. What I remember it being when I was young...and I expect us to do that this year.

I'll tell you a bit more about the shoots in Los Angeles as they were chaos, but I wanna tell you what I found in Ron's office. 

I always like digging through boxes, or shelves or seeing what Ron has leftover from "back in the day," so when I saw this article on the desk I had to check it out.

This is the infamous article regarding Tom Cruise suing Kyle Bradford for slander. You know the story - Tom and Kyle Bradford had a secret relationship. I've heard tales over the years and even have a buddy who claims to have helped "hide" Kyle Bradford during this time. I think it must be true because I have a number for Kyle that he gave me (or I'm pretty sure he did.) 

I call the number at least once a year...sometimes more often. The number rings and rings then goes to voicemail. I always leave a voicemail explaining who I am (nobody) and that I'd like to at least chat with him. I'm hoping someday he answers and I can convince him to come back for just one more epic match. Wouldn't that be wild?

Next time, I'm at Ron's office, I'm going to hijack the Cyberfights sign from his wall 😜

LOS ANGELES SHOOTS

I had 2 shoots planned - one for February 13th and one for February 15th. Well, it never rains in Southern California, but when it rains --man, it pours.

I had initially reserved a space in an area of Los Angeles called "Boyle Heights." I had no clue where it really was but had heard the name on Lucha Underground, so I figured what the hell. Let's try it. 

I'm not sure where Boyle Heights is officially, but it's gotta be inches from "Skid Row." As I was driving a big RV through Downtown LA, I saw all the homeless encampments then I saw the BIG WAREHOUSE where truck drivers were loading vegetables and other  wholesale food items. I was already in a sour mood for many reasons, so when I saw the area and place I had rented, I wanted out immediately.

Luckily, the place I had booked for Saturday, February 15th was available and we were able to move the shoot there, which was only a few miles away, but in a slightly nicer area. It was chaos moving from location to location then letting everyone know then dealing with traffic in the rain.

The shoot went well with the exception of the loud rain hitting the tin roof, the massive puddles of water pooling inside the filming location and the FLASH FLOOD WARNING that had every cell phone alarm going off during a match. Oh, and I guess the RV has a leak in the ceiling as I found a bunch of water coming through the roof. Aye yi yi!

The shoot on Saturday went more smoothly and everyone was a stud...the one thing that stands out is a dude showed up, put on a great wrestling outfit, was ready for action, but went to his car and apparently left. He didn't say anything to anybody and I haven't heard any word as to why he left. Things like this have happened but it's very rare and I always wonder what the reason is...and never find out what it is. 

I'm going back to finish a bunch of bank paperwork. I hope this gave you a nice little update on what I've been up to...and if you'd like to see some recent Can-Am Videos I helped create check out these 2 great ones......