In Wassau, Florida, a sleepy little burg about 9 miles from Chipley, down the beach highway toward Panama City, sits "The Possum Palace" arena and playground, an outdoor shelter where wrestling has been struggling to gain a foothold since Tom Carter's ECWA drew 20 folks for a benefit show for the Salvation Army and SCCW didn't do much better, despite a grand slam talent roster.Well, AWF (Chipley) seems to have had much better luck, drawing better than a hundred per show in his first two trips to the plate. This last time around, it was an "All Cage Match" slugfest that featured Bullet Bob and Steve Armstrong, Chris Tighe, Ryan Holland, BTY, Mr. Fantasy, and a fine, balanced locker room of dedicated performers, including "Scarface" Terry Ryker, (shown above and right afyer a massive collision with the cage that, as Jim Ross might put it, "busted him wide open.
One thing I like about Gary Johnson's AWF (C) shows is that I can share the action with other fans. What's the fun of being at a wrestling event by yourself? With AWF, I can relax, take a few pictures and enjoy the show. The picture of Terry was shot by Erick Turner, my helper and apprentice photographer. He captured the very essence of of Terry. To paraphrase John Cameron Swayze, "he takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'."
Terry and friends and enemies can also be seen in their principle venue, New Heights Wrestling, in Florala, Alabama and often as guest stars, where a good fight is.
For the wrestling fan who commented that Terry's crimson mask was the result of a "blood capsule," you are incorrect. Every drop of precious blood on Ryker's face is the real deal, earned in combat in the steel cage.
To the nice reporter who literally "made my day," It was a lot of fun speaking with you. Felsberg, you newshound, I believe she "gets it." Hope to see more reporters covering local shows.
On nights like this, I love my job.
