John “Alexander” Arezzi - Mat Memories: My Wild Life in Pro Wrestling, Country Music and with the Mets

Why am I using a pen to interview Mick Foley in 1992?

When I met John Arezzi in 1989, my wrestling career was at a crossroads. I was working as an independent wrestler, unaffiliated with any major wrestling organization. I had a vision for the type of character I wanted Cactus Jack to become. But I had been given little chance to work on my promo skills in the Memphis, Continental, and World Class territories, and even less with my first run in WCW.

Enter John Arezzis Pro Wrestling Spotlight radio showa cutting-edge program that somehow seamlessly blended an insiders look at the business, with an enthusiastic ability to promote current storylines. While it would seem odd and very much out of place for a wrestler to be in character for an extended amount of time on a modern show, John somehow made it work.

While I would be very hesitant to go back and listen to an episode featuring two hours of my voice, in character as Cactus Jack, it did wonders for my confidence, and I believe that my appearances on Pro Wrestling Spotlight were a major contributor to my vastly improved microphone skills as my career progressed. Johns show is where I got a lot of my reps in, where cutting promos started to become part of that muscle-memory process.

John even played a small role in getting my foot back in the WCW door, as I was part of a Pro Wrestling Spotlight fan excursion to Baltimore, to watch the 1991 Great American Bash. It was on this outing that I had my first meeting with a legend, The American Dream Dusty Rhodes, who was booking WCW at the time.

From his humble origins as the president of Fred Blassies fan club, to ringside photographer, to radio host, to investigative journalist, to promoter, to fan convention pioneer, to his own short-lived wrestling career (two matches), there is not much that John Arezzi has not done in professional wrestling.

This book is a very enjoyable account of a most interesting man, who played a pivotal role in the way the pro wrestling business was perceived. I give it a very enthusiastic Foley thumbs-up!

Baseball Foreword
by John Gibbons

Life can be funny.

In 1981, while playing Class A baseball in the New York Mets organization, I shared a house in Shelby, North Carolina, with three guys, all different and unique in their own ways. What a mix, with J.P. Ricciardi from Boston, Mike Hennessy from New Jersey, John Arezzi from Long Island, and then me, a Texas-raised boy. Those boys never lacked for confidence, lets say that.

When John Gibbons finally made the major league roster with the New York mets in 1984, I was there to see him.

Since it was his rental, John had one bedroom, and J.P., Mike, and I took turns with the other bedroom. The other nights were rotated between the couch and the floor.

We werent the cleanest of roommates. When we hit the road for games, wed often leave a mess behind, and since John didnt travel with the team, he was the one that faced the pile of dishes and the mice scurrying across the counter. His Italian temper surfaced a few times, but we just laughed at him!

Out of the blue, John left baseball to get into music, after seeing Patty Loveless perform in a rock n roll band. We thought he was crazy, but he was a hard-headed, brash New Yorker and did what he wanted.

As our career paths went different ways, we didnt see each other much. When I could help him with tickets for a baseball game, I would. That love of baseballan obsession reallynever left John. If he had stayed in the game, he would probably have succeeded.

His life is fascinating to me. One minute hes working for a baseball team. Then he becomes a manager in the music business. Then hes getting body slammed in the wrestling business!

Fast-forward to recent times, and my daughter, Jordan, developed a desire to get into country music, and who do I call? My old pal, John, who has connections in Nashville, and did his part to open doors for her and provide her with opportunities. Thats a good friend stepping up. Johnny is a good buddy of mine, a good man.

Then he told me he was writing a book about his life.

I was honest with him: I wont buy it, but good for you!

Country Foreword
by Suzanne Alexander

With a friendship that has lasted over 25 years, I have witnessed Johns intense passion for music, wrestling, and baseball.

Its his sense of humor that drew me in and its that humor that I still love to this day. But hes a man with a mission, always thinking and creating. Theres never a time when he isnt inspiring someone to chase their dreams as he has chased his.

Suzanne Alexander and Sarah Darling in the great American Country Studio in 2012.

It was his connections that started me on my career path in country music television and for that I will always be grateful.

As you read this book you can almost feel John thinking of his next move. His recall and storytelling make you feel like youre in the room for every big moment, and there are many.

Ill be the first to buy my ticket when his life story becomes a movie.

1.
Introduction

When my alarm clock goes off, and I eventually drag myself out of bed, I always take a moment to consider who I will be today.

Am I John Arezzi, the pioneering pro wrestling radio journalist, who hosted an influential show, Pro Wrestling Spotlight, in New York City from the late 1980s until the mid-90s? The one who promoted wrestling shows across the U.S., and in southeast Asia and South America, featuring lucha libre stars before it was trendy? The one who was hated by Vince McMahon for my outspoken crusade for details of WWFs steroid issues and sex scandals? Im also the one who helped Vince Russo get into the business, which Ill never be forgiven for by some people.