Most\u00a0guys, at some point during their lifespan,\u00a0get into\u00a0pro wrestling.<\/p>\n
I was no different.<\/p>\n
![\"jesse-the-body\"](\"http:\/\/www.downtownphoenix.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/jesse-the-body-111x135.jpg\" "\\"jesse-the-body\\"")
In Southern Minnesota, where I grew up, wrestling was h-u-g-e. The American Wrestling Association, which was based out of Minneapolis\u00a0and was at one time the premier wrestling company in the country, featured\u00a0legends like\u00a0Nick Bockwinkle, Sheik Adnan El Kassey, The Crusher, Verne and Greg Gagne, Jerry Blackwell, Ken Patera and a certain\u00a0flamboyant, feather boa-wearing loudmouth named Jesse Ventura [pictured left], who went by the name “The Body.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
We Minnesotans would later call him “The Governor.”<\/p>\n
In the early 80’s most of the\u00a0AWA’s top talent, including golden-locked\u00a0rising star Hulk Hogan, were lured to the then-World Wrestling Federation by power promoter Vince McMahon and soon the WWF became the most\u00a0dominant company in the sport’s history, spawning pay-per-views, video games, action figures, a gazillion T-shirts, and more than 10 hours of cable programming each week.<\/p>\n
Today,\u00a0more than 25 years after Hogan captured the WWF heavyweight belt and ignited a nation of Hulk-a-maniacs, now-World Wrestling Entertainment\u00a0remains\u00a0at the top of the wrestling food chain. Why? The evidence can be found in Downtown Phoenix all week.<\/p>\n
Fan Friendliness<\/strong> – WWE’s popular\u00a0interactive\u00a0 fan experience, AXXESS<\/a>,\u00a0is happening Thursday\u00a0thru Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center<\/a>. The list of wrestlers scheduled to appear at AXXESS includes The Undertaker, John Cena, Edge, Big Show, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Kane, MVP and Sheamus (not to be confused with Seamus<\/a>). There will be autographs, memorabilia, video games, WWE Shop, Superstar Entrance , photos, Vince McMahon and Stone Cold’s 4×4, Kidzone, a tribute to Shawn Michaels, and many other interactive exhibits.<\/p>\n Preserving History<\/strong> – The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony <\/a>will be held Saturday at Dodge Theatre<\/a>. This year’s nominees include Ted DiBiase, Antonio Inoki, Wendi Richter, “Mad Dog” Vachon, Bob Uecker and Stu Hart.<\/p>\n![\"33027_PPV_WMAxxess_2Web_300x250\"](\"http:\/\/www.downtownphoenix.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/33027_PPV_WMAxxess_2Web_300x250.jpg\" "\\"33027_PPV_WMAxxess_2Web_300x250\\"")
WrestleMania<\/strong><\/a> – The bell rings on the\u00a0latest installment of wrestling’s\u00a0biggest\u00a0extravaganza Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.<\/p>\n