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For those who have asked about this Saturday's WWE NXT Deadline event, WWE has already closed the ticketing process for the event. Tickets were distributed via the NXT Live Facebook group, the same as WWE's weekly Tuesday taping.
There is no update yet on Barry Windham's health. I would check his GoFundMe campaign for updates (and if you can, please help). Please keep the Windham family in your thoughts. If you didn't grow up when he was in his prime, you truly missed out as Windham was one of Ric Flair's greatest challengers and then when he turned heel in April 1988, that moment ushered in the all-time greatesr quartet in Four Horsemen history. All that stuff is on the WWE Network and is well worth seeking out. I am really hoping for the best for the entire family.
The following were in attendance for Mike "Nova" Bucci's retirement match this past Saturday in Toms River, New Jersey, promoted by Stand Alone Wrestling - Sting, Jerry Lawler, Tommy Dreamer, Chris Chetti, The Blue Meanie, Little Guido, Francine, Sgt. Slaughter, Northeast Wrestling promoter Michael Lombardi (the first person to ever truly push Bucci and put him in angles), WWWA promoter Dino Sanna (who was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the show), Ron Niemi, Strictly ECW founder Tony Lewis, ECW first row legend John "Hat Guy" Bailey, Randy Holt (who headed up ECW's sound when working for the company), Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards, AEW VP Pat Buck, Johnny Kashmere, Matt Cardona, Brian Myers, Nick Aldis, Frankie Kazarian, Aron Stevens, Lupus, Rowdy Bobby Piper, Slayer, Rocco Dorsey, Rik Ratchet, Prince Nana, Marc Coralluzzo, Pitbull Gary Wolf, ICW NHB promoter Danny Demanto, DJ Hyde, Warhorse, The Graysons , Joel and Jose Maximo and more, including the legendary Vladimir and Ringside Charlie, who, of course, were sitting front row. There were a LOT of talents who worked the independents and trained with Bucci from the old Mike Sharpe school there as well, so I apologize if I didn't name every person. There were a LOT and I mean a LOT of people visiting at the show.
The show drew in excess of 1,000 and due to the fact they raised a good amount of money for the charity, the 200 Club of Ocean Country, there will be a 2023 event back at the RWJBarnabas Arena. A training camp associated with the show brought in 175 talents who performed and trained before two dozen representatives from different promotions. AEW owner Tony Khan sent a message, which was read by Pat Buck, thanking everyone who took part and imploring them to keep pushing to achieve their dreams. The plan is to do another camp when the time is right.
Finally, I want to thank everyone at the Nova Retirement show for the nice surprise they bestowed upon me as well as the last thing I expected when I walked in was to be presented with an award, much less become the first-ever recipient of The Blackjack Brown Lifetime Achievement Award for my work writing about wrestling. Blackjack was one of my closest friends in the world and I miss him dearly every single day, so to be associated with him in any way, much less have an award in his name presented to me by Bill Apter and Donnie B, is something I still have yet to completely process in my brain. It has been an extremely hard year for my family but I now know that when I reflect on it, I'll have one really nice memory in the surprise of the award to try and counteract a lot of the sadness and loss that has taken place this year. I just want to thank everyone at Stand Alone Wrestling, especially Don Bucci and Chad Minnes, as well as obviously Mike Bucci, for that moment. Blackjack's wife was absolutely thrilled when she was told about the Award being instituted, which means the world to me.
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