RhodyRaybo's blog

This week I had 2 milestones in the 2 matches I have had so far. Last night I wrestled my 100th opponent. I keep records using aliases and first names with dates that we wrestle and last night was the 100th opponent. And incidentally we met here on Meetfighters. There were 2 other guys that I have wrestled, but I don't count them because both only lasted like 2 minutes. One was just a short roughhousing because the guy had been recovering from surgery. The other that I don't count had his shoulder give out on him 2 minutes into the match. So that one was a total bust. But here's to 100 guys! Most were good guys, a couple made me almost quit wrestling entirely.

The other milestone happened this evening. I had my 500th match! Now when I say matches, I don't necessarily mean meetings. I have been to many "group matches". If there are 3 other guys at the group match and I wrestle each one of them at a time, each guy is a match. Though the majority of my matches have been one-one-one. The best thing about the 500th match was that it was with one of my favorites. I really wanted my 500th to be with either Jim-Bob, Kevin, Stanley, or Michael. And thank God, it was with "Kevin". And it's appropriate. I gave this wrestler the name "Kevin" in my blogs because he reminds me somewhat of the 18 year old guy who got me interested in wrestling at age 12. And while I can't say there was anything unusual about this 500th match, I can say that I was doing my favorite style of wrestling. Submission. We went on for 2 rounds that lasted 45 sweaty, grueling minutes. I got punched, choked, and pinned over and over again. I got sweat on during a warm July evening. And you know what? I loved it!!! We also got to talk and and hang out for a bit. Then I had to get home to get something to eat and he was going out with his wife later on. Cool think was, "Kevin" was also my 200th match, and I think that was the first time we met.

I used to feel that once I hit 500 I would taper off or call it quits. But I never thought I would make 500 in just 4 years! I started in July 2011. What a rollercoaster ride it's been. Kevin told me this evening that when he and I first wrestled I would quickly run out of breath. He says that's not the case anymore. Thank you Kevin, for your friendship, encouragement, and being my 500th match.