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.

I went to see "Ralph" today. It was our third time we've met and the third time in the past 2 weeks. I got to his house after the 45 minute drive from my house and he greeted me with a smile and we talked a bit before going to his designated wrestling room like old friends. Why am I thanking him for this time in particular? Is it because of his gracious hosting? I love that, but that's not the reason. Could it be because he knows some good holds and I enjoy finding my head stuck between the thighs of a good wrestler? I love that, but that's not the reason. Is it because after he put me in some good holds, I was still able to wiggle out of them after a while and then nail him? I love that, but that's not the reason.

I'll tell you why...because we were supposed to meet yesterday, Saturday. But as a guy who wrestles a lot and meets lots of different guys, every once in a while you run into a bad apple. That happened to me Friday evening with another guy who wanted to come over that evening. In my communication with this individual I saw a few warning signs in the emails. But sadly, I didn't heed them. He didn't really want to wrestle, although we did a little. He only really wanted one thing, something I clearly said to him that I didn't want. He misled me. But all in all, I was the one to blame. I should have said "no thanks" in the emails. So I was pretty angry at myself the rest of Friday evening and well into Saturday. I messaged "Ralph" and asked if we could postpone our match from Saturday to either that evening or Sunday (my preference). He said he would try to get his work done so he could. I actually did have some things I had to take care of Saturday, but I was just too down from Friday to make the drive. I knew I needed just a little time to get myself pumped to meet with "Ralph" and clear my head of the episode Friday evening. When I arrived today (Sunday) at Ralph's house, he was chipper and happy to host as always.

THAT's the sign of a guy that I want to wrestle. Someone who not only put me in holds and maybe chat a little, but someone who will act like a genuine friend. Guys, the best wrestlers are not always the one who will give you the type of wrestling you like. The best ones often are the guys who will be a friend in the process. Looking forward to more meetings with "Ralph" and hope we all meet guys like him to grapple AND bond with.

Peace out.

Back in July of last year I had written about my top 5 wrestling buddies. Well, a bit has changed since then. I have now 225 matches under my belt and have met a lot more guys. Some are now good friends, others were one-timers. But either way it's time to add 2 new guys to my top 5. So to my "New Top 5" I wish to add 2 more.."Kevin" and "Alan"

BEST HOST AND MOST ENTHUSIASTIC..."Kevin", (Married, Str8, early 50's, devout family man) why do I rename one of my new favorites "Kevin", because when he and I grapple, I
feel like I am once again in the clutches of a certain 18-year old who initially got me at age 12 interested in wrestling. He's built like the original "Kevin" that I used to know and behaves very much like him off and on the mats. "Kevin" always begins with some slapping in the head, nothing too hard, just enough so you can feel he means business. Then after a few slaps we begin to tangle and see who can drag who down to the ground. "Kevin" wins most of our rounds together, but that's ok,losing to a good friend like "Kevin" is a win/win situation. Why make him a favorite? 2 reasons, He is by far the most hospitable host I've ever met. He has the ultimate man cave at his house and has devoted a large part of it to wrestling. He has these big mats, weights, and places to sit. He has also managed in his short time in the wrestling network hosted wrestlers from literally all over the globe. He's a definite "people person" and a "wrestler's wrestler". I love going to his place whether it be just me or a group of guys. He's tops! The other reason would be his enthusiasm. I thought I took wrestling seriously, he behaves as one in training for the Olympics! He wants to get better and wants not only to have fun when wrestling, but learn from it. You would never know that he's been in the circuit for only a little over a year. So "Kevin"...I luv ya bro, and am honored to be a frequent opponent of yours.

Next new category... BEST BROTHERLY WRESTLER...."Alan" (single, str8, late 40's) Ever see two Sunday School teachers go at it on the mats? Neither have I, and I would pay good money to witness it. But seeing how I can't right now, I am thrilled to be a participant of that rather than a spectator. That is how it is with "Alan". I haven't wrestled "Alan" too many times, I think maybe 7 in the last year or so, but they were 7 awesome times. Most of the matches were at other guys homes in group matches, but "Alan" has been to my house twice, and they were two of the best wrestling matches I can remember. He's the only wrestling bud that I will put on my wrestling shoes for. He likes to wear them, and I like to make him comfortable. When we're alone at my house, we enter the basement, get in gear, and then...we pray. We give our match to God and ask for His protection and wisdom. Sound unusual? It is. But why be normal? And why make him a favorite? He's not only has a body to kill for (so does "Kevin" for that matter) and very strong. When "Alan" and I begin, we start gradually then just go into one long sweaty submission match. I love the fact that I'm free to growl in his ear, then say "I love this bro!". He's also become a good Instant Messenger friend, so I chat with him regularly. "Alan", you're tops in my book and look forward to more sweaty brawls, both in my basement and in our friends' garage and mancave.

Now, I wish to rename the 3 from my last "Top 5" that remain on the list. They are as follows...

BEST SUB WRESTLER "Stanley" Mid-50's, mostly straight, married, family man, smaller, muscular, fairly hairy, cannot host. I met Stanley at a garage of another wrestler last August. The host had Stanley and myself wrestle right after I arrived. It only lasted about 10 minutes, but I knew at that point that I wanted to go at it with this guy again. He left shortly after and I had a session with the host. That guy who hosted and I have not been in touch lately, but Stanley and I began wrestling semi regularly the following January. While Stanley does not employ a large variety of moves when we wrestle, he has tremendous strength, energy, and speed. He likes sub wrestling and it's always a battle to to see who can pin or nail whom. When he has me on my back he often treats me to his grinding his hairy chest in my face. Love it!! Then after a tapout (usually me), we embrace for several minutes. But what I love about Stanley is that he's been wrestling for many years and has quite a list of semi regulars, largely guys who travel to the major city he lives near. So with all that demand and heavy activity, I consider it such a high honor and privilege to be on his list of regulars. He also is one to try to push me to the next level. He wants me to get better at what I do, and with his brotherly help, it's happening. Thank you so much Stanley....I have nothing new to add about "Stanley". Just wish to say we have now wrestled each other 26 times. He still pushes me to my limit and he still makes me smile when he drives up. He recently told me I look like a kid waiting for Santa Claus at Christmas when I wait for him to drive up. Still luv ya "Stan"

BEST JOBBER "Ron", mid 40's, straight?, divorced father of one, 50 lbs lighter than me, works 20 minutes north of me, lives about 45 minutes east of me. I don't see this fav anywhere near as often as I wish I could. Our schedules and infirmities just seem to prevent us from grappling as often as we'd like. But nonetheless, this jobber whom I first met in March and grappled with 4 times so far is very deserving of a place on my list of fav's. Despite the fact that he is trained in various martial arts and is quite strong, his first choice is to be a jobber. But he's no rag doll here. He will make you work for the title of heel. He loves being in a hold and trying to get out of it. I always say I love the looks on his face. He also loves belly and pec play, and will trade rolls and play the heel if you ask him to. Bottom line, I have had so much fun being heel to him, and he's very down to earth and personable. On our first match, I felt as though I was wrestling an old friend rather than a guy I just met. So 5 dings for "Ron". He's tops in my list of wrestling buddies even though I usually look "down" on him while grappling....Update..."Ron" and I still wrestle and I must say, he has become a very close friend of mine. We've switched our meeting locations from my place to his. He lives alone and it's more convenient for me to visit him. I now know which holds make him butter in my hands, so I use those moves repeatedly. "Ron" is currently recovering from surgery, but I was too not too long ago. "Ron" was my first match when I returned to the wrestling circuit. I hope I am his "welcome back" when he's recovered.

BEST ALL AROUND "Jim-Bob" early 30's, about 65 lbs heavier than me, straight, family man, hairy chest and belly, lives about an hour away, cannot host. I had every intention of including this very special wrestler in my list of favorites, but what title to give him? I couldn't think of one thing in particular, but rather, several things. So I decided to award him "Best All Around". We met back in May for the first time though we had chatted months earlier, but a match didn't happen back then. But when we planned our initial meeting back in May, we chatted quite extensively beforehand, both on line and on the phone. And the more we chatted, the more we realized the common interests we had when wrestling. We both love hugging and long embraces. We both love hanging together. We both love making videos of our meets then watching them together. We both love certain types of wrestling that I won't go into. And he has gotten me interested in more gut punching, something he loves. Our matches are long...at least 3 hours. We meet, we embrace, we wrestle, we embrace, we wrestle, we embrace, we through some talking in there and we just have an all around great time. Let's just say, we really clicked. We've had 3 matches so far with a fourth one in the planning stages. I honestly didn't think that I would click so strongly with someone that much younger than myself, but I have. We've become very close friends in the process and Instant Message each other very regularly. So hats off to "Jim-Bob" for making every aspect of our wrestling relationship the best one could ever ask for....update... I've had about a dozen matches now with "Jim-Bob" now and I can say that he's still my favorite. Still always pushing me, then embracing with me. Who could ask for better than that. Still an awesome guy...there are really no words to describe my bro Jim-Bob.

Well, that's my updated "Top 5". 2 were removed from my last list, not because of any hard feelings, but neither has been actively wrestling. One has not had the time, the other has not had the desire. But I have tried to keep in touch with them through messaging, and I let them both know that when they're ready to go at it again, I'll be here.

Peace out.

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.

I've wrestled this guy several times. It was about his sixth time here and we met at another wrestler's house not too long ago. He kept telling me on Instant Messenger to get mad, build up the aggression, hit hard! But when we start, I try, but I am having SOOOO much fun hitting and being hit, beaten, and humiliated, that I can't even try to look mean. I wind up laughing. But at one point with all my energy I start hitting and hitting hard, fast and repeatedly. He loved it. But I couldn't be as aggressive as he'd like. It couldn't have been that bad for him...he still tapped out twice.