RhodyRaybo's blog

I'm a happily married, family man who loves wrestling. One of my Top 5 favorites once called me an "addict" when it comes to wrestling. He's right. But my wife and family never paid that much attention to birthdays, especially mine, but this was a big one, this was my 50th! I knew I wouldn't get any party and my wife hates to shop, so I asked around to some of my wrestling buddies who would be willing to wrestle me for a 50th birthday present? 2 of my favorites came through.

The eve of my 50th, I got a visit from "Jim-Bob". "Jim-Bob" has been in my top 5 for a while. He arrived like he usually does. He lets himself in, heads down to my basement and I'm waiting for him. I am usually sitting on the mats waiting for him...in silence. He strips down and heads over to me. We begin by embracing for a while and then gradually begin to struggle. We actually wrestled for close to an hour without saying a word to each other. It was a typical match for him and I. We chatted, bonded, hugged, struggled, etc. Anything different about this match? I actually got him to tap out once. "Jim-Bob" is strong as an ox, and I usually get dominated and humiliated by him. Which I love, but every once in a while, it's great to have him unable to move. He tapped, we had some water, then went back into positions...he then said.."I have to hurt you now".... He did. Then we boxed, did a bit more wrestling, and before we knew it, 2 hours and 15 minutes had flown by. Thank you Jim-Bob for my birthday present.

The next day, my actual birthday, I had an early morning match at the home of "Kevin". Nice to see a great wrestler and good buddy like Kevin on my birthday. Kevin had been very busy with work, so I was grateful that he could find some time. We had almost an hour of our typical intense sweaty match. However, this match was different. Kevin managed to do something to me he didn't intend on doing...he SLEEPERED me! I was under him at one point and he had me in one of his choke holds, which he loves putting me in. But at some point all of a sudden I found myself shaking all over and feeling as though I had just woke up. I wondered if I had fallen asleep while wrestling, then it hit me...He rendered me unconscious for a second or two. Wow...what a wrestling buddy! Fun, fun, fun. I left sweaty, sore, and thrilled for a great birthday gift...a wrestling match with 2 of my favorites close together.

When I first requested a vacation day on my birthday, my boss said as he approved it "do something fun". Well, I did. I wrestled! Anything more fun than that? I think not.