I had an unforgettable time Sunday afternoon! As you read in my earlier post, I spent 2 years training in a professional wrestling school in Orlando, FL when I was 17-18 years old. I put that aside and focused on my radio career, now that I am situated in Cleveland, I thought, “Why not!?”

Prime Wrestling is a Cleveland based professional wrestling organization with a television show that airs at 10PM Sunday Night’s on Sportstime Ohio. I reached out to management at Prime Wrestling and expressed my interest in working within the company. Given my past experience, and my drive, they accepted and invited me to get started at Wrestlelution and appear as a special guest time keeper.

I arrived at Jacob’s Pavilion at noon on Sunday and met all of the guys. Former heavyweight champion Johnny Gargano was the nicest of them all. Really taking time to welcome me to Prime Wrestling and talk over my role in the main event. I was just there to ring a bell, but I was proud to do it! Johnny was attempting to get his title back from Jimmy Jacobs in the main event, and I would be right in the middle of the action at ringside!

Kory in the ring during a pre-show workout at Wrestlelution 5 (Photo: Chris Van Vliet/19 Action News)

19 Action News Entertainment Reporter Chris Van Vliet is a good buddy of mine, and also a die-hard wrestling fan. He was in the main event too, as the special guest ring announcer. We spent some time in the ring working on wrestling moves with Michael Facade and Gargano. It was fun to workout in a ring again, for me it was 12 years overdue. Then it was time to suit up for the 3PM show.

I got dressed and headed up to the VIP section to sit with Derek and the kids, my friend’s Sue and Jim, and Q104′s Kelly. I spent most of the show taking pictures, which you can see by clicking here. Then I got the call, it was time to head backstage and prepare to enter Jacob’s Pavilion through the Prime Wrestling Entrance way!

Kory and 19 Action News’ Chris Van Vliet chatting backstage at Wrestlelution 5. (Photo: Kory/CBS Radio)

Chris Van Vliet said the words, “Ladies and gentleman, please welcome our special guest time keeper for tonight’s main event. The midday DJ from Cleveland’s New 102, Kory!” I walked out the curtain and was blown away by the cheers. The crowd roared as I ran down toward ringside, giving all the kids lined up along the rail high fives! I was on top of the world. I slid into the ring and joined Chris, said a few words of thanks to the 1500+ crowd and headed to my ringside seat to ring the bell.

Kory, Aaron McGuire Bauer, Joe Dombrowski and Chris Van Vliet watching the action at ring side at Wrestlelution 5. (Photo: Derek Schroeder)

Jimmy Jacobs and Johnny Gargano made their entrances, and it was time to ring the bell, “Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!” five times in rapid succession and the match was off! Gargano and Jacobs battled in the ring and then the fight spilled over the guard rails and out into the crowd! By the time the action got back to ringside, the match was already at 10 minutes. I was a good “time-keeper.” After a few minutes of in ring action, the match spilled out onto the floor again when Gargano knocked Jacobs to the floor.

Johnny Gargano attempts to super kick Jimmy Jacobs in the face and hits Kory when Jacobs moves out of the way! (Photo: Derek Schroeder)

Before I know it, Jimmy Jacobs is crawling toward me. I am sitting in a chair next to the broadcast table with commentators Joe Dombrowski and Aaron Macguire to my left. I didn’t want to interfere in the match so I put my hands in the air, even as Jacobs used me to pull himself upright, then sat in my lap. I started to get worried when I saw the fire in Gargano’s eyes. He charged toward us and raised a foot to kick Jacobs in the face. In a split second, Jacobs ducked out of the way onto the floor and Gargano’s kick hit me squarely on the right side of my neck. Next thing I knew, I was on the ground surrounded my ringside personnel. Check out the video below.

I was picked up and escorted backstage and after a few minutes cooling off I was ok. Johnny Gargano won the match and was carried off into glory. I packed up my bags and left Jacob’s Pavilion by myself, sore, but feeling like I was a part of something great. Management from Prime Wrestling contacted me today to check on me and informed me that this is not over, so I’m sure I’ll be appearing at Prime Wrestling’s next taping. The date of that is to be determined, I’ll announce it as soon as I have it.

Kory is escorted out by ringside personnel after suffering an accidental super kick at the hands of Johnny Gargano! (Photo: Derek Schroeder)

As for how I feel about getting kicked in the face? All I can say is, I really don’t think Johnny meant to kick me, he was clearly aiming for Jacobs and I got caught in the crossfire. It’s a risk you take. No hard feelings against Johnny and I hope we get a chance to talk about it in the future. I congratulate Johnny on his championship win and I look forward to working more with Prime Wrestling moving forward.