Hockey & Wrestling

It’s that time of year again.  Hockey calls shotgun and wrestling takes the back seat.  Well, let me rephrase that… local wrestling takes the back seat.  How do I feel about it?  I’m actually psyched!

The approach that I’ve taken the last year or so is simple.  Work towards big events.  Train towards the events that have the grandest opportunity.  Not necessarily money-wise.  But certainly long-term, big time event-wise.  I am training towards those big opportunities and trying to make the best of them.

So, now it’s that time of year where the Riverkings take over my priority, as far as bookings are concerned.  It’s time to rest my body a little bit from all the wear and tear.  It’s time to put a major focus on my training.  I’m never where I want to be or need to be – training-wise.  I must stay in the best shape possible.  And being less sore and less banged-up will help me get in the gym and bust out some very good workouts.  Plus, it’s always good to just take a little time away from the ring and focus on other vehicles for my success.

With that being said, I will still be wrestling locally – namely Ripley, TN.  Heck, I’m the EWE Heavyweight Champion… I have to be there to defend the belt.  But if you do not see me around from time to time, I’m sure there’s a hockey game going on.  I really do enjoy the hockey experience, as it gives me something other than beating my body around the ring.

Look out folks, there’s a ton of other stuff going on with me right now, as well.  There’s talk of commercials.  There’s talk of bigger wrestling opportunities.  There’s writing opportunities coming up (more on that tomorrow!)  And just to give you a hint on what the future holds for good ole Dustin Starr – I’m not only gearing back up for a competition-quality workout regimen… I’m also setting my future up for a big move.

And no… I’m not talking about, to quote Corey Maclin, “A BIG MOOOOVE!!“

Riverkings Opener Tonight!

Mississippi Riverkings hockey kicks back off tonight, October 9th at the DeSoto Civic Center!  The puck drops at 7:05 to kick off the preseason!

Riverkings had an unbelievable season, last year.  This year, they try to pick up where they left off!  Not only do the Riverkings have a strong roster coming back from last year – but I’ll be back as well!  That’s right, Dustin Starr is BACK with the Riverkings!

I know I have announced this already via Twitter several months ago, but I wanted to invite you all out tonight to come see the team and to see myself!  Come say hello and we’ll get a picture to post right here on the website.  Also, I’ll have T-shirts and all kinds of giveaways for hockey fans (and especially Dustin Starr fans!)

I’ve been looking forward to this season ever since last year’s ended.  There’s just something about the fans and how they warmed up to me.  Don’t worry, I’ll be wearing sleeves in tonight’s match-up!

I have a big weekend of sports coming up and I’m so excited about it!  Not only will I be hosting the Riverkings hockey game tonight, but tomorrow I’ll be in Oxford, MS for the Alabama Crimson Tide’s domination of the Ole Miss Rebels!  Can’t wait to see everyone out at The Grove.  But until then, see you all tonight at 7:05 at DeSoto Civic Center and the Ice Palace!

GO RIVERKINGS!

Hilarious!

Check this out, folks:  GLASSRATTLER.COM

I don’t care if you’re a hockey fan or not – read the thread.  It’s all about me and how some of the fans in town and out of town feel about me.  Not only am I labeled “Mr. Awesome”… but I’m compared to Right Said Fred (you know, the guy that sang “I’m Too Sexy”)  I heard about this, looked it up and couldn’t stop laughing.

But I must say, they give me big props.  I appreciate that.  So, check it out and post your own comments.

I (Kookamonga) Challenge YOU!

One of my favorite segments of entertainment at The Mississippi Riverkings games has become The Kookamonga Challenge.  (CLICK THE LINK FOR VIDEO)  What is The Kookamonga Challenge?  Well, it’s pretty simple.  There’s a restaurant in downtown Memphis called the Kooky Canuck.  Within the Kooky Canuck, they have a seven and a half pound hamburger… and The Kookamonga Challenge is to simply (yeah, right!) eat that hamburger within one hour!

Could you imagine eating all that food in one sitting?  Most people that order the burger, order it for an entire family!  But The Kookamonga Challenge is for a single individual to eat it all within the hour.  The prize?  Well, you get this burger free and you also get into their Hall of Fame!

At the games, we get three victims… err… contestants to try and beat the Kookamonga Challenge during the game.  We’ve done this twice already and there hasn’t been a winner yet.  Take a look at the picture and you tell me if you could handle the burger!  We’re set for another Challenge on Saturday night.  I can’t wait.

Five Starr News

I can hear the CNN Headline News music, as I type this message!  It’s time to update you on some of the things that are going on in the wrestling world – and of course, in my world!  So, here we go:

-  I went to the Sister Hazel concert, last night, at Minglewood Hall in Memphis, TN.  I must say, that building is amazing for a concert.  The sound was great, the set up was great, the beer was expensive and the band rocked the house.  Great concert by Sister Hazel, for sure.  I was able to enjoy the night with some friends and family.  I’ll have pictures posted very soon of that outing.  Oh, and would someone please tell Max Corbin to get with the times on his wardrobe!  Never go to a concert with the top button on your shirt buttoned up.

-  Memphis Wrestling’s ratings are up and to quote Corey Maclin, “Loookin’ goooood!”  I’m happy to be back on the show, first of all.  And I’m even happier with the report I read and the ratings I’ve seen.  It’s always great to have the highest rated segment on the show.  Thank you all for watching.  Check that report out HERE.  The ratings are broken down for you in that report, as well.  Who would’ve thought that Kevin White versus Dustin Starr would be the best match on the show?

-  Jesse “The Body” Ventura is a genius.  Very smart dude, for sure.  Check out this quote from a CYInterview.com interview:

Pick up a DeSoto Appeal today!

Be sure to be up the March 5th edition of the DeSoto Appeal (The Commercial Appeal)!  If you flip to the back pack of the Local section, you’ll see none other than ME in the largest photo on the page!  This is awesome publicity for not only me – but for a very good cause, as well.

You can also click HERE to read the full story online!

A few weeks back, The Riverkings held a special night that featured hair donation for Locks of Love, coupled with awareness on behalf of Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.  Over twenty folks donated their very own hair to children who, because of illness, can not grow their own.  It was an amazing night and I’m glad the newspaper has decided to cover the story.

The photo shows me, stylist Allison Kalkstein and Abby Nelson – whom donated her very own hair.  Grab a paper and see for yourself.

This night was very special to me for many different reasons.  One – it’s a huge charity event.  Two – my jersey was actually auctioned off for $350 that all went to charity (Thanks Lucie)!  And three – I will never forget how impressed I was by this little girl (Abby) who was not only brave enough to get out there in front of thousands of people to get her hair cut… but I was impressed by everyone who donated that night.

A quick side-story – Abby and her mother came down to the backstage area to prepare for the haircut.  Abby was SOOO nervous about standing in front of all the people.  I just did my best to take all the pressure off of her and to just put it on myself.  Abby did awesome and was very brave to get out there on the ice for this event.  I’ll never forget having goose bumps because of the video that played before her haircut, thanking her… and the goose bumps that I had just thinking of how much of an impact that would have on so many people.

It was a great event.  Click HERE for the full story!

Hockey versus Wrestling

After Saturday night’s hockey game and wrestling show – I’ve been really thinking about the difference between the two.  To me – what’s the difference between working a hockey game and working a wrestling show?  There’s a few obvious differences… but which one do I like more?  And better yet – why?

Last night was a perfect example of how the two are totally different creatures.  They’re nothing alike.  I have a blast doing both (sometimes).  But sometimes that difference drives me absolutely crazy.  Let me elaborate a little for you all.

Let’s start with hockey.  I work with a buncha people who love what they do.  We have a winning team – and they let me run with the ball.  To be perfectly honest, from day one – they’ve basically let me do my thing without keeping me on a tight leash.  They have literally given me the ball and are letting me run with it.  I do what I do and they not only like it – but they appreciate it.  I have so much fun at each show that I feel like I’m not even working.  I love it.  And it’s even better now that they’re one of the best teams in the league.  I honestly do not have one single complaint about working a Riverkings hockey game.

Wrestling, on the other hand – not so good.  No matter what you do or what you say in the wrestling business, someone’s going to take your words… twist them around… and try to cut your throat.  You’re constantly being criticized and you’re constantly being thrown under the bus for some rhyme or reason.  It’s like you’re back in high school… err… elementary school even!  You have to deal with he-said she-said garbage ALL THE TIME!

Minglewood Hall – TONIGHT!

It has been confirmed – I have a very busy night, tonight!  Wrestling returns to Memphis, TN – and hockey returns to the Ice Palace (DeSoto Civic Center)!

First, I will start my night off at the Mississippi Riverkings’ game!  The Riverkings are riding a six-game winning streak into tonight’s game.

After that, I will be headed down to Minglewood Hall on Madison Ave in Memphis, TN to wrestle on the Memphis Wrestling Classics!  I’m not exactly sure who I’ll be stepping in the ring with, but whoever it is – I’ll be ready!

Tonight’s a big night of action for me in two different arenas!  So, be sure to come out to one or the other – or do it like me and be at BOTH!

So much for a ruined career, eh?

Accepting Criticism II

I just wanted to touch on this topic just a little bit more and then I’m done with it.  I wanted to give you all a chance to see what “Riverkings Things” (blog) had to say in response to “Accepting Criticism“.

I don’t think I took the criticism in a negative light.  I took it more in a fun-type of light, instead.  On one on hand, I do like to hear feedback on how I do my job whether it’s in the ring or on the ice.  On the other hand, there’s certain things that I must overlook and not really put over.  This is one of those things.  If someone’s offended by me not wearing sleeves – there’s obviously something wrong with that person… not me.  If someone thinks it’s vulgar for me to be sleeveless – whether it’s Riverkings management or even the fans – there’s something seriously wrong.  The last time I checked, they didn’t kick folks out of the arena for wearing tank tops.

But I digress.  I just think it’s a matter of “taste in clothing.”  I’m a rockstar in every aspect of the word.  From the shades, to the vests, to the GUNS, all the way to the attitude itself.  If you don’t GET the gimmick, then you’re probably not going to LIKE the gimmick.

Here’s a quote directly from their blog:

Accepting Criticism

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be a Major League Baseball player during the steroid era?  How would it feel to be berated by every baseball columnist on television, radio or print?  How would it feel to have people bad mouth you day after day?

What about football?  If you had a bad performance, how would you take the criticism?  You think you could take it?  Or do you think you’d get really upset or self-conscious about your next moves on the field?  Would you retaliate?  And if you did retaliate, how would you do it?

Well, there’s a good reason I’m bringing this all up.  Since this blog became a part of Memphis Sport’s site, I started surfing around and looking at some of the other blogs.  Well, during my viewing experience, I ran across a Riverkings’ hockey blog.  I was a little curious if the blog ever mentioned me… so, being the mark for myself that I am (a fan of my own work) I sifted through the content only to find a few pictures of me!  (one posted here)  All right!  Now, what does it say?