04.05.2005, 16:34
An Open Letter from Joe Gunns to Chris's family
Dear Tammy,
I would first like to express my condolences to you and all of Chris's family and tell you that you have all been in my prayers. I was unfortunately not able to attend the wake which is something that is not sitting well in my heart but it could not be helped. Tammy I don't even know that you would remember me by name but I would like to share a quick story with you about my first meeting Chris and how he affected me.
I am not exactly sure but I think it was 1991, I had just moved to New Jersey from Staten Island, I was trained by Johnny Rodz in Brooklyn and then was looking for someplace to continue training. I heard about Iron Mike Sharpes school opening in Brick so I decided to check it out, Mike and Tom Rumsby were having sort of a open house to promote the school . I remember getting there early thinking I was already a worker ( LOL ), I started talking with Tom and Iron Mike and then the place started to fill up. It was a decent size crowd for a store front school and I was getting excited feeling I was already part of the business. Then without warning and taking all the marks including the biggest mark ( me ) by surprise there was Chris in the ring with a mic going back and forth with Jimmy Shoulders. The two traded insults for a while and finally gave the crowd about two minutes of action before Tom Rumsby broke it up. I can vividly remember saying to my self , WOW this guy was incredible, so professional, (this after being sucked in to thinking this was a legit beef between the two,( how embarrassing is that to tell ). I remember the kids in that store being in awe of him as I was. I did get a chance to talk with Chris later that afternoon and not knowing at that time that I was seven years his senior I was saying to myself ( boy I hope I can get that good when I am his age LOL). He carried himself as a seasoned veteran at the age of maybe 16 or 17. The love he had and the respect he had for being in that ring was all over his face.
Through the years after leaving the business I remained a Chris Candido fan. When I returned to the business and became close with some of the boys I learned Chris had his share of problems but I can tell you that anytime I got to speak with him or saw him at a show no matter if was during the good times or the bad that love for the business was there and there was simply nobody you would want to see in the ring more than Chris when the success of a show was on the line, you knew he was going to give you 1000 percent no matter what he was asked to do.
I had the experience of promoting shows for about a year under Prime Time Wrestling and on two occasions I had the honor of having Chris on my shows. I can tell you that I felt privileged to have him there and embarrassed with what I could offer to pay him but he didn't say one word and I believe would have done it for free to make the show better that's how much he loved to work. The biggest thing I can tell you about when he worked those shows was the attitude of the locker room, it was completely different when he was there the new guys were in awe and the guys who knew him were all raised up about 10 levels of enthusiasm when he walked though the door and the locker room was empty during his match as all eyes were on him.
Being a half ass worker and promoter I loved the business but never got to a level to feel really a part of it but I can tell you Chris made me feel legitimate when I would run into him in a locker room and he would always reach out his hand and say hey Jumbo how are you or good to see you, that made me feel part of this business.
I will always remember Chris whenever I am enjoying wrestling as a part of the business or more importantly as a fan and a friend. Chris had many friends, Tammy you must use them as support and cherish the times you had together.
You should know that as well respected as Chris was in the business I don't think I could remember someone mentioning Chris Candido without saying Chris and Tammy, keep him in your heart always.
Sincerely,
Joe Miglionico
Jumbo Joe Guns
http://www.pwbts.com/messages/1747.htm
Dear Tammy,
I would first like to express my condolences to you and all of Chris's family and tell you that you have all been in my prayers. I was unfortunately not able to attend the wake which is something that is not sitting well in my heart but it could not be helped. Tammy I don't even know that you would remember me by name but I would like to share a quick story with you about my first meeting Chris and how he affected me.
I am not exactly sure but I think it was 1991, I had just moved to New Jersey from Staten Island, I was trained by Johnny Rodz in Brooklyn and then was looking for someplace to continue training. I heard about Iron Mike Sharpes school opening in Brick so I decided to check it out, Mike and Tom Rumsby were having sort of a open house to promote the school . I remember getting there early thinking I was already a worker ( LOL ), I started talking with Tom and Iron Mike and then the place started to fill up. It was a decent size crowd for a store front school and I was getting excited feeling I was already part of the business. Then without warning and taking all the marks including the biggest mark ( me ) by surprise there was Chris in the ring with a mic going back and forth with Jimmy Shoulders. The two traded insults for a while and finally gave the crowd about two minutes of action before Tom Rumsby broke it up. I can vividly remember saying to my self , WOW this guy was incredible, so professional, (this after being sucked in to thinking this was a legit beef between the two,( how embarrassing is that to tell ). I remember the kids in that store being in awe of him as I was. I did get a chance to talk with Chris later that afternoon and not knowing at that time that I was seven years his senior I was saying to myself ( boy I hope I can get that good when I am his age LOL). He carried himself as a seasoned veteran at the age of maybe 16 or 17. The love he had and the respect he had for being in that ring was all over his face.
Through the years after leaving the business I remained a Chris Candido fan. When I returned to the business and became close with some of the boys I learned Chris had his share of problems but I can tell you that anytime I got to speak with him or saw him at a show no matter if was during the good times or the bad that love for the business was there and there was simply nobody you would want to see in the ring more than Chris when the success of a show was on the line, you knew he was going to give you 1000 percent no matter what he was asked to do.
I had the experience of promoting shows for about a year under Prime Time Wrestling and on two occasions I had the honor of having Chris on my shows. I can tell you that I felt privileged to have him there and embarrassed with what I could offer to pay him but he didn't say one word and I believe would have done it for free to make the show better that's how much he loved to work. The biggest thing I can tell you about when he worked those shows was the attitude of the locker room, it was completely different when he was there the new guys were in awe and the guys who knew him were all raised up about 10 levels of enthusiasm when he walked though the door and the locker room was empty during his match as all eyes were on him.
Being a half ass worker and promoter I loved the business but never got to a level to feel really a part of it but I can tell you Chris made me feel legitimate when I would run into him in a locker room and he would always reach out his hand and say hey Jumbo how are you or good to see you, that made me feel part of this business.
I will always remember Chris whenever I am enjoying wrestling as a part of the business or more importantly as a fan and a friend. Chris had many friends, Tammy you must use them as support and cherish the times you had together.
You should know that as well respected as Chris was in the business I don't think I could remember someone mentioning Chris Candido without saying Chris and Tammy, keep him in your heart always.
Sincerely,
Joe Miglionico
Jumbo Joe Guns
http://www.pwbts.com/messages/1747.htm