11/09/06

It is with great pleasure that I thank both of my great friends, Larry Matysik and Mitch Hartsey.  Every chance I get I check the site out and each time I’m so pleased to see all the updates and articles that are being posted.  Mitch has been doing a fabulous job and I know all the great fans appreciate the job he is doing with the site.   I know speaking for a lot of us that Larry Matysik makes this site work.  With his knowledge and experience I hope the site grows even bigger and better.

 During my years of knowing Larry I can’t help but remembering all the late nights on the phone discussing the wrestling business.  The condition it was in, and the direction it was heading.  Larry is one that could predict what eventually came true.  Vince and company were gaining control and would make a mockery out of the business that I had grew up on and enjoyed just like so many other fans had.   The days of seeing the greats like “The Bruiser, The Brisco’, The Funks, Johnny Valentine, The Von Erich’s, Bruiser Brody and a list of others will always be in my memories.  That was the good old days.   Under Sam and Larry you were always in for a treat.  Not like today, when, within minutes of the music playing you know who the winner is going to be.  They enjoyed teasing us.  Just when you thought you knew the finish, “Bang” they fooled us and everyone was pleased with it.  In the good old days the greats didn’t need music.   I remember a match at Kiel and Johnny Valentine slowly walked to the ring, climbed into the square circle and just by placing his hands on his hips and doing a 360% turn cause the entire audience to clap and cheer for him.   No bumping music, no fire works, no gimmick, just plain old fighting Johnny Valentine.     

 During my years of promoting wrestling shows Larry introduced me to so many other greats from the past.   It was great for me to be able to sit and talk with many of the people that help make wrestling what it was back then.  Even through the old days are gone, and can never be duplicated, with the help of Larry Matysik we can relive those great moments together.  And keep in mind, “Wrestling at the Chase” may be off the air and forever gone, but it is memories like mine and yours that will always keep it alive.  Once again I would like to thank my great friends Larry and Mitch for all the time they are putting in on the site.  I hope that each of you that are reading this share in my praise for both of them. 

Herb Simmons

*Note from the Webmaster. I appreciate the kind words Herb has for me and my work here on the site. But I would like everyone that comes here to know that if it wasen't for Herb Simmons, this site would have never taken off. Thanks again Herb!!! - Mitch

To Email Herb, click HERE