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They say birds of a feather flock together. While this is true, it does not hold for a 50-something year old Italian man and his adult daughter. Too similar to get along and arguing about everything...
Unless it comes to pro wrestling.
We agree on that.
Dad's old school. He'll tell you the story about the time he jumped in the ring with Don Muraco. He doesn't understand the new stuff (unless it's Bo Dallas.) 'I don't like wrestling' - he'll tell the world while secretly telling the dog 'You need to Bo-Lieve.'
Then, there's me- 28 years old, a huge fan and female. I can tell you finishing moves for days, quote the Indie history of my favorite (Elias!) and much, more more.
We're about as different as you can get but we agree on one thing- when the bell dings and the action starts...pure magic.
The Royal Rumble recently rolled through our state. I was all for it- 5 days of Wrestling? YES. A fan convention? YES PLEASE. We needed to do it all!
Daddy Dearest wasn't so sure. He didn't like being away from my mom. He didn't like the thought of spending that much money. He didn't know if he would like it.
In the end, he agreed to accompany me. I think he secretly wanted to go but more than that, he was terrified of what might happen to his only daughter in a male dominated space.
Yes, the woman who explored Atlanta's worst neighborhoods for fun needed a man to protect her in downtown Phoenix.
It started out rough. Any guy that even dared to look at me suddenly had ill intentions. Suddenly, those poor men were subjected to long rambles about any number of things or I was conveniently whisked away.
Dad drove me crazy.
Surprisingly, we made it through the first 3 days of our trip smoothly. To my surprise, he learned to relax and actually began to enjoy himself. (Ask him how Heath Slater laughed about the 5 dollar bottle of water!)
Then, we made it to RAW.
A drunk 20-something from Boston tried to ask him why the crowd booed Rousey. Dad didn't know so he told him to ask me... one of said boo'ers.
The guy did and then, it began.
He did everything in his power to convince me that Ronda's a legit talent because of her MMA background. I countered that it didn't matter- I wasn't a fan. We went in circles on everything and anything. Mr. Drunk Man stopped arguing, when he saw I wouldn't back down.
That night, I didn't win but I also didn't lose.
I stood my ground.
Later, I overheard my dad on the phone. He simply told my mom... 'I'm proud of our girl. She held her own in a fight. I thought I'd have to get between them.'
Dad and I walked away with a greater understanding of each other that weekend...
All thanks to the wonder of pro wrestling.