RhodyRaybo's blog

Not only did I just wrestle 4 days in a row, but I had a record number of matches in that 4 day period. Beginning on Thursday evening and ending on Sunday afternoon, I had six, yes six matches, all with different opponents.

My wrestling spree began Thursday afternoon when I began receiving Instant Messages from a wrestler I've met on several occasions that I will call "Ryan", big guy in his late 40's who is very strong and loves to punch. Ryan lives over the state line but works not far from me sometimes. He is some days in RI, other days in Boston. But I began hearing from him and we worked it out for him to come over after work. He met me at the house as always, went to my basement and stripped down to our briefs and the fun began. He began as always with fire in his eyes wanting a good gutpunching fight mixed with wrestling. He's one of the few opponents who nails me against the wall, standing and punches me in the gut and side. He kept egging me on to hit back. And he wants to see me go after him hard! After a good sweaty half hour of him punching and nailing me and me pinning him to the floor, he was spent. It is never a very long match with him, but very intense. Thanks again "Ryan" for coming over. It's always fun to see you.

The next day was a scheduled vacation day for me. I had some days left to schedule so I requested that Friday off looking forward to a long weekend. I had one match scheduled originally, then 2 then 3! 3??? Seriously?? I so figured one would get cancelled. Just having 2 in one day is a big, huge, hairy deal, but 3? That had never happened before. The first one was in the mid morning at the home of a guy I'll call "Ralph". "Ralph" is about 60 and knows some good holds. He's not one of the stronger guys I've wrestled, but he's no slacker either. Because of what I had planned the rest of the day, I was careful not to overexert myself. We had a good 45 minutes of tussling, holds, pins, etc. Ralph is a very courteous host and I was happy to have this second match with him.

Then I drove home 45 minutes, mostly in the pouring rain to be home for my 12:15 match with a local guy who works just minutes from my house. I had met him only once before and he was brand new to wrestling. I'll call him "Jasper" a smaller, in-shape guy in his mid 50's. "Jasper" was right on time as he was the other time we had met about a month earlier. I met him outside as I usually do with my wrestling guests and we proceeded to the basement. I stripped down to my briefs and he had gym shorts and a t-shirt on. We began to go at it and I noticed that he seemed to remember much of what I had done to him when we last met. I also noticed more confidence from him this time, so I acted more confident with him. rolling around, my growling, nibbling his ear, nailing him, getting out of his holds, I even tapped out once. He showed great potential. Oh, and that t-shirt of his got yanked off when I had him pinned once. When it comes to wrestling attire, less is more. This match lasted about a half hour for that was all he had because he needed to return to work. Hopefully I'll see "Jasper" again soon.

Then at 2pm, came the big one. One of my all time favorite wrestling buddies. I'll call him "Alan". "Alan" is a fitness instructor. He's in his late 40's, good hair on his chest, and a form most guys would kill for. He's tall and very muscular. He's also a close friend that I met through the wrestling circuit. "Alan" changed into his speedo and wrestling shoes and I changed into mine. (he's one of the few I wear them for) Alan and I are also of the same faith, so while we stood there, before we began, we gave our match to God and asked Him for guidance and safety during our match. Then we began hugging standing and started taking each other down. Alan was in a ferocious mood! I had never seen him so aggressive. I had so much difficulty freeing myself from his holds, and I could tell he was getting his aggression out on me. I loved it! He nailed me, we paused, I nailed him, we paused, and back and forth it went, nailing each other and sweating all over each other. We sweat soooo much on each other my eyes were burning for the rest of the evening. This went on for 2 hours. Alan hadn't been over in about 9 months but we had wrestled each other at group matches since then. There's nothing like rolling around with a good friend and brother. Hopefully I'll see him again soon. I always need a good shot of "Alan"...ever see two Sunday school teachers wrestling each other aggressively? Neither have I. And footnote...so sorry, "Jim-Bob", that you were unable to join us. I so wish you could have.

The next day I heard from one of the best semi-regulars anyone could ask for. He's skilled when it comes to submission holds and is a well built 57 year old with the body of a 40 year old. Yup, I heard from and was able to schedule a Saturday afternoon match with "Stanley". This match was our 26th. Yup, 26th! He showed up at 3:10 and I met him outside as always. We began with the usual pleasantries as "Stanley" got his gym bag out of his trunk and we proceeded into my house and down the basement stairs. We stripped down to our normal gear for us and we went to work on each other. We always start on our knees and pull each other down. We give each other all sorts of holds and locks. "Stanley" is best at nailing me to the floor, but when he starts to put my arm in back of my head while he's nailing me, I know I'm a goner. So, the usual hour with him went by very quickly as always. I'm always able to take him down, but KEEPING him down is another story. You see, "Stanley" is very skilled in martial arts, so he knows how to control his seemingly endless stamina. And when we were finished after 5 rounds, in which he only tapped out once and I tapped out the rest, we embraced for a bit and talked for just a bit while I massaged his pecs. I always look forward to "Stanley" and find it a privilege to be on his list of wrestling buddies. I've also considered him one of my mentors in my 2-plus years of wrestling. He never lets me just lie there when he pins me, though he knows how much I love that chest of his. He always makes the position harder and more painful on me, forcing me to attempt something. Can you ask for a better wrestling buddy? I know so few who beat him on so many levels.

And finally, on Sunday afternoon I arranged a match with a less experienced guy from about 40 minutes away. "Larry" is a smaller guy, decent build, late 40's, and very wiry. "Larry" was a good opponent to end the wrestling streak with . He likes to have conversations and he loves to throw punches. Whenever he nails me, I know I'm going to get several blows in the side and in the gut. And he knows how to throw them. Even though his inexperience had me playing the heel most of the time, this guy has a high endurance level. He was able to deal with me putting him in all sorts of holds and scissors for 90 minutes. We got good and sweaty, then talked for a while. He's a nice guy over all, but when he and I are grappling, all niceness is out the window for both of us. So it's always fun to test his limits, and for a guy who has very strict rules about gear and "grabbing" (which I don't do much of), he is very flexible on all the trash talk I gave him. "you're MINE, punk!". He didn't mind me sweating all over him. It seemed we had wrestled several times before, but I'm sure it was only 2 other times. I guess when you're comfortable with someone, it will seem as though you've known each other longer than it actually was.

So how did I fare out after all that wrestling? Jim Bob asked me earlier in a "chat" today. After each match I had a "Muscle Milk" protein shake (something Alan uses) and it really helped get my muscles back. But my eyes are still a bit irritated from all the sweating I did. I'm a bit sore in a few places and have a few bruises, but the more noticeable ones are covered by all my body hair.

Will I ever have a streak like that again? I hope so, but now I think I'll just sit back and enjoy this Sunday evening in the presence of my dear wife who allows me to engage in this pastime.